My Latest Obsession: Stella & Dot

The cat's out of the bag, I'm officially an independent Stella & Dot stylist!

In case you missed my last blog post, Chloe + Isabel announced the closing of it's doors. It took me a little time to move on and jump in to the next thing, but one day of friend of mine said, "Melanie, you've just got to do it, what are you waiting for?" That same day I started proudly talking about my new love and I'm now 100% fully immersed in Stella & Dot. I'm not gonna lie, I am completely obsessed! Come see why:

The Jewelry

I mean I'm a jewelry girl, are you a jewelry girl? I come from a long line of jewelry loving people. Even my Daddy wore jewelry. I love how eclectic Stella & Dot jewelry is. They've got all my moods covered from casual chic Monday to ride or die Saturday. My first head over heels piece so far is this rose gold necklace called "Fleur", gasp! I can't get over the $59 price tag, what a steal!

Apparel, Accessories, Handbags + More

I'd be happy with just the jewelry. But when you find a company with the style you're going for and then realize they've got your whole look covered, your heart skips a beat. Scroll back through my blog and you'll see this collaboration was meant to be.

9 out of 10 people I tell I'm moving to Stella & Dot say, "I love their handbags!" Naturally, I had to see for myself. I picked up the gorgeous "Crisscross Hobo" from the sale section. It's so perfect! Flat bottom, comfortable strap, pocket inside, pocket outside, neutral. You need this!

PS The glasses are S&D, too! Very lightweight, comfortable and stylish.

Value

Disclaimer: Almost 40 year old me is still somewhat stuck in the 90s. Remember when gas was 99 cents a gallon? Sometimes I still think I can run to JcPenny and find the perfect pair of earrings for my mom for $10. Those were the days, but let's get real! We were all shrouded in polyester and our jewelry looked like Barbies. My point is times have changed, thankfully! 2019 me wants ethically sourced, timeless jewelry that is not mass produced, and you get what you pay for. I think the value at Stella & Dot is exceptional given our in house, unique designs.

Speaking of value, our engravables are top notch and very reasonably priced. Hurry up and get this "Signature Engravable Hexagon Necklace" before it sells out like it's rose gold counterpart. It's super luxe. I was pleasantly surprised it was engraved and shipped the next day!

Value Added

There's so much more to it than a great product. To get back the "why" I do this, ultimately I value my time with family above all else. It's incredibly refreshing to find a company that empowers me to support my family by providing all that I need to successfully run a business from home. I realize a lot of women reading this are thinking about branching out into the world of entrepreneurship, but it's really quite scary. Why not let Stella & Dot assume some of that risk for you?

What will that mean for those of you coming along as customers? You can support my small business, but have all the benefits of shopping a stable, reputable, successful brand. I know you'll enjoy the fast and furious shipping and ease of returns and replacements. Did I mention killer host rewards and Style Club offers? We are going to have so much fun.

Community

And it IS fun! Is there anything better than shopping with friends? In my 3 years with Chloe + Isabel I learned that what keeps you going, gives meaning to what you do is not what you do but who you do it with. I am so happy I've found a new home in Stella & Dot.

Won't you come along with me? It just wouldn't be the same without you! Come check out my new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Melanies-Style-Lounge-106340404041143/

Please use it as a jumping off point to shop, find my VIP community, reach out to me and learn more about Stella & Dot.

See you there!

Goodbye C+I - The End of an Era

On July 1, 2019 executive chairwoman Connie Tang announced the closure of Chloe + Isabel July 31, 2019 to it's community of merchandisers. The news came as a shock to our community. While the company put forth great effort towards growth and development, this nearly 8 year old jewelry empire simply could not achieve the trajectory necessary to withstand these hard economic times.

To say I will miss Chloe + Isabel is an understatement. When I began in May of 2016 I could not have imagined how far this journey would take me. I traveled to Montreal, Paris! But the real joy has been in the everyday conversations, sharing of ideas and inspiration with like minded women, and making of lifelong friends. I will treasure these jewels for a lifetime!

