Consultant Spotlight - March 2014 - Mimi Matthews
Our Consultant Spotlight of the month is Mimi. Here she shares with us some of her business insights and words of advice!
1. When did you begin your Pure Romance career?
I stumbled upon Pure Romance in May of 2009, and fell in love!
2. What attracted you to Pure Romance? What was your “why”?
I had never heard of Pure Romance, didn’t even know there were these kinds of parties! Heck, I’d barely learned what a vibrator was (yes, I know, super sheltered life). When I was flipping through a catalog at my friend’s house, I got to the “centerfold” of Platinum Collection, and took the book home! I was divorced, but not dead, and those items were quite attractive!
Being the curious person I am, I went online and read everything there was about Pure Romance. Our website was more limited then, but there was enough to get me excited.
The main thing that attracted me was the educational part. I am a teacher, and learning is always one of my priorities. But being able to teach women about their bodies, helping them learn things I didn’t know and that could have helped my marriage, giving them information that could change (maybe save) their relationships? That was giddy stuff!
And the word “EMPOWER” kept drawing me. I hadn’t felt very powerful in my life.
I needed to make some money. Financially I had been devastated. I was also physically limited in work choices, and had time restraints because I had two nine-year-old special needs children. As a single parent, that means I was the one “on call” if something happened at school. I was the one who stayed home with them if their sleep had been interrupted the night before or if they were sick (often). A nine-to-five job would never work for me.
The freedom to arrange my parties on the weekends my children were with their dad was very appealing. And Pure Romance sounded like a fun way to make money!
3. Has your “why” changed since you’ve been in business?
Not really. My main goal was to educate women, and if anything I am more passionate about that now. I do enjoy making money! But since the death of my ex-husband I’m more limited in time. However, my money situation has improved, so the desperate need to make money has been somewhat lifted.
4. Have there been any surprises in your business or has it been exactly what you imagined it would be?
I had no idea what to think when I started. I rarely went to in-home parties so didn’t have much to base expectations on. So the big surprise was how well I did! Also, that even though I’m old enough to be their mom or grandma, and felt horribly awkward at first, the ladies loved me, respected me, related to me, and sought me out. I love building the relationships I have. I enjoy their appreciation of the knowledge I give them and how comfortable they feel with me.
Another surprise for me is realizing that I have a great sense of humor—give me a stage and I am a ham! I love to make women laugh and feel good. I love dropping those one-liners that surprise and tickle them. My belly laugh and ability to be funny had been quite squelched all my life. What freedom to have those things released and appreciated!
5. What is your favorite thing about being a consultant?
Honestly, how empowered I’ve become! Being a Pure Romance consultant has totally changed me. I had been somewhat trapped and stifled for many years. When I discovered Pure Romance I was on the road to my freedom, and this helped immensely by pushing me outside of my comfort zone to attain something I truly desired. Seriously OUT of my comfort zone! Once I got a taste, I was determined that any woman I came in contact with would not live as I had—ignorant, uncomfortable, unfulfilled. That’s a huge mission, but I do my best to “save America, one vagina at a time!” (My slogan—the ladies love it!)
6. Share with us a short term goal and a long term goal.
I plan to continue what I’m doing--reaching more and more women with information to empower and change their lives. Pure Romance is about the whole person and has really helped create my goals and passions. Because I’ve grown into who I am now, I have been able to achieve an nine-year-old dream of stepping out as a speaker at women’s events. I dreamed it, but couldn’t fathom how it would happen. PR has been my platform to do just that, at every one of my parties! And now I’m taking it to the next step—eeeeek!
I’ve launched a new business-related adventure, Passionista At Large (www.passionistaatlarge.org). My short-term goal is to book at least five speaking engagements before the end of the year. My long-term goal is to have other women working with me at Passionista At Large to “Inform, Inspire, and Ignite” women. I want to hold Passionista Party Dates where women with knowledge, expertise, and passion have the chance to do what they love.
7. Do you have a favorite item to demo? What and Why?
Oh Baby, it’s ALL about the lube!! Can you imagine going down a water slide naked, with no water? Yes, not knowing about lubricants caused a very uncomfortable sex life for me, and I truly am determined no one has to endure that! All the other health-related reasons to use a lubricant are a bonus. And clitoral vibrators run a close second on my favorites list.
8. Is there anything special that you do for your hostesses to build rapport or get them to book with you?
I love my hostesses and most of them become good friends with me. But I’m also outgoing and pretty much want them to feel special. I am honored every time I’m chosen to do a party, because there are many consultants to choose from, so I work at building a relationship with my hostesses and their guests. I comment on their pictures and statuses on Facebook, wish them happy birthday. And quite importantly, I consistently encourage women. This simple act stands out in our negative society. It is a gesture that’s all about them and gives me (and you) integrity—because really, we should be a consultant because of them. And then, they can’t help themselves, they just fall in love with me!
9. What advice would you give to a brand new consultant?
STUDY! Go to training! Know your subject. When you know what you are talking about, you exude confidence. Don’t try to do parties without knowledge of your product, our bodies, and health reasons. Your guests will appreciate the knowledge and even if you fumble through your demos, they will see that you care about them.
Have fun! Don’t take yourself too seriously. You will make mistakes. Expect it, correct it, throw it off and laugh. They just want to have fun. If you laugh, they laugh.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I have probably given you too many words already, but I do want to add this. I hope you have the adventure of a lifetime with Pure Romance. It is what you make it. Your sister consultants and I want you to succeed, but it doesn’t just come to you. It takes work, passion, determination, and grit. There are many times I dislike packing and leaving my children to a babysitter at night. By the end of the day, I’m tired and I don’t feel like going to work. But it’s the platform for what I love to do—the way to fulfill my dreams, achieve my goals, and change lives. That makes it worth every minute!
