A diary of a slimming world consultant

[emmylc]

I total welcome all the honest comments - that's exactly what I'm here for, please keep them coming! This thread is a god send in my opinion and from what I've seen in my research on the subject, it is totally unique in the level of detail people are providing about what's involved.

After reading this I felt I was much better prepared going into the opportunity event and could use the time effectively to ask questions that may not have sprung to mind until after the event. I'm taking my time thinking things over before moving further forward with the idea so I am following the thread avidly and collecting more and more information to help my decision making every day.

Rosie - I'm really sorry to hear things didn't work out for you but you are the creator of something fantastic here and should congratulate yourself for that. From my perspective, your experiences of leaving SW are just as valuable to me as those from when you joined as it helps give an all round view of the job - thank you for all your contributions and most importantly for creating the thread in the first place.

I really enjoy the successive new 'generations' of prospective consultants appearing, interviewing, getting the call and going forward into training and their first group.

 

[jaylou]

I am gutted about all this negativity on here. I work part time and am going in to this with my eyes very wide open. I know i am going to have to work extremely hard to pull this off and my husband and daughter very much aware of this. Surely the saying you reap your rewards!!!!!!!
I want to thank all those that have given info on here as its been fundamental in my decision making and i know if i didnt try i would always be left wondering. In the long run i want to help others achieve what i have

Im not being negative. Yes, you reap what you sow, BUT, my point is that if you work full time you simply cannot devote all the time needed to be incredibly successful. They say the opps event givs you the warts and all info, it's not true. They don't tell you how long it takes to deliver 3000 leaflets, hoe people don't want help with it,how shops wont put posters up, how after 4 weeks of finishing a full promotion, the next one starts!!!!!

 

[emmylc]

Actually they did give an idea on the leaflets at my opportunity event - they said that it takes roughly an hour to deliver 100 leaflets, which in my experience is not too far out. I can do around 120-130 in an hour and have been helping my C heavily with this latest promotion to get an idea of what's involved - she had 6000 to deliver and we're out doing the last 700 tomorrow.

I pressed them very hard about how much time would be needed, especially in the initial stages and they said the hardest and most time consuming part is the leaflet delivery normally. I can see how if you work and have a husband who also works then it would be a pain to have to spend Sundays and Bank Hols delivering leaflets. My C said she spent 3-4 hours a day in the initial build up and then really does only spend 10-12 hours per week on holding groups, support and prep (aside from leaflets).

I am lucky that neither myself nor my husband work (taking a well earned break from busy careers and focussing on living for a change!) and we also have no kids (and no intention of having any!) so we could manage life around SW activities - if I decided to take the plunge He's even offered to help deliver some leaflets, which is one part I was concerned about as we're new to this area so I don't have any handy friends/family around to help out.

 

[littlemissslim]

Dougal, good luck for your 25 on Monday. Xx

 

[rosierose15]

Dougal how much rent do u have to pay?

If you want to go for it then go for it. It is about 15 hours a week and when your only earning 40-50 quid a week it works out at less than minimal wage. But if u want to try it then try it. I have been there an I've done it and I'm sharing my experience. My experience was negative so I apologise if it comes Across negative but it was! I wish u luck and hope u will b more successful.

The thing that gets me is look how many consultants got accepted for a job since starting up this forum and that's only a very few who have commented on here. Imagine how many people a day get a job. I live in greater London and there is about 2-3 groups near me every night that's probably why I didn't do too well as well as the fact I didn't have time to do everything they ask.

 

[lurverick]

I don't think it's negativity....it's honesty!!

I really appreciate the honest answers and it allows you to fully take in and accept everything! I don't want to just hear the rose tinted its all wonderful stories....life just isn't like that and I applaud to name a few Rosie and jaylou for their posts...it's amount the most valuable info in here and the info you should really take in in my opinion.
Especially Rosie where you can follow her whole story, excitement , etc and see she tried!

 

[Dougal1983]

Dougal how much rent do u have to pay?

If you want to go for it then go for it. It is about 15 hours a week and when your only earning 40-50 quid a week it works out at less than minimal wage. But if u want to try it then try it. I have been there an I've done it and I'm sharing my experience. My experience was negative so I apologise if it comes Across negative but it was! I wish u luck and hope u will b more successful.

The thing that gets me is look how many consultants got accepted for a job since starting up this forum and that's only a very few who have commented on here. Imagine how many people a day get a job. I live in greater London and there is about 2-3 groups near me every night that's probably why I didn't do too well as well as the fact I didn't have time to do everything they ask.

My rent is £50 a week.

I'm fortunate that there is only one more Monday evening group in the whole of Colchester at the moment so I'm hoping that's going to help me be successful.

And it's true- they do expect a lot from you, I have just finished the last day of leafleting for relaunch and I'm expected to start leafleting again in 2 weeks time!!!

 

[emmylc]

My rent is £50 a week.

I'm fortunate that there is only one more Monday evening group in the whole of Colchester at the moment so I'm hoping that's going to help me be successful.

And it's true- they do expect a lot from you, I have just finished the last day of leafleting for relaunch and I'm expected to start leafleting again in 2 weeks time!!!

If only your group was a Monday morning, I would pop in when I go to visit my family in Colchester every few months but my OCD couldn't cope with the unpredictability of an evening weigh in Perhaps once you're settled you can think of branching out into an 11:30 group on Mondays just for me when I visit

 

[cazwalden]

Second Sunday of my leafeting campaign and now have my feet up. We started at 10am and finished at 1pm. Not bad, in between i popped in local leisure centres and made myself known

Before i decided to take on the role of consultant, i did what alot of you have done and researched and then researched some more.

