An Honest Question--and an Honest Answer

I’m working on my next Question & Answer post but noticed this comment and felt like I needed to answer it separately—and quickly!

Someone wrote, “My New Year's wish: Please don't abandon those of us who are loyal hobby demonstrators.... it definitely feels that way right now with the heavy duty push to recruit.”

This demonstrator then goes on to explain that, because she doesn’t have any support from her upline or any opportunity to join a stronger upline, she doesn’t really feel comfortable recruiting anyone. She also noted that she feels like a “hanger on” and that she wonders if a lot of hobbyist demonstrators are having to leave in this economy because of the quarterly minimum requirement.

She says, “I hope that just this once someone asks, ‘What could we do to support you more effectively?’ without saying, ‘You need to perk up and work harder at building your business.’"

Several things came to mind as I read this comment. . . .

First, I’d like to say that I appreciate this demonstrator’s honesty.

Second, I have to admit that my heart broke when I read her words. Through the years we’ve said over and over again how much our “hobbyist demonstrators” mean to us—and we absolutely mean it! These demonstrators are crafting enthusiasts who value our product, and love to create. In fact, many of them live to create!

We try to do as much as we can to support these demonstrators—offering a nice variety of the highest quality products available; providing LOTS of fun, inspiring projects; creating a community (Stampin’ Connection) where they can share and be recognized by their peers; profiling artists in our magazine (Stampin’ Success) every month. . . those are the things that come to mind immediately, and I know there are more. In fact, the monthly So Shelli Creative Challenge was a direct result of trying to meet the needs of our demonstrators who live to create!

Third, as a company whose very existence depends on growth, Stampin’ Up! has always had to  focus on recruiting at some level. And in these challenging times, we’ve had to focus our efforts and resources more than ever before on a few key things that will ensure that we survive—and even thrive.

We have focused on recruiting heavily during the past year, but that increased focus doesn’t mean we value our demonstrators who enjoy creating any less than we value our demonstrators who enjoy building a business. It just means we’ve been talking about recruiting more. Our priorities haven’t changed—every single demonstrator is important to us, and we will do all we can (recognizing that our resources are limited) to support and encourage every demonstrator, at whatever level she chooses to be part of our Stampin’ Up! family.

I can understand why this added emphasis on recruiting might make a demonstrator whose main priority is stamping feel less valued. All I can say is, if you’re feeling this way, please don’t! Please know that we care about you. You are part of every conversation we have and every decision we make. We are trying to carefully balance our need to encourage growth and recruiting with our absolute commitment to reach out to EVERY demonstrator in our Stampin’ Up! family and make sure they can continue to love what they do.

Thank you, Dona, for sharing your feelings. I promise you that your role as a “hobbyist” is and always will be valued.

Comments

[Mindy]

It was nice to see Shelli address this issue as I'm mainly a hobby demo myself. I can't ever say that I've felt that I get treated any differently than the big business demos, I just don't get the big perks...which I didn't earn so I'm ok with that!

And I totally agree with Holly and thanks for your comment! When a demo signs up, she knows what is expected of her...a $300 minimum quarter sales. We chose to be demos, they don't make us sign up:-) I am blessed to be able to meet my minimums on my own and get an occasional order as well but I knew going in, if I couldn't swing it, I'd have to drop. I do home to build my business one day but now is not the time with the more than full time job I have! Thanks for your comments Shelli!

[Louise D.]

I'm so glad I read your blog today Shelli. You have made this hobby-demonstrator feel loved today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
All the best, Louise

[Dale Abraham]

I have been a demonstrator for more than 12yrs. There was a time when my downline was growing because I was activily doing workshops and recruiting. There came a time that I realized that I could not balance two jobs well and decided to enjoy SU! and my hobby without the added income of sales and workshops....for now. That is my choice, and I am thankful that SU! gives me that choice. I'm not sure that there are many BUSINESSES that give a choice to their associates to be part of the active business or just enjoy the products at a discount.Without the business thriving...I could not continue to enjoy being a "hobby demo" at this time. It always find it hard to understand people who loose sight of the fact that SU! is not a SAMS Buying Club. Thank you Shelli and SU! for many years of wonderful products, great events and fabulous friends that I would have never met.

