Friday, September 30, 2011

Questions From a Potential Shelf Reliance Consultant and the Answers part 2

Sometimes when a person is looking at becoming a Shelf Reliance consultant they are ready to jump in  and than learn as they go.  Other times people have a lot of questions, they want to understand everything before they comitt.  Recently I have been working with a gal who has a bunch of questions.  I thought that her questions were excellent and even thought provoking.  These are things I thought others might be interested in so I thought I would share them.


1.    As a Shelf Reliance Consultant how do taxes work?  Is it a 1099?
Yes it is a 1099 form we receive at the end of the year as long as commissions for the year are over $600. We are responsible for filing and paying our own taxes. Employees get w2 forms.

2.   Who does the showings at Costco and Time Out For Women?

Over all events such as expos, fairs, are a first come first serve basis.  You can sign up for anything that you want. 

The only exception is Time Out For Women.  Corporate Shelf Reliance is a sponsor for TOFW and invites the top selling consultants from the area to run the booth.

Costco is a retail outlet and consultants have nothing to do with the sales there.  Although we can offer our customers a cheaper price than Costco’s.  (that includes shipping)

3.    What are the typical net earnings?  I read on your blog what you averaged, but I am guessing that is a gross earning.  In essence I am wondering how much $ you put out per month for the pamphlets, and things for the parties that are handed out?

This is a hard question to answer.  My business strategy is long term so some of my expenses now will not pay off for a while.  With that said the numbers I use to figure out my profit are:

The Numbers I use:
Average party sales: $930
Party Prep: 1 hour
Party day: 4 hours
Post Party : 1 hour
Cost of party:  $15.00 (this includes invitations, catalogues, price lists, Q brochure, samples, sample cups, and gas)

So let’s consider one party:
6 hours of work
$93 in commission -$15 cost = $78
Or that translates to $13.00 per hour
Let’s look at one month: I usually do 1 party a week which is 4 parties a month
$78 x 4 = $312
That is enough to pay for you starter kit, and your first months Q, and a $62.00 profit. Not a huge profit for the first month but enough for dinner and a movie.

Lets look at Month 2:  You don’t have to pay for the starter kit!  So all that would be profit. 
If you are looking to make good money you should look at making two goals:

Goal #1 Build a Team
Shelf Reliance is a multi-level company, this means that as a consultant you get paid off of the work of those on your team.  Let’s look at a simple scenario
You sign up 5 consultant (this is very doable)
They each sign up 3 (this is again very doable)
They sign up 1
Each consultant does 4 average parties
Results:
Your personal Sales: $3,720
Team Sales: $133,920
Commission: $1,302
With team building you are not increasing the amount of work you personally do, but you are expanding your earning potential exponentially.

Goal #2 Building Q Sales
Q sales are reoccurring sales that really boost a consultants commission.  One of my  Consultant’s Elise had a baby this spring, consequently she did not have any parties, but she did have a bunch of Q’s set up.  She still received a sizable commission check during due to the Q’s she had previously set up.

Shelf Reliance has a  commission calculator that helps consultants or potential consulates understand how commission works. 

 It is an excel spread sheet that helps you see the earning potential as a consultant. As you play around with it try entering what you think is reasonable for you.  It does take some time to build a team, but less time that you might think.  I have been a consultant since March or 2010 and I have a huge team, bigger than I ever thought it would be.

4.    How soon did you find your online sales exceeding home sales (if that is the case)?  Did you find you had to get established through home sales before the online sales could even take off, or are the two related at all?
When I first started online sales were not an option, so but once it was I found that online sale quickly eclipsed my party sales.  Maybe within two months my online sales were much larger than my party sales.  I say that but I already had a large customer base, and I am very active online.  I blog, I participate in forums, I sponsor give always and I do online adds.

You do not need to do both home parties and online.  You can do both (which is what I do) but there are consultants that do only home parties or just online sales.  I like to do both because they hit a different part of the market and supplement each other nicely.



5.      When orders are made do they ship directly to the person who made the order?
Yes, all orders are shipped directly to the customer.  Many other party business ship to the consultant or to the host of the party. Shelf Reliance ships directly to the customer


6.    Can you tell me more about what the Q club is?
Do you understand the Q itself?  The Q is a way for customers to build their food storage over time.  They make a list of the things they want to add to their food storage and then they set a budget of how much money they want to spend each month.  The Q then functions much like a online movie rental program.  Each month they purchase something from their list and it is shipped directly to them.  I LOVE the Q.  It takes so much of the hassle out of food storage.

The Q Club is a rewards club for those on the Q.  Member can join for free by signing up with at $100.00 q.  Or buy signing up at a party were 3 or more other people join.  Members receive points that can be redeemed for free product. They also receive a coupon each month discounting a specific product each month (25-30% off) , shipping discounts, special offers, and gifts.

