Quirks, Flirts and Fluff That Works

Growing up I didn’t really know what direct sales was. I know that my stepmom went to a few parties and brought home skincare and stoneware which I thought was cool, but there wasn’t really a connection. I didn’t know that my aunt’s best friend’s Avon Lady was a direct sales consultant. My great grandmother was always looking through those catalogs and getting me bubble bath and Skin So Soft. Things were never spoken about negatively. When I was about 22 years old, I started being invited to skincare parties. I was BROKE, so I never bought anything. That summer, my best friend talked me into joining Mary Kay with her. Let me tell you… I didn’t even have my own skincare routine, but she bought my starter kit, and we went to the conference and baby let me tell you… we were about to change the world one clean face at a time. The community and concept was something that I really enjoyed. I told myself when Mary Kay didn’t work that maybe it wasn’t for me.

Even though that didn’t work for me, I tried a couple more companies. I would do really well, and then I’d let life get in the way. My leaders would sometimes make me feel like I was just a salesperson to help them versus a person that was looking for something for myself. If I’m being honest though… I still wanted to do this. Direct sales gave me the ability to make a little extra money, tap into my creativity and meet new people. I know that people have their own views about this business, but that’s for them to work out. I know my truth.

Fast forward to January 2022. I’m sitting at home on Facebook, and I get a notification that someone was live. I was like “Who is this?” Curiosity got to me, and I clicked in. It was a face that I remembered from like 5 years before sitting before me shucking oysters just like I remembered from those videos from the past! I was STOKED!!! Pearls were back!!! I had watched countless hours of this woman shucking oysters for pearls when I was going through a pretty hard time in my life. All of those positive emotions came flooding back. I was in a positive place in my life. After about 2 weeks of thinking about it, I decided that I was going to dip my toe back in the direct sales pool. My best friend had moved to a different state, and I was craving community! Boy did I find community.

Two and a half years later, I am still a consultant with It’s Pearl Time. I’ve gone through ups and downs with this experience, but It’s Jess Pearls (my pearl business) has given me so much! I’ve had months where the extra money was a LIFESAVER; there were months where my pearl community has been the family extension that I didn’t even know that I needed. A few months ago, in an effort to help myself turn around my bad organizational habits, I started Jess Planning (a Tula XII business that focuses on Planner solutions and crafting). I have a goal to create community, financial freedom and eventually time freedom as well.

I am glad I decided to follow my heart and not listen to all of the people who talk major crap about direct sales. I say all of that to say… I love what I do! Click the links under “Let’s Connect” to see more information about my businesses! Also, if there is something that you feel drawn to (that’s healthy) go for it! Unless you’re feeling drawn to like crack or something. In the words of Whitney Houston “Crack is Whack!”