This has to be one of my favorite prints since my team name is 31 Awesome Blossoms and the name of the print is Awesome Blossom!  Everyone is loving the thermal tote sale and being able to get a sneak peek at new Spring prints!

This tote is actually included in the New Spring Enrollment Kit that is available as of today! This is one of my favorite Enrollment Kits ever because even though all the patterns coordinate, there is something for everyone – a little bit of subtle, a little bit of vibrant color and a whole lot of awesome!

You know, each time a new catalog comes out, I think there is no way the next one is going to top it.  Thank you, Thirty-One for continuing to make the products, patterns, and rewards better and better every year!

I am a Thirty-One husband.

I love my wife.  She is my best friend, my daughters’ mother, my better half.  She is talented and loving and fun.  And she spends money on some ridiculous stuff.

It is no secret that money, and the differences of opinion in how it should be spent, is one of the major stresses on a marriage.  To a guy like me, who has had 3 wallets in the last twenty years, buying multiple purses, handbags, wallets, totes… is a frivolous waste of resources.  I mean, that money could go to buy football tickets, a good steak dinner, basketball tickets, a new HDTV, satellite subscription or video game console.  We could save up for a motorcycle!  Real, worthwhile expenditures.

A few years ago, she saw an acquaintance with a bag she really liked and had never seen anywhere.  It was a Thirty-One bag.  It turns out that Thirty-One is a direct-sales company, kind of like Avon, Mary Kay and Tupperware.  The Thirty-One consultant has a party in which the hostess invites friends to come see the products, hear the pitch, and hopefully make purchases and book parties of their own.  In exchange, the hostess gets free gifts and incentives based on how much is purchased at her party.   At a good party, the hostess can make off with a good amount of free products.  That’s how Emily got started.  A party for the bag.

Part of the pitch at the party is a brief spiel about the benefits of becoming a Thirty-One sales consultant.  They hear that Thirty-One is a reference to Proverbs 31, specifically Proverbs 31:10-31.

10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

It’s a Christian company and promotes those values.  They hear about commissions and incentives and building a team.  And then there’s “the kit.”

I think the kit is what really hooked Emily.  Thirty-One has a package of Thirty-One items they call “the kit” that are priced way below market-value that are designed to be the consultant’s samples.  But in the end, it’s a bunch of great Thirty-One products for dirt cheap.  I think that’s what initially made it worth her time and effort to explore the sales consultant thing.  At the time, imagining my wife in sales was almost humorous.  It would be completely out of her comfort zone.  While I was intrigued that she was exploring a possible way to bring some extra income into the house I was skeptical that it would really come to pass.  What really got me was the idea that she would get her bags for cheap, and earn the money to buy them in the future.  The way I figured it, if Thirty-One simply supported her bag “habit,” then it was worth it.

Boy, was it worth it.  Within months, Emily was booking parties and building a team.  She was networking with other consultants, getting party ideas from their Facebook group and online forums, and her commissions continued to rise.  As her team grew, the small percentage she got from the sales of her downline consultants really began to add up.  A couple years in, she has 263 consultants downline.  There are months where she makes more from Thirty-One than her regular job.  She was able to go part-time and picks up our girls from school so she can spend more time with them in the afternoons.  In this economy, there have been months at my job that were very poor and her Thirty-One income is the only reason we could pay all the bills.  She feels great about herself, she has new friends and colleagues, Thirty-One is sending us to Disney World next year…  it is all great.  But the best part for me is I can’t remember the last time I felt stressed or resentful over a purchase she made, because she earned the extra income that bought it.  I didn’t realize what a drain and stress it was on our marriage until it was gone.  I can’t remember when our marriage was better.  That is the Thirty-One gift.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.  ~ Proverbs 31:11

Ed Page

The premiere also included the “Why?” for several of our consultants and directors. I needed a Kleenex while listening to them. It is great to be reminded that it isn’t about purses, it is about changing lives and helping women (and men!) – whether it is finding the right item to organize their home, helping them find the perfect gift, or offering them an opportunity to realize their dreams, Thirty-One has the answer!

If you would like a copy of the new Spring catalog or if you would like to learn more about the new kit and the rewards, please email me at emilypage31@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you!

What better way to celebrate  your birthday than with a Thirty-One cupcake coin purse!  Leah got this for her birthday as well as an MP3 player which fits perfectly inside along with her ear buds!