[Julie Bandt]

Hi Shelli, reading these posts today just made me cry. I have been an active demonstrator for 3 years now. I was a hobby demo for almost two years before I decided to start teaching what I love to do..I came to convention for our 20th year anniversary and it was there I was able to talk with several other demos and find out how to go about starting classes. My upline was with me and she was furious with me for talking to others because she didn't want me to start teaching because in her words I would take all of her business away.. When I told her I was going to start making my business grow she stopped speaking to me. She also told many many people in our community not to come to my classes because I didn't know how to make cards. When that didn't work she would ask to see what cards we were making and then tell people I was stealing her designs..She has called mutual friends and told them they had better not allow me to come to their homes or she will make things difficult for all of us..This is just a few of the worst things.I take great pride in creating my own designs..I love Stampin Up and I love creating and sharing what I create but I am really stressing out with all of the meaness from my upline. For the last three years it has really been tough knowing that my classes are making money for her. I took a survey recently and was asked with my good sales record why didn't I take this to the next level and start recruiting and I explained the situation again with my upline and I have never heard a word back from anyone at SU.It makes me sad knowing that if I want to get out from under this woman I need to quit as a demo for 6 months and then sign up under someone else. I have 15 ladies that faithfully order and come to classes every other week. I teach at two nursing homes and the smiles on these ladies faces when they see me come in is awesome. I also teach at a center for people with disabilities. I hate the thought of leaving all of this because one woman still wants to try and destroy what I have worked so hard to build..

[Laura Fernsler]

I've been mostly a hobby demo but have been lucky enough to have a few excellent customers who kept my business healthy the first several years. While I have felt SU's emphasis and focus has been and should be for the professional, business demonstrator, I have never felt that SU "forgets about" or "doesn't appreciate" the hobby demo. If a grocery store only focused on the customers who come in to take samples and pick up a few items here and there, would they still be in business? It goes without saying that business minded demo's are applauded, celebrated, motivated and given incentives to increase their business. I have never felt that the focus and benefits awarded business demo's left me being alienated, ignored, unappreciated or left behind.

What are some of the benefits I receive as a demo, hobby or business?
1. A 20% discount.
2. A beautiful monthly magazine.
3. Access to several demo only websites.
4. Attendance at the annual convention or local regionals.
5. Complimentary copies of the catalog and mini's.
6. Sometimes, gifts, such as the beautiful stamp set Shelli sent in the mail at Christmas time.
7. Ability to pre-order product.
8. The chance to get income from the random sales that may come my way.

I'm honestly asking, what else is it that we want from SU. We are HOBBY demo's, what do we expect from SU as hobby demo's that we are not getting?

When I joined, I wanted the 20% discount and that has never changed. I had no desire or intention of attending convention. met a demo friend who encouraged me to go the year it was in Orlando, just 2 hours from our hometown. I went and have never missed since. And I'm still a hobby demo.

[Laura Fernsler]

I want to quickly add another post to say I'm not "attacking" any of fellow hobby demo's who have these feelings. I am honestly asking us, what is it we want from SU that would make us feel more appreciated, loved and recognized for our endeavors as hobbyists?

For me, I wanted the discount, plain and simple.

I am a passionate scrapbooker, to put it mildly. Before I moved to Florida I worked at a job that paid $17/hour. I chose to not work after I moved to FL and spend lots of time at a local scrapbook store. I eventually started working there for $7/hour - why? Because I got a 30% discount. That is the only reason I chose to work for $7/hour and work hard at that, but the discount was worth it. I feel the same way about my hobby demonstratorship.

