About once a week, I go downtown with my husband for breakfast and to just soak up the city vibe. It usually helps break creative blocks or gets me out of creative ruts. (It also helps that we have an Utrectch Art Supply store just a block or two from his office. It's my little Cheers in the city. They may not always know my name, but they're ALWAYS glad I came. --As are the credit card companies....)
Anyway, on my last trip, I overheard a conversation between two twenty-something young men about their work situation. One of them summed it up saying, "I'd rather have a cubical with a window than an office with a door." Ugh! What a horrible choice! The more I've thought about the comment, I've realized just how good I have it.
Now I don't do a lot of recruiting for team members--for no other reason than I'm a little shy about owning up to being an artist and independent consultant. (There's a whole psychology there that I won't go into.) However, the comment made by the young man, helped me realize that sometimes we limit our choices because we don't realize there are other opportunities out there. So folks, I'm here to let you know that you have other choices beyond choosing between the cubical with a window and the office with the door!
I've spent my years in DC running the career gauntlet--Capitol Hill, defense contracting, academia, coffeehouse barista. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. (No, really, I do.) But my sweet spot is talking with people and creating things. (If you follow my blog, you'll know that I'm particularly into home decor and cards.) I'm not the worlds best sales person--that would be my father-in-law--but I do enjoy making things that bring other people joy and teaching them how to do it.
When I decided to join Close To My Heart, I was already on a couple of design teams. It was my super-talented team member Lynn Darda who recruited me. And I'm so glad she did! I enjoy creating with Close To My Heart's beautiful papers and acrylic stamps. But even more than that, I enjoy the fabulous virtual community I've found that becomes a real community when we get together for events like the annual convention.
So how can you get in on such a great gig? For $99 you can get one of two new consultant kits that are designed to help you start your business and focus on your creative sweet spot. If you are a scrapbooker, then this kit is for you:
If you prefer cardmaking, then go with this one:
The cool thing about this business is that you really can tailor it to your interests and the interests of your customers. For example, one of the services I've just started offering is art party kits. Next weekend the daughter of a friend is having a Base & Bling birthday party. Because it's the day after Thanksgving, I won't be teaching. However, our Base & Bling Jewelry line is so simple to put together, I showed my friend how to put it together, and now she is confident she can teach it on her own. It's not your normal sales gathering, but the party kit idea fits my personality, business, and lifestyle. And being part of Close To My Heart makes it a lot easier to do.
So there you go. You don't have to choose between a window and a door, or a cubical and an office. (My craft room is smaller than most cubicals and it has both windows and a door!) You can start a business that works with your time, talent and lifestyle. If you want to learn more about becoming a consultant, or you're ready to join my team, please don't hesitate to contact me! This could be the opportunity that you've been waiting for!
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I absolutely love companies like Close to my Heart that offer such amazing career opportunities to so many people... especially stay-at-home women looking for ways to supplement their family income. I did Stampin'Up for 5 years when my kiddos were little and I needed to stay home with them. Loved it. Although I was never the best salesperson, either... :)
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