When the Europeans settled Vermont they were taught how to tap maple trees by Native Americans. Hot Rocks were used to evaporate the sweet sap until only sugar or "sinzibukwud" remained. The settlers boiled a year's supply of sugar to make Americans self-sufficient in sugar production. Ben Franklin promoted massive sugar production in the Northeast to make the country less dependant on "foreign" sugar. (Wow, sounds like something right out of today’s oil stories!)
Once America won its independence and better transportation helped bring cheaper sugar from the south, sugar makers started boiling their product less, allowing it to stay in the more popular syrup stage.
On the average, it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make 1 gallon of pure maple syrup. Maple syrup is created by drilling 1 tap hole in each maple tree, which gives 10 gallons of sap in an average year. So, 4 maple trees, 40 to 200 years old, are needed to make one gallon of pure maple syrup.
Maple sap is 2% sugar and weighs 8.35 lbs. per gallon
Maple syrup is 66.9% sugar and weighs 11 lbs per gallon
One gallon of maple syrup makes 7 lbs of maple sugar
Maple syrup contains 50 calories per Tablespoon
Corn syrup contains 60 calories per Tablespoon
Oh yeah, Mia Bella’s Maple Syrup has 0 calories, 0 grams of fat but smells like the real thing!
A note on new packaging system being tested by Scent-Sations Inc.
Some of you will receive your candle of the month and notice that a new packaging system was used to fill the candle of the month box. Scent-Sations Inc. is always looking to improve any and all aspects of our business and our products. When this new system was introduced we were intrigued enough to test it .
The “Foam-In-Place” Packaging System will be used in the December Candle of the Month. The cushions protecting our products are made of “InstapackTM” polyurethane packaging foam; a material that minimizes the amount of packaging used without compromising the protection of shipped goods. It uses no materials that could compromise the ozone layer.
Its benefits are:
- Less packaging material is used, so less enters the waste stream
- Can be reused as carton fillers or reshaped manually to fit other packages.
- Is an excellent fuel source for modern municipal waste to energy facilities.
- Can be disposed of with ordinary waste. Highly compressible, they occupy only 10% of their original volume in landfills. It is biostable and will not degrade and contribute to air or water contamination.
Hint: "Everyone will know when Scent-Sations Inc. does one million dollars in monthly sales because I will be wearing a bow tie that month!" Bob Scocozzo, CEO on a conference call in 2004.
Scent-Sations, Inc. has reached one million dollars in monthly sales during the month of November 2005.
Note from Scent-Sations Inc. Management: “When Directors, Shep and Jan Kuester gave a talk at the recent Fall Fling, it was the kind of message that we thought was perfectly timed for the holiday season, a season of giving. Here is their presentation:
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” King Benjamin – Mosiah 2:17
We all strive to live the Dream Lifestyle. What that lifestyle actually is differs from person to person. Jan & I have attained the lifestyle we wish to live, thanks mainly to the residual income generated by our Scent-Sations business. We did not reach this plateau alone, as we and all company leaders repeatedly stress when we address this topic. In network marketing success is a team effort. Our goal is to help as many people as possible to reach their dreams.
We are all familiar with the saying “All life is a circle”. That’s true; we believe this is all about family in both an eternal and physical perspective. I wish to dwell for a bit on one very important aspect of our new life in which we hope you will join us, and that is giving back to our communities as our business success grows. I will use Jan & I as the example, but in no way hold us as the standard. We already know that the company itself is selflessly philanthropic.
Additionally, we have heard from numerous members how they are giving of themselves as they find more free time and financial capability to help those in less fortunate situations.
Service Groups
Join a service organization that serves your community. One or more of these groups can be found in your community, and they really need your help: Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, YWCA, YMCA, and American Red Cross, to name just a few. These groups are dedicated to helping youth and non-profit groups to uplift the members in your community. They also provide services and projects nationally and internationally. I am the president of our local Kiwanis club, Jan is an active member, and it’s very rewarding to provide service projects and financial support for our area youth.
