Introduction:
I want to share a fun and insightful story about my friend's kids running a calamansi juice stand at our local Sunday market here in the Philippines. It's amazing how much we can learn about direct selling from these young entrepreneurs!
Story:
It was a typical sunny Sunday morning in Manila. As I stepped out of my condo building, I was greeted by the bustling energy of our weekly market. Right there, in prime position, were my friend's kids - Maria (8) and Carla (9) - with their calamansi juice stand.
Their setup was impressive. A colorful banner proclaimed "Maria & Carlas' Calamansi Coolness." They had neat rows of cups filled with ice, a large jug of freshly squeezed calamansi juice, and even some local pastries to complement their drinks.
At first, business was booming. Maria was a natural salesperson, chatting up customers with her bubbly personality. Carla diligently managed the money and kept their stand tidy. They were the perfect team.
But as the morning wore on, challenges arose. A group of teenagers set up a buko (coconut) juice stand nearby, drawing away some of their customers. I watched as Maria and Carla huddled together, whispering urgently. Suddenly, Carla dashed off and returned with a bunch of mint leaves from a nearby vendor. They quickly added mint to their calamansi juice, creating a "new and improved" version.
Their innovation paid off, and customers started flocking back. However, their success caught the eye of Elena, their 14-year-old cousin who was visiting for the weekend. She demanded a part in their business, offering to bring homemade cookies to sell alongside the juice.
What followed was an intense negotiation. Maria was hesitant, arguing they had done all the hard work already. Carla saw an opportunity for expansion. In the end, they struck a deal: Elena could join, but she'd have to give 20% of her cookie sales to their shared profit pool.
As the market wound down, I saw the kids excitedly counting their earnings. Despite the ups and downs, they had not only made a profit but also learned valuable lessons in teamwork, adaptability, and negotiation.
Key Learnings:
- Persistence is key: Keep going even when challenges arise.
- Adaptability matters: Adjust your strategy when faced with competition.
- Negotiation skills are crucial: Understand the importance of deal-making.
- Stay focused on your mission: Don’t let competition distract you from your goals.
- Market research is vital: Understand your market and your competition.
Top Reasons People Feel Like Quitting Direct Selling:
- Feeling like you can't do it.
- Your team members quitting.
- Running out of contacts.
- Thinking you've given it your "best shot."
Actions to Take:
- Build your belief: Attend conferences, listen to motivational content, and surround yourself with successful people in your industry.
- Focus on your own journey: Don’t let others' decisions to quit affect your commitment.
- Continuously expand your network: Meet new people and learn how to turn strangers into prospects.
- Set clear goals and track your progress: This helps you see that you’re making strides, even when it feels slow.
- Develop a growth mindset: View challenges as opportunities to learn and improve, not reasons to quit.
Conclusion:
Just like Maria and Carla with their calamansi stand, success in direct selling comes from being adaptable, innovative, and persistent. You'll face competition and unexpected challenges, but with the right attitude and skills, you can turn these into opportunities for growth. So, take inspiration from these young entrepreneurs and make your direct selling business as refreshing and sought-after as a cold glass of calamansi juice on a hot Manila day!
Tap the link for helpful tips, strategies, and insights at www.andresuccess.com
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