Sewing for a cause

As we are all affected by this global pandemic, COVID-19, I pray that all of my readers are staying at home, like it has been suggested, so that the spread can be stopped in its tracks.

I am personally blessed that I am a prepper. I know how to cook and bake, keep our pantry stocked (yes even with toilet paper, even though we use mostly cloth), know how to sew, and homeschool my children. Because of this, I have felt very little effect. My friends and acquaintances on Facebook tell their stories and I really feel for them.

This past week, I went through all of my scrap bins and rolls of elastic in my sewing room to aid in the movement of sewing masks for healthcare professionals that are going to be needing extraordinary amounts in the coming weeks. As of this morning, the Governor of Ohio said that they also needed medical foot covers (booties), so I went on a search to find a pattern to start making those, only to be very disappointed. How could there not be precise instructions or even a clearly put together YouTube video for me to follow?

Well, I’m here to tell you that I took that matter into my own hands. Through some light trial and error, I have measurements and uploaded the video I made to my YouTube channel so that others can follow or even adjust to their liking what I am doing.

Here are the basic instructions:

For making masks, please consult the JoAnn Fabrics website. The last time I heard, they are giving fabric kits to make 5 masks at a time.

I’m tired of the stereotypes!

There is one thing, since joining Lilla Rose, I have found to be extremely annoying. But let's face it. I too used to think that people selling products from home party companies people were way too pushy and was afraid to give my info or even purchase anything, because they would contact you endlessly to either buy more or join their team.

Let's go over a few things that I have learned.

MLM is known as Multi Level Marketing. Please do not confuse with DS, as the compensation arrangements are different. They are not a pyramid scheme! 

Think of it as buying into a franchise, but you get can work from where ever you want, be it online, craft shows, or through a network of friends. 
The top people have to still work hard or they don't make a dime.

Here are a few statistics I have found...
90% do not join to actually make money as a business, that is why they fail. The top 10% only make $100 a month to start. Only the top 2% of any MLM company make 6 figures and have also been with the company for more than 5 years. 

My highest upline just started making 6 figures last year and will be with the company 8 years this year. She has 7000 Stylists under her, yet only 220 or less have any sales in a month. Of those, only 50 or less, have any sales at all, including their own purchases.

So many of us are ousted at craft shows because we don't make the product itself.  We are constantly told our way is the easy way and that handmade products need to have the advantage at all events... What way is easy? It is true that we do not sit and make every single Flexi or hairband, but they ARE handmade for us and if we choose to go to events and have cash and carry items, we have to invest in our business just like anyone else.

Here is a list of brick and mortar building companies with the equivalent of an MLM company:

Paparazzi /  Claire's 

Perfectly Posh / Bath and Body Works 

Thirty One / Lands End, Eddie Bauer

Scentsy, Pink Zebra, etc. / Yankee Candle, White Barn, etc

Younique, Mary Kay, etc. / Este Lauder, Clinique, etc 

LuLaRoe / Gap, Christopher & Banks, Gymboree, etc

It Works, Plexus / GNC
ColorStreet / (there isn't a comparable company)
Jamberry (laquers) / OPI (purchased at Ulta or other beauty store)

Lilla Rose really doesn't have a competition since it is a 

patented product with a warranty! You can buy cheap hair accessories at any big box store, but they rip out your hair, damage your hair, give you headaches, and once it breaks, you are left with a piece of garbage.

All the above MLMs exceed industry standards, but since we are not in a brick and mortar building, we get dismissed like we are trying to rip people off. 

I got in this business because I believe in the products, which I can't find in quality, anywhere else. 

You can go to the mall and shop and big CEO's get the money or you can buy from a local mom who has goals for the money she makes. 

These are just a few of my thoughts. Sorry if it is all over the place, but I just needed to get this out, in the open, so that others can see that we are not the same.

Busy, busy!

My goodness, summer just flew by! I wanted to let everyone know that I am planning on being quite busy the next month or 2 with events to show the world my love of Lilla Rose. My real plan is to attend one per month, but I just can't seem to say no.

I will be at the North Canton Main Street Festival this weekend.

Next Sunday, I will be at the GlenOak Cheerleader Quarter Auction. Tickets are still available! $5 from me or $7 at the door.

I am also hosting my own event on September 11! Boy, is this an eye opener, but fun too.
ReStyle Your Style Beauty Boutique Vendor Event

If anyone lives close, I would love to meet you! If you do read my blog, let me know and I might have something special for you.