UPDATE: Thank you for stopping by the Noonday Collection blog train and for partnering with us along the way to bring hope and opportunity to the oppressed!
The giveaway is closed and a winner has randomly been chosen! Congratulations to Ellen G. for winning the Inca Steps Necklace in the color of her choice! For your chance to win something else, follow the links at the bottom of this post for giveaways that may still be open!
*****
If I’m not talking about it, I’m wearing it. And if I’m not wearing it…I’m probably sleeping.
And that is NO exaggeration!
That’s right: it’s Noonday -- the jewelry that has taken over my dresser, my husband’s dresser, the bathroom counter, the window sill above the kitchen sink and the guest room.
The giveaway is closed and a winner has randomly been chosen! Congratulations to Ellen G. for winning the Inca Steps Necklace in the color of her choice! For your chance to win something else, follow the links at the bottom of this post for giveaways that may still be open!
*****
If I’m not talking about it, I’m wearing it. And if I’m not wearing it…I’m probably sleeping.
And that is NO exaggeration!
That’s right: it’s Noonday -- the jewelry that has taken over my dresser, my husband’s dresser, the bathroom counter, the window sill above the kitchen sink and the guest room.
.JPG)
It’s the
most jewelry I’ve ever worn...at one time.
.JPG)
(Instagram
users, search the hashtags: #ambassadorarmparty and #ambassadorstyle right
now!)
It’s also the biggest, most beautiful jewelry I’ve ever owned.
It’s also the biggest, most beautiful jewelry I’ve ever owned.
.JPG)
*****
Our brand NEW Fall/Winter product line was just released with beautiful hand-knit alpaca scarves from Peru and hand-carved water-buffalo horn bracelets and necklaces from Vietnam.
Today’s stop on the blog train {34 giveaways in 34 days} focuses on the importance of TRUNK SHOWS.
With the Christmas season quickly approaching, I am more determined than ever to provide gift-giving alternatives so we can be a resounding voice this year in the marketplace...all over the world. One easy, practical way you can amplify your voice this shopping season is to partner with your local ambassador and host a trunk show!
What is a trunk show?
A trunk show is a gathering of women that helps create pathways out of poverty for vulnerable and oppressed families around the world. The artisans we represent handcraft distinct accessories out of repurposed materials like bullets, paper and seeds. Your ambassador will bring awareness to issues of poverty and injustice around the world by styling you and your friends with accessories that provide longterm change of sustainable income + hope!
I have had INCREDIBLE response within my community about hosting trunk shows. You know who you are: Thank you for trusting me and inviting me into your home to share. Because of your hospitality, birth mommies are keeping their children, girls are receiving scholarships and food is on the table. You are changing the world.
I understand the hesitation of not wanting to host. Maybe you can identify with some of these, and perhaps I can help change your mind?
1) I don’t want to be a pushy salesperson.
I’m glad! I don’t either. I always tell my guests there is NO pressure to purchase anything. As you invite your guests, emphasize the awareness component of Noonday and invite people regardless of their intention to buy anything. Before I became an ambassador, I had never hosted a direct sales party, nor had I been to very many. In fact, most of my hostesses never have either! It doesn't take much to convince them that this isn't your average jewelry party.
2) My house isn’t big enough!
Having a small house doesn’t disqualify you from being a rockstar hostess. If space is legitimately an issue and you have a larger guest list, consider co-hosting with a friend and using her home instead. Or, look into hosting it after hours at your favorite coffee shop.
I’m glad! I don’t either. I always tell my guests there is NO pressure to purchase anything. As you invite your guests, emphasize the awareness component of Noonday and invite people regardless of their intention to buy anything. Before I became an ambassador, I had never hosted a direct sales party, nor had I been to very many. In fact, most of my hostesses never have either! It doesn't take much to convince them that this isn't your average jewelry party.
2) My house isn’t big enough!
Having a small house doesn’t disqualify you from being a rockstar hostess. If space is legitimately an issue and you have a larger guest list, consider co-hosting with a friend and using her home instead. Or, look into hosting it after hours at your favorite coffee shop.