7.     Do you have any idea how many consultants are in the (fill in the blank) area?
No I don’t.  Shelf Reliance does not release that information.  I do know that there are consultants in (fill in the blank) area.  But I don’t worry about that.  There is plenty of customers for everyone.  For example I live in a small agricultural area.  The small town I live in is surrounded by other small towns.  When I first signed up I found that there were 12 very active consultants operating out of the one of those small towns. Wellsville Utah, the population of Wellsville is only 3,272.  That is a lot of consultants for such a small town (many of them are in the same ward).  These 12 consultants have been amazingly successful, most are now gold or platinum and all have had great success in a small town.
The company is still young enough that I would not worry about how many consultant are in your area. Shelf Reliance has only been a home party business for 18 months that is still very young.   

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Upcomming Events


If you are a new consultant or if you are thinking about becoming a Shelf Reliance Consultant, than come to one of the upcoming opportunity meetings.  This is a great chance to develop a good understanding of how Shelf Reliance as a company and of what being a consultant is all about.  If you are within driving distance it will be well worth your drive.
 
 

Jason Norton, Steve Palmer, Seth Adams, Scott Dalton, and Jason Budge are traveling around the U.S. this fall for training/opportunity meetings!

Invite any contacts you have in these areas to attend and learn more about the company and its products. Please join our sales team, along with some of the top consultants in these areas. Each meeting will be held from 6-9pm. The first hour will be an opportunity presentation that you will want to invite your friends and family to. The final two hours will be focused on training for those who are consultants or those who plan to become consultants.

November 2nd, 2011 Seattle, WA with Steve Palmer
Holiday Inn Express
19621 International Blvd.
Sea Tac, WA 98188
(206) 824-3200

November 2, 2011 Los Angeles, CA with Jason Budge
Courtyard LAX/El Segundo
2000 East Mariposa Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322-0700

November 2nd, 2011  St. Louis, MO with Jason Norton
Embassy Suites St. Louis - St. Charles/Hotel & Spa
Two Convention Center Plaza
St. Charles, MO 63303
(636) 946-5544

November 3rd, 20011 Phoenix, AZ with Amber Pearce and Ilene Knipe

Radisson Phoenix Airport
427 N. 44th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 220-4400

November 3rd, 2011  Kansas City, MO with Jason Norton
Holiday Inn KCI Airport

11728 NW Ambassador Dr.

Kansas City, MO 64153

(816) 801-8400
November 3rd, 2011 Spokane, WA with Steve Palmer
Red Lion River Inn
700 N. Division St.
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 326-5577

November 3, 2011 Sacramento, CA with Jason Budge
Courtyard SMF Natomas
2101 River Plaza Drive
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 922-1120


November 8, 2011 American Fork, UT with Scott Dalton


691 S. Automall Dr. 

American Fork, UT 84003
(801) 756-9902

November 9th 2011 Las Vegas, NV with Scott Dalton
Aliante Hotel and Casino

7300 Aliante Parkway

Las Vegas, NV 89084
(702) 692-7350

November 10th 2011 St. George, UT with Scott Dalton
Courtyard St. George
185 S. 1470 E.
St. George, UT 84790
(435) 986-0555

November 10, 2011 Albuquerque, NM with Jason Budge
Holiday Inn Express

Albuquerque Midtown

2500 Menaul Blvd. NE

Albuquerque, NM 87107
 (505) 881-0544

November 29th, 2011 Idaho Falls, ID with Jason Norton
Hilton Garden Inn

700 Lindsay Blvd.

Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(208) 522-9500

November 30th, 2011 Boise, ID with Jason Norton

Hilton Garden Inn
145 E. Riverside Dr.
Eagle, ID 83616
(208) 938-9600

Monday, September 5, 2011

Product Training: New Gluten Free Grains


I am new to gluten free grain.  But I am so excited that SR is now offering them.  It is my most requested product.  I think it is going to be a great option for a lot of customer.  I have done a lot of research on the new grains we offer and I will admit that I’m not an expert, but I thought you might be interested in what I have found.

·         Amaranth:  Amaranth is a tiny whole grain.  It is an ancient grain.  It is really high in protein and it is a gluten free grain (and is safe for those with Celiac disease).  It can be cooked as a cereal, ground into flour, popped like popcorn, sprouted, or toasted. The seeds can be cooked with other whole grains, added to stir-fry or to soups and stews as a nutrient dense thickening agent.

Amaranth flour is used in making pastas and baked goods. It must be mixed with other flours for baking yeast breads, as it contains no gluten. One part amaranth flour to 3-4 parts wheat or other grain flours may be used. In the preparation of flatbreads, pancakes and pastas, 100% amaranth flour can be used. Sprouting the seeds will increase the level of some of the nutrients and the sprouts can be used on sandwiches and in salads, or just to munch on.