[Robin Boyer]

It is wonderful Donna was able to express herself so openly and Shelly as always, your open heart reply. I started almost 10yrs as a hobbyist. Then changed geer after attending convention I wanted to do more.
I have to say after coming from another company for 14 yrs. Stampin' Up! I had found always cared for their demos no matter what level they were. The fact we did not have to report to our managers with our sales or how many parties/workshops we had for the next three weeks was less pressure for me. The only requirement per quarter to stay active is reasonable and known up front. Yes, I can see at times this may be a challenge with the past economy and different parts of the country have different challenges.

I can see SU! also has to look at all aspects of there business in order to survive and grow as a business.

Keep up the good work!
Here's to 2011

Rubber Hugs,
Robin Boyer

[Jackie Barfield]

I joined Stampin' Up! 3years ago because my demo was moving away. I did it to keep our stamp group together and meeting. I knew I had my own orders that would keep me active but also the help from my club.

Last year nearly everyone in the club quit due to divorce, laid off hubby, etc. I was ready to throw in the towel too. My financial situation wasn't much better than theirs and I was not ready to spend $300 a quarter by myself.

Luckily I went to convention and realized that Stampin' Up! isn't just a company or a hobby. This crafting thing is something that I need and I know that Stampin' Up! cares about it's demos. All of them. So when I saw how the company was asking us just to share what we love I knew I could do that. I went home and started to call people and friends to have workshops. I did it because I want to share this wonderful craft with people. People need this now more than ever.

I was not trying to make the top 100 demos. I was not trying to sell $5000 a month. I was just trying to share what I love. Luckily I have many new customers who are now my friends. I have touched lives who now touch lives. I have "grown" my downline and yes that helps me but I truly believe I have helped them to do more with thier lives.

I didn't realize this part of being a demo before. I was just the customer really and doing what I loved. But giving this gift of crafting to others has opened up a whole new feeling of accomplishment. I'm so blessed to be able to spend time with others and sharing ideas. I think $300 a quarter is cheap compared to the priceless feeling I get for being a demo.

Yes there's some more work involved with stepping up my business but I have others to share that with now. We get together and brain storm ideas for camps, workshops, swaps. I love it!

I'm sorry I went so long. I just feel very passionate about where I am right now with this company. They give us the tools to make things (great things) happen. Please have faith in yourselves and in God because we can survive this challenge.

Jackie

[Mary]

I have been a hobby demonstrator for amost 8 years. I am just not comfortable being a salesperson. I do, however, love Stampin' Up products, colors, website, ideas, publications, the discount, etc. I have never felt "left out" or unappreciated. If I wanted to be more included, I'd become a business demonstrator. I fully understand why the company needs to focus on recruiting and building the business. It is, afterall, a business! I am happy that I can remain a hobbyist and reap the pleasures that expressing my creativity brings to me and to the recipients of my cards, crafts, etc. I send cards and gifts to many people and everyone tells me that they can't throw anything away. Even my 88 year old father has a drawer full of cards he's received from me over the years.
So - all the best to everyone involved with Stampin' Up! I hope the business grows and thrives so that I can continue to be a hobbyist.

[Lynette, MN]

I have been a demonstrator for 15 years. i have done the business building but mostly and lately just as a hobbyist. I have had downline and lost them due to economics and moves. I have become a mother of four during my SU! career. I have weathered many changes. There is so much support out there now with the internet it is unbelievable. My immediate upline is long gone. There are other demonstrators out there to get together with and plenty of materials to do it on your own too. I love that SU! is flexible enought to weather the changes with us. There has to be a minimum with all they give us and it's worth it. So each of us has to evaluate and decide what is best for us, to hang on or drop out and there is a season for everything. I would encourage anyone who can and is willing to "hang on". I still love the products and using them myself. I hope someday I will be able to do more again but for now I'm just gonna have fun.