Thank you Rosie, for starting this thread. It opened my eyes alot.
I knew what questions to ask before i made the decision to carry on.

There is alot of work involved before you even get into group and before you know it your literally living and breathing SW. Your house then becomes overun with SW stock etc and your every waking and if your unlucky like me, every dream you have, you are thinking of SW.

I only work 30 hours a week, Monday to Friday. My husband also works and i have an 18 year old son who has just started work, so we see very little of each other. I have, where possible started getting them involved. After all this is a business and one that will benefit them in the long run.

I have been very fortunate by the sounds of it, my TD is wonderful and has told me not to stress about not going to see mums and tots groups etc if i cant get time off work.
She has warned me of the emotional as well as physical rollercoaster ride i have embarked on and has constantly told me about getting some rest. I dont sleep well and that was before taking this on.

I am taking over the group i am a member of, so again i have been fortunate in that i get some help from my fellow members.

So with all that in mind, i would not do this along side a full time job. There is just so much to take in and do before your first night that unless you are highly organised you would burn out before then.

Given the choice would i do it again?
Hell yes!!

I needed a new purpose in life, something where i could make a difference and i already had done that. I have alot of support from my TD and members and some very good friends. My husband has been great and picks me up when i feel like i cant do this anymore. With just over a week to go, its all to play for.
If i dont get my 25 in the door on night one, then the world wont end. I wont be very happy but i will know i gave it 110%
And thats all that is asked of you.

I have met some very supportive and wonderful people, who want me to succeed as much as i want to succeed.

 

[Dougal1983]

If only your group was a Monday morning, I would pop in when I go to visit my family in Colchester every few months but my OCD couldn't cope with the unpredictability of an evening weigh in Perhaps once you're settled you can think of branching out into an 11:30 group on Mondays just for me when I visit

Would love to, but I work 8-1 on a Monday at the minute.
The plan for my group, if successful, is to open another session at 5:30 and to be honest, if I was earning enough, I'd consider dropping my Monday hours at work to take on another group on a Monday morning.
Have to wait and see!

 

[emmylc]

Would love to, but I work 8-1 on a Monday at the minute.
The plan for my group, if successful, is to open another session at 5:30 and to be honest, if I was earning enough, I'd consider dropping my Monday hours at work to take on another group on a Monday morning.
Have to wait and see!

If I was going to become a C I'd want as many groups on the same day as possible to maximise my return - my C has 4 (2 morning and 2 evening) and I'd be looking for something similar. Of course if you're working it's a bit tricky Maybe when I'm below target I can take a risk and drop in one evening when I'm visiting as it would be great to say 'Hi' after following your journey on here

 

[hollys nan]

Although I am not interested in becoming a c I have read this thread with interest, well just because I am interested in how you have all gone on. Dougal, hope all goes well today, let us know how it goes. I think you are all very brave to take this on, and its exciting too. I help my c with leafleteering when she needs help. I am on the social team, I run the shop, I do the raffle in group, but I am happy just to do this. Good luck to you all girls!

 

[ginlin]

I've also read it with interest, and still do, despite deciding that it was not for me, but good luck to those of you who do x

 

[Doelani]

Have not been here for a few weeks as have been very busy. My group relaunch is tonight .

I also would like to thank Rosie for starting this head, it was invaluable in m research before decided to become a consultant, it did prepare me for the pitfalls and the hard work and I was able to make the decision with eyes wide open.

as others have said it is s lot of hard work in run up to first group , m house is a tip and can't wait to be able to clean it tomorrow once all SW stuff done in morning . For anyone starting you will love training , so interesting. I stayed at Premier Inn and have booked it again for days 3&4 as so handy for Breyers Fayre as already said as this is where consultants socialise even the ones that stay in Derbyshire .

I reall admire anyone who works while doing this, I know I could not the last few weeks but hopefully after tonight things will settle down . S looking forward to tonight, I already have 20 new members and have had 8 say they are coming tonight and hopefully some people will just turn up, my editorial was in local paper last week and have had a few phone calls on back of that.

 

[hollys nan]

Hope all goes well for you Doreen! Good luck

 

[copperpenny]

All the best of luck and good wishes Doreen for tonight! You really sound like you've got it pretty much under control...and housework always needs done even after you've just finished...never ending! Although I live in southern Ireland I'm pretty near the border so I attend a group in northern Ireland and the group I'm taking over is in northern Ireland too. Going to training next weekend and can't wait, was going to fly from Belfast but the price was unreal £120 more than flying from Dublin!!

Enjoy every moment tonight and I look forward to hearing how you get on!

And Dougal I hope you had a great first night last night...any advice from any of you is greatly appreciated!

 

[emmylc]

Hope you ladies have a brilliant first night - be sure to come back here and let us all know how it goes!

 

[rosierose15]

Good luck to everyone!! The best feeling in the world is when a member loses weight and it's thanks to your motivation

 

[hollys nan]

My c says she gets a real buzz and job satisfaction when she sees all those smiling faces at the scales!

 

[MrsE2004]

All the best of luck and good wishes Doreen for tonight! You really sound like you've got it pretty much under control...and housework always needs done even after you've just finished...never ending! Although I live in southern Ireland I'm pretty near the border so I attend a group in northern Ireland and the group I'm taking over is in northern Ireland too. Going to training next weekend and can't wait, was going to fly from Belfast but the price was unreal £120 more than flying from Dublin!!

Enjoy every moment tonight and I look forward to hearing how you get on!

And Dougal I hope you had a great first night last night...any advice from any of you is greatly appreciated!

Oh your up the same time as me. Where are you going to stay? Im booked into the Premier Inn. Purpleclouds, its a shame your not up then too, perhaps days 3 & 4?

Dougal how was your first night?

xx