There is no "I" in team... or is there?

I will admit that when I began on this journey with S&D, I thought I would just sell some cute jewelry, make a little extra money and expand my accessories wardrobe. Which I did. Building a team and making this more than a little hobby seemed like a bit of a reach for me. However things are a changin!! Thanks to sharing April's Sponsoring Special with some wonderful ladies, I am growing my business! But more importantly, I get to offer a unique and flexible opportunity to my friends and have them go on this journey with me! Everything is more fun with friends!!

Do you think it's the $450 in free accessories that got their attention?

I don't think I would have been ready for this step in the business, at least not early on, if it wasn't for my own sponsor and team. I am so lucky to have a fabulous and supportive group of ladies in my corner, although most of them are hundreds of miles away. The wealth of knowledge and shared information makes it so much easier to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. And that is key! I'm not out here trying to figure everything out on my own, there are tons of resources available to me 24/7! There is brutal honesty about what works and what didn't work so well. There is encouragement to sponsor, because you never know who is looking to make a change or try something new if only it were offered to them. Of course there are "kitnappers" who sign up for the free goods with no intention of having a business, but more often there are tons of inspiring stories of major life changes made possible by this sharing this opportunity... you never know what can happen!

Go TEAM!!!

So onto a new adventure... a leadership role! I'm excited to see where this takes me and my growing team! I am always looking for new team members, so if you know anyone that would make a great stylist send them my way! And FYI, I like to reward referrals with sparkly gifts (hint, hint) ;)

<3

Katie

Because I couldn't resist...

Growing Pains

Some days everything feels like a challenge. Today has been one of those days. A day where you want to quit and get back in bed, hoping that tomorrow will be a better day. My first instinct when things get hard has always been to quit. It's one of my worst qualities and the one I am trying my best to change. I don't want to be a quitter! I want to finish what I start, push through when things get tough, set a good example for my kids and feel the satisfaction that comes from completing something you wanted to give up on a million times.

This is so me... or it used to be.

Starting things is easy, finishing things is not. I am great at starting, I do it often. Starting a business feels a lot like dating, which I haven't done in a long time. You get excited thinking of the all the possibilities. A little nervous to put yourself out there. Hopefully optimistic that you will be successful. If you're lucky there is a spark, something that signals this could be a good thing. I felt "the spark" starting on my adventure with Stella & Dot. I had butterflies at my first trunk show and they have not gone away since! So I know I am on the right path. But even the world of jewelry and handbags, things are not always perfect. Sometimes people just aren't interested, sometimes people don't wear jewelry (thank goodness we have cute bags now!), sometimes it's not in the budget, sometimes there are no-shows... so what do you do? The old me would give up, say it's too hard and move on to the next thing. But not anymore! The ever evolving me, will stick with it and collect the "No's" and cancellations like badges of honor. I will learn from each experience what worked and what didn't. This business is simple, but not easy. There will be many challenges along the way and I hope that I can rise up to meet each one. Who knows this just may lead to my Happily Ever After!

Abso-freakin-lutely!

Bad days are just that - a bad day. It will be over shortly and a new day filled with new opportunities will be upon us. On days like today, I look to the little things to make me happy... a triple lemon cupcake and a little George! What's your favorite pick-me-up when you are having a bad day?

**swoon**

<3

Katie

Hello Springtime!!

Oh, how I've been waiting for Spring! It has technically been here for a few weeks, although I don't think Mother Nature received the memo. But finally the temperature is climbing, the days are longer, flowers are blooming and here on the Carolina Coast people are shedding layers of clothing. Which for me means religiously applying self tanner, eating more salads and making my workouts count. Spring is short-lived here, Summer (or as I fondly refer to it, "please don't make me get in a swimsuit" season) will be here before we know it.

But first, let's enjoy Spring. I don't think I have ever looked more forward to a change in season as I have this year. Spring is a time of renewal, and I am very much in need of renewal this year. It's a time to try new things and get out of your comfort zone... which is a little scary at first, but accomplishing those things always seems to yield the biggest reward. Be daring, to do the thing that you have always been afraid of doing (like putting your thoughts in a blog and posting it on the internet!) I know it's not jumping out of a plane, but for me it's equally terrifying. Dream and dream BIG!! Do not let fear hold you back.

I think that's what the creative visionaries behind Stella & Dot have done with the new Summer Collection, which releases today. They went out of their comfort zone, which has always been jewelry, and have ventured into bags. Great bags in fun prints at fantastic prices.There really is something for everyone!

I am beyond thrilled to be involved with a company that takes risks, it's inspiring. It has inspired me and many of my S&D sisters to challenge ourselves during the month of April. Trying to beat our best, setting a goal and sharing that goal. Which holds us all accountable - eek! And while we have some big goals to reach, the amount of support and encouragement from all of the ladies involved has been astounding! I can't wait to see what we all accomplish!

And on a final note... April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism affects 1 in 88 children. I'm sure each of you knows a family faced with the challenges of Autism. During the month of April, Stella & Dot will donate 20% of the retail sales price of each item in the specially marked Autism Awareness Collection to support the HollyRod Foundation. The HollyRod Foundation, a charitable services program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, is dedicated to providing compassionate care to those living with autism. Shop for a cause and show your support!

Enjoy the warm weather and let me know how you have moved outside your comfort zone to accomplish something you were afraid to do.

<3
Katie

A business and a blog??

 It seems like everyone has a blog. I read a lot of blogs. Maybe I should start a blog?

I guess I'm really doing this!?! Let me just say, I am a reader and not a writer. I actually dropped classes in college because I despised writing... so this should be interesting.

I plan to document my journey as an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot. The good and the bad not so good... playing with jewelry for work really can't be bad! While trying to balance the changes in our household, where I have been a stay-at-home mom for almost six years. Trading play dates for trunk shows and nap time for networking.

It was love at first sight...

My story is a little unusual. I NEVER attended a trunk show or saw the jewelry in person! A friend had an online show. I loved the jewels, the clothes that the models were wearing and the prices! As I perused the website, I added things to my wishlist. My wishlist was LONG... let's just say I should have made a list of the pieces I didn't want, because that would have been a really short list!

So the next logical step was to do a little research and find out the upfront costs. Article after article stated that Stella & Dot is an amazing company that is changing the direct sales business. They were No. 57 on the Inc. 500 list of the 5,000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in 2012. Impressed? I was... I heard opportunity knocking! So how much for my business in a box? Only $199... I almost fell out of my chair.

I decided in that moment.

Anyone that knows me, knows this was completely out of character for me. That's how much this company impressed me. I was more than willing to go outside of my comfort zone. Within a week I was in business! I ordered my samples (so much fun), set up my personal website, and started planning my first trunk shows, then I told my husband... oops! I'm having a blast learning as I go. It should be an adventure. Hope you will join me!



 Katie