3) I’m afraid I won’t be able to get enough people to come to make it worth your while.
Yes, we want to share Noonday with as many people as possible. However, even a small turnout can start a domino effect of awareness! I am telling you -- people I just met are changing their shopping habits because for the first time, they are understanding the importance of fair trade. It only takes one convinced guest to host a future trunk show and the results are exponential!
Besides,
a small turnout does not equal small impact! Check out these figures from
actual trunk shows:
- 2 guests showed up, yet she still
qualified for $97 in free stuff after a few “no-shows” ordered.
- An inspired, motivated hostess
collected over $800 in outside orders! She passionately shared her
enthusiasm for Noonday’s mission and her friends jumped at the opportunity
to help. Some of them were already thinking ahead to Christmas gifts, and
it was only June!
- A woman, whom I had never met,
called me from her hospital room after her friend had dropped off a look
book. She did her Christmas shopping and placed a $600+ order!
- An adopting family’s support system rallied behind her and hosted five adoption fundraisers over five months, where Noonday was able to pay almost all the foster care expenses for her son while he was still in the Democratic Republic of Congo!
- One gal had never considered
adoption until she went to a trunk show. God stirred her heart, and over
the course of the next year, she had five adoption trunk shows raising
$1000 to bring her son home from overseas!
Don’t you
see? Orphaned children and impoverished families are waiting for someone to use
their voice on their behalf. Hosting a trunk show is one way you can
use your voice! Do not listen to satan’s lies and disqualify yourself
from this life-changing experience. Vulnerable people around the world are
depending on us. On me. On you.
Your ambassador will coach you through the invitation process and help you think about all the people you encounter on a regular basis.
Your ambassador will coach you through the invitation process and help you think about all the people you encounter on a regular basis.
Think outside the box: Your hair stylist
who is always wearing funky jewelry. (My hair stylist is my biggest fan!)
Your child’s teacher and parents from daycare or PTO or sports team. Your favorite barista!
4) My friends can’t afford Noonday.
Most often, shopping fair trade means spending a little bit more money. It will probably mean buying less items less frequently and deciphering the difference between “needs” and “wants.”
Personally, this is a no-brainer for me. A screaming deal most likely means the person who made it was not getting paid enough for their work. I cringe when I see sale racks with rock-bottom prices of $3.98 for shirt. There is NO way that product can be made that cheaply unless an expense was eliminated somewhere along the line. Think about it: the fabric, notions and labor involved, not to mention overhead costs at the factory in which it was produced, and the cost to have it shipped to your local store, set up on a display by other employees and the operating expenses of the retail shop. Someone is not getting paid fairly. (Read my previous post titled: The Costly Bargain.)
Thankfully, Noonday Collection offers a wide range of products for the shopper on a budget (like me)!
Most often, shopping fair trade means spending a little bit more money. It will probably mean buying less items less frequently and deciphering the difference between “needs” and “wants.”
Personally, this is a no-brainer for me. A screaming deal most likely means the person who made it was not getting paid enough for their work. I cringe when I see sale racks with rock-bottom prices of $3.98 for shirt. There is NO way that product can be made that cheaply unless an expense was eliminated somewhere along the line. Think about it: the fabric, notions and labor involved, not to mention overhead costs at the factory in which it was produced, and the cost to have it shipped to your local store, set up on a display by other employees and the operating expenses of the retail shop. Someone is not getting paid fairly. (Read my previous post titled: The Costly Bargain.)
Thankfully, Noonday Collection offers a wide range of products for the shopper on a budget (like me)!
- Water Drop Prism Earrings $38
- Minted necklace $28
- Annie’s feathered earrings $32
- Dew drop necklace $42
- Tagua seed bracelet $28
- Exotic wood bangle $18
- La Noche bracelet $38
- Picked plum scarf $42
- Tea towels, journals or notecards $18 - $22
- Eye-catching Market tote $28
5) I love the mission of Noonday, but the products “aren’t me.” If you love the mission of Noonday, let that be why you host. You don’t have
to love accessories to be a voice for the voiceless. Accessories are simply a
platform to advocate, but it’s not why we do what we do. It’s ALL about the
artisans.
