For Arbonne Representatives-I'm considering becoming one, but don't know if i should?

[Kooter]

I'm a nursing student, I could definitely make time for this 1-2 times per week. It's not something I want to be a main source of income. How much product do I have to sell per month and what is the best (cheapest way for me to get in??) by that I mean would I be better off to approach someone I know to get in or to go to a party and buy a cheapish item and tell them I'm interested in joining? If there is anything random about it you would like to share, please feel free to.

Thank you.

[neonstring]

A quick look at Google makes it seem pretty suspicious. (Check out how many hits you get if you search for the words "Arbonne" and "scam." Also "Arbonne" and "hoax.")

[Natalie]

I'm an Independent Consultant with Arbonne and can certainly share with you my experience which may help you decide.

When my best friend in LA first mentioned Arbonne to me, I was intrigued too, because I have four children and was looking for something I could devote time to once or twice a week (like I have time for anything else, right?!) that I could earn extra money from - but that had potential to grow bigger if I chose to invest more time.

But when I started Googling the company - doing my due diligence as any potential business owner should - I was a little concerned about the Company's restructuring that took place last year, as well as the many disgruntled voices on blogs and such whose experience was very negative.

However I couldn't get two things out of my head;

1. The RE9 range my friend sent me was just great. I'm 37 with what I thought was dry skin. Having used Clarins and Dr Hauschka most of my life, I was expecting to break out or something with the Arbonne, and when I first used the RE9 Cleanser I hated the smell, so I was very sceptical. But after a day I noticed a difference, and by the third day I was squeezing out as little as possible from those tiny samples so it would last as long as possible! The kicker was when I went back to my old skin care and my skin suddenly felt like I'd cleansed it with paint stripper. So I couldn't get the results out of my mind.

2. The reason there is so much vitriol out there - for ANY direct selling company mind you - is because people go in with completely false expectations. They don't realize that it's a business, and in any business (from Walmart to the local newsagent) you have to sell. It's not fast money, it's an opportunity to create your own private franchise where you sell product to people without a middle man like a department store. You have to be comfortable with following a system, be prepared to do things you might feel awkward about, face a little rejection and just put in the work in a smart way. Too many people buy loads of product then don't do anything to actually sell it.

Start it like a business - sensibly - and Arbonne is a brilliant investment. The women it attracts are a very specific kind of person - dynamic, motivated, ethically-aware (Vegan, no animal testing, no toxic stuff, you know the drill) and they are incredibly generous. Within hours of joining I had emails from my entire upline (women in Canada, UK and the US!) congratulating me, sending me love and support. It was hugely reassuring.

Know your target market. Learn how to qualify people so you're using your time wisely. And just do it. Because it's not 'get rich quick', but how many franchise opportunities could you buy that will give you a $30K a month income in only 2 years? That's what this is - a franchise with a turn-key system, just like a MacDonald's, but without the massive licence fees and overheads.

If you wanted to join I would suggest approaching someone you know who has already joined - my friend is in LA and I'm in Brisbane (and her sponsor is in the UK and her sponsor is in Toronto!) so don't feel you have to stick to someone in the same city or even country as you. (The web makes so much possible now.) They will be able to give you everything you need to start well.

BTW they have just simplified the joining process this week so you'll be pleasantly surprised at that.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have or point you in the direction of a Canadian-based Consultant who could meet with you. Just send me a DM on Twitter to @NataliePeluso.

All the best and good luck,

Natalie