My Failed MLM Experiment (spoiler: it’s not really a failure!)

Have you ever thought about entrepreneurship, either dipping your toes in or taking a giant leap? Maybe you have your eye on a side hustle, a network marketing gig or MLM? Have you been too afraid of the experience to try? Do you wonder if you’ll fail or if it will be too all-consuming? Are you maybe even in one and wondering what you’re doing there? Let me share a bit of my real-person, ever-evolving experience with you. Maybe it will help you as you consider your own journey.

I entered the world of multi level marketing with a gleam in my eye, a dream in my heart, and a belief that I could be successful. I was also, truthfully, a bit in awe that I was actually even doing it. I’m not the sales type, I never sought out ways to be in business or be an entrepreneur of any kind. Putting myself out there seemed terrifying. Until the kitchen products were so clever, so high quality, and so good that even I, a bit of a kitchen snob who didn’t like sales, wanted to share them.

On top of wanting to sing their praises from the rooftop, I realized it was something that could work for me too. It is the kind of company that was built on the business plan where busy moms, wives, women and men were the backbone, no stores to visit, only normal people running their own businesses. These business owners share the fantastic products in a variety of ways, during the hours that they choose. Anyone could earn an income while calling their own shots, and they could do it to great success if they wanted.

It all started with my first Pampered Chef experience, where I hosted a party. I had reached out to a friend who was a consultant. I had seen post in a Facebook group for a while, and finally, intrigued enough, I decided to throw a party. In a tough turn of events, my friend couldn’t make it after a major life event, but she set me up with a very capable and wonderful replacement. The party was filled with some great friends and family. My consultant shared dreamy kitchen products, time saving tools. She was peppy and engaging and as I watched her I thought ‘I could do that.’ (It all starts with a little whisper of possibility, doesn’t it?)

So I wasn’t too shocked when a little while later she asked me if I ever considered being a consultant. “Why yes, indeed, I have,” I said (for about thirty minutes.) “But not right now. You see, the baby,” (my 16 month old was there at the party with us). “And my job. I’m already short on time, you know”. She did know and didn’t push it, but left me with the thought that I’d “be really good at it.” And I somehow, despite anything I would have ever told myself, knew that I would and knew that I wanted to try.

But the timing thing was still truly not right , so I sat on it and waited. Fast forward to a year and a half later. I had just had my second baby and had changed my work situation to part time. I had a little more flexible time, was bringing in a bit less money, and I liked the idea of finally trying this idea for a side gig. I reached up high on the “later” shelf and pulled down the possibility to give it a closer look. As a mom of two very little people, I found myself doing what little shopping I was undertaking through Facebook and my friends who shared their business adventures. I had LulaRoe in my closet, Younique in the makeup bag, and some Posh by my sink. realized that I could share something that I loved too, kitchen tools, with Pampered Chef.

I decided I could make it work for me and my family, and I could do it now, even with two kids. After thoroughly reading all the info, asking all the questions to the woman who would become my director, talking it over with my husband, and checking out all of the angles, I decided to take the leap. With sweaty palms and a super supportive husband, I joined the world of MLM. And it felt really good.

Sometimes you do something that seems scary or illogical. But you know that you’ve made an important, life giving step.

I started with gusto, held parties on line and in person. I did a pretty decent job. (Even with a near mistake with an inverted Measure-All Cup. Don’t worry, I followed my instincts and saved the soup recipe from disaster. It was all good. Oh and that time that in melted a Flexible Cutting Mat on a gas stovetop. But I digress). I loved it. The in person parties, the virtual parties, the phone calls with customers, making connections through live videos, all of it. And of course the goods. Even at my first party my mother-in-law said I was very good at this and would be quite successful in my new venture. (I mean, my mom did too, but sometimes that doesn’t count, because, bias 😉.) And I was good at it. I love the products and I truly enjoy sharing.

But something funny happened along the way. It wasn’t that I lost motivation or couldn’t muster up new clients. Though it was tricky to loose a little momentum and then try to regain it after a big family trip overseas, that wasn’t it either. I mean, there are challenges that you face along any road in business, so many common place occurrences. Successful business owners find a way to get over these bumps in the road and they keep building momentum. I faced some of those moments and rallied my courage. I approached the challenges and saw them for what they were- growing opportunities if I should choose to take them on.

But something else happened. I found something else. I found someone else. I found me, becoming yet who I’m meant to be. To be honest, I knew all along that I wasn’t destined to become some amazing Pampered Chef Consultant, full stop. I mean, it would be great to be amazing and have great success at something. I felt that I could if I really tried and put in the work. I knew the resources were available to me, and that company was high quality enough to help ensure that was possible if I wanted it. Most people could. But I also didn’t have grand dreams of becoming a director or building a big team. Though I would welcome that if the road took me there, I didn’t think it probably would. I knew all along that this was an important part of my journey, an important step along the way in my life, not the end goal for me. My heart told me. What I had was feeling in my heart that this was part of me becoming who I was meant to be.