Church
If you are a person of faith, do more than simply attend services and events. Volunteer for various responsibilities and activities. Support the Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops if you have them. When a service project is announced, be the first to raise your hand. Visit the elderly and shut-ins. Jan is the Young Women President for our church, and I am the Branch President and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Believe me, church work is the greatest work you can perform. Also perform service in secret so that no one knows who performed the act of kindness. It could be cleaning a yard, leaving a small gift on a porch step, or leaving a mystery “bless you” card with no signature beyond a kind message.
Personal
Our new lifestyle gives us the ability to do things that working people simply cannot do – help out on days other than the weekend. You can help friends move, rescue a friend hundreds of miles away who is stranded because of car trouble, bake goodies for neighbors or the needy, help repair a car, visit a friend or relative when they need you instead of waiting for time off from work to go, or simply doing chores for someone that is ill or on vacation because you have the time to do it.
Financial
Many people give to charities, church, and worthy non-profit groups, but now you can give more. In the past year there has been a tsunami, earthquakes, flooding, tornados, and hurricanes. Non-profit groups are literally strained to the limit trying to help all these people. They need more money. Many regular donors admit that they would like to give more, but they just don’t have that much discretionary funds left. Others need to fill that gap. Because we are making more, we have increased our donations. Jan & I have enjoyed supporting the Adopt-A-Native-Elder program on the Navaho nation. Jan is a weaver and spinner, so this is a personal project for her. We help support elders who still live in remote areas and are trying to teach a young generation about an ancient language and weaving art that may be lost without outside assistance. The cost is minimal, but the rewards are preserving a valuable art. I have read several reports where a lot of new people are stepping up to the challenge to give more money to those in desperate need. If we don’t give, thousands are going to die, and I say that without exaggerating. For example, tens of thousands in Pakistan will die from exposure to very cold temperatures for the want of a tent and a little warm food if welfare organizations cannot deliver these essential items in time before winter. That is a global need. On a more local level, your local food bank needs support all year long to help very poor families keep body and soul together.
What if many of these needy recipients are in that situation because of drugs and alcohol? Are you throwing good money after bad, making it better to not give at all? It is not for us to judge how an individual ended up in need. It is our privilege and responsibility to reach out to those who are in need. Supporting established non-profit groups with a history of prudent administration will insure the money we offer is utilized efficiently. Many groups restrict assistance to materials only, such as basic nutritious food, clothing, and shelter. But the final answer is, you may not have control over how that money is used by the end recipient, so it is up to them to use it wisely. Your rewards are the same in God’s eyes, no matter how the gift is used by the recipient.
Being wealthy has no value unless you share your bounty with others. Great wealth is going to be created with this business. Just think of all the people we are going to help in the coming years! One of our dreams is to be able to donate enough money to the Worldwide Humanitarian Service program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to fill a 747 cargo plane with needed volunteers, food and supplies. These will arrive and be distributed to men, women and children in need with the goal of offering assistance, education, funds, encourage projects that benefit stricken communities, and teach self-reliance.
-Shep & Jan Kuester
The words from Charlie have been ringing in my ear since he got news of my promotion to Double Diamond, “We need -Your Story - for the upcoming newsletter.” I’m not sure it’s easy for anyone to write about themselves but I know that I personally find it very difficult. No, EXTREMELY difficult! Knowing though, how much I benefit from reading the ‘stories’ of others, helps me realize the importance of sharing, so here goes --- I’ll give it my best shot.
All that we, as people, accomplish is taken one step at a time and with this business, Double Diamond is just that. It is one step to the goal of Senior Director (until the next title is announced), which is what I’ve got my eyes set on. This is not AT ALL to sound unappreciative for where I’m at but to emphasis that without a vision and/or ultimate goal, the steps to get there won’t happen. With that said, I’ll keep this ‘first story’ short and sweet, but stay tuned for the long version when I hit my ultimate target, Senior Director.
When I’m asked, “When did you get started?” My reply is always, “I became a wholesale customer in May of 2003 and a distributor in February of 2004.”
