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AIBU?

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Original poster

To consider becoming a Stella & Dot Stylist?

98 replies

DriveMeMad · 04/10/2015 19:10

Is it totally naff? Will I become a complete pest getting people to do trunk shows? Will people think I've been brainwashed/conned?

It seems like it would work well for us as a bit of extra income whilst I work PT in my "career" job. The upfront costs are ok, there seems to be a relatively easy exit strategy if you don't like it whereby you can recoup any investment, the support from other S&D members seems very positive and useful.

I've always thought direct/pyramid selling is a bit crap but there's something about this that ticks all my boxes. DH is supportive too. I'm on the verge of signing up. Yet I'm really unsure of what friends and family will say/think. My self-confidence is a bit low atm plus I'll need to rope them in to host parties so it does kind of matter what they think........

OP posts:
MotiSen · 04/10/2015 19:43

Do you like S&D products? If yes, that will make it easier. Would you be wearing some of their jewelry at times? That might make it easier to bring up the subject. Like, a conversation starter if you are wearing a nice piece they like, too. A woman at my son's school is doing it - and parents seem to like to attend because they like the jewelry. If it were Amway or Avon, that might be a different story. Can you picture your target audience liking the S&D jewelry?

fastdaytears · 04/10/2015 19:46

How much of your income will be based on sales and how much on recruiting other sellers. No issue with the former at all.

annandale · 04/10/2015 19:57

Had a look at their stuff and actually after I'd had a good search, I found some things that I did like, though it's very pricey for me and I have never spent that much on non-wedding jewellery.

I agree with fastday - also, how much of your own money do you have to invest in stock? It took me a lot of scrolling to find the things I liked and if you had to carry that sort of range you'd be bankrupt??

chickentothefox · 04/10/2015 20:00

I've thought about this too, but not sure I know enough people who would spend that much money on jewellery that often.

Duckdeamon · 04/10/2015 20:03

I don't know how their business model works but it's disingenuous of it to call the role "stylist", it's sales. The stuff is really very pricey full price, so imagine you'd need access to lots of women with plenty of money to spend. Have bought a few things in the sale online and quality seems OK.

cardibach · 04/10/2015 20:04

I've no idea what one is. >

Duckdeamon · 04/10/2015 20:05

A lot of it seems to be a certain "house of colour" type palette, that only suits some people. Eg very little silver coloured metals or bright red, blue.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 04/10/2015 20:06

I know someone who does it, the products are nice and some quite unusual but I was Shock when I saw the prices, it's not the sort of money I would spend on impulse on something at a party.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 04/10/2015 20:07

x-posted, yes to not much silver, a lot of people seem to favour white metal nowadays, so they're missing a trick there.

fiorentina · 04/10/2015 20:08

I think it depends on your personality type, are you a natural sales and marketing person, with a flare for style? I've been to a couple of parties with different 'stylists'. The second was far more salesy, was promoting joining her team and getting everyone very involved with her pitch. I think they have some nice stuff but it's expensive for every day, I've bought more original pieces on the high street but if your area has a high disposable income as ours does, I'm sure it could be worth it.

wizzywig · 04/10/2015 20:09

Personally, Accesorize is much cheaper so thats why i havent signed up myself

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 04/10/2015 20:11

I love their stuff and would happily buy loads for myself regardless of signing up.

My area is pretty affluent with an active 'yummy mummy' mentality and I know a lot of people locally so think I could make a good go of it (once I'd worked up the nerve of course). I've got some creative ideas of how to sell and market the items and think I could get my teeth into it. If I'm going to do it, I think now would be a good time what with Christmas round the corner!

I'm just so anxious/nervous of telling people. I don't think they'd expect it from me.

The extra income would be nice but is by no means essential.

OP posts:
Pinkponiesrock · 04/10/2015 20:12

One of my friends is a stylist and does well at it but my goodness the stuff is expensive although admittedly very good quality. However I think a lot of people get a shock at the prices.

IguanaTail · 04/10/2015 20:12

I wouldn't. A couple of my friends do and it's so awkward trying to tell them that I don't want to buy their stuff. Mixes business and pleasure in my opinion.

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 04/10/2015 20:15

duck I never imagine calling myself a stylist! It's the S&D terminology... I have had my colours done by HOC and can see lots for my season, but lots for other seasons too, I think there is a good variety actually...

who see I think gold is a bit more popular these days!

OP posts:
Oysterbabe · 04/10/2015 20:16

I seriously hate it when my friends try and flog me stuff. I have one pestering me about make up and another aloe vera just now.

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 04/10/2015 20:19

I think the idea is that you start by hosting your own trunk show, inviting friends and family, then you encourage them to host their own. They get freebies, you (the stylist) get commission. You then encourager their guests to hold a truck show so you gradually love away from people you know and get others to do the hosting.

I too would be more comfortable once I'd reached people out of my immediate circle of friends. And I think that's another reason I'm feeling unsure - I'd kind of need my nearest and dearest to support me initially and I don't want to be a pest.

OP posts:
Incandescentage · 04/10/2015 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

alicemalice · 04/10/2015 20:23

Honestly, I've been asked by a couple of friends to support them get started in stuff like this and it made me really uncomfortable. To the point I avoided them a little for a while as I just felt that's all that wanted to talk to me about.

I really don't like all these companies that get people to tap up their friends for business.

Incandescentage · 04/10/2015 20:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 04/10/2015 20:27

Well a couple of friends have been to nights where S&D people have been there and they've bought stuff and been impressed so I'd hope they would like the idea of hosting to get some freebies.

I dunno. I'm tempted to run it by some of them but I'm feeling quite pumped at the idea and worried they'll burst my bubble... Though I guess it could save me a few hundred quid!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
DriveMeMad · 04/10/2015 20:29

It's the same model as Tupperware parties, avon, body shop etc.

It is a bit dated I guess but it seems to be working for lots of people.....

OP posts:
fastdaytears · 04/10/2015 20:36

Avon used to be that model but is apparently much more about recruitment of other sellers now.

The whole party thing is fine if it works in your area. It wouldn't be my way of spending money but I'm probably just antisocial! I looked up the S&D stuff just now and I like it, I just prefer to shop in my PJs in from of the TV.

The problem is where there is pressure to recruit and that's where most of the money comes from. That's where people think you're exploiting friends and family. There's an MLM thread on here that might help you assess whether that's why S&D do or whether it's all products.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 04/10/2015 20:36

Yellow gold may be regaining market share but it still seems a bit short-sighted to limit your market as silver/white coloured metal is very popular. I don't wear yellow gold at all and probably never will, it doesn't suit me at all.

kickassangel · 04/10/2015 20:42

I live in the US where this kind of selling is fairly common. To really make a go of it, you need to be prepared to travel. I've been to 'parties' where the sales rep has travelled for an hour to get there, and that seems quite normal. Look at a map and draw a circle around the area you'd cover if you travelled up to an hour in any direction - are there several towns where you could host parties? Do you have connections in any of them? Are there other reps already established who will have filled the market?

You also need to be able to make connections between different groups of people - you ideally want several 'circles' of friends who you could host parties for, e.g. mums from school, mums from church, mums from football, whatever. That way you start by hosting several parties, then try to get one or two people from each group to host their own, and invite people from outside of that initial group, so that you keep widening your circle of contacts.

On average, about once every third or fourth party you'll get a person who wants to host their own. You then try to find someone there who'll host another etc. You constantly have to build up your client base, so that you have ever widening circles of people to sell to.

If all of that sounds possible for you, then go for it.