Posted by Tara Burner on April 29, 2009
I suppose this is a ‘business rant’…
Do you ask businesses for their trade secrets or their “how to’s”?
For years I’ve had people email me asking me for directions, information, tips on how I do certain things.
Asking me how I design a cake or how to make cupcake cakes, etc.
Now granted, I did just now release an ebook for free on How to Make Cupcake Cakes, but previously that wasn’t info I just gave away for free. I certainly don’t tell anyone how I designed any of my other cakes. I figure they can play around and experiment and figure it out…that’s what I had to do, nobody told me how to do it…I experimented, learned by trial and error and simply did what had to be done to get the results I wanted.
I used to own a dog bakery which I later sold. I wrote an ebook which then got converted into an article, which I sold. It can now be read here for free and lays out some information on how to start a pet bakery. When I had the dog bakery though, people would call and ask for my recipes. Needless to say, I’d tell them to buy the product and not give them my trade secrets!
I’ve also received questions from people requesting the “recipes/mixture combinations” for the shades of makeup I have at Affordable Mineral Makeup. Well, I’m sorry…why would I give that information out for free, when I sell the finished product?
I have a family to support, money to earn thus I own my own businesses and those businesses support us and provide my income.
I have a friend, Jill, who owns Jills Artwork and people contact her regularly asking her to share how she does her painting. Call me silly, but that’s her business, that’s her talent, that’s how she makes money. If you like what she does…pay her to do it! I know I do…because well anyone who knows me, knows I cannot paint! So, guess what… I’m not going to ask Jill to explain to me how to do it…I’m simply going to pay her to do it for me!
Do people not realize that a business is a business…the means of providing for a household, providing finances for that person.
Would they call a mainstream huge corporation and ask them for their ’secret ingredient’ and actually expect to receive that information?
I doubt it, so why do people do this to small business owners?
And, the worst part is when the person doing the inquiring gets totally irate and goes off the handle calling you mean, selfish, along with other choice names all because you won’t let them know your recipe, your how to’s, your information.
Are people just lazy and/or cheap? or???
Do they not want to invest in ‘learning’ how to do whatever it is they’re requesting information on (be it cake decorating, painting or otherwise)?
Do they not want to invest the time and energy…the learn by trial and error process…that’s how the rest of us learn…by doing and doing it again until it’s right and we have the experience and skills to get the end result we desire.
Do they not want to spend the money to just buy the end item from someone who is skilled in that area?
I just do not get it…
I can’t imagine asking a business owner or business person for them to divulge how they do something or make something.
That thought would never enter my mind.
If I liked what they did, I’d just pay them to do it if I wanted it.
Now, there are times you can give some info for free but you shouldn’t give it all away. Like friends asking how they can convert to organic, vegetarian, vegan, or raw lifestyles as well as stress management…I’ll help with some info to get them started. But that’s a service I also get paid for, a service which I’ve invested time, energy, money into training, certifications, etc. So there is a limit of what can be given away and what you simply should paid for!
So, hey if you want to ask a business how they do something or how they produce their product…that’s up to you but don’t get mad when they either hit delete and don’t respond or tell you that they’re not going to divulge that information.
Posted by Tara Burner on April 25, 2009
Ok it’s getting towards the end of the month.
Quota time for many direct sales companies.
You know….quota: the thing you have to meet in order to stay active in a direct sales company.
Some are $100/month, others are $150 or more, some are only $25 or $30.
Regardless, most companies have quota’s because well…they want to make sure their reps/consultants make an effort and work the business.
I mean the company has invested in product, advertising, marketing, training reps, materials, etc. etc. so it’s part of business.
If you have no vested interest in the company, you’ll most likely not work, be lax or just not care or do much with it.
But, wait quota time and month end also bring up excuses and ‘reasons’ why people just can’t make quota.
I mean, I could be wrong here but people go into business to make money…or not??
I mean I’m in it to make money, I have bills to pay, things I want to do…all of which take money!
Seriously, aren’t people in business to make money?
I could be wrong about that though, from what I’ve been hearing for about 5 or 6 months though.
Yes, I own a direct sales business.
I own Affordable Mineral Makeup as well as Teen Mineral Makeup.
I offer people a few different ways to make money…one way is to be a quota consultant which means they have to have a certain amount of retail sales in a month or they’re deactivated from the company.
Now, I assume that when people become consultants they do it so they can make money. I know some people join direct sales companies to get the discount for their own purchases and that’s totally cool too. The only problem with that is, if there’s not enough product you want every single month in order to meet your quota then what do you do? In the case of my business if people just want to take advantage of a discount without any monthly obligation they could just join the buyer’s club and not worry about quota’s or anything but still enjoy the nice discount.
