I am so excited for today's direct sales success story. This is an industry long seen as being for women only. That isn't the case. There are also a lot of successful men in direct sales.
Jim Miller has stopped by to share his story with For Tails Only, a pet-centric company.
Tell us a little about yourself and your motivation to enroll in a direct sales opportunity.
My name is Jim Miller, and I am from Joliet, IL. I live with my partner of 17 years and our rescue son Henry, who is our world…aka spoiled. I joined the direct sales world after leaving my career in sales for a desk related career and I missed the interaction with people and the relationships and rapports you build with people. Direct Sales also afforded me a flexible schedule that I needed to juggle a very full and active life, lol.
What made you choose For Tails Only over the other options out there?
The company I had worked with had announced it was closing and I was deciding whether or not to stay in Direct Sales at all, when I stumbled across a few posts talking about a pre-launch of For Tails Only, being a fanatic about my pup I had to know more. Instantly after reading the mission statement I knew I found my new home before I even knew anything about comp plans, products or who our CEO Brande Brown even was!! Changing Lives One Paw at a Time…. it is a statement so simple yet so meaningful for those animals in shelters and rescues…or even on the street homeless and starving. Then hearing Brande speak on a conference call about what the vision was for this company, I knew that my passion was educating people about the advantages of giving our pets treats that are made in the USA and natural remedies for common ailments in most cats and dogs!
Once enrolled, what was your first step in getting your new business started?
If you are passionate about the company you have joined then you will tell everyone, post it on every social media channel, and get out to events to spread the word about your pawsome company and products. That is exactly what I did!! Make sure you website, www.fortailsonly.com/jimmiller, is tagged on everything, business cards, fliers and any post made on social media!
How are you marketing your business?
I use the usual Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. I also make sure to sponsor events that are related to For Tails Only, like rescue fund raisers and pet adoption events.
What was one of your biggest surprises along the way?
The biggest surprise was the fact that a lot of pet parents were not aware of the dangers of treats and food coming from China, along with the misconceptions of what is a good dog food versus what is just very good marketing.
If there is one thing you could go back and do over what would it be?
If I could go back to when I was first starting out in Direct Sales I would say I would change two things. First, always have passion for what you are representing, don't sign up for what you think will sell best or make you the most money, if you don't use the products and love them, then it will show in your presentation. I also would say to educate yourself on the products so you can answer customer's questions and represent your company properly, take charge and train yourself!!!
Where do you recommend others getting started in direct sales turn for help?
You should always have a mentor. You should chose your sponsor wisely, never sign up from a blind ad, and interview your potential sponsor, if you don't feel a connection or have a good vibe, contact the company directly and find someone who will help you achieve the success you want to and someone who will be honest and helpful, not just tell you what you want to hear in order for them to add another “recruit” to their roster. Finally, make friends with people in your company who are generating the results you want to be achieving, surround yourself with success!!
Learn more about For Tails Only here.
Direct Sales Success Stories: Trisha Deming, pawTree petPro