Last month, I celebrated a very significant career milestone – 15 years as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. How amazing is that! I can hardly believe it myself.
I created a short video to mark this special occasion. Take a look:
I’ll be totally honest there were days I never thought I’d make I and times that I really struggled to keep my demonstrator status. But I persisted and made it! It’s so wonderful reflecting on the journey so far… who knows what the future holds..
Lofty Goal to celebrate my 15th anniversary.
Last October, I said to myself wouldn’t it be so awesome if I end my 15th year as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator regaining my Silver Elite title AND earning the Stampin’ Up! incentive trip. The second was a very lofty goal but I made a plan to attain the incentive trip and I have been working continuously towards it every day since.
What is Stampin’ Up! incentive trip?
Every year Stampin’ Up! rewards their top achievers and their guest with a holiday somewhere in the world. Last year’s achievers went to Mexico, Previous trips have been to Thailand, Norway, Alaska, Maui, and cruises to numerous other destinations around the world. Less than one percent of demonstrators earn this trip.
This year’s incentive trip is to Disney World Florida USA staying five nights at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.How cool would that be?
Why this incentive trip?
I have visions of being able to take Steve on this holiday paid for by Stampin’ Up! to say a huge “thank you” for everything he does for me.
For 15 years, he has supported my crazy ideas, even when he didn’t necessarily agree, and spent many an hour taking up the slack around the house to allow me to focus on my stamping business.
Steve has facilitated ways to get me to the USA and New Zealand for Stampin’ Up! events and each month opens our home to my creative community without complaint.
Then there is the mess… Steve is anti-clutter, so his tolerance for all those dimensional backings that find their way into every nook and cranny of our house is legendary… he just breaks out the vacuum and hoovers them up.
While I can’t give Steve his dream trip to Iceland and Scotland, I’d love to give him a vacation that he doesn’t have to pay for or plan. I want for him to be able to arrive and just relax, take photos and enjoy what the experience has to offer.
Before I embarked on this “quest”, I promised Steve that this would be a “one-off” and have his support. I agreed that there would be no “try again next year” – Even if it is his dream vacation, or a trip to Alaska (also on the bucket list), It is one and done. If in the future, it happens naturally then so be it. But it will not be all consuming.
What do I need to do to achieve Incentive trip
Basically, to achieve this lofty goal, I have to sell 5 times as much product as I did last year. That’s right FIVE times more than my yearly average in just one year. Totally doable, right? Or perhaps it’s totally insane! You can make up your own mind about that one.
Anyway, I set a goal and a plan to make Incentive Trip happen, and I have been working my backside off 7 days a week ever since. There have been so many 4am starts, many 12 to 16 hour days and lots of declined social invitations. My current work life balance is a little off at the moment, but I’m happy to say the goal gets closer every single day.
I’m closest that I’ve ever been to earning incentive trip.
Well, that’s something you’ve never heard me say before the last two weeks. It is highly unlikely, that you will ever hear me utter that statement again.
With only 87 days until the end of the Stampin’ Up! year, I have reached the three-quarter mark… Feels weird even considering that I am so close to this goal but I’m still so very far away.
I’ll admit I am getting very anxious now that I might not make it. I feel I have exhausted my small loyal customer list and I’m not sure what to do.
Asking for help is hard
To achieve my goal in the next 87 days, I really need your help.
To be honest, I feel so uncomfortable asking anyone for help. Year after year I see certain demos drag out “sob stories”, and urge people to “buy from me because you feel sorry for me” and it makes me so uncomfortable. I don’t want to be one of those demos.
However, my great friend and business coach, Meg asked “if one of your friends was close to earning incentive trip, and they missed out by just a small amount, how would you feel if you knew you could help but didn’t because they didn’t tell you the help they needed?”
Of course, I’d feel devastated for them and more than a bit annoyed that they denied me the opportunity to help. She reassured me that most people would feel the same way. Meg reminded me that people don’t have crystal balls, and they have no clue, I need help unless I ask for it.
So, if you have ever attend one of my classes or events, or one of my videos has helped you or watched one of my videos that have given you a tip that has improved your crafting experience , or I have helped you in some other way, I’m asking for your help to get me give my husband this trip to thank him for his amazing support and to celebrate my 15 years as a demonstrator.
How can you help?
There are several ways… The most obvious way is to place an order with me. But not just for something you might never use.
- Please think about what creating you will be doing between now and the end of the year, and stock up on the supplies in the next 87 days from me… it could be basic white or very vanilla card stock, adhesives and envelopes for your Father’s Day, Christmas or Halloween cards. Maybe you need supplies to make things for your market stall? or perhaps you are scrapbooking a special memory?
- Consider giving all inclusive kits as Christmas gifts to your crafty friends and purchase these before 30th September.
- Attended one of my classes, events or one day retreat in July, August or September. These events all include products that contribute towards my sales.
- Host a party (in person or virtual) to celebrate the launch of the new Christmas mini catalogue or online exclusives in July, August or September.
- Take advantage of this month’s Stampin’ Up!’s Bonus Days
- introduce me to someone you know who might like to try card making or paper crafting
- write a positive Google Review for TheCreativeEclectic.com by clicking here
- write a testamonial on my Stampin’ Up! site – just scroll down and hit the “write a review of this demonstrator” button
- Share my blog, facebook, YouTube or instagram pages with your friends either via email, messenger, text or via social media.
- Like and follow my Facebook Page
- Subscribe (free) to my YouTube Channel
- Follow me on instagram
- Tell your friends about my upcoming events. You never know when your recommendation, referral, check in or share will spark someone’s interest.
The other goal – reinstatement to Silver Elite
Last Sunday, I regained my title as a Silver Elite demonstrator. Stampin’ Up! Title promotions rely on our Team Members promoting and maintain their titles as well as us reaching sales goals. I have consistently exceeded the sales goals but didn’t have a team member stay at the silver level. Congratulations to my team member, Fiona for promoting to silver! That’s so awesome. I’m so happy for you!
Thank you for considering my request for help to achieve this goal, and I appreciate your continued support.
Until next time… Happy creating!
Chrissy
PS Stampin’ Up! sent me this cute little digital badge to celebrate. How fun!
