Fearless Friday-Carla Spurgeon, Jafra District Manager1 June 6, 2008

Welcome to the fifth edition of Fearless Friday! I have been looking forward to interviewing Carla because she is my District Manager! I met Carla at Divapreneur. I had used Jafra about thirty years ago when my skin was having serious problems. The whole story is in my post Why I Chose Jafra. I did not know until we did this interview that this is exactly how Carla found Jafra! I haven’t seen the product much in my area, and that’s a good thing! My team will not have to deal with market saturation. The number one thing that I love about companies like Jafra and Mary Kay is their focus on helping other women. I love Mary Kay Ash’s story and have read her book and seen a few movies. She did so much to help women start their own businesses. Jafra continues to operate the same way. Carla amazes me every day. She has provided everything that I could possibly need to be successful. She is always available and she is always supportive. She’s teaching me how to manage my team and I’m looking forward to helping other women be successful. So, now I’ll stop talking your ear off (I can’t help it, I love my product and opportunity!) and let Carla take over.

How did you get started in Jafra?

I had bad skin. BAD. I was making zippo money doing mission work, newlywed, and very PLAIN JANE. My skin was positively gray in color from being clogged and broken out. I knew someone that was with AB so I wrote to them. I was told to look into CDE so I went to one of their opportunity booths….they took one look at me and after a couple questions about how much money I was willing to invest…they politely and coldly informed me that I did NOT fit their profile. That afternoon I got my rejection letter from AB, I didn’t fit their profile either.

So when I was asked to be a guest for the Jafra party that same evening I just laughed and said, why not? I loved the product and the consultant told me repeatedly that I could do this. I bought a $20 holiday travel set that night and I joined 2 weeks later when I had the money for my case! The rest is history.

What, exactly, is Jafra?

Jafra Cosmetics is a 52 yr old direct sales company with a product line that works! Our opportunity is one of the best in the industry. Our focus is on sales and recruiting. We do not require or even encourage inventory. There is no quota to fill and consultants are encouraged to do sales via group/home parties as well as one-on-one demonstrations. We now offer a product line of over 400 products from our famous Royal Jelly skin care to family and baby care.

How long have you been a Jafra Consultant?

About 27 years.

What motivated you to succeed?

The desire to set my own schedule and to travel whenever possible.

What was your first big accomplishment?

I earned our National trip to New Orleans and was able to take my mother on the trip of her dreams at no cost to her. My mother saw a gift that was perfect for my father. She didn’t have the money for it and I didn’t want to insult her by paying for it outright so I figured I’d just get one for her later. Not so. Jafra took us all to a great New Orleans river boat ride and while we were gone, they left gifts in our room. Not only did mom get the exact item she wanted for dad – I got one too! NO ONE from Jafra knew that this was the desire of her heart and that she stood there in the hotel room crying over the joy of it!

And diamonds!…at one time, I had more Diamonds from Jafra than from my own husband. He has since made up for it! I’ve also won several national titles with Jafra including National Sales and Sponsoring. I’m a lifetime and charter member of the DSWA (Direct Selling Women’s Alliance) and am one of the co-authors of the DSWA book “Build It Big.” I was the only Jafra consultant featured in that book. Being an author was another one of my dreams that came true because of Jafra! Geez…you would think I was someone special? NOT! I’m just a Very BLESSED person that found the right company the first time!
Have you become financially independent through Jafra, or do you have to maintain another source of income?

How about a little of both? I’ve been able to continue to travel with my family even while working one day a week at a local church office. This gives me a chance to keep in touch with the business world while enjoying a relaxed schedule.

Would you mind sharing an estimate of the annual salary you earn from Jafra?

I’ve been in the 5 figures range in the past and chose to take a step back when I needed time off for health reasons. No shame in that.

What makes a successful team?

What makes a successful team? Team work. Everyone is important and there are no egos involved in where the training comes from.

Do you have a website?

Yes, http://www.myjafra.com/cspurgeon

How do you balance life and work?

With a calendar and well used white board on my refrigerator!

What advice do you have for other women in business, especially those in direct sales and multi-level marketing? Any words of wisdom for getting that party or closing a sale or recruitment?

Get involved with local networking opportunities so that your name and face become associated with your product line. Join a group such as the DSWA so you have an ongoing educational resource at your finger tips. You can find them by checking the newspaper, searching the internet or checking with your local chamber of commerce. If one doesn’t exist, start one!

Here’s a link for a $1 trial membership in the DSWA:

DSWA Trial Membership

So, there you have it – another successful Diva! I hope that you enjoyed her story, and if you’d like to learn more about Jafra’s products or opportunity, please contact us. Have a great weekend!

THIS JUST IN

In honor of our quest to be fearless, Carla has just allowed me to extend a special offer to all of the supportive, fearless, fantastic, rockin’ Divas and their friends!

Any orders resulting from this post from now until midnight Sunday evening (which is actually Monday 12:00 am to be clear) will receive free shipping!

I’m still earning my Consultant kit, so you’ll be going through Carla’s website. Just put “this order is for Parthena” in the comments:

MyJafra.com

Remember, we have the famous, amazing Royal Jelly. A few weeks ago, our hospice did an event at the local Senior Center and I gave hand facials. The ladies were so impressed with what just two drops of this did on their 70, 80 and even 90 year old hands that they dragged their husbands over to my table!

Hurry – offer expires Sunday – and thanks so much for being my Fearless Friends!

Hugs,
Parthena