Describe your products
or service
Watkins offers time
tested products for your home. Some of our most famous products
include our Double Strength Vanilla, MSG free Soup Bases, pure
spices and natural based salves, ointments & liniments. Today's
Watkins also offers cutting-edge supplements, herbal based personal
care and earth friendly cleaning products. Our number one product
is our business opportunity. We've been helping people earn a
living working from home for over 100 years.
How much
time is involved? Is this business kid and family friendly? How?
When you choose
any direct sales/network marketing business, you choose the amount
of time that you work. Typically for part time work, you'd want
to block out 10-12 hours per week for "people work".
Since Watkins products can be used by the whole family, our business
would definitely be called kid & family friendly. Kids can
help stamp catalogs, make yummy desserts to share, mix up dip
mixes and more. When marketing one-on-one, kids will often be
part of that picture. You choose the level of your family's involvement.
What do
you like best about your business?
The best part for
me is the people I've met over the years. It is also very heart
warming to hear stories from others about how their mom or grandmother
used Watkins products. I've had several experiences where the
discovering that Watkins is still in business today has led to
new dialog in a family and the beginning of healing relationships.
What’s
the hardest part about your business?
Letting go of those
who say they want to work, but just won't take the action steps
necessary to reach the income level they desire. I have many years
of experience in this industry and I know that just wishing it
will happen doesn't work. I coach all of my new folks for at least
their first 6 weeks. During that time, I get to know them better
and they get to know me. It's so very hard for me to have to tell
some of them that their coaching time is over simply because they
are not working. Even though I am very busy and have to allocate
my time, I find this part of what I do the most difficult. I want
everyone to succeed even if they don't want it enough themselves
to do what is necessary. LOL
How much
does it cost initially? What is the refund policy? Ongoing expenses?
Hostess gifts?
Watkins offers 4
different business assortments starting at $49.95 and going to
$399.99. Each assortment has it's own purpose. The larger assortments
contain more products that are included at an extra 5% discount.
Two of the assortments include a Watkinsonline web site where
you can create your own stories. You can still sell online without
a Watkinsonline web site by giving your customers your ID#. You
can receive a refund on any of our assortments by returning it
in unused condition within 30 days. All other Watkins products
carry a 100% Satisfaction guarantee for a year - although I've
had Watkins accept a return for products older than that.
Ongoing expenses depend on how you work your business. You will
need business cards, catalogs, samples, etc. The good news about
business expenses is that they are a tax deduction. You can also
deduct a portion of your home expenses if you have a room exclusively
for your business. Currently the Associate chooses and funds the
hostess gifts. Watkins will be introducing a new program this
year at our convention in July of 2003 so that may change.
How much
commission or compensation do you receive? How do you advance
to leadership?
Watkins compensation
plan fairly rewards all associates for the work they do. Income
on personal sales runs between 25% and 39% of retail while income
on those you sponsor runs anywhere between 5% & 10%. There
is also a Rewards program where you can earn free prizes just
by working your business. During the year, Watkins may offer special
prizes and trips that can also be earned by working your business.
You advance to leadership by generating 2000 for 2 months in a
row. Currently you do not need to sponsor to do this, it can be
done all on your own. You build your leadership team by sponsoring
others who reach the leadership level with you.
What is
a realistic show sales average or monthly sales average?
A realistic show
would be $300. If you did 2 a week, that would be $2400 a month
and your income would be approximately $936 just on your efforts
alone. If you had just 4 other people doing that, your income
would increase even more.
Do you
keep your own inventory and make deliveries?
That is a personal
choice. Some Watkins Associates do that and reap the tax benefits
and the benefits of personal customer service. Some choose to
have all product shipped directly to the customer from our headquarters
in Winona, Minnesota or Winnipeg, Manitoba
What’s
the minimum requirement to stay active?
You must place an
order of any size at least once every 6 months.
What skills
and experience is required? What kind of training do you receive
when joining?
Those who succeed
are willing to learn people skills. Every Watkins Assortment comes
with our System for Success and I work a minimum of 6 weeks with
each person using our Step by Step Coaching system. After the
6 weeks, the training level depends on the person. Some are content
with our email list, some move on to Watkins Way to Manager, some
continue the calls on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Training and
support is a very individualized area.
How are
your products or services sold? Can you sell online? Can you advertise
online? What are the restrictions for selling?
Watkins utilizes
the following sales methods
One-on-one
Party plan
Fairs & Shows
Fundraisers
Online
You can sell online through Watkins corporate web site our your
own Watkinsonline web site. You can advertise online or offline
and may use the Watkins name and logo.
Restrictions- You may not sell Watkins from any web site other
than a Watkinsonline site and you may not sell Watkins at permanent
locations such as stores.
What else
would you like people to know about your business?
I got hooked on
Watkins because the quality of the product line was so much better
than any thing else I had tried. Quality combined with excellent
pricing made this the company for me. I don't ask people to buy
something new, I just let them purchase items they normally buy
- but now they can enjoy higher quality. I love that Watkins products
are consumable so people come back over and over. It allows me
to build relationships with my customers.
For more
information or to sign up for this opportunity, use the contact
information provided at the top!
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