Wow. Who would’ve thought so much debate, laughter and even pain could’ve been sparked by one simple post about Jamberry (and similar businesses).
I have been reading a lot of what is being written on the subject. I found ScaryMommy’s original post to be obnoxious and amusing. If read out of the context of her normal writings I can totally see how some would find it offensive. But, that’s just her writing style. Pure, over the top and hilarious. She’s not just nitpicking these people exclusively. She writes this way about most things (and for some points, she was spot on).
I read another article that was very tastefully written. She said these MLMs are empowering women. She says that these types of business models empower women and enable them to stay home with their kids and still create a career for themselves. I totally get that. As a blogger I totally understand how wonderful it is to have more financial freedom, and to know you are directly contributing to that. To not live your life wholly dependent on some one else (even if that someone is your spouse).
I totally support that and the women who take it upon themselves to make a career from home kudos X 1,000 to you.
But lets stop a second. Just because it is awesome to build a job from home, does not mean there is no wrong way to do that. I believe this was the original intent of ScaryMommy’s article.
If you are going to build a business, then do it in a professional manner. Don’t go friend someone that you’ve only spoken two sentences to EVER and then immediately try to sell them something. That is poor business practice and poor friendship practice.
Be authentic in all that you do. Every sentence that comes out of your mouth shouldn’t be about your business.
And believe me, I get it. It’s exciting to build a career for yourself. It’s empowering and you want everyone to know about it. I know this because there are days that I have to restrain myself from over-sharing blog posts on my personal profile. It would be so easy to make everything about my businesses both in person and online . But the reality is people are friends with me, not my career. For the most part, they want to know whats going on in my life, not my job.
Sometimes those things intersect, and frequently my closest friends will ask specifically about my work and we talk about it. But thats not all I give them.
Love and relationship come before a sale, every single time.
It’s a delicate balance, but one we should take seriously as moms who are building our own careers.
We do a disservice to ourselves, our careers and the industry at large when we don’t take the time to think about how we are coming off to those around us. To stop and think if we’ve unintentionally become a walking infomercial for our craft.
There is a right way to do this and a wrong way, just like with every business. We are professionals and we can find the way that works best for us, without sacrificing relationships. I know people selling amazing things that are doing this brilliantly so i know it can be done.
Lets commit to opening a dialogue with our friends about how our selling affects them, and what ways they find it appropriate to hear about our businesses. Lets be willing to hear “that was too much” in order to find a better personal business model.
Lets commit to making mistakes and keeping on trying. To figuring out this new career model were building and using to to empower ourselves and others. Lets commit to doing it right. And not taking offense when someone challenges our methods. Lets take a moment and look for the truth there, even if the delivery was not one we would have preferred.
Lets commit to being awesome, and sharing awesome in every aspect of our lives.
Krista says
Spot on! There is a big difference between empowered and pushy. It’s all about balance and respect!
Gabby@MamaGab says
Yes, this is exactly how I feel about it! I thought the Scary Mommy article was hilarious, but I don’t unfriend or block friends for sharing too much about their businesses. But I also don’t want to give folks carte blanche to bombard me with their latest MLM business either. There’s a balance. You’re completely right–we don’t have to bombard everyone with our business ventures but we don’t have to keep them a secret either. There’s a balance. The struggle is finding the right one, but I believe it can be achieved. Great response to both articles!
Herchel A Scruggs says
I did find the original piece a little offensive but I totally see your point about love and friendship coming before a sale. I kind of sell oils and arbonne (I say kind of because I am a “consultant” for the discount and because I personally am loyal to the brands) but I do know women that are hustling to be able to achieve their goal of staying home with their kids. I do think that promoting your blog links and your ebooks to your friends is very similar to invite people to group product parties. In both cases you are promoting your business-unless you choose not to monetize your blog.