How to Build a Successful Cookie Lee Business with a Full-Time Job

Since joining Cookie Lee, I’ve had the opportunity to experience both sides of the spectrum with my business: working Cookie Lee full time from home and working a full-time job while working Cookie Lee. To me, being a full-time Cookie Lee Consultant sounded like the perfect set-up—nothing holding me back from rising to the top and achieving the ultimate in Cookie Lee success. But what I discovered really surprised me…

I joined Cookie Lee in 2005 after working in corporate America for over 20 years. I had no clue what Cookie Lee was or what I could achieve with the company, I simply knew that I wanted something more. After attending my first convention and walking across the stage to receive my $10,000 pin in January 2006, I began to look at my business differently. I started to see it from a business standpoint and not just an “extra income” standpoint.

By January 2007, I attained my Unit Manager title and attended Camp Cookie. I started meeting top leaders and picking their brains on how to grow my business. I wanted to know how to become a “stay-at-home” Cookie Lee businesswoman. After returning from Camp Cookie, I was laid off from my position as an office manager, and was so excited to be able to work my business full time. However, within a few months I took another corporate management position only to be laid off again in January 2008! At this point I decided to stay home and do my Cookie Lee business full time the entire year.

It was scary to see my steady income go right out the door and become dependent upon my Cookie Lee business for my sole income. My first year working my Cookie Lee business full time was the hardest year ever for me in Cookie Lee. I did not realize how necessary it was to realize you are still in business and must adhere to a similar corporate structure just as if you were working an “out-of-the-house” job. In other words, you need office hours, you need to take a lunch break and you need to get out of the house! I learned to become more structured, more organized and more respectful of those who work their business from home full time. I did not realize how difficult it was to truly have a “home-based” business.

In December 2008, I was asked to return to work to assist a friend on maternity leave. I agreed because I felt I would be able to use my commute time to meet new people. After attending the 2009 Camp Cookie, within just a few weeks, I had booked several shows, recruited four women and doubled my sales. I attributed it all to the “corporate” lifestyle difference. Working a full-time job means you are limited in time, but it also means you are forced to become task-oriented. In other words, you type, answer the phone, make reservations and chew gum at the same time! After one year, I remain at this company, but I am much more focused on my Cookie Lee business than ever before.

Work Your Commute
When balancing your Cookie Lee business with a full- or part-time job, it is important to be resourceful and maximize your time. Whether you drive, carpool, bus or train to work your commute time is valuable time that you can be using for your Cookie Lee business. Here are some suggestions for activities you can do while commuting:

While Driving:
Use this time to listen to any motivational tapes, training CDs, podcasts, or other materials that will keep you excited about your business.

While Riding the Train or Bus:
Pick days to read the Weekly Updates, new incentive materials, Cookie Connection. Use the other days to sit and meet new prospective Consultants and potential hostesses.

While Carpooling:
You can always do a mini show on the go with your vanpool gang and let them know about any new incentives that they can share at their office.

Make the Most of Your Environment
If your company or your position has a policy restricting you from selling your Cookie Lee products at the office, you must adhere to this policy and conduct all Cookie Lee business outside of your work environment. However, by putting a schedule in place to maximize your time before, during lunch and after work, your work routine can still benefit your business.

Establishing a Schedule
It is imperative that you have a set schedule for your business. It’s a good idea to use the time sandwiching your working hours when you are still in “work mode” and have set things you do at specific times so there isn’t a lot of prep work involved. For example, if your working hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., set aside an extra hour before and after work to make business-related telephone calls.

Lunch Hours

If your company restricts you from selling, use your lunch as the opportunity to do “mini” shows. Let your customers know you will meet them at a particular location and have your jewelry ready to display and sell. This is where the Jewelry Portfolio (Item #N0802—available through Successorize) comes in handy. You cannot see the jewelry on the outside, so it is a discreet way to be prepared for on-the-go shows.

Personal Time Off
You can use the personal time off you receive from your full-time job for your Cookie Lee events. Your job may be flexible enough to allow you to take a shorter lunch or come in early on a given day so you can leave early on your Team Meeting evening. Also, make sure to schedule your time off for Camp Cookie and Fashion Week months in advance so the time is allotted early.

Find a Realistic Balance
The biggest challenge when working full time while juggling a family and a business is to find balance. It doesn’t come easy. Here are some of my tried and true tips:

Schedule Strategically
Your calendar is your best friend; you must have a set schedule of days you are able to work your Cookie Lee business. Have a “family” calendar that everyone has access to and list all your Cookie Lee events, such as Team Meetings, training, etc. When scheduling home shows, remember, if you are away from home all day, it will be very difficult to also be away during the evening on weekdays. Choose one night a week that works well for your family’s schedule. Also, develop a habit of double booking one day on the weekend (i.e., Saturdays from 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.), leaving one day free for family time. Rotate having one weekday show and no weekend shows the following week. This will keep your family supportive of your Cookie Lee business.

Invite Your Family to Events
Include your family in your business and let them know what your goals are, what is involved, etc. Let them be a part of the process and reward them when you achieve your goals.

Organize Your Cookie Lee Office Time
Use the organizational skills you’ve learned at your job and apply them to your Cookie Lee business. Use folders that identify your weekly tasks and bring them with you each day to work. When you have a break and/or down time, get your paperwork in order. Make a list of what needs to be done when you get home, then spend 20 minutes a day, printing, organizing and preparing any materials you need for the week. Do not get home from work and stay on the computer all night—it will take you completely out of balance. If you schedule three nights a week, 20 minutes a day/evening to complete your tasks, you will find balance. Ask your children to help you with filing and organizing, then reward them for assisting you.

The best part of your Cookie Lee business is the flexibility it provides—so make it work for you! There is nothing holding you back from achieving your goals, especially if you take the business lessons you’ve learned and find ways to apply them to Cookie Lee. Don’t forget that you own your own business and take pride in it. Your part- or full-time job provides a great benefit of giving you an excuse to put yourself together, show off your product and get in front of potential customers, hostesses and prospective recruits every day. You are your best advertisement, and you are promoting one of the best businesses out there!