As a Tomboy Tools consultant, it doesn't take long to learn that our primary focus is not selling the tools. As one of my friends told me, "I can buy tools anywhere. I need someone to show me how to use them!"  We know that once a woman discovers SHE can use tools, there is an open horizon before her.  We are one of the few direct sales companies whose primary focus is actually giving to our customers. However, we not only need someone to help us learn the skills, but also need usable tools to enable us to do those jobs. Hence our tools are an outgrowth of our personal growth.

We take it one step farther. Since we are introducing new tools, we have smarter design features making our tools much more user friendly. These are real tools, not little plastic pink ‘posers' which actually make the tasks harder to do and sometimes are even unsafe to use.

So our customers come to our shows with that infamous Honey-Do list (whether or not they are the "Honey"' that gets it done, it is still infamous!) and at our shows, that list becomes; "Let's have some fun and learn how to get it done!" THAT IS A FUN BUSINESS TO BE IN!

There is a common understanding that this term is generally a negative. But this is strongly to our advantage...  WE ARE THE UNKNOWN SOLUTION!

Here is the psychology behind this term.
In the marketplace, certain terms conger up images in our minds. Even though "Kleenex" is a brand we all know it also means "tissue"-- it is a common understanding. Some terms create feelings and emotions -"Dove" chocolate comes to my mind. 

We all are targets of experience marketing. Companies spend millions to associate feelings with their products in their commercials. Marketing firms use emotion to create negative or positive emotions depending on the result they want. If they create a negative feeling, they want you to see their product as the positive answer. If positive, they want you to associate their product with warm fuzzy or exciting feelings.

In the same way, the Infamous "honey do list" is just that, infamous. No matter who you are, if you have a home, it lurks in the back of your mind. Everyone hates the sound of it-it means weekends spent running to the hardware store, trying to figure out what you need only to get home and find you have the wrong part or product, a missing part only to realize the project is bigger than you... and there you are, having spent all your free time and ending up no where.  It's so much easier to leave that list taped to the side of the fridge and do things on a crisis basis.  (This is what we hope anyway) It is a common experience.

So when your hostess says to her guests" Bring your Honey-do-list" it puts all your guests in the same category with these same unspoken feelings. This request is so unusual they are all wondering why in the world you are asking them to bring it.  Now, you not only have permission to answer that question, but they are expecting (hoping) you will answer it.

It will, all by itself, get them in touch with the reason they need you.

Coaching your hostess to have guests bring it will cause the next question from the guest... "WHY?"   Her answer: "Because we are going to have fun and learn how to get it done!"

The next question from the guest: Will she teach me how to hang my pictures...faux paint...replace cabinet hardware...fix my running toilet...(fill in the blank)... she is looking at her list from a completely different frame of mind... Do you think this guest may want to meet you?

Whether they have a Tool Stud in their life that:

1. Does everything-but on his time schedule        - she can partner with him to get it done.

2. Wishes he were a Tool Stud                          - he can partner with her to get it done.

3. Wants someone else to be the Tool Stud         - she can partner with friends to get it done.

4. Or like me, I am my own Tool Stud                  - just get it done!

(or if you prefer, "stud-dess"!)

By this one little request, you have gotten everyone in tune with the unspoken dreaded need AND NOW you become the answer they have been hoping for.

At your show, you immediately convert that dread to something fun right off the bat. You will do it so unexpectedly. You take the common negative all of us relate to and create a whole new paradigm in their minds.  "I can have fun and learn to get this thing done?!"  

Don't worry about major fix ups...most guests will be very happy to start with the basics, i.e. the difference between Phillips and flat, why a ratchet screw driver is better and even better yet, how to put a bit in a cordless drill!

We have developed a simple show style incorporating all of this into a fun environment that creates a level of comfort for all guests.

It also converts the old ‘trying to book parties" into making something unheard of out of that dreaded list... A social event!

By offering guests the opportunity to invite friends over to learn to get those things done, you create a circle of caring women learning together and helping each other! And now with LP Moulding as a strategic partner, we can also up the ante by helping them dream a little.

That infamous "honey-do-list" becomes a reason to have friends over and INVITE YOU! 

So are you a bit curious?  We'll be having a consultant conference call on Saturday, February 18^th at 10:30CST to go over this new style show and how to use it. 

First, here's a little homework to do:  Everyone is going to want you to help them "have some fun and get it done"...before you can start scheduling those shows, you need to know when you are open for business.

Most consultants make the mistake of trying to run their business in their spare time. The term spare time almost seems an oxymoron in this day and age.  However, simply identifying your business hours will make a huge difference for you.

We've created a simple exercise to help you discover when you are "open for business". Work through the exercise. It will help determine how many shows you can realistically do in a month. It will help you plan and prepare for the normal ebb and flow business. The Calendar Control Exercise^© will be available on the website on the Sales Corner page very soon.

Did you know that nationally our average consultant earns $160 per show...once you identify when you are open for business, use this $160 and multiply it by the number of shows you discovered you can do in a month.  That is a very nice income for a part time job... and since you are the boss, you set the hours and you earn it. If this isn't your average, we'll help you get there.

So, are you ready....let's strap on our tool belts...we've got some work to do!

Talk soon!