So, about a year and a half after starting my Pampered Chef business, I rediscovered an old dream and love. Writing (swoon) was my childhood sweetheart, my life long dream and dear friend. It had taken a back seat as life picked up speed but was always there, and now was ready to get in the front seat.

You know what else I found that I loved while I was traveling down this path? Connecting with people. I truly love sharing ideas with people, building connections and helping women make their lives better. But I realized that I loved doing this through more than just kitchen tools. I love talking about matters of the heart, finding ways to connect with and tackle some of life’s sticky points. Some of can be solved with kitchen tips, but not all of them. I realized I wanted to keep helping people, but not just by selling Pampered chef. I realized that I could pivot and work toward my next big, lifelong dreams of making an impact, writing, and sharing heart and life hacks, some recipes, and all the things. Now was my time, the opportunity to work toward those big pie in the sky dreams, and to start building a blog. I began in the fall of 2018 and it couldn’t feel more right.

You know what? If I hadn’t joined PC, I’m really not so sure that I would have had the guts to start pursuing my real true “thing”, my “this is IT” dreams. Being a part of an MLM gave me the practice of putting myself out there, of taking myself seriously, of running a “little side business”. It provided me so many opportunities for flexing my courage muscles, from taking an initial leap to following through, working with people, making videos and posts, connecting, and calling people “my customers.” It turned me into a fledgling business owner, which is something that I never thought I would say. It became the gateway for me to pursue even more in my life. It was the portal to entrepreneurship and building something from dreams in my heart.

Now as I am on my journey of blogging and writing, with more things to come and more bursting from my heart than I can keep up with, I am so humbled by the journey and so grateful that I took the leap. I’m grateful that I’ve had some success. Though it wasn’t big to many, it was huge for me.

If you hung in this long, please know I didn’t need this to be some kind of therapy sessions for me. I shared my story because I think it’s probably pretty relatable, pretty average, and also, totally worth it. If you’re standing on the edge of something, and you’re considering trying something new, let this be an encouragement to you. Why not try? What have you got to loose? Here are the main thoughts I’d like to leave with you.

If you’ve found something that you love enough to share, you can do it.

Not only can you do it, know that if you want to, you probably should. Dreams and ideas come to us for a reason!

Don’t be afraid to start small (you have to start somewhere).

Don’t be afraid to go big. (You get take it where you want.)

Be you. Unapologetically.

Be genuine. Let your actions be true and enough.

Let your heart be in all that you do. It will shine through.

Make sure you pick a fantastic company that supports you and provides both incredible resources to you as well as great customer service to your people.

Always remember that you can scale back, go hard, or change direction at any time.
Enjoy it for what it is as well as for what you’d like it to be.

Don’t let fear of being small or having “only” mild success hold you back.

Lastly, don’t worry if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s business or even what you thought it should be. This business, this adventure, is yours, and that’s the beauty of the whole thing, isn’t it? What you do with your experiences is what makes them valuable.

You will learn and grow, you will succeed and fail. Success comes in all shapes and sizes, and success of any size can be built upon one other like bricks. Bricks that become a part of building a life that you love

Its not just about achieving certain sales levels. It’s about trying something that your heart needs you to try. It’s about giving yourself a shot. As you do, it’s about becoming who you’re meant to be. Maybe you’re going to totally rock it. Maybe you’ll find that it’s not your thing and you’ll let it go eventually. But you’re better for having tried, my friend. Life is full of opportunity, and you never know what it might turn into when you follow the voice in your heart.

*In case you’re wondering where do I stand with Pampered Chef now, I’m still a consultant, though I feel like I’m a loose interpretation. I’m maybe more of an “influencer” with a heartfelt share and a clickable link. I continue to serve the fabulous customers I’ve met over the years, and will continue to do so as it provides value. I’m keeping my hand in it for the sheer love of the quality, the company, my customers and they way that it enriches lives. (They also keep coming out with more incredible things all of the time and I don’t want to miss out!) What brought me to PC (the love of making great food and the love of sharing it with my family and friends) is still true. So as I write and talk about ALL the things -family, heart, home, and kitchen- I will probably naturally end up sharing PC products that I love and think you’d love too.
So I continue (unapologetically) to be your girl if you need any kitchen things. It feels natural.

And I’m definitely your girl if you need to talk about life. I’m so happy to be in this space here with you, while we’re all on the way to becoming who we’re meant to be.
xo