Vessel's First Anniversary

This week Vessel celebrates our first anniversary. A year ago at this time we held our official launch event at the beautiful La Caille Restaurant and Event Center. On Friday, June 28, we will meet again in Salt Lake City with many of our Stylists to celebrate our growing, thriving business and look to our fabulous future. We look forward to meeting the Stylists that will be joining us, and hope to see all of you at future events.

Our Vessel story began when an inventive new product concept and a compelling business idea converged to create a unique social-selling company. We began this journey to establish a company that would provide beautiful scented jewelry and accessories, and exciting business opportunities for women and girls. The exhilarating journey continues with the goal that each Stylists who joins us thrives and flourishes.

The meaning of our name, Vessel, directly relates to our product – stylish jewelry infused with fine fragrance; to our people – exceptional women and girls infused with impressive attributes; and to our company – an opportunity infused with personally and financially rewarding potential.

From the beginning, we sensed that a collective group of women working together could accomplish great things for themselves, for their friends and families, and for their communities. Our five Vessel “scents” convey our guiding principles and a sense of place and purpose to the women and girls who are our Vessel Stylists, Hostesses, Customers and Employees.

Scents of Style

Vessel is a place where we each possess an individually unique and beautiful style. Whether we are bold or subtle, sassy or shy, assertive or easy-going, we each express ourselves and our personality through our choice of fragrance and jewelry. We accent our beauty as we design and live our lives with a style all our own.

Scents of Self

Vessel is a place where both our inner and outer beauty are accentuated. Each of us is valued and cherished. We build relationships with other women and girls in our lives: mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and family. We experience growth in our own lives as we enhance our talents, abilities and skills, and help others do the same.

Scents of Space

Vessel is a place where we each strive to improve the space around us. We create a beautiful, pleasing aura with the fragrances and jewelry we choose to wear. We open our homes to others for fun, social events where we share our exceptional products and expand our circle of influence. Our corporate and consultant work environment is friendly and welcoming to all who wish to join us.

Scents of Service

Vessel is a place where we contribute in meaningful ways to our society and those around us. We serve each other and support women and girl related causes and charities. We provide exceptional service to each other and to our customers as we treat each other with genuine care and consideration.

Scents of Success
Vessel is a place where we each experience the accomplishment of success. We set and reach goals and promote individual and group achievement. Our hard work and effort is recognized and rewarded. Leadership opportunities help each individual to realize success, both personally and financially.

As we strive to apply these guiding principles to our Vessel business and in our personal lives, we envision a bright, happy and prosperous future.

Let's Make a Perfect Career!

by: Dioni Morales, Director of Stylist Services

As professionals of any industry will tell you, it is always good to stay up-to-date with books, videos and presentations that will help improve your business and career.  Currently I am studying a new book by Eric Worre.  I would like to share a very interesting concept from that book.

  After surveying thousands of people around the world and asking what a perfect career would be, he noted that most people tend to immediately talk about what they DON'T want. They begin naming things like:

- No bosses
- No alarm clock
- No commuting
- No discrimination
- No politics

After a bit, they start talking about the positive things, what they DO want:

- To represent a great product or service
- To get paid by their production 
        - Unlimited income        
        - Residual income
- To get along with those they work with
- Free time
- Personal growth
- Do something that has a purpose
- Low risk
- Fun
- Offers tax benefits
- Resistant to a bad economy

Let's look at the five different types of jobs (or ways to have an income) that most of us have known throughout our lifetimes:

1. Blue Collar - those who perform manual work, such as factory workers, wait staff, etc.

2. White Collar - Professionals, managers, etc., who are usually educated and work in an office. This type of work used to be the most socially acceptable because of its safety and stability.

3. Sales - Salespeople are typically rewarded based on the sales they make, rather than an hourly or set wage.  Many can do well in sales. 