Leah had Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn.  A very observant lactation consultant asked if she could take Leah to the nursery and said she would be “right back”.  Ed went with her and so he kind of knew what was going on but I was shocked when they came back and told me she had been hooked up to oxygen.  At times she was under an oxygen hood and at other times she received oxygen through a cannula.

Truly the hardest thing for me was that we couldn’t talk to her or hold her because they didn’t want her to be over-stimulated.  Although I pumped and was able to nurse her within a few days, the fact that we really didn’t have any time to bond before she was taken away was very hard for me. I remember coming home without her and when I saw her bassinet by our bed I just lost it.  No mom should ever have to go home from the hospital without her baby.

That being said, trust me when I say that I KNOW how fortunate we were.  Leah only had to spend a few days in NICU, many children spend months there and many others never make it home.  As a children’s center director for an inclusive center where half of our children have some type of special need, I am well aware of the challenges many children and their parents face.  I know how quickly the excitement of a new baby can change to fear and confusion.  Many parents have to mourn the “death” of their idea of what their child would be like before they can rejoice in their precious child’s life and discover all the ways in which their child is special and unlike any other child on earth.

We were very fortunate and thankful to have a Pediatrician who had experienced TTN with her own child so from the very beginning we were not concerned with any long-term effects of this condition.  I don’t know if it is related or not, but pretty much once a year since she was born, Leah has had a respiratory illness that caused her to need breathing treatments.  Other than that, she is perfectly healthy and happy.

Leah loves imaginative play and you can often hear her having conversations between her barbies or some other small toys.  She loves Taylor Swift, she would watch movies all day if you let her, she loves cats, she still likes to snuggle, she sometimes talks in a sweet baby voice that alternates between being really cute and really annoying, she would happily eat chicken nuggets every day, she likes to say the blessing, she is great at Tae Kwon Do, and she is an excellent reader.  And she is SO EXCITED about her birthday.  She tells me that she is most excited about getting ice cream for her birthday!  Did I mention that she is easy to please?

A few more pictures:

Going Home!

Sisterly Love

Living up to her nickname, "Monkey"

Leah LOVES Scooby Doo

First Day of Kindergarten

Future Thirty-One Consultant

Leah and her 5th Birthday Present, Bo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEAH!

If you are like me (and you probably are if  you are reading this post), then you don’t tend to make decisions without a lot of research, thought, and prayer. The following are some of the questions I had as I was making the decision to start my journey with Thirty-One and what I have found the answer to be for me.

Why is the company called “Thirty-One”?

I remember the very first time I saw anything having to do with Thirty-One.  I was at the Lee County Fair in Sanford, NC.  We were taking our preschool class to story time at the fair and we walked through the exhibit halls.  Someone had a Thirty-One booth there and I immediately fell in love.  The fair was only open for preschoolers so the booths were not manned and so I did not meet the consultant and could not ask questions.  I came home that night and was trying to search online and I remember using a number of different search terms to try and find the answer. The name “Thirty-One” comes from Proverbs 31 which talks about a virtuous woman.

10 It is hard to find a good wife, because she is worth more than rubies. 11 Her husband trusts her completely.  With her, he has everything he needs. 12 She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives. 13 She looks for wool and flax and likes to work with her hands. 14 She is like a trader’s ship, bringing food from far away. 15 She gets up while it is still dark and prepares food for her family and feeds her servant girls. 16 She inspects a field and buys it,  With money she earned, she plants a vineyard. 17 She does her work with energy, and her arms are strong. 18 She knows that what she makes is good.  Her lamp burns late into the night. 19 She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth. 20 She welcomes the poor and helps the needy…25 She is strong and respected by the people.  She looks forward to the future with joy. 26 She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind. 27 She watches over her family and never wastes her time 28 Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her, 29 saying , “There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them.”

Learning that Thirty-One was a faith-based company was a huge factor in helping me to decide to become a consultant.  I love knowing that I work for a company where the leaders prayerfully consider every decision and pray for everyone involved in their company.

What are the benefits of being a Thirty-One Consultant?

