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DS Business Spotlight on:
 
Watkins
Become a Watkins Associate!

 

Name: Linda Sikut
Title: Watkins Independent Manager #027324
Biz URL: www.watkinsonline.com/lsikut & www.bakingabusiness.com/
Phone: 716-648-4449
E-mail: lsikut @ watkinsonline.com

Describe your products or service

Watkins offers time tested products for your home. Some of our most famous products include our Double Strength Vanilla, MSG free Soup Bases, pure spices and natural based salves, ointments & liniments. Today's Watkins also offers cutting-edge supplements, herbal based personal care and earth friendly cleaning products. Our number one product is our business opportunity. We've been helping people earn a living working from home for over 100 years.

How much time is involved? Is this business kid and family friendly? How?

When you choose any direct sales/network marketing business, you choose the amount of time that you work. Typically for part time work, you'd want to block out 10-12 hours per week for "people work". Since Watkins products can be used by the whole family, our business would definitely be called kid & family friendly. Kids can help stamp catalogs, make yummy desserts to share, mix up dip mixes and more. When marketing one-on-one, kids will often be part of that picture. You choose the level of your family's involvement.

What do you like best about your business?

The best part for me is the people I've met over the years. It is also very heart warming to hear stories from others about how their mom or grandmother used Watkins products. I've had several experiences where the discovering that Watkins is still in business today has led to new dialog in a family and the beginning of healing relationships.

What’s the hardest part about your business?

Letting go of those who say they want to work, but just won't take the action steps necessary to reach the income level they desire. I have many years of experience in this industry and I know that just wishing it will happen doesn't work. I coach all of my new folks for at least their first 6 weeks. During that time, I get to know them better and they get to know me. It's so very hard for me to have to tell some of them that their coaching time is over simply because they are not working. Even though I am very busy and have to allocate my time, I find this part of what I do the most difficult. I want everyone to succeed even if they don't want it enough themselves to do what is necessary. LOL

How much does it cost initially? What is the refund policy? Ongoing expenses? Hostess gifts?

Watkins offers 4 different business assortments starting at $49.95 and going to $399.99. Each assortment has it's own purpose. The larger assortments contain more products that are included at an extra 5% discount. Two of the assortments include a Watkinsonline web site where you can create your own stories. You can still sell online without a Watkinsonline web site by giving your customers your ID#. You can receive a refund on any of our assortments by returning it in unused condition within 30 days. All other Watkins products carry a 100% Satisfaction guarantee for a year - although I've had Watkins accept a return for products older than that.

Ongoing expenses depend on how you work your business. You will need business cards, catalogs, samples, etc. The good news about business expenses is that they are a tax deduction. You can also deduct a portion of your home expenses if you have a room exclusively for your business. Currently the Associate chooses and funds the hostess gifts. Watkins will be introducing a new program this year at our convention in July of 2003 so that may change.

Watkins Banner

How much commission or compensation do you receive? How do you advance to leadership?

Watkins compensation plan fairly rewards all associates for the work they do. Income on personal sales runs between 25% and 39% of retail while income on those you sponsor runs anywhere between 5% & 10%. There is also a Rewards program where you can earn free prizes just by working your business. During the year, Watkins may offer special prizes and trips that can also be earned by working your business.

You advance to leadership by generating 2000 for 2 months in a row. Currently you do not need to sponsor to do this, it can be done all on your own. You build your leadership team by sponsoring others who reach the leadership level with you.

What is a realistic show sales average or monthly sales average?

A realistic show would be $300. If you did 2 a week, that would be $2400 a month and your income would be approximately $936 just on your efforts alone. If you had just 4 other people doing that, your income would increase even more.

Do you keep your own inventory and make deliveries?

That is a personal choice. Some Watkins Associates do that and reap the tax benefits and the benefits of personal customer service. Some choose to have all product shipped directly to the customer from our headquarters in Winona, Minnesota or Winnipeg, Manitoba

What’s the minimum requirement to stay active?

You must place an order of any size at least once every 6 months.

What skills and experience is required? What kind of training do you receive when joining?

Those who succeed are willing to learn people skills. Every Watkins Assortment comes with our System for Success and I work a minimum of 6 weeks with each person using our Step by Step Coaching system. After the 6 weeks, the training level depends on the person. Some are content with our email list, some move on to Watkins Way to Manager, some continue the calls on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Training and support is a very individualized area.

How are your products or services sold? Can you sell online? Can you advertise online? What are the restrictions for selling?

Watkins utilizes the following sales methods
One-on-one
Party plan
Fairs & Shows
Fundraisers
Online

You can sell online through Watkins corporate web site our your own Watkinsonline web site. You can advertise online or offline and may use the Watkins name and logo.
Restrictions- You may not sell Watkins from any web site other than a Watkinsonline site and you may not sell Watkins at permanent locations such as stores.

What else would you like people to know about your business?

I got hooked on Watkins because the quality of the product line was so much better than any thing else I had tried. Quality combined with excellent pricing made this the company for me. I don't ask people to buy something new, I just let them purchase items they normally buy - but now they can enjoy higher quality. I love that Watkins products are consumable so people come back over and over. It allows me to build relationships with my customers.

 

For more information or to sign up for this opportunity, use the contact information provided at the top!

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