Be sure to shop your C+I wishlist before it's too late! Whether you've had your eye on the most recent Riviera Maya collection or have a mile long list you've created over the years, take advantage of the markdowns.

And please know that every purchase, every word of encouragement, every time you volunteered to host, to help, all of the shared pictures, every gesture big or small means more to me than words can say. This might be goodbye to C+I but I hope you'll follow me to the next adventure! It just wouldn't be the same without you.

When your Creative Outlet Becomes a Source of Income

Raise your hand if you're a bit of a nerd. Most people don't realize I'm a dietitian! I worked in healthcare for over 10 years, but you won't find it on my resume. In fact, you won't find my resume. When baby #4 came along, I left the traditional working world. 

Since, I've done several gigs trying to find the perfect balance between caring for and providing for my family. Initially I panicked and took a position at Stitch Fix working as a stylist from home. Sounds like a dream, right? One step forward, two steps back. I was still letting someone else spend my time.

Now I'm running my own Etsy shop and calling all the shots. Before I left my medical career, I'd created Modern Typography as a creative outlet. I was casually listing items for sale, and really never thought it would become anything. When I quit my job I was able to devote more time to developing it. I'm happy to say it's become a constant stream of income for my family.

This reminds me of something I recently heard at a conference.

"There is no downside to a side hustle. There are only benefits to building more than one source of income. A side hustle is the new job security." Forbes.

The number one objection I hear when I suggest Etsy as a source of income is "I'm not creative". First of all, I believe everyone has creative talent, some haven't developed it, others haven't pursued it. Second, not all work on Etsy is creative! Folks sell supplies, antiques, party supplies (store bought items with slight modifications) and much more. There's unlimited potential on Amazon handmade, as well.

The second objection I hear is "Etsy charges fees". It's 20 cents to list an item folks, 5 for a dollar. If you need a spot, I've got you. Etsy takes 5% IF your item sells and the customer pays shipping. Normally I would say you have to spend money to make money but that's hardly the case here. You can fill an Etsy shop with 100 listings (the same items listed several times) for $20. If you sell a blanket for $30 that cost you $5 to make, you've started to turn a profit.

In addition to running my Etsy business, I also contract myself out to Chloe + Isabel and Discovery Toys. Yes, yes, these are network marketing companies, you caught me! But technology has made it possible for me to use my skills to share links, pictures, promotional materials and incentives online and meet new friends and customers. I use my blog, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook accounts to share the products I love with people who have similar interests. I provide reviews, insight into how to get  the most out of your purchase, customer service, and my customers appreciate me and I them. 

I have to add, I've made more meaningful friendships in just two years doing this than I have in all my years of working anywhere else. It's so much more than a source of income.

Maybe you're reading this and wondering if it's time for a change. I posted this the other day, maybe it will resonate with you. The world needs more women like you. You are uniquely talented and brilliant by God's design and have something wonderful to offer.

Are you giving the best of yourself, your talents, your skills to something or someone that doesn't serve you or your family? Maybe it's time to make a change.

I'll leave you with this. I once went job hunting. Hired myself. Never looked back. 

The $1 Kit is Back!

Can ya'll believe it's June? A new month means a fresh new start. Summer? Yes, please!

For Chloe + Isabel, a new month means new sales and promotions, new opportunities, and new perks! This month we are offering our starter kit for just $1. That's less than the cost of your morning latte.

 

Another great perk for joining this month is a free ticket SOAR! This is our annual convention. This year it's being held in Las Vegas in July. This will be my first one and I'm really excited about it. I had the pleasure of meeting a ton of other C+I merchies in Montreal and Paris on incentives trips and you won't find an opportunity like this anywhere else. Our jewelry is more beautiful than ever, our community is growing, and the future is bright!