1. When did you begin your Pure Romance career?
I stumbled upon Pure Romance in May of 2009, and fell in love!
2. What attracted you to Pure Romance? What was your “why”?
I had never heard of Pure Romance, didn’t even know there were these kinds of parties! Heck, I’d barely learned what a vibrator was (yes, I know, super sheltered life). When I was flipping through a catalog at my friend’s house, I got to the “centerfold” of Platinum Collection, and took the book home! I was divorced, but not dead, and those items were quite attractive!
Being the curious person I am, I went online and read everything there was about Pure Romance. Our website was more limited then, but there was enough to get me excited.
The main thing that attracted me was the educational part. I am a teacher, and learning is always one of my priorities. But being able to teach women about their bodies, helping them learn things I didn’t know and that could have helped my marriage, giving them information that could change (maybe save) their relationships? That was giddy stuff!
And the word “EMPOWER” kept drawing me. I hadn’t felt very powerful in my life.
I needed to make some money. Financially I had been devastated. I was also physically limited in work choices, and had time restraints because I had two nine-year-old special needs children. As a single parent, that means I was the one “on call” if something happened at school. I was the one who stayed home with them if their sleep had been interrupted the night before or if they were sick (often). A nine-to-five job would never work for me.
The freedom to arrange my parties on the weekends my children were with their dad was very appealing. And Pure Romance sounded like a fun way to make money!
3. Has your “why” changed since you’ve been in business?
Not really. My main goal was to educate women, and if anything I am more passionate about that now. I do enjoy making money! But since the death of my ex-husband I’m more limited in time. However, my money situation has improved, so the desperate need to make money has been somewhat lifted.
4. Have there been any surprises in your business or has it been exactly what you imagined it would be?
I had no idea what to think when I started. I rarely went to in-home parties so didn’t have much to base expectations on. So the big surprise was how well I did! Also, that even though I’m old enough to be their mom or grandma, and felt horribly awkward at first, the ladies loved me, respected me, related to me, and sought me out. I love building the relationships I have. I enjoy their appreciation of the knowledge I give them and how comfortable they feel with me.
Another surprise for me is realizing that I have a great sense of humor—give me a stage and I am a ham! I love to make women laugh and feel good. I love dropping those one-liners that surprise and tickle them. My belly laugh and ability to be funny had been quite squelched all my life. What freedom to have those things released and appreciated!
5. What is your favorite thing about being a consultant?
Honestly, how empowered I’ve become! Being a Pure Romance consultant has totally changed me. I had been somewhat trapped and stifled for many years. When I discovered Pure Romance I was on the road to my freedom, and this helped immensely by pushing me outside of my comfort zone to attain something I truly desired. Seriously OUT of my comfort zone! Once I got a taste, I was determined that any woman I came in contact with would not live as I had—ignorant, uncomfortable, unfulfilled. That’s a huge mission, but I do my best to “save America, one vagina at a time!” (My slogan—the ladies love it!)
6. Share with us a short term goal and a long term goal.
I plan to continue what I’m doing--reaching more and more women with information to empower and change their lives. Pure Romance is about the whole person and has really helped create my goals and passions. Because I’ve grown into who I am now, I have been able to achieve an nine-year-old dream of stepping out as a speaker at women’s events. I dreamed it, but couldn’t fathom how it would happen. PR has been my platform to do just that, at every one of my parties! And now I’m taking it to the next step—eeeeek!
I’ve launched a new business-related adventure, Passionista At Large (www.passionistaatlarge.org). My short-term goal is to book at least five speaking engagements before the end of the year. My long-term goal is to have other women working with me at Passionista At Large to “Inform, Inspire, and Ignite” women. I want to hold Passionista Party Dates where women with knowledge, expertise, and passion have the chance to do what they love.
7. Do you have a favorite item to demo? What and Why?
Oh Baby, it’s ALL about the lube!! Can you imagine going down a water slide naked, with no water? Yes, not knowing about lubricants caused a very uncomfortable sex life for me, and I truly am determined no one has to endure that! All the other health-related reasons to use a lubricant are a bonus. And clitoral vibrators run a close second on my favorites list.
8. Is there anything special that you do for your hostesses to build rapport or get them to book with you?
I love my hostesses and most of them become good friends with me. But I’m also outgoing and pretty much want them to feel special. I am honored every time I’m chosen to do a party, because there are many consultants to choose from, so I work at building a relationship with my hostesses and their guests. I comment on their pictures and statuses on Facebook, wish them happy birthday. And quite importantly, I consistently encourage women. This simple act stands out in our negative society. It is a gesture that’s all about them and gives me (and you) integrity—because really, we should be a consultant because of them. And then, they can’t help themselves, they just fall in love with me!
9. What advice would you give to a brand new consultant?
STUDY! Go to training! Know your subject. When you know what you are talking about, you exude confidence. Don’t try to do parties without knowledge of your product, our bodies, and health reasons. Your guests will appreciate the knowledge and even if you fumble through your demos, they will see that you care about them.
Have fun! Don’t take yourself too seriously. You will make mistakes. Expect it, correct it, throw it off and laugh. They just want to have fun. If you laugh, they laugh.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I have probably given you too many words already, but I do want to add this. I hope you have the adventure of a lifetime with Pure Romance. It is what you make it. Your sister consultants and I want you to succeed, but it doesn’t just come to you. It takes work, passion, determination, and grit. There are many times I dislike packing and leaving my children to a babysitter at night. By the end of the day, I’m tired and I don’t feel like going to work. But it’s the platform for what I love to do—the way to fulfill my dreams, achieve my goals, and change lives. That makes it worth every minute!