If our artisans were knitting toilet seat covers to rise out of poverty, you better believe I’d still be encouraging you to host a trunk show – whether you were in the market for a cover or not. (knitted toilet seat covers would be way harder to sell, though.)
Chances are good that you have friends that love accessories or you have birthday/Christmas shopping to do.
6) I don’t have any idea how to a host a trunk show and wouldn’t even know where to begin Your ambassador will help you! You will be well equipped with a hostess document full of easy worksheets and tools to get your friends excited and your creative juices flowing. We supply the invitations and look books to hand out, as well as create a Facebook invitation or Evite. All you have to do is add friends to your guest list or plug in their email addresses.
As for the actual event, we bring the displays and jewelry. All you need is a tv and dvd player (if possible) and a table to let her work her magic and set things up. Sips and snacks are up to you. You don’t even have to make that new recipe on Pinterest. Seriously. Who doesn’t love chips and salsa, anyway?!
7) I’m too busy. I get it. Family time is sacred and weekends and evenings are precious! You don’t have to host right away; put something on the calendar for a couple months from now so you can plan accordingly. Consider tying a trunk show in to something you and your friends already do together instead of fitting in something “extra.”
Do you already gather together once a week for morning play dates? Invite your ambassador to your play group so she can set up her displays and tell artisan stories.
Do you have a small group/Bible study/book club? “Donate” a night to poverty awareness and let your ambassador do her thing!
Invite Noonday to your workplace during the lunch hour. Provide sandwiches and invite your coworkers to eat in.
Bring some meaning to your special event and throw a combined party! A “housewarming with a purpose” party. A “buy something for yourself for my birthday” party. (The birthday girl will earn a % of sales in free stuff.)
So, how about it? Will you host? Or find a friend to co-host with?
If our artisans were knitting toilet seat covers to rise out of poverty, you better believe I’d still be encouraging you to host a trunk show – whether you were in the market for a cover or not. (knitted toilet seat covers would be way harder to sell, though.)
Chances are good that you have friends that love accessories or you have birthday/Christmas shopping to do.
6) I don’t have any idea how to a host a trunk show and wouldn’t even know where to begin Your ambassador will help you! You will be well equipped with a hostess document full of easy worksheets and tools to get your friends excited and your creative juices flowing. We supply the invitations and look books to hand out, as well as create a Facebook invitation or Evite. All you have to do is add friends to your guest list or plug in their email addresses.
As for the actual event, we bring the displays and jewelry. All you need is a tv and dvd player (if possible) and a table to let her work her magic and set things up. Sips and snacks are up to you. You don’t even have to make that new recipe on Pinterest. Seriously. Who doesn’t love chips and salsa, anyway?!
7) I’m too busy. I get it. Family time is sacred and weekends and evenings are precious! You don’t have to host right away; put something on the calendar for a couple months from now so you can plan accordingly. Consider tying a trunk show in to something you and your friends already do together instead of fitting in something “extra.”
Do you already gather together once a week for morning play dates? Invite your ambassador to your play group so she can set up her displays and tell artisan stories.
Do you have a small group/Bible study/book club? “Donate” a night to poverty awareness and let your ambassador do her thing!
Invite Noonday to your workplace during the lunch hour. Provide sandwiches and invite your coworkers to eat in.
Bring some meaning to your special event and throw a combined party! A “housewarming with a purpose” party. A “buy something for yourself for my birthday” party. (The birthday girl will earn a % of sales in free stuff.)
So, how about it? Will you host? Or find a friend to co-host with?
I'm offering a special incentive to anyone (within reasonable driving distance) who partners with me by hosting by October 31st. *details below* If you don't live near southwest Washington, I'd be happy to connect you with an ambassador near you. Simply leave me a comment below!
I'm giving away one of my favorite statement necklaces today! If you win this, I guarantee you will have the opportunity to share Noonday Collection with someone because they will ask you about your necklace. You get to choose the color: coral or teal! (It's made out of tagua seeds in Ecuador.)
Retail value: $72
ENJOY!
