I know what it’s like having too much month at the end of your money. I’ve been there, and I’m still there sometimes. There are times though, when being frugal or “saving a dollar” will truly cost you more in the long run. If it doesn’t cost you, it costs someone else. There are many industries that this pertains to — any small or local business fits right under several of the following persuasions. We’re not going to cover everything — but I do want to give you some things to think about when you find out a friend of yours has began a “direct selling” business.
Direct selling businesses are not pyramid schemes, they’re not ponzi schemes, they’re not illegal. If the company is a member of the Direct Selling Association — they have very high standards of ethics. They’re genuine business opportunities and they’re real jobs. I will never know why your friends are selling a product or service, but whether they’re selling Thirty-One Gifts, Premier Designs Jewelry, It Works, or any other sort of person-to-person product–they’re worth supporting.
As you all know, I am a direct seller — but we’re not going to talk about me. I’m not even going to tell you why you should buy my products over a store-brand product… and you know I’ve got an exhaustive list of reasons. This isn’t a product vs. product issue.
This is about voting with your dollar.
I can’t speak for all of the direct selling companies, and I truly encourage you to do some research of any companies your friends have signed on with to see where the values of the company lie — but I know that the company I work for, and several companies my friends work for have huge hearts. Yes, we’re going to assume they have hearts.. not the beating kind, but you know… hearts. Several of these companies (not necessarily mine specifically, and not necessarily all of them) have give back programs for several different non-profits and charities, many of them make it a point to help women get out of debt and others to find refuge from bad home situations… Several of them make it a point to give more than they take, they treat their consultants as individuals and not numbers… They help their consultants see their own worth and value — without being told what they’re worth by someone else. Every single direct sales company that I have friends participating in encourages self-improvement, positive attitude, personal development, and financial freedom.
Not a single person at your local big box corporation is going to miss your $15. You’re not creating jobs. You’re not supporting a cause. You’re not directly improving anyone’s life.
I don’t know the reasons why everyone chooses direct selling — but I do know that many companies have a low enough start up cost in order to improve the lives of the people who really work their new businesses. I know plenty of people in the industry who desperately appreciate your dollar. They’re the following kinds of people–several of which you know, and several of which I have on my own direct-selling team:
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Retired men and women who cannot make ends meet on social security.
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Single mothers and fathers who are working their tails off to support their families and doing everything they can to stay off of government assistance in a dual-income society.
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College students who don’t want to end up like their parents or older siblings who are still suffocated by student loan debt and desire to pay for their educations outright.
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People who hate Mondays, hate their jobs, hate being yelled at by their boss, and truly wish to be free.
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Moms who are trying to earn enough supplemental income to be able to stay at home with their own children instead of having them raised by someone else.
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Moms who are trying to earn enough to allow their husbands to find less demanding jobs.
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Military wives who are trying to supplement their soldier’s income and support their families.
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People who work full-time jobs and need a part-time job, just to keep from losing their homes, because they just don’t get paid enough — but can’t afford more time away from their families.
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People who are just trying to pay off all of their student loan debt, medical debt, credit card debt, tax debt, any debt, and want to really be able to start living again.
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People who just want a vacation once in a while!
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People who are also just looking for a way to save a dollar…
No, you don't have to buy everything your friends are selling - but if you're able to, please do. Sure you could buy something from Wal-Mart, or wherever, for less that you can from your friend- but where does that money go?
Now, some of you are thinking "Well, my friend only makes 25% commission on a $40 product that I can buy for $20 instead. "just remember, that other $30 isn't just going straight to the top, to the CEO, Another 10% is probably going to the consultant above them..then another 10% is going to the consultant they signed up under and so fourth. You're not only helping your friend - you're the people who help them, too...You may just be helping your friends save up for her dream vacation - but you're also helping her sponsor pay for her kids piano lessons - and you're helping her sponsor's sponsor pay for her mother to be in a nicer nursing home. Your dollar just keeps going up to generally deserving people...That other 75% isn't just getting lost, it's not just lining a corporations pockets..it's continuing the cycle of helping people achieve their dreams, improve the attitude, and change their lives.
Even if you switch from buying off-brand all the time, to off-brand some of the time...you're helping someone. Every little bit counts.
I can't speak for everyone, but I truly do appreciate your dollar!! and I know you worked hard for it...I work hard for mine too!!I
Blings and Blessings,
Sherri
