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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#181 · Posted: 3 Jun 2011 13:50
Eddsteffhill: I have been reading this thread from the beginning, and I find it fascinating. So much to learn! Billie, you are a wealth of information! I would be interested in talking with you if I can.
Check your private messages! 
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Billie
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Margarette
Forums Member
Joined: 9 Jun 2011
Posts: 1
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#182 · Posted: 10 Jun 2011 08:06
abuckigal
Hi Billie,
Can you give me any information on how you go about keeping tax information. I don't have an accountant but I do take my taxes to a tax agency. This is the only thing that is keeping from being a rep.
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Lucy
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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#183 · Posted: 13 Jun 2011 23:17
Margarette: Can you give me any information on how you go about keeping tax information. I don't have an accountant but I do take my taxes to a tax agency. This is the only thing that is keeping from being a rep.
My methods are pretty primitive but they work for me. Basically, I carry a notebook in my purse and I also save all receipts. I also keep track of mileage that is deductible such as driving to and from a customer's house or driving to meetings or even to the store to make purchases for my business or to the post office to buy stamps. I put all my receipts into an envelope such as business supplies, hostess gifts, charity donations, lunches, etc. When I submit an order to Silpada, I keep a running record of my income because it's not always 30% of the order. Sometimes I will sell to a family member at my own cost where I earn nothing. Other times I will place a supply order which is completely tax deductible. If you are computer savvy, you can transfer all this information on a weekly or monthy basis to a spreadsheet that makes it much easier at tax time. Silpada also has helpful tax info available on their website and your sponsor should be able to sit down with you and show you how she does hers step by step.
It's not really as difficult as it sounds as long as you stay on top of things and don't wait til last minute to try and gather together all your information that might be scattered about your home/office/ purse, etc. You definitely do NOT need an accountant. Good luck!
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Billie
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GJESSE
Forums Member
Joined: 26 Jun 2011
Posts: 1
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#184 · Posted: 26 Jun 2011 13:00
Billie,
My sister is strongly considering selling Silpada as a part-time income source. We have known about the brand since 2005, I have hostessed a couple parties for another rep, and we both love the jewelry. I personally have quite a bit of it. In 2007, I
considered becoming a rep myself but I don't have the personality for it - but I did do a lot of research at the time and learned a lot. When my sister mentioned to me in March 2011 that she was interested in it, I started doing research again and I found this thread.
My sister is hoping to land a part time job in the next couple of weeks and if that happens, she wants to start selling Silpada in August (when the new catalog is out - and following the advice you gave regarding the 100 day start). We are wondering if we could discuss this with you via personal messaging/emails.
Thank you,
Gale
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mytreasures
Forums Member
Joined: 7 Feb 2011
Posts: 8
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#185 · Posted: 27 Jun 2011 20:35
This site has been so helpful to me as I continue to learn more about my Silpada business!! Does anyone have any tips on doing fundraisers> There are two non-profit organizations that are near and dear to my heart, and we give personal donations and volunteer. I have made contact with one of the organizations offering my services and the % of proceeds to help the cause. I just don't know exactly where to start....the person with whom I'm in contact is asking me what platform I would use and I certainly want to be professional and informed. Any suggestions? Is it up to me to ask for the contact information of their sponsors/contributors, and contact them directly? Then I was wondering... is one time of the year any better than another time of year to conduct a fundraiser? The holiday shopping season, of course would propably be a good time, but since the Retired Pieces Catalog recently rolled out and the NEW catalog will roll out the end of July, would it be beneficial to try something before the holiday? I welcome any feedback.
I LOVE Silpada and am thrilled to be able to offer it to others. I really want to make this work -- it would be amazing to donate a portion of my profit to these amazing organizations that work tirelessly to help others!!!
Kind regards,
Mytreasures
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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#186 · Posted: 27 Jun 2011 23:52
GJESSE: My sister is hoping to land a part time job in the next couple of weeks and if that happens, she wants to start selling Silpada in August (when the new catalog is out - and following the advice you gave regarding the 100 day start). We are wondering if we could discuss this with you via personal messaging/emails.