[Merri Jensen]

As a hobby demonstrator, I have never felt that the hobby demos were not appreciated or left out, but I can also see how Dona feels too. When all the contests, rewards, incentives, and freebies seem to focus on recruiting or creating, it can seem like those of us not recruiting or creating are being left out. In the end, I've come to realize that for me those feelings are being driven because of disappointment in myself and setting my expectations too high. Being a business builder takes work, and earning the rewards and freebies takes work, and some folks have talent in these areas and make it seem so easy and others do not. But, SU can't reward us left and right if we aren't helping to increase the profitability of the company, that just isn't the way to run a business. Now, with that said, I do believe that the creative folks at the home office could come up with some sort of incentives that don't include recruiting or creating, something like "hold 7 workshops or classes with 3 or more orders (regardless of order totals) and you can win "$50" off your quarterly minimums". Just something to encourage hobbyists to do that little bit more and feel included, without adding pressure to build a business. My upline chain (who are all awesome, by the way) have provided incentives for making 50 customer calls, or getting 10 new customer email addresses. Little basic things that most folks can do, that are a positive for everyone. For those hobby demos who've lost their uplines, or don't hear from them, if SU could provide support like this every once in while, it might help those who are struggling and feeling left out. In the end, we all get out, pretty much what we put in.

[Kathy]

I fully understand the plight of many hobby demonstrators. I'm on the edge of business builder and hobby demonstrator. It struck me that maybe something, such as the following, might be done to help those who really have a hard time meeting the quarterly minimums. Let me first say that I believe the minimums are necessary as Stampin' Up! is a business and offers its demonstrators a wealth of information - business tips to projects, upline support to educational materials... those do not come cheap. What Stampin' Up! earns from sales supports that - something that is available to ALL demonstrators -business builders to hobby demonstrators.

Maybe those "hobby' demonstrators should be allowed to give up some of the perks of being a demonstrator such as not receiving the physical mailing of the monthly publication or the yearly catalog and mini catalogs (or something along those lines) and in return they only would need to submit $150 in quarterly sales. I'm sure Stampin' Up! can create a way for a current demonstrator to decide if they want an option like that. Just a thought.

[Diana]

agree with Dar (and Dona). I am mostly a hobby demo with one person in my downline. My upline dropped a few years ago and I received one e-mail from her upline - which was prompted by an e-mail from me. After that... nothing.

After listening to the webinar yesterday about the roll-up to fill the gap when part of a downline drops, I was a bit upset. Here is a peson who does not know me, has not been there to guide me, but she is going to make more money off me? I know I don't add much to her business, but I'd like to think she would value me as much as Shelli and the rest of Stampin' Up! do (which I sincerely DO feel). With my one downline, I at least send an e-mail or text her once a week to check in - to let her know I am here for her if she needs me.

I take comfort knowing Stampin' Up! has the resources available if and when I want to grow my business, and there are wonderful ladies with online groups who "virtually" adopt orphan demos. However, (nod to Dar), it would be nice to have the option of getting out from under an upline that does nothing to support you - even if you are "just a hobby demo."

As for the minimum requirement... Yes, it's difficult at times to meet it, but compared to other DSA companies, it's quite reasonable. I've been a Stampin' Up! demo for five years and plan to be one for many more years (and hopefully, in time, grow my business - but know that if I don't, it's okay).

[Tina Joergens]

I have recently rejoined SU! as a hobby demo because I truly missed being part of the Stampin' Up! family. A sideline sister became my go-to demo while I was out and now she's my upline. But I'm even more blessed because her uplines (notice the plural) embrace us all. We are all invited to every event or to participate in extra incentive offers without any pressure.My heart goes out to those demos who don't have active uplines. And this lead me to my next thought - Could SU set up a review board for this type of complaint? Could these people be repositioned into another line? Would a positive experience with an upline make a difference in reaching minimum order requirements even for a hobby demo? I know in my case it is what lead me back to Stampin' Up!-well that and the quality products :)

[Jen]

Hang on, "6. Sometimes, gifts, such as the beautiful stamp set Shelli sent in the mail at Christmas time."