4. Owner of a Traditional Business - Typically someone starting a new business will use up all their savings, borrow money from relatives, take big loans - maybe even against their mortgage. They work long hours.  At the end of the month, after paying everyone else, if they're lucky they will have something left over to pay themselves. Most people go bankrupt.  Some are lucky and make it, but still are left instead of owning a business, the business owning them. 

5. Investors - Investors need a lot of money, knowledge and ability to be successful.  Even then, it is very risky.  There are too many things that can go wrong, and which are out of their control.

  Any of these categories can provide you SOME of the traits you would desire in a career, but none can provide ALL of them. 

In the past decade, Direct Sales has been the only business model to check off most, if not all, of the items on the lists above. Many people realize that what used to work for most people a decade or two ago isn't necessarily the ideal.  Things have changed - and will keep changing.  It's time to look into what has been proven to be successful.

In Vessel, we can give you the opportunity to get that perfect career that absolutely EVERYONE dreams of!

The Power of Positivity

I've been thinking today about positivity ... its power, why we lose it, what it can do for us, why it can be hard to remain positive at times.  I think we have all experienced a loss of positive feelings, for however brief a time.  I know I have.  I know there have been times I have wanted to quit, to vent, to stomp my feet and throw a fit.  Luckily, most of the time I manage to bring myself back from the edge before too long.  Something I have come to realize is that negativity breeds negativity; and a positive outlook multiplies exponentially. 


Don't we all know these two people? 

Danny Downer never has a good word to say about anything or anyone.  He will regale you with his latest woes all afternoon if you'll let him.  When you leave Danny, you feel a bit grumpy, put-upon and just plain old tired. 

On the other hand, Sunny Sally never met a person she didn't like, never goes anywhere without a smile on her face.  Somehow, Sally leaves you feeling like you can take on the world, like you matter.  She leaves you with a smile on your face. 

Yes, I know I'm being a bit simplistic.  But I'll bet if you think hard enough, there's a few people in your life that you can put in each category. And by the way, between Danny and Sally, who do you think will sign up more Stylists and book more parties?  Just sayin' ...

The thing about both positivity and negativity is that each attitude is highly contagious.  Not only does negativity affect one individual, it spreads to everyone that person interacts with.  Developing a positive focus is a habit that can be formed like any other.  Here are some suggestions to help shift the mindset from negative to positive.

1. Shift Your Thoughts.  Be conscious of your thoughts, especially when things are not going your way.  As soon as you can see that you are going into a negative spiral, STOP!  Think about something completely unrelated.  This breaks the thought pattern, and helps you to gain control of how you think.
2. Have an Attitude of Gratitude.  It has been said, and I think even proven, that you cannot be both angry and grateful at the same time.  There is abundance in your life ... see it. 
3. What Makes You Smile?  We all have memories that bring a smile to our face whenever we think of them.  Think of them as needed. 
4. What is the Lesson?  No matter the situation, there is a lesson to be learned.  In fact, I would argue that the worse the situation, the more powerful and necessary the lesson.  Understand and appreciate this gift.
5. Use Positive Affirmations.  Many of us are tougher on ourselves than on anyone else.  So give yourself positive feedback and affirmations.  Practice seeing yourself as a positive and confident individual.   
6. Put Criticism on a Diet.  See if you can stop, or at least cut down on criticizing other people and situations.  Shift from fault-finding to appreciation-giving.   

As with any habit, it takes practice and commitment.  Whether you are positive or negative, the situation does not change.  So we might as well be positive!
(Thanks to Tina Su)

To your success!

Susan 

13 Creative Ideas to Generate New Bookings

by Tracy Rodgers, National Sales Director

1. The telephone is your best friend. Use it! Make at least 5 calls per day for bookings and recruits. Do this faithfully to assure yourself a full date book.

 

2. A walk-in or open house. To acquaint neighbors and your community with your product, send invitations to friends, neighbors and acquaintances.  Put notices up in supermarkets, libraries, and other public places. Advertise that there will be refreshments and a chance to see your product.

