As a parent and as an entrepreneur, I have had to make adjustments to create a successful family and a successful business. This has taken some great strategies and many attempts to get it right.
For many years I have worked in my direct selling business as well as another business to make ends meet. Having three young boys who all want my time, I have found myself feeling blame, shame or guilt about being a working parent.
I would ask myself, ?is this being a good mom?? or heard myself saying, ?they hate me because I am always busy?. Have you ever felt that way? Maybe I am alone in this! One of my sons became ill with a rare disease and I had to make even more adjustments to keep him healthy. It often felt like my inner critic was attacking me all the time. Each time I listened to it, I would find myself not being productive. Is your inner critic speaking to you? Is it helping you in your business or holding you back?
 | I was listening to myself one day and decided to do something different. What is it that I want to do to make this better? I started by making a list of everything I was doing to keep me away from my sons. I placed a value next to each item on how important it was for me to do that task verses someone else doing the task. I looked at my list and saw clearly some tasks that my sons could do. I began setting up a plan for each child (per age) to do some tasks to help me in my business and give us more time to spend with one another. |
I asked the kids if they were willing to participate and help me with my business. They said yes, however there was a little resistance from time to time. What are the ages of your kids? What are some ideas you can come up with to get your kids involved with your direct selling business?
Direct Sales Business Includes Kids
My oldest son was about thirteen years old so I had him putting labels and stamps on invitations, stuff hostess and opportunity packets, highlight monthly specials and file past consultant orders for the business.
I had him write events on the family calendar so everyone knew what nights I had parties to go to. I brought him to shows occasionally to count how many times I would mention the business opportunity, booking opportunity and monthly specials. He was also in charge of doing the dishes after my shows and replacing the items in my bag. He did not always want to do these things so it did take some enrolling and reminding about our agreement.
The seven-year-old would put together guest packets, make copies of monthly specials, handouts and recipes, and put the receipts in a folder. He was great at stamping the catalogs and flyers. Not always straight, however they were legible and I would make a comment at my shows about how I could incorporate working my kids into my business and spend precious time with them.
The four year old would help out by taking out my office trash, making sure the pencil/pen bag had enough for shows and putting the mail into the mail box. He would help to put products in bags to give to customers. His attention span was not long yet, but he felt like he was helping out.
During the holiday?s, I offered a gift wrapping service to my customers and the boys would also help with picking out the paper, and getting the supplies. Mom would pay for it. I told the kids that they were my taste testers for new recipes so I could practice for my shows. Kids are so honest, and they would tell me if a recipe worked or not. We all began talking more and I found that my kids were some of my best sales people. Even today, they still are my best sales people.
What did they get out of working with me in my business? I watched them build work ethics and create team work. They spent quality time with their mom, and built business and communication skills. They also developed personal and social skills like cooperation and confidence.
Oh, and they earned ice cream sundaes, family incentive trips, money for shopping and much more.
- What can you enroll your kids into doing that would support your business?
- How will you talk to them about helping?
- What reward could they earn by being involved?
I found that when I gave the kids something to do, it paid off down the line and helped me to release the blame, shame or guilt of working and turned it into raising responsible and confident kids.
Kimberley Borgens has a mission in life, to inspire, empower and educate entrepreneurs to step through their fears, improve their life-style and reach for their financial dreams. She speaks to groups throughout the world about accountability and action.
She is the CEO of Be A Legacy and is known as the ?Accountability Coach.?
What can you do today to incorporate your kids into your business?
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