We sure didn't get that in Australia...

[Anna]

I am also a hobby stamper and last month was the first time I wasn't able to meet the quarterly sales. I live in a small rural community and feel that the economy has put a strain on me as well as those around me. I love stampin' up and sorry that I will no longer be a demostrater. It just was simply more than I could afford at this time. I would like for stampin up to decrease the quarterly sales amount I feel that this would help many hobby demontraters.

[Carolyn]

Shelli

Thanks for the opportunity to talk to you direct on this one.

I'm mainly a hobby demo -not through lack of trying to sell and/ or recruit, but just that no one in my local area seems that interested in attending classes or holding workshops. So like many - I'm my own best customer! However, I have now bought just about everything in the catalogue that I want or need and from here I am likely to struggle to meet that £250 in commissionable sales each quarter - especially with the recent VAT rise here in the UK.

I have worked with other Direct Sales companies, and they don't have such a high quarterly minimum - or even ANY minimum at all. It also doesn't make a struggling UK demo feel any happier when she hears that her SU colleagues in France don't actually HAVE a quarterly minimum to meet at all - all they have to do to remain active is place ONE order in the quarter!!

If we do have to keep the minimum - could we not make it a yearly one?? I know I, like many others have no trouble meeting minimums in the Oct- Dec quarter when the new catalogue launches, or April - June with the mini.but even with sale-a-bration Jan- Mar is hard as everyone is paying off Christmas, and Jul- Sept is quiet due to paying for holidays and waiting for the new catalogue to come out.

I took nearly £2000 in Oct-Dec but will be meeting my own minimum this quarter as all bar one of my customers basically told me - "sorry got no spare cash for my hobby at the moment!" when I rang to remind them of the Sale-a-bration offer.

I feel peeved that although I have sold nearly double the annual minimum requirement in one quarter, if I don't buy stock I don't want or need in the next couple of months, I will go into pending and possibly be dropped at the end of the next - the fact that I made good sales in the previous quarter or when aggregated counts for nothing - only the current one seems to matter.

Its difficult to recruit - and anyway - as was pointed out above, each person you recruit takes away your own sales you may have made to them, and the commission earned from their sales isn't the 20% we would have earned from them directly unless you are lucky enough to recruit a super seller.

I understand why there is a recruiting drive but in a small market like the UK, there just aren't enough customers around to support a huge number of demos, and growth isn't just about recruiting - its about SALES more than anything else. We have the position here where one of the UKs top sellers doesn't promote because she cannot or doesn't want to recruit. That is hardly fair when she sees someone who earns the company less in revenue promote just because she's been able to persuade her friends and relatives to sign up for the short term.

Make it an annual target and fewer people will drop - leave it as it is and in the current economic climate we will lose more and more

[www.hokiecoyote.com]

I've been a hobby demo for 6 years. Dona couldn't have said it any better and I'm happy to hear that you support us Shelli. That being said, many of my fellow hobby demos have been quitting at an alarming rate, including my upline. Would I like to see some concessions made for us hobby demos? Of course but as Holly stated earlier, we all knew what we were getting into when we joined.

[Ruth Norton]

I've been a demo for almost 8 years now. I've loved every minute. I've always tried to stay active as a business demo by recruiting and selling but life, as it often does, happenes.

In my 8 years, I've had to take 2 year long breaks, both time with my pregnancy's. I was so sick while pregnant that I couldn't do classes and workshops at all. I was fortuantly able to stay current with the help of family and wonderful customers. Now that my 2nd baby is 3 months old I'm slowly getting back to the business side of it. But during those breaks, I never felt unvalued as a demo. There was a big push for recuiting during my last pregnancy and while I would love to have been out there recruiting (I'm only one recruit away from Manager), it just wasn't going to be possible. But even though I didn't recruit I never felt written off by SU.

I appreciate Dona and Shelli's honesty. And I hope that hobbist out there know how much we appreciate them! Stampin' Connection, I think, has helped alot in that department. I love looking through there for project ideas and inspiration. What a wonderful company we work for.