Of course, there were a few requirements for both the $1 kit and the free SOAR ticket but I think they are kind of laughable. We seriously have THE most ridiculously easy qualifications for everything. You simply have to earn $250 in sales by June 30th. I mean, that's like selling 3 of these rings!

Let me share a few more quick math facts while we are on the subject of money:

For just $1 you get over $700 worth of free jewelry in your starter kit.  Click here to see it.

On average, merchandisers get 1 sale for every 30 emails sent. We charge $0 for the use of our website. A typical online boutique order is $75. Most merchandisers reach $1000 in sales when they hold their first Pop-Up.

We offer a minimum of 25% commission on sales, bumped up to 30% when you reach $800 PLUS $50 in jewelry credit for every $500 in sales! Did I mention the initial 50% discount? 30% everyday? 

So lets say you join today. You spend $1 (plus shipping). You whip up some deviled eggs on some convenient day for you. You send out email/facebook invites. Next thing you know you've made $350 PLUS a free SOAR ticket PLUS $700 worth of jewelry to play with PLUS additional jewelry credit for whatever you want. All for giving it a shot, $1, and the price of a dozen eggs.

I mean, maybe deviled eggs aren't your thing. Or free stuff, I don't know. But if they are, and you do, why not give it a try?

If you're anything like me, it's going to take a lot more than math and pretty pictures. Need more info? Browse the blog starting with the OG post, or better yet, join this information group I've created on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheChloeandIsabelOpportunity/

Disclaimer: This is a brand new group so bear with me if you're stumbling on this blog post before I get to organizing it. I hope to include all the facts you'll need to help you decide if this opportunity is right for you. 

If you've been mulling it over for awhile and waiting for the perfect financial opportunity to join, click here to join today!

I can't wait to get to know you, find out your "why", and share my love for this company and all it's done for me and my family with you. Better yet, I can't wait to meet you in Vegas! I'll probably be wearing this.

Until then, have a splendid day!

The Pinnacle of Network Marketing - Paris in the Spring

About this time 2 years ago I found myself frustrated with the task of looking for the perfect job. Healthcare beat me down and wasn't worth the commute and cost of child care. And my first work from home job with Stitch Fix felt just as demanding as a "real" job, locked in to hours and quotas. I was working hard trying to figure out how to monetize my blog, reading endless articles about ways to improve my Etsy shop. Some days I wondered if going back to work was eminent.

That's when I bought the magic beans. Did ya'll grow up watching Mickey & the Beanstalk? I was obsessed.

It seems the perfect metaphor. Network marketing sounded so ridiculous to me at the time that rather than pursuing it directly, I went about representing Chloe + Isabel as a blog affiliate rather than just buying the Koolaid.

I like Kool-Aid, by the way. I grew up drinking the Kool-Aid, both literally and metaphorically. My mom sold Avon, and I thought those tiny tubes of lipstick were the greatest thing ever. And I still call anything that keeps food in the fridge Tupperware.

But then, with this company? Why am I so giddy about Chloe + Isabel? It could be that I finished my taxes and see that I made 5 figures last year from this crazy thing. Perhaps it's the check I just wrote to a friend, made possible by fundraising. Or it could be that I just got back from a trip to Paris my company paid for. I truly found the perfect "job" as a Chloe + Isabel merchandiser.

Want to see pictures of Paris? It was so magical! Monet's Gardens....

Proof I was there.

The waterlily pond

Endless flowers

Monet's home, Giverny

I did all kinds of other magical things in Paris, I spent a whole week there with my CandI sisters visiting museums, shopping, and eating everything you can imagine. And I woke up every morning, to this!

And, of course, I saw this.

And this.

Obviously this.

I bet you're wondering how you earn something like this. Is it plausible? Could YOU do it? Do you need magic beans? I've never been able to say with more confidence - you can do it!

Did I mention I have 4 kids? Did you catch the part about me running my own Etsy business? If I can do this, so can you!

