Most Likely it's "Not Yet"

I’ll introduce myself as the self-selected Mayor of Directsalesville and then tell you my sad tale that launched my direct sales career.

When I was thirteen I wanted to be a librarian at Northwest College (now University) in Kirkland, WA. They hired me while I was in graduate school so I got that big dream out of the way early. When your first professional assignment is your big dream where do you go from there?

I went home and had a baby. Cute as she was, she was not exactly intellectually stimulating.

So I loved it when my Avon lady came calling. No, she didn’t invite me to join—but to sew for a neighborhood bazaar. I said, “YES.” I sewed tea cozies—it was the 80s folks! I spent 15 hours sewing and made $20—not exactly get rich quick material!

That was fun until a friend joined Tupperware. I was interested and her manager invited me to join. I said, “YES”. This time the lure was recognition. While I loved the product, I was scared silly to book parties. I said “Tupperware” and friends fled. Now, I realize it wasn’t the products they were running from—but my desperation and fear! The upside was I took all the classes they offered on how to sell. Why?—to be called on stage and get—a ribbon! Funny what we’ll do for recognition. Nine months into my Tupperware career, I was pregnant again and morning sickness took its toll—a cranberry colored bowl nestled next to a butterscotch bowl in a festive fall collection turned me chartreuse green. I quit Tupperware.

I thought I was done with direct sales until my cousin Eunice called me about Noevir. She was scared silly because she had dropped out of the college where I had worked. I was scared silly because I knew NOTHING about skin care. She showed me the product and asked if I wanted to “buy it or sell it?” I gathered my courage and firmly replied, “NO” to both offers.

That’s right, I began my very successful relationship with Noevir by saying “NO” very firmly. Now I tell people—particularly my daughters—It’s always “No” unless you ask. Sometimes it’s even “No” when you ask! But “No” isn’t always “No”. Most likely it’s “Not Yet.”