This month I celebrate ten years in direct sales. I started in one company, and joined another one about 10 months later and then was in another one for a while in the middle. Never all three at the same time though. Anyway, ten years total in direct sales. In those ten years, I have learned quite a few things. Here are just a few.

Number one – direct sales work for me. When I work for me.

I have worked direct sales all ways….no time, spare time, hobby time, part time and full time. And every time I truly set my mind to a goal, worked smart, and listened to people who were I wanted to be, I was able to achieve it. Or at least come close to it and achieve something else that I wasn’t even sure that I wanted. When I work, it works.

Number two – customers make great friends.

Over the years I have had hundreds, maybe into the thousands, of customers. And some of them have become dear friends. There is something powerful about going into someone’s house and offering wares that can make a friendship bond. Not always, but when it does, it is sweet.

Number three – friends don’t always have to be customers.

I have learned that if my friends do not want what I am selling, it does not mean they do not want me. True friends understand that I run a business. I understand that not everybody needs what I am selling. I absolutely love when my friends are customers. But I also love my friends who aren’t.

Number four – lean on people who are where you want to be.

It is silly to ask advice from someone who has no experience getting what it is you want. I have found this very much applies to “the real world” also. If you want to drive a pink Cadillac, ask someone who just earned one. If you want to go on the big trip your company offers, ask someone who has been before. If you want more adventure in your life, ask someone who adventures all the time. It does no good to ask someone you don’t want to trade places with for a plan on how to get where you want to go.

Number five –  being your own boss rocks.

I absolutely love being able to set my own hours, work as much or as little as I want, decide how to invest in myself and my business. Sometimes it is hard when I make choices that aren’t best for my business. But, wowza, when I make good choices, it is just the best.

Number six – business money is business money.

It is tempting – and I fully admit I have done it – to mix business money with personal money or credit. I’m not talking about initial start up or buying your own personal use products. I’m talking about using your personal money or credit to unnecessarily fund your direct sales business or using your business money to fund your personal wants. It sounds like a great idea –“oh if only could order just a little more, I can get this which will certainly make my business better”. “Oh I NEED that for my business and it is not big deal to just put a little more on my credit card”. “I need that new book, I’m out of my regular money and my business account won’t miss twenty bucks”. But running an inventory-based direct sales business with just your business money builds integrity, self confidence and an honest business. Pay yourself a real paycheck by watching your real profits from your business. That is much more rewarding than the extra little bonus you get for ordering a little more or buying that little goodie you had to have out of your inventory money.

These are just a few of the many lessons I have learned. I’ve made a ton of mistakes; maybe you have learned something different. Please comment below if you have learned anything from direct sales, or if you have anything else to add.