Sometimes
when we have good news, we may struggle with whether or not to share it with
others. We may want to burst with happiness about the amazing review our boss
gave us at work or the new car we were finally able to afford. But it can often
feel like you’ve just looked at the cast list, saw that you got the leading
role, and noticed that you’re surrounded by disappointed people who didn’t get
a part. Good news is great when there are people to share in your joy, but
holding good news in for fear of alienating others isn’t so fulfilling. Afraid
of being the pushy salesperson, Ashley Howry was worried about getting involved
in the direct sales channel and talking about the business with others. Yet,
she found that by sharing the joy she is experiencing as she works to change
her family’s situation and expressing her genuine excitement for what the
future has in store, she is able to help others see that the ability to make a
change in their own lives is a possibility.
Ashley
loves that she can build a business that fits around her schedule. As a stay
at home mom with four small children, Ashley was not looking to take on any
more responsibilities, having just added homeschooling to her plate. So, when
her sister-in-law approached her about Rodan + Fields after enrolling as an
Independent Consultant herself, Ashley told her ‘absolutely not.’ “I did not
want to do direct sales or sell skincare because I had struggled with acne
since I was 12; I’d tried everything and nothing ever worked. I couldn’t
imagine selling products when my own face was a mess. But, she was really smart
and gave me some products to use and, over the next couple months, I saw such a
change in my skin. Friends started to notice, and I was raving about the
products to everyone. When my sister-in-law came to me again last July, saying
that the way I was excitedly telling people about the products was essentially
direct sales, I saw that it really wasn’t this negative thing people think of
it as. So, I decided to enroll.”
R+F provides
Ashley with an outlet outside of her role as ‘mom’ and has led her to some of
her best friends.
Ashley
was nervous at first about being the ‘typical salesperson.’ “I didn’t think it
was my cup of tea in the beginning. I didn’t want to be that person who only
talks about whatever they’re selling. When hanging out with my friends, I
didn’t want them to think that I was just coming so I could sell products. But,
I have found it doesn’t have to be like that. It’s so much more. The further I
went with my business, the more I saw what it was doing for our family and I
realized that I can share amazing skin and I can share about a great product
simply because it is so great. I can just be a normal person, sharing about a
life changing product and business opportunity without being up in people’s
faces about it. It’s a blessing, not a burden.”
Ashley
hopes that by sharing her excitement about her business she can help others
make the change they want to see in their own lives.
When
Ashley joined as a Consultant, it was very important to her that she only
worked her business when her kids were napping or after they were in bed for
the night. “I don’t want them to see me on the computer or phone at all hours
of the day. A year later, I am making a full-time salary while my kids are
sleeping. It has completely exceeded my expectations. My husband was a teacher
and a coach so we lived on a small income. So, up until last year, I had always
had small side jobs to make ends meet. I taught piano lessons, babysat, was our
church pianist, and I blogged. I wanted to make enough so that I wouldn’t have
to do childcare in my home anymore. Now, I’ve quit three of those four side
jobs and the blogging I still do because I enjoy it, not because I need to. And
I’m making more than my husband was teaching and coaching. We laugh because I’m
bringing in more money than I ever did before and I’m working less hours.
Financially, this has been a blessing and a shock.”
Ashley
loves the various ways her life has improved since joining Rodan + Fields. “My
skin has never looked better. I never felt confident going out without makeup
before and now, I am able to go out without feeling like I need to hide behind
concealer. I love sharing that and being able to help build other people’s confidence
through our product. But, aside from that, I had no idea when I joined that I
would meet some of my best friends. I’ve cultivated great relationships on the
trips, during happy hours, and at events. That wasn’t even on my radar. As a
stay at home mom, we often get caught up in the hubbub of everyday and being
‘mom.’ It’s been such a blessing to have something to call my own. It’s really
nice to sit down during the kids’ nap time and check in with my girlfriends.
It’s a great outlet; something in addition to being ‘mom.’ That was very
unexpected, but so rewarding.”
Building
her business, Ashley has noticed that the experience has opened a lot of doors
for growth and opportunities to learn. “We aren’t all the same, so it’s been
really great to see that this doesn’t have to look the same for each person.
You make it work for yourself. I think I was a bit shaky in the beginning. My
team grew so fast, but I was able to learn from people above me and it helped
me grow into a stronger leader. It has really fine-tuned who I am, how I
respond to people, and how I help them. The growth I’ve seen in myself is very
rewarding. I am really proud of myself for learning to say no and not feeling
guilty when I am unable to commit to something.”
One of
Ashley’s biggest strengths in her business is sharing the opportunity with
others and being genuinely excited about it. “I love sharing what a blessing it
has been for my face and my family without coming across as salesperson. I am
shocked at how many people don’t know about the business yet. And that is even
more exciting because it shows how fresh this market is. It’s exciting to think
of the possibilities and where we’ll be in just a few years. It’s already
changed the future of our family. I’m so inspired knowing that something I’m
doing is going to continue to grow. Thinking about what we are going to be able
to give our kids and how we will be able to give even more keeps me moving and
drives me in my business.”
Ashley
cherishes the quality time her business allows her to spend with her husband
and children.
Developing
her business has truly helped Ashley provide more for her family without taking
her away from the things she loves. “I’m so glad I found something that I could
fit around my family, the hobbies I enjoy, and the things I was already doing.
It’s an additional reward that I get to see others succeed as well. I am
grateful for the opportunity to help others because it’s about more than money.
We all need each other. I love that I know each of the women on my team
individually; I know what they are going through and struggling with in their
personal lives. One of the most rewarding things is being able to form a
community and support group with my team. We’re all such great friends and this
business brought us together to share in each other’s successes and help spread
the opportunity to others as well.”
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