Karen Biko is Jazzed!!

I worked in the corporate world for many years and often felt like my job was a thankless one.  I do recall that when I had worked for the same company for a whole year and that first anniversary came up I was pretty excited.  Well I was the only one.  There was not even a realization from my boss that I’d been there a year.

Even after I brought it to his attention I got a barely hear-felt “that’s great”.

This one company I ended up working with for many years.  After 5 years, the rest of the team that were hired two months ahead of me got a special Christmas 5 year recognition watch.  I was excited thinking that mine would shortly be on it’s way.  Only to be disappointed again when I was informed that they only gave out the recognition rewards at Christmas, and I would have to wait for the following year.  Then I got a gift certificate for a ‘something’ at a store.  The certificate had to be used on one item, and could not be a partial purchase (so I couldn’t even pick out a spectacular watch and pay the difference myself).  So I got a pen, but the certificate wouldn’t cover the engraving that I could have put on it.  What was I supposed to put on it “great job Karen for 5 years of hard work”…nothing like giving myself a pat on the back.

But that wasn’t all.  A  couple of years later we were at a luncheon, and out of the blue I was awarded a really great satchel with the acclimation of “congratulations Karen for three years of working with our company”…I was astonished and asked if I would get two because I had actually worked for the company for almost 7 years.  It was rather frustrating because this happened in front of all my other co-workers.  What a blunder…it made me realize that the company didn’t really care about me as an individual, and that there was less than any chance for me to grow further with the company.

Then kids came…and I left the job.

Recently I started selling Lia Sophia.  Not only do I get a chance to play with sparkly fun jewelry…but I get to work with a fantastic team of ladies.  When I started, I went to their monthly meetings where they recognized people who had top sales or had accomplished some goals with flowers and gifts.  At the time I though it was a little over the top.

But now I’ve been in the top 5 sales people within my unit for several months, and I love the recognition, the flowers, and the little gifties.  I really didn’t think it would matter…but you know, I strive to be in that top five.

Last month I hit the top 5 again and I was rewarded with a Lia Sophia calculator.  Really, it’s such a small thing…but I LOVE it!  I am so excited to have won it, and I look at here glistening on my desk (it’s nice and shiny).  It’s just waiting for me to calculate that next jewelry order, and all I can say is ‘Who’s next”….Thank you!

Love my Calculator!!

Yes yes yes, I slacked off and let November come to completion without fulfilling my 30 days of positive comments.  It has actually been kind of tough.  I know I have so much to be grateful for, but it’s frustrating when one thing after another happens to pull you down.

So a pipe burst at one of our rental properties, so we’ve been spending our time (and money) getting that all cleaned up.  Trying to get the property back in order for a tenant that is now waiting to move in.  Arg.  When it happened, it was with disbelief that I exclaimed “REALLY??”

Anyway, things are better, or shall I say my frame of mind is better.  We’ve made some decisions in regards to moving ahead and picking up the pieces.  One of the things I contimplated was going back to work full-time. Kind of a tough thing to do when I’ve been my own boss, and run my own business for the last eight years.  I don’t even know if I’d be a good employee at this point.

And how do I deal with the kids, and the business that I have running now.  What happens to the Real Estate if I’m not working on it during the days?  What happens if I can’t teach Jazzercise because I have to work.  And when do I find time to do my Artwork….or do I just put everything else on hold so that I can bring home the bacon.

So a new venture comes my way that I’ve been watching, but not wanting to take on another thing to make my life more complicated.  A full-time job for me is a tough choice, so what else can I do?  I’ve decided to start selling the Lia Sophia jewelry.  I’ve had so much fun hosting the parties, and talking to people about the stuff, why shouldn’t I take a leap and sell it.  So here I go.

It’s good to do things that you are excited about.  I love the idea of the jewelry, and it gets me out of the house and meeting people, and I love to do that.  Meeting new people and finding out what they do, is perhaps just what I need.  More of a venue to get me “out there”.

So today I have a bright outlook on things.  We are coming to the end of the year, and I’m getting my mind ready to have a positive 2011.  Bill and I will sit down and set up some goals for the year and get in gear to pull ourselves out of this slump.

Keep checking back to see our progress, and for more positive things.

Here we go again I thought, another one of those parties where you go and get introduced to another product and then you get your chequebook  out and buy stuff.  I was prepared for that.  I understand the social marketing aspect, I understand social proof, I understand we all end up buying something to help our friends. It’s sort of a ritual these days as more and more of these parties seem to constantly appear.  What I wasn’t prepared for was how much fun I had.

Times are tough right now for many people and Bill and I have been cutting back, saving our pennies, and going without many things.  So when my friend Bonnie invited me to this party, initially I thought, I cannot afford to just go buying jewelry, but then I decided maybe it was time for me to go and just do something for me. It looks like things are turning around and I do love jewelry!

So I committed and waited for the day to come, several times debating whether I made the correct decision. Finally event day was here and now there was no turning back. So not only did Bonnie have a great spread of treats for us to munch on, but the display of Jewelry hit the right spot as well.  After so long without it, I was in the mood to shop.

The Jewelry is Lia Sophia, and is new in Canada.  Our presenter Sharryll was personable, relaxed, and very excited about this line, after seeing it, I understood why!  She showed us the versatility of the pieces, and I was pleased to find that not only were they well made, but they were beautiful.  Using crystal, shells, wood, and semi-precious stones, the jewelry is not only sophisticated but fun too.  I found myself with some hard decisions on what final pieces to buy…there was so much to choose from!

That was not the only surprise for me.   I actually had fun at the party.  I’m not sure if it’s because I’m an entrepreneur, and networking has become just a part of what I do, but I enjoyed meeting the other ladies.  I enjoy finding out what people do and hearing about them.  I even met a fellow artist at the party.  She had put out her brochures about an upcoming show she is having, it’s today, so I think I will swing by it to see.

So I came to a decision.  These “parties” can be a good thing.  An opportunity to get out and meet people, share ideas, and grow.  Not to mention SHOPPING!  So yes, I will go to other events like this, and yes, I’ve booked a Lia Sophia party at my house (July) and yes, I will meet more new fun people.  Let me know if you want to come and shop…

I had such a good time at the party I still feel energized a few days later, and I can’t wait for my order to come in.  I’ve added a link to Sharryll’s webpage under Shopping, so go and take a look.  I think you will agree that the Jewelry is beautiful.

Lia Sophia Website

∞∞∞∞and that’s What Karen Biko is Jazzed about for This week of April 2010∞∞∞∞