Of course, I also wanted to know what was in it for me.  At the time, I really only expected Thirty-One to provide me with enough income to allow me to purchase more Thirty-One products and other fun items.  I LOVE bags, purses, and jackets.  I don’t know what it is about jackets but if Thirty-One ever added them to their catalog, I would be in heaven!  Knowing that I would receive 25% commission on my sales right from the start, I realized that I really didn’t have to sell much to be able to have a little bit of “mad money” each month.  When I signed on my first two team members and I started receiving overrides on their sales as well, I pulled out the Career Path again and realized that this could really become more than just a hobby and a way to make a little extra money.  My “why” shifted at that point and I started thinking about how Thirty-One could help me to be at home with my kids in the afternoon.  I set a goal to be able to  be with my girls after school by the time my oldest started 6th grade.  I was able to accomplish that goal half way into her third grade year.  Being home in the afternoons with my kids has allowed me to get to know them so much better and to spend quality time with them that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.  We have seen a big improvement in my oldest child’s grades as well.

Consultants also have the opportunity to earn other incentives and trips.  We will be taking a family trip to Disney World courtesy of Thirty-One and we are all so excited and grateful for this opportunity!

I have realized that there are so many non-monetary benefits of being a consultant with Thirty-One.  I’m able to have control over my dreams and I am able to help others realize their dreams and experience financial freedom!  I have met so many wonderul women and have made many new friends who share the same passion I do for Thirty-One. If you would like to have a conversation about the Thirty-One career path and how Thirty-One can help you and your family, I would love the opportunity to talk with you in more detail!

How do I place a Thirty-One order?

If you already have a consultant and you aren’t sure of their website, you can go to the main company page www.thirtyonegifts.com and click on “Find a Consultant”.  You can also view our monthly specials and place an order on my independent consultant website  www.mythirtyone.com/emilypage

You can browse our catalogs and place your order online.  If you live in Sanford, NC and would like to save the $4 direct shipping charge, you can contact me at emilypage31@gmail.com to place an order and I will add it to a local party order.

What are the benefits of being a hostess for Thirty-One?

Before I joined Thirty-One, I hosted a party in my home.  I loved being able to get free products and half-price items. It was great because that meant I had extra items to show at my parties and I had the opportunity to experience what my future hostesses would experience.  Being a Thirty-One hostess is fun!  You get to have all your friends over and shop for purses – what could be better?  You can always find the most up to date hostess reward program on the official company page www.thirtyonegifts.com

What is a “Skirt Purse”?

I’m not sure how I first heard about the skirt purse but it was some time between first seeing products at the Fair and hosting the party in my home.  Once I heard about it, I had to have it!!  In fact, I couldn’t even wait until my party even though I knew I would be getting hostess rewards and could get it for free or half-price!  I told my husband I was taking care of my own birthday present and I ordered my first skirt purse! As soon as it came in, I put it on my desk at work and took a photo to post on facebook.  Yes, I was THAT excited. You may remember the wooden-handled purses with interchangeable covers that buttoned on (well, if you were alive in the 70s that is).  I still have my little one and I will often take it to parties with me for a bit of nostalgia! The skirt purse is a much more modern and classy version of this purse.  The top of the purse folds over to hide the top of the skirt that is attached to the purse body by multiple metal fasteners.  The skirts are very easy to replace making it a snap to change the look of your purse as often as you need to without having to transport all your “stuff” from one bag to another.  The skirt purse comes in black or brown and is made with a high quality material that allows you to carry the bag without a skirt as well.  The skirt purse comes with a free skirt of your choice.  You can then purchase additional skirts to change the look of your purse without having to purchase a whole new purse!  These are GREAT for traveling because the skirts pack flat and you can change your look to match your outfits! NEW FOR FALL 2011, the Skirt Purse now comes with a ZIPPER!!

What about fundraising?

Outside of Thirty-One, I am a program manager for a non=profit so I am always looking for ways to raise money and I like to look for things that are new and different from the same old gifts, cookie dough, candles, etc.  I love that I’ve been able to partner with organizations and groups to raise funds for multiple causes.  I’ve been able to use funds from a fundraiser we did at my program to provide staff recognition that we wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.  There are so many great causes and I can’t write a check to all of them no matter how I would like to so it is awesome to be able to offer to do a fundraiser for a great cause and donate my commission!

What is the “fine print”, you know, the “hidden details” they don’t tell you until you sign up?

In some ways I am very trusting but in other ways, I am very much a skeptic.  I am the type  of person that checks snopes.com before forwarding any emails or information that I’ve received over the internet.  Thirty-One almost sounded too good to be true. Simple, easy, no complex commission structure or excessive sales requirements. In my mind, there are no hidden details..  Truly.  Thirty-One is a faith-based company and there are no surprises, no schemes, no new requirements you discover only after signing up.  I am sometimes a little too honest and will truly tell you like it is so if you have a question, please ask!  Please don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back from realizing your dreams!  If you contact me regarding your interest in becoming a consultant, I will send you a ton of information and resources designed to help you make the most informed decision possible.

