3 Misconceptions of Direct Sales

There are a lot of commonly held beliefs about direct sales businesses (maybe based on people’s memories of those ‘household names’ that started decades ago). But today’s modern social selling companies, like the new Creative Memories, are breaking the old rules and seeing tremendous success because of it. Here are the NEW truths behind 3 common misconceptions…

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Meet Us Monday: Susan Raygor

Have you ever sent an email to customerservice@creativememories.com?  Or made a phone call to Customer Service?  If so, you would have been blessed with a return call or message from Susan.  Susan’s calm demeanor, and constant smile are always “visible” in all she does.  Susan has been with Creative Memories for 16 years.  14 of those years have been in Customer Service.

Susan LOVES getting to be the contact for Advisors and Customers alike.  She loves that every conversation she has is something new.

Susan works with the entire awesome staff here from collating sticker packs, building straps, processing returns and replying to emails and phone messages, there is never a dull moment!

“The team here is really special – so much fun alongside the hard work.”

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Susan’s family consists of her husband Tim (of 30+ years), 3 Children and 1 Grandson!

She loves spending time together on the lakes and rivers with her family and friends.

She loves kayaking, hiking, gardening and of course scrapbooking!  Her parents have a lake home so her family enjoys the lake every chance they get.

Meet Us Monday: Dan Perlinger

Hey all!  My name is Dan Perlinger, and I am the Operations Team Lead for Creative Memories.

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I joined the company in March 1995 and my first duties were picking and packing orders in the shipping department on 2nd shift.  Being raised on a farm in rural Minnesota, it was easier work than picking rock or baling hay and the hours fit perfectly into my class schedule at Saint Cloud State University.  After 2 ½ months we added a 3rd shift in shipping and I was approached to be a Team Lead responsible for training the new staff.  “Sure, I’ll do it!”  The Spring Semester had just ended, so I gladly accepted the position until classes resumed in the fall. I was majoring in Operations Management and CM seemed like a great place to work until I completed college.  Before I knew what was happening, three years had passed and I advanced three more times in the shipping department.  At that point, the light bulb went on that CM was a great match for what I wanted in a future career.

In 1999 I graduated from SCSU while Creative Memories continued growing exponentially each year. Many employees grew right along with CM accepting the challenges, learning new skills, and gaining advancement opportunities along the way.  The years, Showcase Marketplaces, system implementations, company adaptations, and employee faces continued to fly by.

I was honored in 2014 when asked to join the employees responsible for bringing in the new Creative Memories and looked forward to the challenge.  I am privileged to be a part of the Operations Team which consists of just 11 members with diverse personalities, communication styles, and skill sets.  Our biggest task involved moving and setting up all the product manufacturing equipment, warehouse racking, inventory, and building a pick to light distribution system in a new facility.  November was the target CM launch, so we had only a matter of months to accomplish these goals.  Impossible you think?  Ha!  Not with this team!  Although communication may have become “colorful” at times, those diverse personalities took the challenge head on and let their skills shine through.  It was felt throughout the facility when Operations built and shipped their first albums that November hitting the intended CM launch date.

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As we march forward continuing our mission to provide quality products in an accurate and timely manner, we challenge each other to improve internal processes and also our team.  Each member came on board with specific areas of expertise that we continue sharing to make us stronger as a whole.  I am proud to be a part of such a great team and an exciting company!

Outside of work I strive to put “Mr. Serious” away and find ways to relax.  I am a 10 year WBT member at Old Chicago and recently completed my 50th World Tour.  Being a huge sports fan, it is a perfect environment to watch the game or swing by after work and talk to the locals.  We schedule many fun events during the year such as a charity golf tournament, group buses to catch Vikings, Twins, and Wild games along with a smaller group visiting Vikings Training Camp in Mankato.

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The favorite place for me to relax is at the land that my family still owns from when we used to farm.  Now it’s used for recreation rather than work with awesome trails cut throughout the property for 4-wheeling or just going on a nature walk to take photos.

Mom and I celebrate Mother’s Day weekend there and I also invite friends out several times a year including our Annual Snowshoeing Weekend that my 71-year-old Mother still participates in!

 

If you made it this far, congratulations and thanks for reading my rant!  Ha, ha, ha!  Here’s to a bright future!

Meet Us Monday: Carrie Hyopponen

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In a past life, Carrie had a cabin nestled up in the woods on the MN North Shore, miles away from crowds of people.

Her cabin was equipped with a professional grade kitchen and her own library that had one of those tall slidey ladder thingys and a wall of windows overlooking the water.

She cared for a herd of cats and would spend her days making art.

She would eat as much pizza and buttered toast as she wanted because she wasn’t allergic to gluten or dairy.

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Meet Us Monday (On Tuesday): Lynn Kelzenberg

When I am not looking after the system to ensure it is up and running 24/7 for your business, I am working on new systems enhancements for you and your customers ordering experiences as well as your Advisor Back Office offerings.

The launch of the Canada & Australia websites and more recently auto renewals are some of the bigger projects I have worked on.  And many more on the horizon.

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Meet Us Monday: John Falle

I am the president of CM Canada holdings Inc. I have had the privilege of being been part of this Creative Memories comeback story with Caleb and our remarkable St. Cloud team from the very beginning.  As a proud Canadian, it warms my heart to see the Canadian Advisers and Customers embracing the new Creative Memories. It is a pleasure to work with you every day to grow your businesses and spread our Mission in Canada.

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Meet Us Monday: Diane Lampert

Hello! My name is Diane Lampert and I am in a new Advisor Services role.

My relationship with Creative Memories started in 1996 when I signed as a Consultant. I loved it and excitedly built a team for twelve months and reached Senior Unit Leader. Then our family had a transfer to Australia in 1997, where I had the opportunity to meet hundreds more people and rebuild my business. Now, almost 20 years later I’m thrilled to be back in the U.S. and part of the new CM getting to do what I love best: helping others succeed.

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Meet Us Monday: Mark Lerud-President

Many of you ask about who it is that does this or that here at Home Office.

There are a lot of talented individuals that help support the Advisors, and ultimately bring you the top notch scrapbooking supplies you use.

Beginning today, and then each Monday going forward- we will introduce you to one of our employees who help make this CM world go round!

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Your Biz, Your Way.

Creative Memories Independent Advisor LogoCM Advisor Stefani Jones did a little digging for us to find out exactly how other Advisors run their businesses. We love the variety, the flexibility and the opportunity to make this business fit into anyone’s lifestyle. If you’re interested in learning more about the opportunity, visit our website. Thanks for such a great post, Stef!

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It’s a Thursday afternoon. I’m wrapping up at my full-time job and texting tonight’s host to let her know how pumped I am to come teach a card class at her house in a few hours.

After I tie up some loose ends and log off my work email account, I’m looking through my card class checklist. I’ll get the supplies and tools I need, pack them into my car, and head out soon so I can help my host and her four guests create the cards I’ve designed using fantastic CM tools and papers. Click to read full post