I was a Candle of the Month member but I was involved in another MLM and wasn’t looking to make a change. I liked candles and looked at my involvement as a way to buy candles at a discount for myself and to give them as gifts.
In January of 2004, some things happened with that ‘other’ company. I needed to make a move. Network Marketing was in my blood. I knew I didn’t want to leave the industry but what company was I going to represent?
It was one of those moments. You know, when a light bulb just turns on and you realize the answer you’ve been searching for is right under your nose! I had not seen the obvious.
I’d given a few candles as gifts the past holiday season and from that was developing a customer base. In casual conversation, I’d mentioned Scent-Sations to a few people who saw the benefits of the Candle of the Month, so I was building a team, as well. I was retailing and recruiting with little effort.
One morning it occurred to me, what if? What if I treated this little ole ‘candle thing’ like a business? I took the first step. I made a commitment. I called my sponsor, Jackie Ulmer and said, “I’m ready to get started! I’m going to give you and Scent-Sations 100% of my efforts.”
With TOTAL support from my family and sponsor, I began to build a team and now have what I know is the ABSOLUTE BEST team in the industry. Without my partners, I’d not be where I am today (wish there was room to name each of you!).
My family is involved in the business. My husband, Jimmy is supportive and has been from day one. Even in the days when there was no profit and all my effort seemed to be volunteer work, he encouraged me and believed in my vision. My oldest daughter, Jordan who has just recently graduated from high school is a distributor now too and she’s retailing and building a team as well. Watching her build a business of her own is so rewarding. My 7 year old son, Clayton doesn’t particularly care for candles but he enjoys the art of preparing the votives as scent samples (he is allowed to use a hammer). My youngest daughter, Paige, who is 4, loves labeling the scent samples (while we watch DVDs together) --- and says, “When I’m a mommy, I’m going to be a Double Diamond!”
What does it take to reach Double Diamond?
Single Daily Action
Decide what you want from your business. Then, each day commit to a ‘single daily action’ to push that goal one step closer. As Distributors with Scent-Sations, we have all that we need to be successful in Network Marketing; a great company, fabulous products, and a Corporate Team that is awesome.
I thank God daily for this opportunity and for every one of my partners. I am truly blessed and grateful. Thank you for letting me share! I am so excited for the future we all have before us.
-Kathy Schneider
About Enrolling Kathy from Jackie Ulmer:
“My congrats, thanks and utmost respect to Kathy Schneider, our newest Double Diamond Team Member!
Kathy is a vision of integrity, stick-to-it-ness (is that a word) and persistency. She is a committed leader and offers a lot to all of us. Kathy is my "drop-ship, retail" lead!
Shortly after I signed up with Scent-Sations, I sent an email to my newsletter list announcing the candles. One subscriber ordered one (Sex on the Beach) for his wife for Mother's Day. I graciously said "sure, no problem, I'll send it!" I hung up grumbling about having to put together a candle order.
I guessed on the postage (cost me a lot more!), dug around for a box and dragged my son, covered with chicken pox to the Post Office to mail the candle. The candle was late, missed Mother's Day by two days, but he liked the candle. He contacted Kathy and let her know about the candle, the business, and how I built online. The rest, as they say, is history!
She signed up with COTM as a treat to herself and ultimately jumped into the business! Way to go Kathy! I am honored to partner with you!
FYI - she already has her sights on Triple Diamond!
-Jackie Ulmer
I was doing my best to get all my final 'pre-winter' projects done and was thrilled to be able to cross off "Power Wash Siding". After the "power washers" left it felt good to have that out of the way. The process was "LOUD" but my siding did look a lot better after it was over. I was looking so forward to some peace and quiet and a nice clean house!
I lit one of my favorite candles, Sugar Cookie, and busied myself in the kitchen preparing dinner, when all of the sudden I heard this whoosh, gush and a loud crash. I ran into the living room, only to find this disheveled creature sitting on my floor, completely soaked and filthy. I'm not sure if he was more dazed or me, but I managed to hear him stutter and sputter, "Ho, Ho, Hooooose."