Is there a minimum I have to sell to stay a consultant?

I’m not really great at asking people for money or asking if they want to buy something so one of the questions that was very important to me was, “how much do I need to sell?” In order to remain an active consultant, you must submit a qualifying show or cumulative sales of $200 within a 3 month consecutive period.  That sounded very doable to me and I felt comfortable that it would be an easy goal to reach (and it has been!)

Do I have to recruit new consultants?

Obviously if I am not good at asking people for money or to buy something, I was a little apprehensive at first about having to recruit team members. It was a relief (at first) to know that I had no obligation to recruit new consultants.  However, I found that I was so excited about the company and the products that I wanted to tell everyone and bring everyone along on my journey. I have found that building a solid team means building a solid business for yourself!

What kind of support do consultants receive from the Home Office?

I have to admit that this wasn’t a question I personally had but it is a question I get asked a lot.  I was just so excited about joining that I didn’t think about how I would learn how to enter orders, book more parties, recruit new consultants, etc. Of course, that meant I was thrilled to discover that consultants receive an unbelievable amount of support from the Home Office.  The consultants-only web site is packed with party, business, and recruiting tools.  There are regular trainings, tips for success and more!  The Home Office also offers incentives and rewards for consultants throughout the year.

How much time does it take to be a consultant?

When my husband and I talked about me joining, time was a big factor.  I was already very busy and we wondered if I would be able to put the time into my business that I needed to in order to keep going and be successful.  I have another job, 2 kids, a husband, and church responsibilities. The amount of time you put into being a consultant is completely up to you.  You can put in as little or as much as you have time for.

Is there an extra charge for personalization?

I LOVE personalization.  I think it is partly a southern thing.  Offer me a choice of two items, one without my monogram and one with and I am always going to choose the one with the monogram!  I love that the embroidery in so reasonable. Embroidery is $7 for an initial, monogram, word(s), or name.   For hostess half-price items, the embroidery is half-off as well.  Embroidery is FREE on hostess exclusive items.

Do consultants get commission on personalization?

Early on I realized that personalization made up a good portion of my party sales.  It was therefore awesome to find out that consultants make commission on personalization, retail orders, and hostess credit overage.  Consultants do not make commission on hostess half-price items.

Are my expenses as a consultant tax-deductible?

I am all about getting tax deductions so this was a big question for me.  What I found is that certain expenses are tax-deductible but you should speak to a tax advisor or accountant for help in determining your deductions.

What is a “catalog party”?

I have people ask me about “book parties” or “catalog parties” when having a home party is not possible or appealing to them. A catalog party is a party where the hostess passes out catalogs to friends, family, and co-workers and takes the orders and payment.  The hostess decides when to end the catalog party and then passes on the orders to me and I enter them online just like a home party.   I will also set the party up online so that people can order directly online and pay by credit or debit card.  I provide emails that the customer can send out announcing the party and detailing how they can order.

I’m ready to make my dreams come true!  How do I sign up to be a  consultant?

If you are ready to sign up, please email me at emilypage31@gmail.com so that i can send you information on business supplies, career path, etc.  I also want to coach you on how to set yourself up to earn $300 of products and business supplies in your first 45 days!

I’m ready to host a party and earn FREE PRODUCTS!!  What do I need to do?

I LOVE to help hostesses get free products.  I remember how excited I was to pick out all of my free stuff when I hosted my first Thirty-One party before becoming a consultant!  Please email me at emilypage31@gmail.com. If you live within 3 hours of Sanford, NC, I can schedule a home party.  If I am unable to help you with a party on the date that works best for you, I will refer you to another consultant.  If you would like to host a catalog or online party, I will mail you all of the information and catalogs you need.  If you live farther away and would like to host a home party, I will find a consultant in your area that will be happy to help you or you can go to the company site and click on “find a consultant”.

If you have additional questions, please contact me directly at emilypage31@gmail.com.  The OFFICIAL Thirty-One website is  www.thirtyonegifts.com.

When there is an outlet sale, it is up to the company if the sale will be open to customers or if it will be for consultants only.  If the sale is open to customers and posted on the company’s facebook page, I will post this information for my customers on my facebook group, Emily Page’s VIP Customers and Hostesses.