My New Business Partner...

This past Friday was the first time in seven months that my baby would not accompany me to a business event... It was now time to take on a new business partner! My 5 year old son, Ryan, has been asking to join me on one of my direct sales parties this past few months. So, this past Friday the perfect opportunity popped up. I decided to bring him with me as my helper and see if I could really teach my child about my business like I hear so many other direct sales people have done before me.

I could tell Ryan felt special as we planned a secret mission to "sneak" out of the house so his younger brother wouldn't be upset that he couldn't come with us. We were on our way to a themed Halloween party with my best customers, so he was especially concerned that I had his Darth Vader costume packed away in the car. Once buckled in, I could tell Ryan was excited because he started firing away at so many important questions: How big was the room we were going to? Were the lights in the room big? Did I remember his Darth Vader belt? Were we going to work on the ceiling? I'm not sure where that question came from, but am sure it made perfect sense to this 5-year old!

At first I worried he'd get bored quickly. Thankfully, he was quick to help unpack the car, set up the chairs, pass out folders and orders as everyone arrived, and eagerly pick up doorprize tickets from all the ladies. Once everyone was settled, I set him up with some food from our potluck where he happily occupied himself. He even asked permission to have some candy and then 2 broccoli's, 2 carrots and 2 tomatoes. A mother couldn't be more proud! After drawing a treasure map, Ryan had a quick lesson on time telling because he wanted to know what time we would have to leave. I discovered he's a lot like his father... he does not like to be late. At 9pm he promptly ushered me out the door.

Ryan could barely keep himself awake on the way home he was so tired. To keep him up, I asked him what his favorite part of the night was. He smiled and said, "Eating"! OK, maybe he hasn't quite caught my passion for the business just yet, but it was a precious "first" experience to share with my son that I will never forget. In retrospect, I realized that I am teaching my son more than the business, rather he's learning some important life lessons like how to be inquisitive, how to be a good helper, how to work and still have fun, how to tell time with a clock that has hands, and that veggies are yummy!

As I lay him down to sleep that night, he had one more question for me. "Can I come help you at your next Halloween party?". Of course! It would be one of my greatest pleasures.
Teri Baxter
Direct Selling Women's Alliance
www.mydswa.org

From a different perspective-having really worked the 9-5 "American Dream" job...

I have spent my morning working on the final touches of the Party with Your Kids promotion and one of my last to-do’s for the campaign today is to post my blog. I approach writing my online journal entry tentatively because I am not a direct seller, nor claim to have the drive and determination it takes to work at a home-based business that so many members of the DSWA pride themselves in and are so good at.

There are many commonalities between the direct sellers I have connected with since joining the DSWA as their online Marketing Director…one of the most noticeable has been this: the passion for your families; especially your children is evident. That is where I believe I can share my story and connect with those work at home entrepreneurs that I have met both offline and online since joining the DSWA. My passion and number one priority is my family.

I’m sorry to say that over the years that the priority for my family was not where it needed to be. I struggled with balancing work and my personal life and making time for what is the most important, my family. I had spent over 20 years in corporate America, living what I thought at the time was the “American Dream”. I was on the fast-track in my career; but something was always missing. I was missing time with my family; most importantly my daughter, who was quickly becoming a teenager.

I fast forward my story to February, 2007. I had decided to leave my job in corporate America, not sure what I was going to do next. I had connected with Jane Deuber in a previous company I worked at and after leaving my job, emailed her and let her know my personal email address. She responded with some life-changing news. The DSWA was in need of a Marketing Director and she wanted to know if I would be interested. I was ecstatic. The ability to work from home and still work in marketing; something I am truly passionate about, was the gift I was looking for.

And now I fast forward my story to today. I had the freedom this morning to start working at 6:30 a.m. with the ability to attend my daughter’s final Junior Varsity volleyball game of the season this afternoon and take her and her teammates out for a celebratory pizza party afterwards.

In looking over the last 6 months of working in a home-based business, doing what I love and spending time with those I love…I would say I now am truly living the real “American Dream”.

Lisa Zetah, Online Marketing Director

Direct Selling Women's Alliance

www.mydswa.org

The many facets of working from home and the benefits our children reap...

It’s been another extremely productive day in my home office and as the clock creeps slowly toward the 3:00 hour and I find myself finishing up my last to-do’s, I realize I have 30 minutes to complete some important projects before the clock strikes 3 and I get to put on my other hat – my MOM hat.

The truth is there is nothing like the joy of creating a life that allows for our many passions: our family, our business and ourselves – all woven together to create a more compelling life.

I pull up to third level where the 5^th graders meet their parents after school. I end my call on my cell phone just in time to see my son Alex coming around the corner, back pack slung on his shoulder and huge smile on his face. He doesn’t let on that he is happy I’m there to pick him up – he’s in fifth grade you know – but I know he is.

We head home for what is one of my favorite times of the day – homework time. I know, some moms think I am crazy, but to me it’s a chance to marvel in the person he has become and the way he approaches the task at hand.

Sitting in my kitchen I see him work through reading, writing, spelling, history and more with an impressive determination. His attitude remains positive, his mindset focused as he works toward his goal of completing 3 exercises per night so he has Thursday night off.

“How did I get so lucky?” I ask myself.

I am blessed with a kid who loves learning and already understand the importance of using his thoughts, attitudes and words to further his success - a gift that will serve him for the rest of his life. So how did this happen? How is it that a 10 year old boy has more of a grasp on time-tested success principles than many adults?

While my husband Mario and I strive to be great parents, we recognize that we are still novices, despite the fact that this is our second time around. (We raised Mario’s daughter who is now 28 and the proud mom of two incredibly cute babies.) The truth is that Alex has gained these essential life skills not from long winded lectures, but from him watching his parents live the life of the home-based entrepreneur.

A thought of Alex’s future comes to mind…and what hits me suddenly is that we have given him the tools necessary to be successful in whatever endeavor he chooses. It’s our actions, not our words that have inspired Alex to take on the “life skills” we are seeing come to the surface. One of the most important lessons Mario and I have taught him is that he can do anything in his life-he doesn’t have to be stuck in a 9-5 job; the world truly is his oyster. And…the best part is that we didn’t “teach” him with words, but by the example of creating our own dream of working from home…doing what we love and reaping the many benefits – including being there to watch our son grow up.

Jane Deuber, Co-Founder

Direct Selling Women's Alliance

www.mydswa.org