Posted on 5 Comments

ALL our Christmas Cards are charity cards!

reindeer stable christmas cards are charity

Charity Christmas CardsYou may not know this but most wholesalers don’t give a percentage of their profits from the Christmas cards they make to charities. Flamingo Paperie are different. For every Christmas card sold the Phoenix International Charity donates 1p to charity. They have so far donated over £1.8m to good causes. Our Christmas cards are charity cards.

Every single one of Flamingo Paperie’s Christmas cards are charity cards.

Just to clarify – this is the donation from the wholesaler, not the donation from the retailer. When you look at the back of Christmas card packs you’ll usually see the donation made by the retailer. In the case of the cards I sell, I am the retailer!

So do I make a donation to charity?

Yes! Nearly every event I attend is a charity event. Whether it’s the stall fee or a raffle prize there is nearly always a charitable donation made (this is for any event, not just Christmas ones). I also do loads of fundraising events for local charities. For example a gift wrapping evening for a local church women’s group. At an event like this I donate a minimum of 10% of all sales (not just Christmas cards) to their charity of choice.

Businesses who wish to buy cards for sending corporately this Christmas can choose which charity they would like their 10% to go to. I can do this through justgiving.com so I can link your company to the donation.

Individuals who wish to hold an individual event, like a coffee and cards, can choose to donate 10% of the total sales to a charity of their choice.

Hopefully this helps to explain a little how Flamingo Paperie Christmas cards don’t just look good, but do good!

If you are from the Western Isles you will be interested to know that the wholesale charity donation from all UK sales of Phoenix’s Christmas cards in 2016 benefitted local charity Hebrides Project Alpha. I successfully nominated them as one of the chosen charities for Christmas 2016. They received £150 from the Phoenix International Charity.

I nominated local Beavers and Cubs from Laxdale to receive a donation from Flamingo Paperie’s 2017 Christmas Cards.

Posted on Leave a comment

You don’t have to be crazy!

Why would you think we’re crazy anyway?! Join Phoenix today and you’ll find out that we are all different and all doing our business our way.Phoenix Trading training and support provided

What is a Phoenix Trader?

OK, so we wrap presents with matching tags and ribbons. We see our Christmas products in June and we love cake. Can you handle that?

Seriously though, we are all self-employed, independent Phoenix Traders running a business or a hobby whichever way suits us. You don’t need to have any experience just enthusiasm and a love of beautiful cards or a stationery addiction helps!

For anything else you need to know there is full training and support available when you join Phoenix.

Phoenix Trading offer a 90 day email getting started support programme and online webinars. I try and have regular face to face meetings with my team (with cake!) and if that’s not possible due to geography then I’m available for phonecalls, emails or whatever suits you best. We have regular online meetings via Facebook and some of my team like to Skype. Phoenix Trading hold roadshows twice a year in Jan/Feb and June/July (where we see the Christmas things!). Phoenix will send you monthly newsletters to keep you up to date with the latest developments.

No one will force you to attend any meetings, if you’re not on Facebook, it’s not compulsory but the support is there if you want it. However, it’s your business and it’s up to you how much you tune in to the support available. I do find that my team members who listen and share most with me and their fellow team are the most successful but it’s your choice.

This month I also have a special Golden Ticket! The first person to join my team between now and the end of the month will receive extra products free in their start up stock pack.

You will get a basic free website when you join Phoenix. You can choose to upgrade this to an ecommerce website for a one-off fee of £15.

However, join Phoenix in January 2017 and you’ll get this upgrade for free. This means people can buy direct from your website and you don’t even need to handle any stock.

Contact me now for more information, or join here.

STATUTORY NOTICE

It is illegal for a promoter or participant in a trading scheme to persuade anyone to make a payment by promising benefits for getting others to join a scheme. Do not be misled by claims that high earnings are easily achieved.

Flexible, work from home, Phoenix cards

Posted on 3 Comments

Can I make money at this?

join flamingo paperie direct selling cards

I must get asked this question so often by people considering joining my team of Independent Flamingo Partners. My answer to this question probably applies not just to Flamingo Paperie direct selling but to all direct sales opportunities and possibly to all businesses too.

In short, yes, you can make money from this but – Fast car, get rich quick

How much you make depends on how much you’re prepared to put in.

I don’t believe there is any get-rich-quick-with-little-effort scheme. Flamingo Paperie direct selling is no exception.

To build any successful business you need to invest time and effort, a lot of positive mental attitude and probably some wise financial outlay.

Time and effort

Don’t expect to start your new business with a new personal online shopping website and for people you’ve never met to suddenly purchase huge amounts from your website without ever seeing the product or having a recommendation from someone who has.

People need to see a product between 3-7 times before they will make a purchase and they are more likely to purchase based on a recommendation of someone they know and trust.

