All I'm asking for is a little respect

Last night, I was making phone calls for Mary Kay, booking new customers. I had 13 names to call, and even though I was tired and the couch looked so comfy, I sat at my desk and called every one of those names. I could tell my discipline was starting to kick in. I got a lot of answering machines, but I got 4 new bookings and that’s enough to put a smile on my face.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being involved with Mary Kay, and ultimately, just great parenting on my mom and dad’s part, it’s to respect people. And to treat them as I would like to be treated. Thankfully, Mary Kay Ash founded her company on the Golden Rule, and she also taught us that our lives should be in this order: Faith first, Family second, Career third. A week or so ago, I was making more booking calls, and 2 girls scheduled facials with me. I had them booked, and I told them how every thing would play out. When I called to confirm with them, they never picked up. Their facials are this week, and still no word. It’s just rude that they would choose to ignore my phone call and messages. It will not hurt my feelings if they decided to cancel. But please let me know, so I can open that time slot back up for someone who is more willing.

I wish more people had respect today. Whatever happened to treating people with courtesy and kindness? I make sure I do that every single day of my life, and you know what? It makes me happy to make other people happy. At the end of the day, I think back at my actions throughout the day. It makes me smile to know that I made someone else smile that day. If you have a positive outlook on life, I truly believe that it feeds into your everyday life and actions. You become like the 5 people you hang around, so choose them wisely. So if you’re hanging around cynic, pessimistic people all the time, you yourself will become cynic and pessimistic. But if you have a positive attitude and demeanor, one day, it’ll feed into the people around you.

Most people that know me, know that I can’t stand when someone doesn’t RSVP to an invite to something. I recently was invited to a party, that asked for an RSVP- regrets only. Well, the invite got lost in the jumble of papers on my counter, and I had forgotten all about it. I couldn’t make it to the party and I didn’t RSVP. I have to apologize to her, because it was wrong of me to not reply. No matter the reason. It’s plain common courtesy to RSVP or just give people the respect they deserve.

I’ve preached, hollered, and screamed about this stuff a thousand times over. Unfortunately the only way people will start to act on common courtesy and respect others is if you yourself set an example. That is what I do. Try to set examples for others, so that someday they’ll see that it’s just plain common courtesy to respect others and treat them how you want to be treated.

The point I’m trying to make is that, while making my booking calls last night, 2 of the women I had called, and left messages for called me back, like I had kindly asked them to. I couldn’t have been happier. They took the time out of their night to take a chance, call me back and book a facial with me. And I will take care of them and their skin, no matter if they buy from me or not. I finally had an ‘ah-ha!’ moment and realized, that this business is not about me. It’s not about the money. It’s about giving confidence to women who may not have it. It’s giving hope to women who cannot find it. It’s giving them a reason to become independent and have a way to reach their dreams. Whatever your goals may be, shoot for the moon, if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.

Remember, you were born an original. Don’t die a copy!

Final Friday

Wow. Do I have a headache. From the moment I got up I had a headache. Not to mention I got up late, so that doesn't help anything. I've been rushing around since 8:00. But I wasn't late to work, so that's good. I've got to leave early to go to the ATM, then to pick some kind of sweet treat for the food table, pick up my drawing stuff that I forgot at home and get down to the Pendleton- in 30 minutes. It's going to be rush central. My head just throbbed thinking about it.

So yeah, Final Friday tonight. I've recently gotten into the habit of taking my latest drawing with me and working on it while sitting in the studio. It's a win-win situation. I get a few hours to do nothing but work and people like the whole 'demonstration' thing.

My latest piece is a pencil drawing of Bella and Edward, the 2 main characters from the Twilight Saga book series. It's a birthday present for my best friend. It's a good thing she's patient.. her birthday was in July! She's just happy that's her present in the first place. But as soon as it's done I will be putting it up here for your viewing pleasure!

Until next time...

Corporate America

I just read an article about how a mob laid-off workers in India killed their CEO. Let that sink in for a minute. Can you believe how horrible people are sometimes? I mean, I know you lost your job, maybe the CEO was an ass, but that's NO reason to kill him! I was laid off back in February. It sucked, but at the same time, I was happy after I realized that it was all for a reason. I wasn't being creative enough and I was only staying there because of the people. I saw that this was exactly what I needed; some much needed time off and a new beginning.

With those 4 weeks off, I utilized my time well. I sent out lots of resumes, I did a lot of freelance work and I slept in.. a lot :) The 4th week of unemployment, I got hired on at the first place I sent my resume to and interviewed. But before I knew that would happen, I actually decided to walk down a completely different road in my life as well. I decided to say yes to the Mary Kay opportunity. I had the opportunity offered to me a few times and I declined politely every time, claiming I was 'too busy' to do that. What I've learned is that busy people will ALWAYS be busy. I love to be busy. When I said 'no' the first time, I was just as busy as when I said 'yes' the 4th time she asked me. And that was about 4 months later. Being busy is perfect for having a career with Mary Kay. You have many circles of people to build your business with. Not many people realize this. You fit Mary Kay in your life where you can.

Reading that article today about the murdered CEO, getting laid off at my job without any warning and not to mention the nightmares I have about corporate America just confirms that a career with Mary Kay is something I see in my future. That will give me the freedom to stay at home and do my artwork. Not to mention that Mary Kay is one of the 3 recession-proof industries in the world. The other 2 are alcohol/cigarettes and entertainment. Women will always wash their face and put some sort of makeup on. Did you know that in the 80's, when there was a huge recession in the economy, Mary Kay was at its peak. It was actually doing wonderfully well in an economy that was failing. Mary Kay Ash started the company in the 60's as a wig company. When she realized that wigs were not recession proof, at least not as recession proof as cosmetics, she starting selling makeup. And so we have Mary Kay Cosmetics today, 45 years later.

I know that in my future, even though I have a Graphic Design degree, I want to pursue my career with Mary Kay. I will be driving that pink Cadillac someday and I won't have to worry about making sure I have enough money for rent this month.

I can have a career in my art. That I know will happen. Someday I'll get my big break and have artwork hanging in a restaurant or my own gallery and hopefully that's what I'll be known for. It's my passion and I'll do whatever it takes to get it out there. Short term sacrifices for long term success.

Crossing another one off...

So the big day has come and gone... Leah and David's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. Hot, but beautiful. It was outside. Everyone loved my invites that I did, and I even got my own call-out in the program!
Life is busy as ever. Got a few more freelance projects done. One big one in particular. The others were just small favor-like projects. Here's the one I did for my cousin in Columbus. She works at Scott's Company and this was for one of her co-workers that was leaving the company. He worked in the insect division, if you couldn't tell...

Final Friday is this Friday, it may be one of the last ones I have. It's getting a little expensive unfortunately, but that's ok. I'll find somewhere else to show! Anyway, just checking in for now... I'll be back soon!