Amaranth has a "sticky" texture that contrasts with the fluffier texture of most grains and care should be taken not to overcook it as it can become "gummy." Amaranth flavor is mild, sweet, nutty, and malt like, with a variance in flavor according to the variety being used.

Makes
Amount
Water
Instructions
Amaranth

½ cup
1 ½ cup
1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup amaranth, a pinch of salt. Combine in saucepan, bring to boil, and reduce heat to simmer for 25 minutes or until the water is absorbed. You could then use it in recipes calling for rice, couscous, etc. For example, use cold in a salad by tossing with a little olive oil, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, diced green onion, and fresh ground pepper.
To pop (like pop corn)

¼ cup at a time
None
The easiest way to pop amaranth seeds is with an air popper. Otherwise pop in small amounts (about 1/4 cup at a time) in a wok or large saucepan over high heat. Don’t add oil to the pan, just heat it and then add the grain. Stir constantly until most of the grains have popped and those that do not pop are a shade or two darker.  Try adding it as a topping for a salad. 

·         Millet
o   Millet is a gluten-free grain that’s high in antioxidant activity, and also especially high in magnesium, a mineral that helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function. For many years, little research was done on the health benefits of millets, but recently they have been “rediscovered” by researchers, who have found millets helpful in controlling diabetes and inflammation.
o   Millet grains are usually small and yellowish in color. They have a mild flavor that pairs well with other foods. Most sources recommend cooking millet with about 2 ½ cups of liquid for each cup of millet grain.

Like most other whole gains, millet can be made into pilafs or breakfast cereals, or added to breads, soups or stews. It can also be popped like corn and eaten as a snack.  You can substitute up to about 30% millet flour in your favorite baking recipes, and even more in foods like cookies that do not need to rise as much.

WGC Culinary Advisor Lorna Sass, in her book “Whole Grains Every Day, Every Way” recommends three ways to cook millet:

Makes
Amount
Water
Instructions
Fluffy Millet

1 cup
2 ¼ cup
Toast 1 cup millet for 4-6 minutes in a dry pan then add 2 ¼ cups boiling water, simmer 13-18 minutes, then let stand 10 minutes.
Sticky Millett

1 cup
2 ¾ cup
Bring 1 cup millet to a boil in 2 ¾ cups water, simmer for 13-18 minutes, then let stand 10 minutes. Sticky millet can be molded in croquettes and patties.

Creamy Millet



Grind 1 cup millet in a spice grinder. Bring 5 cups water to a boil, then gradually whisk in millet. Cover, lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 to 30 minutes until grits are tender. Makes a great porridge or polenta.



·         Quinoa
o   Quinoa (keen-wah) comes to us from the Andes, quinoa cooks in about 10-12 minutes, creating a light, fluffy side dish. It can also be incorporated into soups, salads and baked goods.
o   Quinoa is a small, light-colored round grain, similar in appearance to sesame seeds. Most quinoa must be rinsed before cooking, the quinoa that Shelf Reliance sells is pre washed and does not need to be rinsed.

Makes
Amount
Water
Instructions
Fluffy Quinoa

1 cup
1 ¼ cup
 Bring to a simmer and then reduce to low.  Cover and cook for between 30 and 35 minutes.  Remove from heat and let sit covered for an additional five minutes.  Fluff and serve.
*Most places I found recommended that you use 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water (or other liquid)  I like it more when you use less water. This makes it fluffy not soggy.
Traditional Quinoa

1 cup
2 cups
Place quinoa in a small saucepan with liquid. Quinoa may be cooked in water or vegetable or meat stock. We use a 2:1 ratio – 2 cups liquid to 1 cup quinoa. Use a larger saucepan if you are cooking more than this basic amount.
Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer over low heat. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. You should see tiny spirals (the germ) separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds
Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve. Some people like to add olive oil, butter, salt, or pepper. Cooked quinoa can also be used as the basis for pilafs, salads, breakfast porridges, and more.

·         Rice Flour
o   Rice flour (also rice powder) is a form of flour made from finely milled rice.   It is used frequently to make rice noodles, as a coating for General Tso’s chicken.   Rice flour is gluten free and is safe for those on a gluten free diet. When you substitute rice flour for wheat flour it makes things come out crispers (think waffles, or cookies)
o   CHINEESE ALMOND COOKIES
Source: The Splendid Grain - by Rebecca Wood
5 T. unsalted butter
1/2 c. Sucanat or packed light brown sugar
1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
1/2 t. almond extrace
1-1/2 c. brown rice flour
1/4 t. sea salt
18 blanched almonds
Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a cookie sheet and set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and almond extract. Stir in the flour and salt until well mixed. (The dough may be baked immediately or refrigerated, tightly covered, for up to 5 days.)
Roll the dough into walnut-size balls. Place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Flatten with your fingertips. Press an almond half into the center of each cookie. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool on wire racks. (May be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.)