 

3. Mystery Hostess Party. The Stylist has a party in her home and awards the hostess credits to the guests. The credits can be divided up or given in different ways. For instance, a name goes in for each $25 in purchases.

 

4. Trade shows, fairs, expos, events. Check on local activities and reserve well in advance. 

 5. Advertising. Newspapers and penny-savers often offer fairly low-cost advertising opportunities. 

 

6. Brochures. Distribute your catalog, with their permission, at the offices of dentists, vets, doctors, or anywhere you do business.

 

7. Business referrals. Work with other businesses (such as real estate offices, model homes, flower shops, etc.) to exchange advertising and verbal referrals.

 

8. Bridal registry/bridal showers. This is great for offering an idea for a unique and thoughtful bridesmaid gift, and also as a suggestion for people buying gifts for the bride.  

 

9. "Show on the Go" or "Booking in a Basket," which is great for office parties. Place several small items in a basket, and also make a larger one. When an order of $30 is placed, the customer can select a small gift. When all the gifts are gone, the Hostess gets to open the bigger gift.         I would suggest having ten gifts in total.  These can be fun things from the dollar store, candy bars, and other similar items, with a nicer gift for the Hostess.

 

10. Delivery Day Special. Offer the Hostess a special gift from you when she picks up a booking or two as she delivers orders to her guests.

 

11. Offer the Hostess an additional gift when she re-books herself within three months. You may want to offer her an extra incentive for holding 3 shows within a year.

 

12. Offer a gift with purchase to encourage orders.

 

13. Offer a free product of their choice to people who take the brochure home, share it with friends and family, and get 5 additional orders resulting in a certain amount of dollars.

Fun Facts

Unique not only in the direct selling industry, but among retail brands as well, Vessel has created a new product category: Scented Jewelry. Combining these two products that nearly all women love, fragrance and jewelry, Vessel is on track for success and sustained growth.

Fascinating facts from the fragrance and jewelry industries:

The research firm EUROMONITOR International predicts US retail fragrance sales to reach $6.1 billion and US retail jewelry sales to reach $64 billion for a five year forecast period. Outside the US these numbers skyrocket, meaning there is an enormous global financial potential for Vessel.

Set part from traditional jewelry and fragrance, Vessel's new product category is combined with a business opportunity in the fun, social selling environment of direct sales.

Fantastic facts from the direct selling industry:

76% of sellers have been with their company 1+ years
78% of sellers say direct selling meets or exceeds their expectations
82% of sellers report a good, very good or excellent experience with direct selling
74% of US adults have purchased products from a direct seller
15.9 million people in the US are involved in direct selling
$31.63 billion in total US sales
$166.9 billion sales worldwide

These fun facts should help us see the tremendous financial opportunity in front of us!

Source:
www.dsa.org
www.directselling411.com

Don't Underestimate What You Deserve

by Dioni Morales, Director of Stylist Services

As most of you know, I was on a Caribbean Cruise last week with my husband and girls. We had been planning this trip for over a year.  For months we talked to our girls about it.  Because it was their first time on a cruise, they were very excited!  My husband and I have made a conscious decision that we are more interested in giving our girls experiences rather than material things, and traveling is a great way to give them those experiences. 

While on the cruise we met people from all over the United States, as well as from all over the world.  These people surely saved and planned for this trip for a long time just like we did.  I'm sure they were just as happy as we were to have that experience, and especially to be able to share it with their children. But as we are sitting there enjoying all the luxuries of this fantastic cruise, I could not avoid thinking of the people I know who would not even dream of being able to enjoy this -  or anything similar, for that matter. I think of people who go through life thinking that luxuries are for others, but never for them.