What I’ve been hearing a lot of lately (not just from people who work for my companies but on a lot of wahm boards, wahm networks) are stories about how or why these reps can’t meet quota and how they want to be waived from having to meet it.
Example:
Jane: I lost my job, so I can’t meet quota. Can you excuse me for two or three months until I find a job.
Jane 2: My hubby was laid off so I can’t meet quota.
Jane 3: Jane Jr has to go to girl scout camp so I can’t meet quota.
You get the idea right?
Excuses….
So, let’s get this right….
You get the pink slip from your normal FT job and then you want to not have to work for the direct sales company you have quota with… Is that right?
Your husband got laid off and now you can’t spend his money to make sure you meet your quota…is that right?
You have other family obligations therefore you can’t spend money on product so you meet your quota…is that right?
Now, here’s a thought…
if you’re with a direct sales company to make money then GO MAKE MONEY!
Do not rely on your own purchases to meet quota.
That’s not profitable for you.
You need to advertise, market, network, be active, solicit, hold home parties, hold online parties, communicate with others, post on forums, be active be active be active!!!!!!
You’re in business to make money, not buy product for yourself month after month after month.
So…you lost your job….well then you have TIME to promote your direct sales business…get out there…get orders!
So…your hubby got laid off…quit spending his money and go advertise and make some money to help your family out!
So…your kid needs something…go get some orders so you can get the money for it!
If you’re hit with financial hardship, I’m sorry.
But to me, that’d be all the more reason for you to bust a move, get off your tush and work your business, get those orders, meet quota, make money and help your household!
That’s not the time to sit around and plea for your quota to be waived.
Nor is it the time when the owner says “no sorry, either meet quota or be deactivated”, to start bashing the owner or being upset about it.
Stop and think about this….if all a business’s reps decided they simply couldn’t meet quota for whatever excuse how would that affect the business?
If businesses don’t have orders, they don’t make money, if they don’t make money, they go out of business…
So, instead of excuses and “reasoning” (which makes no sense really) about why you ‘think’ you need to be waived from quota’s… get up, be bold, be strong and go get CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS and quit relying on your own purchases…that’s not what business and money making is about!
On a side note, my 20 yr old son and I were just talking about this and his response “Mommas (yep that’s what he calls me) if these people lose their jobs or whatever why don’t they just work harder to make money with their other companies”
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH that’s my boy!!!!!!
Now, if a 20 yr old male can figure that concept out surely grown women can?!
Posted by Tara Burner on April 21, 2009
ahhhhhhhhhhhh thanks to Stefani at TeensyGreen for tagging me…so here I am…..
To answer the question “how will i filter for good”
1)I’ll continue container gardening
2)I’ll keep buying locally
3)I’ll keep living by example and helping others realize they can make small changes which add up to big benefits by posting daily green tips
4)Continue to run my businesses in an eco friendly manner, offer green products & services.
5)Work on obtaining land to build off grid, sustainable home!
So, there you have it…my “filters for good”
What are yours going to be?
The rules are simple for this meme.
If you’re tagged, post five things you plan to do for the environment this Earth Month on your blog.
At the end of your list, tag five of your favorite blogs, and include a link back to this post using the hyperlinked text “FilterForGood Blog Meme Contest.” Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs, or on their Twitter accounts (using the hash tag #FFGBlogMeme). Also, be sure to include these rules at the bottom of your post.
I’m tagging:
Jenn from The Green Parent
Sommer from Green and Clean Mom
David at The Good Human
Adam from Twilight Earth
and Terri Marshall of Naturally Green Life Coach
Here’s an added bonus! At the end of Earth Month, FilterForGood will choose a few lucky bloggers who posted their five things to win some Brita gift packs to help you go green!
Be sure you link back to the original meme post [http://www.filterforgood.com/blog/?p=1407] to enter the contest!
Happy Earth Day!
Posted by Tara Burner on April 14, 2009
Today I’ve had to deal with a few minor issues with some consultants of mine who represent Affordable Mineral Makeup.
Thus the reason for this blog covering important things like:
Responsibility
Integrity
Reputation
Now, there used to be a time when I didn’t use my full name…didn’t feel the need to, didn’t feel that it ‘meant’ anything.
However, now I am my name: Tara Burner.
My name means something.
My name is my reputation, my personality, my character, my business.
My name has value.
My name has traits and characteristics associated with it that I hold proudly.
