Close To My Heart

Has anyone here had any experience with being a consultant for Close to my heart? I want to hear it all ladies.. if you have or are could you please let me know the pros and cons?? Thanks!


Jill

http://www.closetomyheart.com/Ideabooks/Summer09CAN.aspx

I'm a CM consultant and I can give you the nittu gritty on basic consultant stuff that's universal to all direct sales companies...

ok let's hear it!

I am celebrating my 5 year anniversary with Creative Memories today, so I've been doing this for awhile.

When I started out, I was working full time. So I had to be super organized to work 40 hours, build a customer base, raise my family and all the rest of life stuff. At first I made enough to cover my scrap habit. As I slowly built up a customer base, I started making enough to cover a bill or two in addition to paying my habit.

Two years ago, for a variety of reasons, I quit my job and decided to pursue CM full time. I'm not doing so well for a variety of reasons...1) economy. it really bites. No one has spare money, so my new customers are down. Existing customer sales are lower than usual because they're not buying as much. 2) You need to be persistant in your business plan. If I procrastinate, my bottom line shows. I can build in vacation time and a day off or three, but if I don't put effort into growing my business on an almost daily basis, i lose sales. 3) competition. there are a lot of cheaper scrapbook products out there. My prices are set by my company, and if I cut my prices to make a sale, I'm cutting into my profit, so I have to find other ways to be competitive, like convince people of the quality of my product and value added services.

I love what I do. I have two other part time jobs to make ends meet and make sure that I'm out of the house (and it gets me into contact with people who might have a need for my services). I write my own schedule and it lets me be home for my kid before and after school, I get paid to scrapbook and I get to travel to scrapbook.

If you have any specific consultant questions rather than company questions, I can give you my experience with it.

Sorry, if I sound distracted. I'm cooking dinner, helping DD with Webkinz World and answering DH's questions about a water leak we're having.

It's not easy money. You need to build up a customer base and you to give yourself permission to fail while at the same time picking yourself right up after every fall.

Great Advice! Thanks for sharing! Anyone have direct experience with Close To My Heart?

I was with CM and am now with CTMH but are a hobby level. CTMH has much lower quota's and the stamp of the month is a great program. They have a workshop on the go each month where you can buy supplies in bulk to teach at a workshop. I love both their products but when CM didn't get in to embelishments I decided to switch. I love the quality of CM but you need new customers to maintain your quota becuase people order the big ticket items often. I love CM albums but I also found that the nazi CMC's really turned a lot of people of CM (I have heard horror stories about some people but never experienced it myself). The other thing I like about CTMH is they have consultant boards where you can trade/sell and get ideas the boards are great.

Thank-you Corrie!

I love CTMH and am thinking of signing with them too. I have spent hours looking through the catalog, so I think I'm going to take the plunge!

I'm a Rep. I'm not a die-hard rep with a customer base of 100 +, etc.

I am a consultant with CTMH and I do it as a job, I can answer any questions you all have. I love my job!

I am a Close to My Heart consultant. I do it more for personal use...but love it.

Hi all! I realize this is an old thread but would like to know if any one knows anything about the company Close To My Heart. Thank for the info.

I would also like current information on this company. I am very attracted to the products. what kind of commission is it or discount? Do we keep inventory? Thanks

My friend is a CTMH consultant...I'll get her in on this convo...

I was a consultant, but I let it lapse..
I felt that it was sorta hard to get started..
But then again, I really did it just for me.. and now have a ton of product lol..

Trying to help my friend find the thread.

I used to be a consultant with a large customer base. Quit when I received very little to no support from the company. Even when I sent a letter requesting a response to some of my concerns, it was ignored. That being said, it was many years ago (before Internet, yes, BEFORE) and I still love and use their products. It's good that you are looking for info before jumping in. As with any job, you get out what you put in. Tell everyone at every chance you get that you are doing this. I got some of my best customers through friends of friends. Also, doing a free project gets people to buy the stuff needed to do it. Create a revolving hostess plan where a group commits to hosting each month, with everyone hosting at least once, works great.

Jalynne - thanks and I'm looking forward to hearing what your friend has to say.

Robin - Thanks for the info. You are right - you get out what you put in

Scrappin85 - That's what I do with my Mary Kay. I sell to a couple of friends and family. I'm not much on the Mary Kay parties because I don't really like doing make up but scrapping is a TOTALLY different story!!!

I'm Jalynne's friend-
I am a current CTMH consultant and love the company and the products. I do it more as a hobby while sharing with a consistent scrap group who help keep me current with my quarterly minimum. The products are quality and they are constantly coming out with fresh ideas and products but are fairly consistent with base colors. Last year they retired 8 & introduced 8. They do have a TREMENDOUS amount of product and business support & training available on-line and at team meetings and annual functions (which is this week in Disney Land & that because of family issues- I had to cancel). Training includes how-to video, calls, etc. They even have an on-line university which teaches you about all aspects of the business to include product use. I would love to grow my hobby into more of a business, and know if I work it, it will happen. Just haven't had a break in household events to do that at this time. CM is a good product & company- but I really like CTMH's acrylic stamps- that was my main attraction. Also CTMH has been in business 25 years and has no debt. THAT speaks volumes to me and the foundation of them as a company. Let me know if you have any other questions- PM me if you like.

Almost makes me want to sign up, Char....maybe when I'm done making tutus...LOL

Thanks for the information!!