Please check your inbox at this site for information regarding how to contact me personally. 
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Billie
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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#187 · Posted: 28 Jun 2011 00:20
mytreasures: This site has been so helpful to me as I continue to learn more about my Silpada business!! Does anyone have any tips on doing fundraisers> There are two non-profit organizations that are near and dear to my heart, and we give personal donations and volunteer. I have made contact with one of the organizations offering my services and the % of proceeds to help the cause. I just don't know exactly where to start....the person with whom I'm in contact is asking me what platform I would use and I certainly want to be professional and informed. Any suggestions? Is it up to me to ask for the contact information of their sponsors/contributors, and contact them directly? Then I was wondering... is one time of the year any better than another time of year to conduct a fundraiser? The holiday shopping season, of course would propably be a good time, but since the Retired Pieces Catalog recently rolled out and the NEW catalog will roll out the end of July, would it be beneficial to try something before the holiday? I welcome any feedback. I LOVE Silpada and am thrilled to be able to offer it to others. I really want to make this work -- it would be amazing to donate a portion of my profit to these amazing organizations that work tirelessly to help others!!!
I have done numerous fundraisers. You need to be highly selective and do your research. You want to feel confident that sufficient orders will be placed at this event so that you can donate your commission to the charity and then keep the free jewelry for being the hostess.
Personally, I usually donate 25% of my commission to the charity. I keep the other 5% of my commission to cover costs of catalogs, order forms, etc. Ask a lot of questions. Will there be other jewelry representatives participating? How many guests are they expecting? Are the other vendors mostly cash and carry handcrafted items like $1 potholders, $2 stretch bracelets, $1 or $2 chirstmas ornaments.....you get the idea. You do not want to participate in an event/fundriaser where your product is the only top of the line items there where nobody is likely to purchase.
The first fundraiser I did was at a church bazaar during the holiday season. There were tons of inexpensive homemade craft items for sale there plus tupperware, Stampin Up (inexpensive items) & tastefully simple (which offers $6 or $7 items for sale). I ended up selling ONE pair of earrings for $39. The agreement up front was that I would donate 10% of what I sold. Oh joy! I sat there all day long and ended up donating $3.90 to the charity. Not a good event!!!!
The best event I did was for the United Way. They did a fundraiser lunch where they charged $25 per plate for people to attend. All proceeds went to the Dolly Partin Imagination Library. The attendees were school principals, superintendents, lawyers, doctors, and other professional people. I was the only jewelry vendor at the event. These people stopped at my table and spent over $500. I donated 25% to the charity and was able to submit a show under my name as hostess and I got all the free jewelry.
Another time I did a fundraiser for our local high school after prom committee. It was a "date auction". Everybody had tons of fun bidding on cute girls and guys to get a date with but only two people placed an order at my table.......a waste of my time!
These are examples of being selective in what sort of charity events you participate in. Just ask lots of questions and then decide if you think it's worth your time and effort and if you think it will be successful for your charity.
FYI......at most fundraisers, people are more interested in buying something "cash and carry'' than they are at placing an order.
Good luck!
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Billie
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mytreasures
Forums Member
Joined: 7 Feb 2011
Posts: 8
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#188 · Posted: 30 Jun 2011 15:06
Thank you, again Billie!! You are kind and generous with your time, wisdom and knowledge!!
Talk soon and kind regards,
my treasures
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Hi Ho Silver
Forums Member
Joined: 6 Jul 2011
Posts: 2
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#189 · Posted: 6 Jul 2011 01:44
mytreasures
Hi, I just joined this forum today! I am a Canadian Silpada 'Veteran' Rep as they call us, and only after 3 years! I love my Silpada Business!
I couldn't have made a better choice for a home based business.
Look forward to chatting with some of you soon
Hi Ho Silver
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FREEBUSINESSES
Forums Member
Joined: 15 Oct 2009
Posts: 346
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#190 · Posted: 9 Jul 2011 09:16
Curious,
Having researched hundreds of businesses, I had looked at this several years ago, passively followed it, but when Avon was aquiring company, sat back and watched, so what is the opinion of those invloved with Avon now the owner, did anything change, get worse, or better? Also, given severe recession we are in, how are your sales volumes. With so many selling on eBay, how has this impacted your business. Curious minds want to know.