Ruth Norton

[Christina]

Thank you for answering to this person's comment.

Off the subject question, do you save all of the cards that your family/friends give to you? If so, where do you keep them?

[Laura Fernsler]

To clear up any confusion....in an earlier comment I made listing some of the benefits we receive being a demo I mentioned occasional gifts from Shelli. Jen from Australia wrote
"Hang on, "6. Sometimes, gifts, such as the beautiful stamp set Shelli sent in the mail at Christmas time." We sure didn't get that in Australia...

Jen, this gift from Shelli was several years ago, not anytime recently. I did say "sometimes" but did not clarify.

[dona]

Shelli,

I must say seeing your name mentioned in an internationally read blog is a real heart stopper. It seems that I wasn't the only one who was crying while reading your concerned response. I confess to feeling some very real grief about my upline disappearing - she was also a friend. Reading your comments and all the responses has really helped remind me that as a demonstrator I belong to a huge group of very caring people who share the joy I feel when I create something beautiful to give to others.

I also think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned that this year's focus on recruiting might have left the wrong impression with some. I am clear that for SU to survive new people need to join us because especially in times like this it takes more to keep a business successful. I think the quarterly minimum is reasonable given the quality of the products, the flexibility of meeting a quarterly minimum rather than monthly or weekly, and the level of information available on line and in print which is exceptional.

I'm clear I didn't join for the discount, and with a full time job it's hard to put in the time to become a "business demo" [a distinction I don't think I've ever heard you make without also saying you love the hobbyists too].

Given your comments I'm not going to say I'm "just a hobbyist." I do want you to know that even if I'm not recruiting bunches of folks or making sales over $1,000, I am very proud to be part of Stampin Up and doing the best I can to meet your challenges.

Feeling incredibly supported... Dona

[Jayne Mercer]

Just wanted to add that we did receive the stamp set gift here in Australia a couple of years ago too.

[Amanda]

Thankyou Shelli for answering Dona's comment so we all could see what you had to say I feel it shows you not only read what we demonstrators write but you are interested and care about what we have to say. I to am a hobby demonstrator selling to only a few friends and relatives. I do have to agree with Cathy McLean in regards to the minimum amount to meet quartly hear in Aust, it is very hard to make sometimes like Cathy said why not lower the quarlty amount it would have to be a win win situation for all.I remember the year I first joined and we all recieved a special stamp set to show how much all demonstrators were appreciated hobby and business alike. I remember thinking at the time "wow how special are we" but I now feel a little like we hobby demonstrators are overlooked compared to the big money making demonstrators.

I also like Dona have no upline support infact she is no longer active, but I do feel when you join SU you do it because you want to and what you choose to do with the business opportunity is your choice. There is thousands of demonstrators out there who have I'm sure built themselves a very succesful business with little or no help from uplines.If you make mistakes along the way so be it your business will only be stronger for it. I'm happy at this stage to be a hobby demonstrator but I know if and when I change my mind then I have the recipe there that I can see works but do I really need someone to bake the cake and hand it to me on a plate, no success comes from hardwork,trial and error and a determination to succeed.I ask this question "who was Shelli's upline"?

Thankyou Shelli for the kind words about the floods here in Aust that was up on our SU sight today. I think this is the time that some of my fellow demonstrators here in QLD will feel the pinch, bussiness and hobby alike.

[Faith]

Thank You Shelli for addressing this issue.

I agree with Dar and others about being able to get under another Upline. I would LOVE to have an active Upline and be part of a group. My Upline did not help in any way and now is not active... I want to grow my business and have been little by little, but when I see posts and news about what some are doing for their downlines... I feel.. like I want to be a part of that. It's very hard and lonely at times... I've been to Regionals and Convention and love being a part of the group... so YES, I wish we could be able to be under another Upline, close to us to participate and not be hundreds of miles away...

Faith