It reminded me of the old story of a man who wanted to travel the Mediterranean and saved for years in order to be able to take a Mediterranean cruise. That day finally came.  But because he was short of money, he brought along an extra suitcase full of cans of beans, crackers and lemonade. He spent most of the days in his small cabin watching the views from his window.  He would hear people laughing outside and he wished he could enjoy the dinners and the entertainment that they all enjoyed. On the last night of the cruise, one of the cruise staff asked him which Farewell Dinner Party he would be attending.  The staff member proceeded to explain that not only that party but ALL the meals and the entertainment on the cruise were included in the price of the trip. As you can imagine, the man just about had a heart attack upon learning that his sacrifices were totally unnecessary.  But at this point it was too late.  He had wasted ten days being stuck in his cabin.

Some people spend their life watching others enjoy the great things in life, but thinking that they themselves are not deserving. They don't realize that we all have the capacity for a great life.  All we have to do is find the best way to be able to enjoy what matters most. As we have talked about many times, this industry allows you to enjoy freedom of time and money so you can live the life that you deserve. With Vessel, you can achieve your dream and enjoy life, rather than letting it pass you by!

Making the Most out of Trade Shows

by Tracy Rodgers, National Sales Director

Trade shows are a great way to introduce new potential hostesses, customers and business-minded people to Vessel, and to educate them about the many valuable products and services we have available.

Trade shows also provide an informal setting for people who have been thinking about working with Vessel to get their questions answered and have an impromptu discussion about potential solutions to their challenges.

While trade shows can be a winning strategy to attract new business, they can also be a huge waste of time, energy and resources if all that happens is that you build a eye-catching display and say “hi” to people as they walk by. Do not waste this great opportunity to build your business! When formulating your trade show strategy for success, use the following tips to make your connections count.

Look Like a Million Bucks
You want to always look your best when working a trade show. Looking professional makes people more receptive to speaking with you. Make sure you look the part of the successful direct sales company representative. Press your outfit, get a haircut and make sure your shoes are comfortable and polished. Where light colors – dark blue and black are more intimidating. Go with the lighter colors in your closet for this event.

Get Out In Front
Put together a great display to really catch the attention of trade show attendees. Be sure to position the display tables in a way that allows you to easily enter into the pedestrian aisle. Do not put a table across the front of your booth, since this puts a barrier between you and passersby. Keep your booth neat and uncluttered. Put out only a few materials at a time.

Show Your Smile
Show your teeth to everyone and make eye contact as people come near your booth. This conveys warmth and makes it easy for people to approach you. Go out of your way to be friendly, energetic, approachable, and connect with all the trade show attendees.

Success Starts with a Great Opening
Rehearse your opening statement. Say something that gets people to stop in their tracks and spend some time at the booth. Ask a question. “Are you familiar with Vessel?” Chances are it will be new to them.  What a great opportunity to show and tell!

Gather the Important Info
Have a drawing, and make it easy for people to enter by dropping their card into a bowl. This creates excitement and ensures people will stop at the booth. If people do not have a card, provide a form for them to fill out. Make sure everyone writes in all their information: name, address, phone, and especially email address. Gathering the contact information of attendees is one of the primary objectives of participating in trade shows.

People Love Giveaways
If all of your materials look like sales materials, they will probably end up in the trash before the trade show attendees leave the convention hall. Give everyone coupons and innovative premiums with your logo. These keep your name in front of someone long after the trade show has passed. Make sure to bring plenty of whatever you are giving away. You do not want to run out of goodies. 

Do It Now
Come to the show knowing your open dates for bookings, and give people incentives to book right now. Have recruiting conversations and offer an incentive to join your team right now -today. Do not assume that people have to go home and think about it. People sign up and join companies all the time at trade shows. We want that to happen at your booth.

Your Fortune Is in the Follow Up
Follow up immediately on any hot leads for bookings, sales or new team members. Send out a thank you email with an additional special offer to everyone within two days after the trade show. Within two days is key. Otherwise, they will not even remember you. If you wait two weeks or two months the trade show attendees will not even remember meeting and speaking with you.


Trade shows can take a lot of time and energy. When done well, they can attract many new customers and recruits, and expand your relationship with current customers and recruits. Follow the ideas above and get the most out of your next trade show adventure!