Success to all,
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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#191 · Posted: 10 Jul 2011 03:28
FREEBUSINESSES: Having researched hundreds of businesses, I had looked at this several years ago, passively followed it, but when Avon was aquiring company, sat back and watched, so what is the opinion of those invloved with Avon now the owner, did anything change, get worse, or better? Also, given severe recession we are in, how are your sales volumes. With so many selling on eBay, how has this impacted your business. Curious minds want to know.
Bonnie and Theresa are smart businesswomen. The sale of Silpada to Avon was a very smart move for them for financial reasons. They are now in their mid 50's and they wanted a strong company to take over when they are no longer able to do so. Avon has been a strong direct sales company for probably a hundred years! LOL (don't really know how long but it seems like forever) Bonnie and Theresa made sure that they would still manage and control Silpada the way they always have. Nothing has really changed. B & T still oversee all the jewelry designs and pretty much run the company the way it has always been run. Silpada is still a strong debt free company.
Personally, ebay has never affected my sales and I have never had a single customer at a Silpada party mention the word "ebay" to me. Anything you purchase on ebay is "as is" and does not carry the Silpada lifetime warranty. You may think that's not important but believe me, I know that women really appreciate the fact that 5 (or more) years after they purchase an item, they can return it for replacement if it breaks or proves otherwise defective.
I can only speak for myself but my sales are still strong. I think it's the generous hostess program that Silpada offers that keep my calendar filled. When someone loves silver jewelry and realizes that they can get up to 30% of their party back in free jewelry with free shipping, they will book!
I know people who sell Arbonne, Longaberger, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, Lindt Chocolates, Cabi, and Partylite Candles. NONE of them make as much money as I do selling Silpada. The jewelry sells itself and with our generous hostess rewards and 30% representative commissions......well, you just can't beat it! Plus, my overhead costs are low. Silpada never has a sale so I don't have to do monthly mailings. Silpada pays all credit card fees and as long as I work my business regularly, they send me free catalogs. This is a dream job!
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Billie
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FREEBUSINESSES
Forums Member
Joined: 15 Oct 2009
Posts: 346
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#192 · Posted: 10 Jul 2011 08:15
Thanks Billie,
Nice overview, and I appreciate it, no wonder you are doing well in this recession, you have all the answers to questions. One last question, what does Silpada mean, seems like a strange name for a silver jewelry company, so what does it relate to if anything?
Success to all,
__________________
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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#193 · Posted: 10 Jul 2011 11:55
FREEBUSINESSES: Nice overview, and I appreciate it, no wonder you are doing well in this recession, you have all the answers to questions. One last question, what does Silpada mean, seems like a strange name for a silver jewelry company, so what does it relate to if anything?
You won't find it in the dictionary because Bonnie and Theresa made up the word Silpada. They like to think that it means "the best of everything".
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Billie
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Just2EZ
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 660
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#194 · Posted: 10 Jul 2011 12:26
How about SILver PAy DAy?
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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#195 · Posted: 10 Jul 2011 14:38
Just2EZ: How about SILver PAy DAy?
Love it! LOL
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Billie
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emile1973
Forums Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2011
Posts: 1
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#196 · Posted: 12 Jul 2011 18:01
Hello there
I love this blog. I have just set up in the UK and love reading yr tips and the answers to questions. It is so helpful. I love it and I can tell you do.
Regards,
Emma
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rms78645
Forums Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2011
Posts: 1
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#197 · Posted: 27 Jul 2011 20:32
I am doing some research on being a Silpada rep. I work in a hair salon and I get multiple compliments on my clothes and jewelry. I LOVE jewelry but can't afford to buy it the way that I would like to. I'd love to make this my only business, but for right now it would be a side income.