As per dictionary.com
Integrity: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Reputation: a favorable and publicly recognized name or standing for merit, achievement, reliability, etc.: to build up a reputation.
Responsibility: a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority.
Accountability: the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable.
Now, as a business owner my personal name is also attached to my business.
The traits associated with my name carry over into my business, thus anyone who works for me must also match the values of my business as well as my name.
While I have independent consultants who represent Affordable Mineral Makeup, they also then represent me…Tara Burner.
Represent: to stand or act in the place of, as a substitute, proxy, or agent does: He represents the company in Boston.
Now, if someone is representing the company they need to do so in a professional manner that matches what my business is about as well as my name. Not only is my business reputation on the line, but so is my personal reputation and the value of my name.
I had a rep of mine today respond to me by saying “Please don’t feel responsible for my group”, after I informed everyone that if they form groups that are representing my company that they need to be active, professional, post information, etc.
She is sadly mistaken. Because I am responsible for anything and everything that my reps do and say. It’s a reflection on not only my company, but me personally. I’m responsible for all their actions when they’re representing my company. Thus, I do whatever it takes to ensure that my company, my business, my name are presented appropriately and professionally.
I’m not sure why this is so difficult for some to grasp.
Does their own name mean nothing to them?
Do they not care what people think of them and/or their business skills?
Does my company mean nothing to them?
Do they not realize the importance of professionalism?
Do they not realize that they represent me personally as well as professionally?
Do they not realize that if they don’t conduct themselves in a manner suitable that they can trash my reputation that I’ve worked to develop…one of which people know if they order from my company they get their orders shipped out quickly, efficiently and professionally?
Do none of these things matter?
Do they have no concern for their own self worth, dignity, respect?
Do they not realize that if their actions remain lax and “half hearted” that they’ll find that nobody will do business with them, nor trust them or hold them in confidence?
Perhaps they don’t realize any of these things because it’s not their reputation on the line but also mine!
Now, that just shows me that the person really either doesn’t care or doesn’t understand the importance of doing business in a reputable professional manner and well…there’s no room for that in my business.
I will not permit others to trash my name or my reputation that I’ve built for years.
So, word of advice: when doing business and working for a company as an independent representative or distributor…value that company and the owners, officials, other representatives and their reputation and their name…like you should value your own!
Posted by Tara Burner on
Ok, as previously promised here are updated pics of the patio garden.
Running out of room on the patio!
I used 100% recycled plastic containers to grow a lot of the flowers and veggies in, as well as Earth Box and Stack & Grow systems.
So as you’ll see I have a lot going on here showing that you can grow your own foods, even on a 3rd floor apartment patio!
Of course it doesn’t mean you won’t get weird looks from people across from you, wondering what the heck you’re doing out there but hey whatever!
UPDATE:
The guy in apartment across from me just told me he felt inspired by my patio garden and is now growing roses, cilantro and tomatoes on his patio!
Things I have growing (some seen in this post, others not):
Radishes
Green Beans
Cabbage
Romaine lettuce
Bibb lettuce
Basil
Mint
Cucumbers
Parsley
Tomatoes
Hot Peppers
Yellow Peppers
Green Peppers
and flowers
Flowers/plants that daughter picked out:
I do not like the Stack & Grow seen above.
There simply isn’t enough room in the small sections for the plants to grow and watering is inconvenient. I had to take off one layer and then not plant in each section. (you’ll see another pic of it further down this post)
The Earth Box is pretty cool and as you’ll see in pics has two different types of lettuce growing…Romaine and Bibb.
I have another Earth Box that’ll have more tomato plants once my seed starters are ready to be moved.
Meanwhile, not sure what’s going on with my tomato plant. It’s growing tomatoes and all but yet some leaves are brown and funky.
Here’s close up of green beans, sorry it’s blurry though 
Posted by Tara Burner on April 9, 2009
If you’re in the South Florida area or going to be visiting the area, I strongly suggest going to Morikami Japanese Gardens.
My daughter and I went the other day and it was excellent.
It was the best $16 I’ve spent in a long time! ($10 for adults, $6 for kids).
We walked around the path, bridges, gardens, bonsai area and thoroughly enjoyed the time we had there.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll post the pics and you decide if it’s a place you’d want to go.
All I know is, we enjoyed it, we were relaxed, having fun and was a great get away from work and the hustle bustle of Pembroke Pines.
Posted by Tara Burner on April 5, 2009
Can read it in full here
or here:
I was featured today in The Sun Sentinel’s Green Insert.
I tried to locate it online but haven’t found the article yet so here’s an image of it.
Click on it to open full size in new window.
