I started my direct sales business like so many others, NERVOUS yet EXCITED!  At that time, I was a full-time fifth grade teacher and I was also going to school at night to get a Masters in Reading Education.  My husband was in medical school and, in case you didn't know, med students don't make any money.  It's actually quite the opposite: they take on A LOT of loans.  Still, we were happy to be living frugally and I thought that I would be a teacher forever.  I loved my students and I felt that I was making a positive difference in their lives.  

 

That was when my Aunt Audrey asked me to host a Mary Kay party with my teacher friends. I was nervous to invite them because I didn't think anyone would want to come, but they all came and I was even more suprised that they all had fun!  You see, I had this idea that home-based product demonstrations were uncomfortable and the representatives were pushy and obligated everyone into purchasing. I did not find that to be the case with my aunt's party at all!  She made it fun, easy-going, and when she told my how money she made in just a few hours, my ears perked up. A seed was planted and after Aunt Audrey left that night, I could not stop thinking about Mary Kay. Truth is, I did not want to be interested in Mary Kay, but that didn't stop the nagging feeling that I should just give it a try. 

 

Problem was, I didn't know a thing about makeup or skincare and I didn't know who I could sell to. But, after joining, I found out that they teach you everything you need to know!  And anyone that is teachable and coachable can also learn the simple steps to be a success.  One of the first things that my aunt taught me was "we don't sell, we show and tell."  As a teacher, I could show and tell all day long!

 

So I decided to give it a shot and I joined Mary Kay. I was nervous, scared, and I did not know who I could sell to, but I had HOPE that God would use this business to bless not only my family, but others around me, as well. I set my first goal of holding 1-2 appointments a week.  I was consistent with that goal and eight months later, I earned the use of my first career car from Mary Kay and 2 months after that I became a director.  

 

I continued to teach and I was happy to do both until my husband's medical training moved us to South Jersey and I got an inner-city teaching position. To put it bluntly, I was miserable there.  I woke up every morning with a pit in my stomach and I literally cried on my way to work, during my lunch breaks, and during many nights because the job was so chaotic and unpredictable.  I did not feel safe, I was not supported by my admininstrators, and I had lost the one thing that I loved most about teaching: making a difference.  In fact, I was once told that I "just needed to be a warm body in the room."

 

All during this time I was matching my teaching salary with my part-time Mary Kay business which afforded my husband and I choices that we did not have before. I was having fun meeting new women and developing new friendships.  I felt appreciated and supported as I earned prizes and recognition from the company and from my senior sales director.  And most importantly, I felt like I was making a difference as I shared our phenomenal product and incredible opportunity with everyone I met.

 

In spite of all this, I hesitated to walk away from teaching, even though my position was making me miserable. It was a guaranteed paycheck every 2 weeks and I was afraid to give that up. What finally pushed me over the edge was when my mom had a recurrence of triple negative breast cancer.  She had 10-14 months to live and I was NOT going to spend her final months away from her.  I quit my teaching position and I never looked back.  I had the flexibility to choose my family over career, to take the time to be with those who I loved most in our time of greatest need and deepest grief. My mom went home to be with Lord on November 14, 2010 just 1 month before her 53rd birthday.  Mary Kay taught us to put God first, Family second, and Career third and I decided that I would never go back to a job where someone else would determine when, where, and how I spent my time.  I wanted a life of balance and I wanted make choices based on MY priorities. 

 

Another thing that affected my decision was this realization:

Wealthy folks DO NOT work a 9-5 for someone else making someone else rich.  Don't get me wrong, I know being wealthy doesn't buy happiness, but having extra money gives you choices and with choices comes the freedom to impact the lives of your family and the world around you. 

 

I had heard there were more women earning over $100k/year in than in any other company in America and I met several who claimed to make $10k a month, $20k a month, $60k a month and that gave me hope.  I also knew that if 3 million people sold for the company, it couldn't possibly be a scam.  3 million people don't get involved in something that's a scam

 

Now, I assure, you, I don't tell this to you to impress you, but just to impress upon you, that direct sales can be an excellent source of income when you need it to be.  After my mom passed away, I knew that I had a decision to make.  I could be sad and miserable and broke or I could be sad and miserable and still have money to pay the bills.  I decided to pick up my starter kit again and I started holding appointments again.  Six months later we had earned our second free car from the company, a Chevy Equinox!  It felt so good to hold those parties.  Having fun with women and focusing how I could make them feel special and important was the best therapy I could ever have! 

 

Our unit is made up of women from all over the nation!!  We are busy professionals, nurses, stay-at-home moms, servers, doctors, small business owners, nannies, real estate agents, teachers, successful entrepreneurs, grandmas and college students. There is no cookie cutter for a successful direct sales lady.  Any woman with determination and faith can be a success.  I am proud to say that today our unit is currently on target as a unit for the prestigious Pink Cadillac!!  

 

So where am I now?  Do I make enough money? I do. I make more than I ever did as an elementary teacher, drive a free car and my car insurance is also paid by my company.  Well, I have to pay $30 a month in car insurance..I think I drove too fast once or twice.  Snicker...But that car insurance insures my husband and myself for only 30 bucks.  This has been a blessing in my life in so many ways.  I've met so many wonderful friends, that I never would have crossed paths with had it not been for direct sales.  Holding appointments has made me a more confident person, a more positive thinker and has taught me how to successfully manage and run my own business.  it has been better than any self-improvement, entreprenuership or leadership course I could have ever taken in college.

 

Today, I don't have a BOSS!  I set my own hours and work my business around my life.  I wake up when I want, I go on vacations when I feel like it and I spend time with by husband, my babies and the ones I love.  Don't get me wrong, I still work hard, but it's on my own terms.  I don't spend more than 10 hours a week away from my baby boys, partially because I miss them terribly when I leave them and partially because I don't have to be away for more than that to run this business. I feel blessed to be able to share with other women that you truly can have it all: You can be home, you can be a wonderful mother, an amazing wife and you can run your own lucrative business.  And, if you'd like to hire a little help around the house, you can because with a Mary Kay business, you can afford it.  Overall, my priorities have shifted and I am now able to put faith first, family second and my career third.  

 

Maybe you are reading this and thinking that you want to help others, learn how to be an entrepreneur, make more friends or overcome your shyness.  Or maybe you need to make an extra $200 a week or you have a desire to make millions so you can give back to others. A Mary Kay business can be the answer to your prayers.

 

Truly, it doesn't matter where you started in this wonderful life, it matters where you finish. Life is not a dress rehearsal.  You have one shot to live your dream life.  What are you waiting for?  Let your life story be your motivation for a better life, not your excuse.

 

What's your dream for your life?  I can't wait to hear from you!  Leave a comment below.

Bethany Benenati

Text Me Anytime: 845-820-1843

Email Me Anytime: BethanyBenenati@gmail.com