Coaching the Repeat Hostess

Over the weekend I got an email from one of our best Sales Reps, very upset about her Friday night party. An hour only, she drives up to a completely dark house, and obviously no one was home. She was really upset since this would have this hostess’s 6th Fantasia party– she was obviously a fabulous hostess and this should have just been another great party!

But that wasn’t the reason why she was so upset. The real reason? She was mad at herself!

Yes, she was mad at herself because she knew what really went wrong! She ASSUMED her hostess knew all there was to know about hosting the party, and ASSUMED that she would remember all there was to inviting and reconfirming, and she ASSUMED that the hostess didn’t need reminder calls, including the one the day before her party. She didn’t want to impose, to repeat herself, blah blah blah.

You know, you can’t assume anything when it comes to your business, especially when it comes to someone hosting a party for you. You can’t assume they know what to say to their guests, what kind of party/atmosphere to provide, about punctuality, about refreshments and goodies, about over inviting, payment, delivery, plus all the other little important details.

Lesson learned? Just because you said something once doesn’t mean the message has been sent, received, understood OR REMEMBERED. The time you invest in short phone calls before each booked party comes back to you in HUNDREDS of dollars. This is investment in time is one you cannot afford to skip!

“Hello Jane? I’m so excited about your party coming up in 2 weeks! Tell me about your guest list, how many do you have coming so far…oh, great! That’s a good start…let me remind you about…”

—Rina Valan

2 Comments

Diane Lapinski August 17, 2010

You’re one smart lady, Rina, and an inspiration.
Rina Valan August 17, 2010

Thanks for taking the time Diane–I appreciate you!

Once upon a time, in 1984, a woman named Rina Valan was frustrated about the limits placed on women in the business world and in their personal relationships. Back then, you literally had one choice: raise a family or have a career. In addition, if women complained of lack of pleasure with a partner, it was just assumed she was ‘frigid.’ Those choices were just not acceptable to Rina, and so her mission because clear to be that champion for the financial and personal well-being of women and their partners. With a $10,000 loan from her mother and drawing out all her cash advances on credit cards, in August 1984 Rina started Fantasia Home Parties in a small dusty warehouse in Elizabeth, NJ. She loved her 3 year old daughter so much that she could not bear to leave her with a sitter, so she took her to work every day. In the evenings would train new consultants so they could sell at home parties and be able to support their families AND be there to take care of them too. Today, Rina and her daughter, Emily, still work side by side. So 30 years later, Fantasia Home Parties stands as the pioneer and leader in romance home parties. As one of the founding member of CAHPA (Certified Adult Home Party Association), Fantasia continues to forge the trail and we make it possible for women to be equals in matters of the heart, personal pleasure, or providing income for themselves and family. Some of us do it in pink high heels or sneakers, some are single or married, some are single moms, or some of us are even taking care of own moms. With over 33 years of executive experience in the Home Party and Direct Selling business, her personal attention and real life experience is the backbone of our team. It is not unusual that she shares her working experience daily by coaching and with personal support with both new and experienced consultants.

2 Comments

Rina Valan, President and Founder of Fantasia Home Parties