My hostess did everything right. She invited 70 guests, had 50 confirmed, had loads of amazing food (which I didn't get to try), decorated, had some awesome games, had 2 raffles and checked on all the confirmations. I made sure I had her and the other co-hostess's wish list items so they had them to take home that night. We were all pumped!
Twenty-three people attended. Of those, less than half placed an order. One thing I am grateful for is knowing that it wasn't due to my presentation because Karey was there and helped out a lot. Oh am I grateful for that!! This party was planned for over a month and was my second corporate lead. I was so excited because my first corporate lead party had 15 guests and was my first $1000 party. I did some quick caluclations and figured with 50 people it'd be about a $4000 party.
Oh the plans I had for that money!!!! What all I could do with $1200!!! We're super behind on my daughter's dance tuition so I was going to use some to catch up. My 15 year old and I want to go to the Twilight marathon on November 15th. Black Friday is coming up and I would actually be able to spend some money. I'd been wanting to do a sleep over with guests and consultants in a hotel and was looking up prices.
I brought Karey along because I wasn't sure I could handle a party with 50 guests. Just before the party started I walked over to her and said, "So much for the 50 guests." I feel bad that my friend and downline, Sue, had been so sick she couldn't come help like she was going to but was also glad because I'd have had to give her part of my profits for driving 40 minutes each way. As I stood at the table adding up the party total I was close to tears. Karey peered over my shoulder and said, "That's it?" I nodded. She told me to deal with it later and get with my hostesses to get their orders done.
$374 party. $148 in profit. $100 of that had to go to the website I co-founded because I'm this months business sponsor. I also owe a consultant product I borrowed and was banking on being able to order it all for her. Plus my biggest and best customer who has spent about $1000 with me since April was hosting a Tastefully Simple party to help her sister get started and I was obligated to purchase something.
I'd been so excited and talked about this HUGE party for weeks on our team page. The texts started coming in Sunday morning while I was packing up the family to come home from Parent's Weekend at my oldest daughter's college. I was so grateful it was that weekend because I really needed to have a big distraction. "OMG! How was your party?? I've been waiting to hear!" was, "It sucked ass." I handed my phone to my 15 year old and had her reply, "It sucked ass." (this earned a lovely expression from my husband LOL)
I used to get really excited when a hostess would tell me 15-20 girls were coming. After the 5th party with less than 10 I lowered my standards. I used to get excited when I'd walk away with 3-4 girls telling me they'd love to be a consultant. I have 3 in my downline and none do parties- they're just there to help me get my discount. I no longer get excited. But I'm sucking it up and reflecting back on what I've done for the women I've talked to.
It's November, the time for thanks. I am thankful for the amount of money I make from Pure Romance- every penny. It's a penny I wouldn't have if I hadn't signed up. I'm thankful for every hostess that opened up her home to me. Some were already my friends and some have become friends. I'm thankful for every guest that has walked through my hostess's doors. For a couple of hours they were able to get away from their normal daily routine, hang out with the girls, laugh, drink, eat and in many cases, walk away with products to make them feel better or to improve their relationships. I'm thankful for my Pure Romance sisters who are always there when I need them. I have three Facebook pages to go to in times of need and four sisters who I know I can text at any time even on their days off. I'm mostly thankful for my family who do a lot for me to have my business and never grumble when I have to miss important moments in their lives. My oldest daughter had her wisdom teeth pulled the day before I left to go to National Training. On our way up there my husband texted me asking for the doctor's number because his lymph node swelled up the size of a golf ball. Neither asked me not to go or to come home. My 15 year old never complained about having to take care of her older sister, her dad and her 2 younger siblings. The little kids were ecstatic to eat McDonald's, pizza and Chinese food for a week.
I learned a lot this weekend. On our way back from Parent's Weekend I was trying very hard to be thankful for what I had while still grumbling about my party. This morning, I woke up refreshed (probably due to eating whatever the hell I wanted this weekend and the nice extra large cocktail my husband brought me while I was soaking in my garden tub last night). I was ready to reflect, let things go (thank you to Patty for those pads of paper from NT!) and be thankful.
We have some pretty awesome parties. We have some ok parties. We have some really ass sucking parties. But we love our jobs and will continue to entertain, educate and empower women whenever we can.
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