So if you’re not prepared to repeat a sales activity at least 3 times then it’s probably not worth doing. It takes time.

Positive Mental Attitude

You will need to be determined. People will say no, it happens. Are you prepared to ask someone else? The more you ask, the more ‘nos’ you will get but you will also get some ‘yes-es’ and if you don’t ask you won’t get the nos but you certainly won’t get the yes answers either.

People aren’t really buying the products, they are buying you. Customers need to trust you before they will buy.

If they already know the product then they might trust you because of the trust they already have with the brand you’re selling but if they don’t know the product then they have to trust you first. That’s why when new Traders start in my team I always suggest they begin with an at home launch event with friends. Coffee and cards, at home eventThese people already trust you, they have probably already ‘seen’ your product through you talking about it so they’ve already had a ‘visit’ to your stall, even if only in their mind. It constantly amazes me the number of new Traders who refuse to do an at home event and then wonder why they struggle. If you can’t start with the people already within your trust circle you’re making it very hard for yourself to get your business going.

Money

How often do I hear people wanting to start a new at home business with no financial outlay. Often the reason is fear, not a lack of finances.

If you really want something, you’ll find the money.

Build your businessIf you’ve bought the product and you like it, then surely others will too? Most direct sales companies offer really good, heavily discounted start up stock packs. This isn’t to lure you into the business. They know that starting a business is the hardest part. However, with a good start up stock you are more likely to recoup your initial investment quickly and have repeat customers on board.

So perhaps you’ve read all this and are now thinking that Flamingo Paperie direct selling is not for you.

Well, maybe I’ve saved you a little heartache – or perhaps I’ve helped to prepare you to invest in your business. Maybe you can see the bigger picture, which is that when people who trust you, buy from you, and keep buying from you, then tell others who in turn become customers, that’s how your business grows. Perhaps now you won’t focus so much on the success or failure of an individual ‘event’. Instead you’ll see a process of growth that has many individual steps to it.

You might also be asking if there is a limit to how much money you can make? Through sales alone then yes there definitely is. At some point you’ll be so busy you’ll have to turn down events. There are only so many orders and deliveries you can make. If you want your business to grow then you need a team, a network of Partners who work with you and that you support. In return you’ll get commission from the parent company. How much, just like with your income from sales, is up to you. You can start building your team from day 1.

In direct sales every Partner has the potential to earn as much as anyone else. We all buy at the same level of discount and we call get the same commission opportunities. This is why it’s not a pyramid scheme. How much you earn depends on how much you put in. 

Find out more about Flamingo Paperie

STATUTORY NOTICE

It is illegal for a promoter or participant in a trading scheme to persuade anyone to make a payment by promising benefits for getting others to join a scheme. Do not be misled by claims that high earnings are easily achieved.

 

Posted on 2 Comments

A world of pure artistic imagination

Today I received a golden envelope in the post. Inside was a Phoenix Trading golden ticket, uniquely numbered and addressed personally to me. Sadly there was no chocolate bar beside it.

Phoenix Trading Golden Ticket

What’s more the ‘prize’ is for someone else.

Anyone who joins my team this month will get my Phoenix Trading Golden Ticket. This means you will get either £15, £30 or £75 of products free with your starter stock pack. (The amount depends which pack you choose to start with either the £35, £75 or £200).

So if you appreciate the best artistic talent, love cards and stationery and are self motivated. If you want to build your own business or just want to get your hands on great products yourself. Get in touch quickly.  I only have one ticket and the first person who meets those criteria will get it.

The ticket is valid until the end of this month so get in touch soon or take a look at my Why Phoenix? post to find out more.

Posted on Leave a comment

Cards ‘can support mentally ill’

Fabulous greeting card

It makes sense that receiving a card will lift your spirits but it seems we struggle to send cards to do just that unless there is a visible physical illness. In September we have ‘Thinking Of You’ week and on October 10th it’s World Mental Health Day.

The following article is from BBC NEWS | Health | Cards ‘can support mentally ill’.

Patients rarely receive cards or flowers when they stay in a mental health unit

People should consider sending cards and gifts to friends and family suffering with mental health problems, experts say.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists said cards and gifts were a simple way to support people with mental illness.

The college even said it may aid their recovery.

It made the plea after carrying out a poll of 131 mental health patients, which showed over half did not receive any gifts or cards when they were ill.

This compared with just a third who did not get presents the last time they were physically ill.

More than eight out of 10 of the people surveyed said receiving a “get well soon” card would help their recovery.

If anything increases feelings of isolation and unworthiness just when you’re at your lowest ebb, this does

The college is launching two of its own gift cards with the greeting: “Thinking of you at this time. Hope things improve soon.”