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goldentara729
Forums Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2011
Posts: 1
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#198 · Posted: 30 Jul 2011 23:14
abuckigal
Dear Billie:
I am so excited by reading all your postings as they really boost my spirit. Thank you, Billie for sharing your wisdom with all of us. I have concretely learned what it takes to start and maintain a successful Silpada business. I believe in Silpada, because I love wearing exquisite silver jewelry, especially custom pieces. I came across Silpada as I was reading a BBH magazine at my son's doctor appointment. When I saw the Ad of this beautiful woman wearing the jewelry that I like, I was impressed and curious. Then when I find out that I can also become a Silpada Rep and sell it!! , I was sold into it.
Then the research started, as I never heard of Silpada before in my life. But I knew that things happen in your life at the right moment and for the perfect reason. I did not doubt this was a wonderful opportunity and a good sign from above.
However, I still have questions as I am fully employed but my job is extremely consuming, demanding and has no flexibility for me to deal with my family needs. It is a VERY well pay job, and I am in deed very grateful for this job, but I am unhappy and I feel trapped. I am a single mom with two disabled children; I am also taking care of my three grandchildren while supporting my other son, which is a senior this year, we are a gang of 7. LOL.
I am considering Silpada seriously to make my move and get out of Corporate America, as I can see I can manage my own time doing this. However, I need to be extremely careful as the economy is shaking at this moment as there is a lot of uncertainty; I cover at least 70% of the house expenses.
I want to start the business in smart way with the 6 bookings before sending out my contract (your advise and my Rep advise) I need to get involved with the community and become visible by joining groups in my area.
The other day I was at Walmart and a lady looked at my Silver ring and asked me if it was Silpada, I said very proud...YES, it is. The story short, is that this solely compliment set the course of what would be my life from now on. I have the confidence to go out and talk about Silpada, wear Silpada and make money. I also would like to inspire others to be in control of their dreams and become successful stories as well.
Billie, what other advice can you offer me, in terms of me leaving my actual job?
Regards,
Axelys
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wjanisse
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abuckigal
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 69
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#199 · Posted: 3 Aug 2011 01:18
goldentara729: Billie, what other advice can you offer me, in terms of me leaving my actual job?
Axelys and rsm78645, my advice would be to start your Silpada business as a part time venture (and make SURE you have a minimum of 6 FIRM bookings on your calendar before you start).
You need to feel confident that you are able to work your own business successfully and also recruit a team of reps under you in order to make this a career. I know several ladies who have done it with great success but I also know ladies who have had high hopes and failed. I am just being honest here. Yes, the economy has taken a toll on all direct sales businesses just as it has in most all other businesses in the country right now. My own sponsor quit a lucrative day job to work Silpada as a full time business/career. She has had great success working her personal business because she devotes several hours per day to it. She has also been very successful at building a team but her problem is that her team is not performing which has a dramatic effect on her income. You need to take everything into consideration. You need to feel confident that you can not only get bookings for your own business but that you can be a good leader and motivator to those who are under you. Recruiting a team is an ongoing process that never ends. In any given year you can expect to recruit 1/3 new team members, keep 1/3 of your team who is working their business, and lose 1/3 because they lost interest (or whatever). This it typical so test the waters before you resign from your current job.
Have you all seen the brand new catalog? The jewelry is awesome! The price increases are significant which I expected due to the rapid rise in the cost of silver. I'm still excited though and confident that women will continue to purchase this amazing jewelry!
Good luck!
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Billie
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mytreasures
Forums Member
Joined: 7 Feb 2011
Posts: 8
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#200 · Posted: 15 Aug 2011 21:22
abuckigal
Hi Billie!
It's me again. How did you get connected with United Way? I supposed I could simply call them and ask if they have an upcoming fundraiser. And, perhaps I could purchase two of several items from the discount catalog so that I would have "cash & carry" to offer. And I would also have the items from my display that have been retired. Most of my retired items are new and never worn, as I'm a newcomer. I LOVE being a Silpada Consultant and I know that I have to continue stepping out of my "comfort" zone to reach more people to host shows for me. I'm just wondering if the summer is a more relaxed / down time for us Silpada sisters. I'm guessing the holiday season is the busiest. Have you ever had a month without a show? Thank you, kindly for your time and knowledge share!!
mytreasures
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