You really must have 1 million questions, I know I did. I've written several posts on the subject. In short, I don't throw endless home parties or peddle my wares around town; I almost exclusively sell online. I don't pester friends & family. We have minimal quotas, no hidden fees. We enjoy 25-40% commission on sales, a 30% discount (50% when new items launch), get a ridiculous amount of free jewelry and clearly have the best travel incentives in the business.

Regarding our product, it's gorgeous jewelry with a lifetime guarantee. Our designs are exclusive, have unique convertible features and are ahead of the trend while somehow remaining timeless. Our finishes are lead free,  hypoallergenic, and made to last.

We treat our customers like royalty awarding 15% back in rewards and have the most competitive host rewards program around.

If you're thinking about joining at this point, send me a message? You are welcome to click to apply, easy peasy. But talk to me, I want to make sure you're getting the best incentives for joining! Timing is key. If you're reading this May 2018, you really don't have to write. The timing is THE best; if you reach $500 in sales come end of June, receive a full rebate on your kit!

It happens to be pretty rad right now. Come May, we started the earning period for our fall trip to Charleston, South Carolina. The kit is just $175 and includes all this goodness.

Don't hurt your eyes, I did the math. The jewelry in the kit is worth $725! Dude, I wish this was my kit. Silver, gold, rose gold goodness!

There's something though, not quantifiable, about the beauty of this thing. A culture, a community you won't find anywhere else.

If you need to know more, you're longing for adventure, hoping for success, let's talk! Find me on Facebook or click on this link: Magic Beans Let's make some magic today. I can't wait to meet you!

If you need to try before you buy, come shop with me! Discover our latest summer collection, Côte d'Azur. We're taking is to the south of France where the sand meets the sea and it is to die for!

Come hang with me, join a party and enter to win prizes for shopping in my VIP group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChloeandIsabelInsideScoopVIP/

Hope to "sea" you there!

How Chloe + Isabel Took Direct Sales to the Next Level

You may have noticed I can't stop talking about Chloe + Isabel. I know, I was formally obsessed with Etsy, subscription boxes and shopping for clothes and that may be why you are here. But when something comes along that changes your life, you can't help but shout it from the rooftops.

Stick with me to the end here because we have a limited time offer

for joining and you aren't going to want to miss it!

I mean, if you're content to shop Chloe + Isabel, that's okay. It's not that life altering. It is beautiful, and everyone will compliment you. The price tag for the quality with make you do a double take. And I did blog about it when I was in that phase, too, because the jewelry is really unique in that it somehow manages to be trendy but timeless at the same time.

That's the thing though. Do you know how rare that is?

I feel like I found this hidden treasure, a brand I can introduce to shoppers that they'll fall in love with and it's providing unexpected, significant income for my big family.

So we have an incredible product. What else?

Class

I don't mean training, I mean standards. I think for a lot of people the biggest barrier to jumping in to this opportunity is fear of the unknown. This is one reason I write up these reviews, I figure you want all the answers to those lingering questions and you want it in writing. It's easy for me to write this with confidence because I know it to be true. I've been with C+I for almost 2 years and we have nothing to hide.

We don't charge our brand representatives to have their own websites. We don't set unrealistic quotas. You don't have to buy boatloads of product to sell it. If you find yourself stuck on what ifs, read this.

Resources

If you have the drive to make money from home and make time to set yourself up for success, all of the training you will ever need is at your fingertips. We have a huge online academy with tips & tricks for selling online, selling one on one, throwing parties, finding hosts, and partnering with other businesses.

You also have the human resource. Not pushy uplines. Rather, mentors who will encourage you and help you grow.

We have a Facebook community where you can learn and gather ideas from other sellers who are rocking their businesses. My lazy side loves this angle, because sometimes I don't feel like digging for answers. I can post a question there and have a dozen responses in minutes.

You might think you don't have the knowledge or know how to do this thing. We've got you covered, everything you need is provided to you.

The Kit

A picture is worth a thousand words in this case. $700 worth of jewelry + supplies for $175....usually....

