I Must Be Crazy...But On Second Thought The Business Model Is Working...

In this business, the company recommends holding a business launch which is basically a gathering of friends and family to discuss the business opportunity, your personal reason for starting your business, and then a few product demonstrations.  Unlike other Direct Marketing companies this is not a "product" party. It is truly a business launch.  In fact, it is so different it actually surprises your guests.

So, me and my business partner scheduled mine for this past weekend and she flew into town for the big event.  Talk about stressing me out...

For those of you that know me well, you know I'm a bit of a "stresser".  I have been since I was a kid.  Everything from daily stomach aches before school to cold sores the morning of test days.  While I am better than when I was a kid, it is still something I struggle with.  So during the days leading up to the business launch I was full of doubt.

• What if nobody shows?  
• What if my business partner feels like her trip was a waste?
• What if I let my business partner down?
• What if I get asked something about the company or the product that I don't know?

Well, the big day arrives and it is nothing like I had planned.  You see, I am still adjusting to motherhood and the differences that it includes.  In my life prior to motherhood, I would wake up early the day of a big business meeting or event and take my time getting ready, enjoy my coffee, take a long shower, go over my presentation, check my list a few times to ensure I had everything I needed, arrive early to the location to go over all the last minute details, etc.  

My day went a little like this.  Woke up and have a nice, big, ugly cold sore right on the middle of my upper lip.  This is typical --- it's from stressing.  No time to worry about it because my little girl needs her Mommy.  This past week all she wants to do is nurse which means zero "me" time.  I think she must be going thru a growth spurt or possibly starting to cut a tooth, or both -- regardless taking a shower has been a challenge let alone getting dressed and ready for an event!.  Before I know it, I have one hour before I'm supposed to leave and I'm not dressed nor do I have any idea what I am going to wear.  Another challenge of being a new Mommy is my new body!  It is a body I don't recognize.  It is not a pregnant body, but it definitely isn't my pre-pregnancy body either which makes getting dressed in anything other than yoga pants very interesting!

I find a somewhat decent outfit, not really something I would've previously worn to a business meeting but time is ticking so it will do.  Meantime, Charlotte is having meltdown number three but it feels like number twenty and my wonderful husband, Mike is packing the car.  It was at this moment that I asked myself, "am I crazy to think I can make this work?"  Mike sees that my wheels are spinning and that I am full of doubt and he reassures me that this is going to work.  So I pull up my big girl panties and we are on our way.  

First stop is to pick up the balloons.  I ordered the balloons a day before so that they would be waiting for me.  Guess what, my order is nowhere to be found.  Okay, deep breath, send Mike to stop number two, Kinkos, while I wait for the balloons.  Next, stop number three, General Rental for the linens.  Of course, they need a drivers license and I didn't bring mine.  Thankfully, Mike has his and we are off.  

Normally, my sweet baby girl gets in the car and sleeps but that is NOT the case today.  Another meltdown and then sleep.  About an hour into our drive, Charlee is freaking out so we decide to pull off and nurse.  It was then that we realize that I forgot the diaper bag.  Mama Mia, are you kidding me?  Okay, stop number four, the grocery store which we needed to do anyways to get snacks so we killed two birds with one stone.  One shopping trip, one feeding and one diaper change later and we are on the road again.  I realized my hope of homemade snacks wasn't realistic the day before.  Not an easy thing for a "stresser" and "perfectionist" to accept but this is my new life as a Mom of a three-month old. This was the second time I wondered if I was crazy.

Believe it or not we made it in time to set up before guests arrive and while the event turn out wasn't as BIG as I'd hoped, it was a success.  And prior to the event I sold product to two more customers.  The event also produced more product sales and a couple prospects.  Wow, I am starting to see how this business works and actually think it is a real possibility for me!!!

The best part of the night happened after the event back at our house.  After Charlee's bath time and our daily bedtime routine, my business partner and I enjoyed some wine and got to know each other better.  I had my 1/4 of a glass since I'm nursing but the wine was delicious.  An organic cab from Ceago winery in Northern California.  Yummy!  We stayed up until 2:00 am talking, giggling and even shedding a few tears.  Neither of us had any idea that so much time had passed because we were having so much fun.  

The relationships that form in this company are by far the best part of this journey!  I feel blessed beyond words to have this new friendship in my life!

Next, is Renee's business launch in March.  We are actually doing a few.  One in Palm Springs, thanks to our good friend Dena that is hosting for her network, one at Mexi Casa for all of our Anaheim gals, and another one in the Fountain Valley area to reach Renee's immediate network. 

What a weekend.  A new friend that I believe will be a friend for life.  New customers, new business prospects, and the Packers won the Super Bowl!  And this is only week five in our one year journey.