Cool Careers - Jewellery Sales Representative

Interview with Lorie Tokola: Star Director, Independent Silpada Designs Representative, Silpada Designs, Fine Sterling Silver Jewellery, ON

"I love that this is a 'fun and happy business' type of work."

1. How would you describe what you do?

There are three services that I offer: (1) exquisite fine hand crafted jewellery for purchase; (2) jewellery that I provide for free to people who wish to host their own show and (3) I offer a life changing business opportunity.

Most of my business is via home parties where we have no presentation – the host is rewarded with free jewellery. I provide the jewellery as well as bring the business opportunity to the party attendees. For those interested in joining my team I recruit, train, support and empower them to be successful in their business.

2. How did you get started?

I have 17 years experience in the direct sales industry. I had been with a company that closed its doors and decided to go into the corporate world, managing retirement residences. After a couple of years working 24\7 in that industry, I returned to my original profession as a critical care registered nurse. However, I found that I was really missing the kind of lifestyle I had that came from working in direct sales. I found that I was looking for something that would allow me to earn as much as possible in a shortest amount of time – I had two boys to put through university. While I enjoyed the work of nursing, the opportunity to earn the type of money I was seeking was just not there.
I mentioned to people that I was looking for “something more” and soon someone approached me who explained what was involved in the Silpada Designs Sterling Silver Jewellery business. Within 15 minutes I knew it was a match made in heaven for me! I went forward, filled in the paperwork, picked out my display samples and I was in business.
Once I had my samples I did five home shows within the first two weeks – got a return on my initial investment and became a profitable business!

3. What do you like and dislike about what you do?

 I have to say, I love it all. There isn’t really anything I dislike. I love the fact that I am my own boss. I love the fact that there is flexibility and that I can set my own hours. I love that I can work as much or as little as I want and that I get to decide when and if I want to give myself a pay raise. I like the ability to earn trips and travel to exotic destinations around the world. I love the jewellery and the opportunity to meet lots of people from all different walks of life – developing friendships I would not otherwise have made simply because this business is very social. I love that this is a “fun and happy business” type of work. I also like the ability to make a positive difference in someone else’s life. Most people don’t associate “making a difference” to this type of direct sales/party-plan business – but I have witnessed very shy women emerge as powerful, successful business owners.
I am also a part of the “sandwich” generation – I have responsibility for my children as well as my aging parents. This business has allowed me to work at my shows at night while being a patient advocate during the day to my aging parents as they experienced significant illness and needed support navigating through the health care system.
I do find it to be eye-opening and frustrating with the number of women I come in contact with who have been socialized into believing that being successful in business is beyond their reach. I believe that low self-esteem among women is epidemic. I find it very sad – and yet I am very happy to have a business opportunity that can help women overcome theses challenges and make a positive difference in their lives.

4. How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

We get a 30% commission on everything that gets sold. I pay myself immediately. I can also earn bonus overrides when my teams and I meet certain monthly targets.

5. What education or skills are needed to do this?

What is needed is to have a sincere desire to succeed and a positive attitude. Communication skills are also important. As women, most of us are naturally good at prioritizing and organizing, although we often don’t give ourselves credit for these skills. I have seen people with various levels of education succeed in this business – as long as they have the desire to succeed.

6. What is most challenging about what you do?

 The most challenging thing about what I do, I would have to say, is that people may tend to work harder for someone else than they do for themselves. When you are your own boss, you have to try and be a good employee for yourself too. Being the best that you can be, consistently and with persistence.

7. What is most rewarding?

The fact that I have been able to provide a positive role model for my children is most rewarding! I have role modeled a great work ethic, achievement and demonstrated high levels of reward. My kids have been watching the whole time – and as two young men, they are now goal setters, achievers and have great attitudes. I know that they will be great in whatever they choose as well, and that’s a result of this business.

8. What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

Just go for it! Give it a shot! Determine your reasons why and then put a plan in place. Give yourself every opportunity to succeed by immersing yourself in training and in coaching with your recruiter and upline leader. Set your goals and then act on them. The sky is the limit!

9. What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

 Well, people often say “Oh, is that like a little Tupperware thing?” It’s interesting – the people that I meet never in their wildest imagination would think that I earn (on average) more than 4 times what they do. They have the perception that these party-plan based businesses are not serious bonafide businesses. That’s ok. For the people who do come into this business and take it seriously they can earn up to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. It’s just that most don’t take the potential of this type of business seriously – however I do see a shift happening in society recently.

10. What are your goals/dreams for the future?

My goals and dreams... I would love to have the opportunity to be a part of making Silpada Designs an iconic brand. I would love to see it as a household name. I would love to see my organization blossom from just under 1000 people to over 5000 across Canada! I would love to continue to help make other people’s dreams come true.
I have personal income goals, sales and recruitment goals – but at the end of the day, it is more important to have constant growth that takes precedent over a particular goal. Goals are finite – if you experience continual growth it is a way to continually succeed. My ultimate goal is to continually grow, personally, professionally, and I would love to see my team have a $10 Million year in sales production! After only a couple of years we’re already half way there!

11. What else would you like people to know about what you do?

As a two time cancer survivor I am very focused on living in the moment. Being my own boss allows me to do this. It also saw me through significant illness – maintaining an income and having the time I needed to heal.
The company was founded by Bonnie Kelly and Teresa Walsh, two stay-at-home moms in 1997 in the U.S. and Silpada came to Canada in 2008. Our Canadian operations are headquartered in Mississauga, ON. I was one of the first Canadian Independent Silpada Designs Representatives!
To start a career with Silpada Designs, there’s no job interview, no resume needed and you never have to worry about being laid off. It is up to each individual to determine how much they want to invest in their business and how much they want to work on their business. We do not carry inventory and our investment is in the jewellery we wear and what we bring to our parties. On average, representatives earn $375 per show and we have the highest party sales average of any other party sales company in Canada. It’s about making the most amount of money in the least amount of time. I know this is real – I am living it.

Thank you, Lorie, for sharing your career with Challenge Factory! To learn more about other careers in the series please go to our Cool Careers section of our website.