It's time. I can't contain it any longer.

Join February 1-14th and Pay Just $14 for the Kit!

The company is SO confident you'll sell $500 worth of jewelry this month that they're practically giving it away. We have a new line coming out for spring on the 6th and it's going to practically sell itself. But, if it doesn't work out they'll charge you the rest of the cost of the kit (which you'd normally pay anyway) and you'll be "stuck" with a rad jewelry collection. I assure you, if you get a personal invitation from me to join, I will see this thing through with you!

Let's Meet!

I thought I'd share a picture of myself here doing this thing. 99% of the time, I'm working my business from home, but I love this picture because it represents me doing what I set out to do! I'm having fun, using my hard earned education and skills and working to support my family! I love that I can do that, and not have to give up time with them. It really is incredible.

Heard enough? Let's connect! The best place to reach me is through my Facebook Business Page here:

https://www.facebook.com/ChloeandIsabelMelanieRhoades/

See you there!

Montreal in the Fall and Other Things I Love about being a Chloe + Isabel Merchandiser

In truth, it's hard to find the time or motivation to write a blog post anymore so you've got to figure I have something important to say. This week Chloe + Isabel announced our next merchandiser incentive trip and I simply can't keep my mouth shut!

I thought when I got back from Montreal I'd jump right on here and tell you about how magical it was, and it was magical. But then life happened. But here I am with the details of the next trip thinking, can this really be true? How did this happen?

So naturally, to explain my excitement, I have to tell you about my first incentive trip. It was also my first time outside the US, and so many other firsts. I genuinely felt like a VIP, in my boutique hotel room in the heart of this romantic city with invitations to fancy dinner parties.

 

The company covered everything from travel costs to breakfast. I explored the cobble stone lined streets with my CandI sisters.

We bonded over Christmas shopping, architecture, jazz, and food.

Lots and lots of food. And yes, I had my first poutine and smoked meat sandwich!

I remember hearing about this opportunity and thinking, this is completely unattainable, surely they will give us outrageous goals to reach to earn it. Next thing I knew, I was planning baby sitters and packing my bags. I spent 4 days relaxing, building friendships, pampering myself and got my first taste of international travel.

While we were there, they hinted at Paris, France and sure enough we'll be traveling to April in 2018! And when I say "we" I mean, there's no way I'm missing out! This time we are going for 7 days, staying in another fancy hotel, visiting Monet's garden, The Louvre, and having dinner at Moulin Rouge!

So why do I think this is relevant to you? I figure whether you are a customer, friend, fellow Etsy seller, or you found me in your search for work from home income, Paris is always a good idea.

When I joined Chloe + Isabel, one thing that really struck me was this little blurb I read on a gal's website (the gal who invited me to C+I). It was her "why", why she joined C+I. She said she wanted to travel more. This awoke something inside me, wanderlust.

While planning for the trip a friend warned me, once you get a taste you'll just want more. Sitting atop the William Gray Hotel watching one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen, she couldn't be more right.

Of course, it's hard work to get there. But you'll have a big supporter --> me! I've been in your shoes, I asked all those questions, and then I took the leap. I've reached every goal I've set, provided for my family, and grown in ways I wasn't expecting at all.

No doubt you have questions. Of course, I can't post all the secret sauce ingredients to how I got there here, but I'd love to talk with you one on one. Find me on Facebook or email me and let's see if this is something you can do alongside your handmade business or do for fun on the weekends.

One thing I don't mind posting, our amazing kit.

As if that weren't ridiculous enough, the kit currently includes this booster: 

***Update 11/10/17 for this month only, if I send you an invitation via email to join and you accept, both you and I receive an additional $150 in jewelry credit!***

I've created a boomerang so you can see previous merchandiser kits, the costs, fees (none!) and all that jazz. Start here and when you get back, send me a message on Facebook.

What have you got to lose? There's really so much to gain!

Let's wander, together. Meet me in Paris.