Should I become a consultant?

[judydawn]

Go Ted    Nice to see you decided to go down that path.  Good luck.

[quirkycooking]

That's great Ted! A friend of mine in Perth became a consultant a month ago, and he's loving it!!! I think it's great to have some men joining the team - the husbands might be more likely to come to demos if they know there's a guy doing it, never know!! 

[sue_h]

Great decision Ted. I hope you really enjoy it. I'd  love to hear how you're going as you venture through your TM consultant journey.

[salval]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. The honesty & frankness has been refreshing.

Sue & Ted - congratulations!! Good for you! Sue, it sounds as though you're off to a great start, and Ted all the very best for your training.

For those whose experience was less than satisfactory, I'm sorry it was disappointing, but very much appreciate your views & insight.

I made the decision to become a consultant 6 days after receiving my TMX. My motivation was like so many others - I just really, really wanted to show people this amazing machine. I'm very lucky that my husband works full time, so my "income" is not essential to put bread on our table.

I've struggled in the last 7 months. My 60 days were hard. I didn't have a lot of family support. Getting demos was like extracting teeth. But thankfully I ended up having 9 demos & selling 3 within that time. March and April were very, very quiet - never mind about sales - I didn't even get a demo in April!! ... And it wasn't for lack of trying!! I've got a wonderful GL who has been incredibly supportive and can see that I'm trying really hard to grow my business.

In saying all of that, I wouldn't change a thing. Becoming a consultant has helped my self-esteem and confidence. It's getting me out of the house & over the feeling of "just being a mother". I feel like I have my own business (which I do!) and I love that feeling of being in control of something. I'm an organised person, so am lucky in that respect that the admin side of things is very easy for me.

I used to dread cooking. No confidence. Did not enjoy it at all. It was difficult getting my husband to agree to buying my wonderful machine, but now he can't believe the change in me.

My parents and my sister also, cannot believe the change in me. They say I have a new zest for life, which I do! I am truly passionate about this thing. I love that it improves our health. I love that it's helped me become a decent cook. I love that I can eliminate preservatives & know what we're eating. I love trying out new foods. And I love, love, love showing off the TMX 

I've had quite a few disappointments (2 demos at my house - not one person showed up ; supposed to be doing a presentation this Friday and only 1 RSVP so far - potentially 50 people received notification ... But even still I love it. I just tell myself that at least those people know I'm a consultant now. The more they read and hear about TMX, they might be ready to see it in action - and maybe they'll call me!

Sorry - I know I've rabbitted on. I need some gaffer tape for my mouth (and my fingers)... Just so mad about it! 

Karen

[judydawn]

Lovely to hear your story Karen and your enthusiasm comes bouncing out of your posting.  How rude of people to just not show up to a demo - I would be shattered if I had everything ready to go and no-one bothered to turn up.  Twice too 
You deserve much better than this and in spite of these setbacks, sound so positive about your new career. Good luck in the future.

[faffa_70]

Congratulations Ted - my DH was a consultant (signed up a couple of months after me) until full time work along with part time uni just made it nearly impossible so he left it as only my baby 

Salval, can I just say if you are loving it then hang in there!! 

[CreamPuff63]

just thinking perhaps you could tell them you were going to make a cocktail to start with you may have a few more bums on seats. sometimes the thought of a demo party is the last thing people want to do after a hard days work, but a free drink might encourage them to come??? (just a thought...)

[faffa_70]

Sometimes drinks turn a demo into a disaster too though as everyone gets very chatty etc  I generally find the offer of a free feed is enough 

[TM_Ted]

My GL suggests telling them "Wait to get blotto after the Risotto".

We had a demo at home, too many people fueled with alcohol and it was open chat time. The consultant just forged ahead. Got the demo over in 2 hours, only got a sniff of a sale which has not yet eventuated. With a little more prompting, maybe an advanced (Varoma) demo, two of those households may see the light and invest in a Thermomix. One had just purchased an expensive Ice cream Maker with all the bells and whistles.

The visitors really didn't see the message, too busy chatting amongst themselves. I am guilty as sin.

[faffa_70]

Love that saying Ted, think I might borrow it for myself.

[Nik2WIN]

Well I've bitten the bullet and sent off MY enquiry to be a TM consultant!!!  I'm really looking forward to the experience and the challenge.

DH is so taken with the machine that even he wants to learn how to use it.

I'll keep you up to date

Nik

[CreamPuff63]

I can see why the consultants would say that, however most people begrudgingly go to a demo with the thought that they are wasting their time and not going to buy one. If you thought that you were not going to have anyone show up at all, wouldn't it be better to have at least one or two show up for a cocktail (mocktail) even? That would at least start the demo off on a positive note and get the show on the road so you could commence the rest of the demo...

[Kate84]

I have seriously love reading this thread as i have been passionate about TMX for about 2 years now and have often wondered how the consultant thing worked. Can't say that i have been particularly impressed by reports all round, but saying that not everyone can sell everything. I have heard along the grapevine that the incentives for consultants are not great or realistic.

How is everyone going? Sue, Ted? so pleased that a Male is getting out there, i agree with someone earlier that if a Male was doing the demo, you would get the husbands along too, and most of us would love to have them come so that you can make a joint decision on something that is about to change your life! Also it is hard to come home from a demo and DH says "how did it go" and you start raving about it so much that he thinks that it is to good to be true! So WTG Ted. Good Luck!

[TM_Ted]

I have just finished my "Basic" training and am in the process of setting up some demonstrations.

I am excited about the challenge I have set and most impressed with the help Thermomix and my GL is providing. The rest is up to me. I am finding it a little difficult to firm up some demo's but that is only me learning how best to manage that process.

I will update every now and then to keep you posted.

[cookie1]

Very best of luck Ted.