A spokesman said existing greeting cards often had inappropriate images and words that were not suitable for a mental health problem.

Dr Peter Byrne, chair of the college’s education committee, said: “I have worked in general and psychiatric hospitals for over 20 years, and there is no greater demonstration of the hidden prejudice against people with mental illness than the bedside lockers.

“In psychiatric units, there is barely a card or any other reminder that the outside world cares.

“People often don’t know what to do or say when a friend or relative is ill with a mental health problem – so they end up doing nothing.”

Trisha Goddard, a television presenter who has spoken about her battles with depression and breast cancer, said: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, I was inundated with ‘get well soon’ cards all of which were really touching.

“If you’re thinking I only got those cards because I’m in the public eye, let me tell you this – when I lived in Australia, I was equally in the public eye and yet when news leaked out that I was in a psychiatric hospital following a breakdown, not a peep, no cards and certainly no flowers.

“If anything increases feelings of isolation and unworthiness just when you’re at your lowest ebb, this does.”

If you’re looking for an appropriate card to send then I suggest our ‘Stay Connected pack’, ‘Good Friends are Like Stars’ or ‘Under the Weather’ or any of our floral ones, all our cards are blank inside so you don’t need to worry about an inappropriate message.

Posted on Leave a comment

If you go down to the woods today…

…you’d better be prepared for a party as it’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic Day! So I thought I’d share some ideas for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic. First of all you’ll need invitations, these by Laura Stone are perfect! soft toys inv Secondly you’ll need food and I’ve put some ideas on my Pinterest site but anything with honey is obviously a must! I’ve put a couple of ideas for activities and games on there too, love the idea of pin the bowtie on the teddy! Finally, you’ll need to send a thank you card, and this by Paula Bowles is probably my favourite, just because it’s so cute! wheelbarrows

Posted on Leave a comment

Words of Comfort

Blue Alliums

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words but in difficult situations I believe your own words are often the best. All our cards are blank on the inside for you to add your own thoughts, fond memories or reflections at those difficult times.

sympathy collageThis is just a few of my favourite cards for these situations.

What do you find helpful to read in a sympathy card? Do share in the comments below, it might help someone else who is struggling for words.

Posted on 2 Comments

Exclusive cards for exclusive businesses!

best seller pack Phoenix Trading

If you’d like to see a better range of greeting cards available locally, all high quality with stunning artwork and illustrations, at prices that are really good value – then why not stock Phoenix cards in your area?

Stunning cards from Phoenix Trading

Many people contact me from all over the world wanting to know how they can buy Phoenix cards. Well here’s the thing – they can’t – unless you sell them!

Wherever you are in the world you can now be an International Business Customer with Phoenix Trading. You can buy cards at a discounted rate and sell them on to friends, family, through your business, small shop, hairdressers, post office, etc., making a nice business for yourself – and of course having a never ending supply of fabulous, gorgeous cards for your own personal use too!

This is a great opportunity, if you love cards and want to see a better choice, quality, price of cards in your area then you can make that happen now. Registration form and full terms and conditions.

If you don’t know where to start, and what to order first, we’ve even put a pack together of some of our bestsellers to get you off to a great start.

best seller pack Phoenix Trading

However, you can’t do this if you’re in the UK, France, NZ or Australia – that’s because if you’re in these countries you have the amazing opportunity to become a Phoenix Trader and build a team of Traders around you.

Be the first in your area to stock these amazing cards, you can order now and I’m sure your friends and neighbours will thank you for it. I bet they’d love to know a ‘card lady’ they can depend on!

Full product list

Posted on Leave a comment

The Jackson Family

The Jackson Family
image

“Before I came I hadn’t heard of Rachel House. I think everyone has this image that you’re going to walk through the door into sadness and death and people crying in corners. It wasn’t until I walked through the front door that I thought “wow”. It’s smiles as soon as you enter.

Rachel House takes the stress away. I don’t have to be running around, cooking meals and sorting Mark out. It lets Morgan, Eden and Sky just be kids. When we’re here, I’m more relaxed and I know that my kids are very happy and safe. It’s just a home from home.”

Help families like the Jackson’s by buying our special butterfly basket products, or indeed anything from my shop as I’m donating 10% of all sales to CHAS

via The Jackson Family.

Posted on Leave a comment

Christmas already!

I have just been at our first Phoenix Trading Christmas roadshow. This is where all the Phoenix Traders get to see the Christmas range before it is launched in August. Of course it was great, and of course I can’t share any of the new releases with you just yet but I can share a little video of Phlicity (my flitter fairy) and I making a tissue paper pompom.

These are really easy to make and if you’ve never done one it’s a must, for adults and children alike. These are so versatile, can be used as decorations on their own or look superb added to a wrapped parcel.

Go on, give it a go!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTF0VrbhgBU]