It took me a few minutes to absorb the shock of the whole scenario before I burst out laughing with amusement. That 'creature' was Santa Claus; the slight twinkle in his eye managed to give it away.
In my mind I envisioned what had just happened. Of course tradition would have him enter through my chimney, but this time he had gotten stuck. The power washers must have accidentally pulled the throttle to full force into our chimney, knocking the 'fluff' right out of Santa and set him in the slide down the chimney, through the fireplace and right into my living room.
After the humor of the whole thing wore off, I realized the truth of the matter. My peace and quiet was now done and this red and white creature was here to stay for awhile. There was NO Rudolph in sight! Gulp!
Santa was still sitting in a wet daze when I offered to help him up to his feet. He commented on how hungry he was and told me how thoughtful I was to have his cookies and milk ready for him. I didn't have the heart to tell him the truth of the aroma just yet. Instead, I assured him we would talk about that once he was showered and feeling better. And with that I escorted him to the bathroom, gave him a clean towel, along with some clean clothes and left him alone.
Heading downstairs I was freaking out. What was I going to do with Santa Claus?
It wasn't Christmas yet! Was he 'losing' it?
Coming down from his shower, shaking his head in utter astonishment, he was rubbing his face and combing his white beard with his fingers. He remarked about how out-of-this-world his skin felt, and how fluffy and full his beard felt too. I had to tell him about the Bella Bar right then and there. He was really intrigued with it all. In fact, I could see that twinkle in his eye get even brighter. He was starting to look more like his merry ole' self again.
"Now for my cookies and milk" he prompted. I lead him to the kitchen and pointed to my Sugar Cookie candle burning and he complimented how lovely it looked. He didn't 'get' it. I told him that scent WAS the 'cookies' he was smelling and that I hadn't expected him quite this early, thus neglected to make his cookies for him. He was STUNNED on how true the Sugar Cookie candle smelled to the real thing. He asked if I had more candles to show him.
"Love Angel Wings, Love Lilac, Love Rain, Love ALLLLL" he shouted. "We have to offer this candle for all the special ladies and gentlemen of the land," he announced. I smiled in agreement. "Yes, Santa, we do."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, announcing the Scent-Sational Mia Bella's Gourmet Candles! Special delivery by the one and only - Santa Clause himself - Rudolph express!" I shouted teasingly.
"Isn't this exciting Santa?" totally forgetting my dismay of his early arrival.
(Distant Singing in Bass)
"Oh what a lather, ooohhh what a joy, ain't gonna' go back to 'real' soap no more. It's gonna' be soy.y.y.y... for this ole' boy.y.y.y!" "Santa?" "Santa? Where are you?" Oh brother, ANOTHER shower with the BODY BAR!
-Sue Devries
By Katie, Taylor, Brayden and Breanna Rine
Greeley Colorado
'Twas the month before Christmas
And all through our house
Were boxes of votives
And 16 oz Jars
The tables were covered with candles and fun
Not sure what Mom was going to get done
From tarts to votive holders to ribbons and curled bows
We knew Mom was up to something
But nobody really knows
With the greatest scented candles
Ever smelled by us this year!
We were all so excited
While we worked on this all united
We shaved votive candles
And packaged them up tight
Grabbed our little staplers
And knew it was going to be a long night
From business cards to flyers
We attached our scent samples
For future prospects and buyers
In hopes our Moms countless hours
Would be full of happiness and success
For in our eyes, our Mom and these candles
Are the absolute BEST!
With Scents that fill the air
Hot Chocolate, Cookies, Love and Laughter
We knew our Mom will always be Happy for ever after
To build a team with Scent Sations
With our Moms crafty creations
We helped with love and support for Mom
As she wanted to build this business big and strong
Her Dreams and Visions we all share and know
Our love, help and support we will forever show!
This is what my daughter wrote for her school project and I thought I would share it with everyone. Kim & Corey Welch, PA
“My mom and dad just started a new business. They sell Mia Bella Natural Gourmet Candles. Before my mom got started she bought some votives from a woman at a flea market. She bought $30.00 worth of votives. That’s a lot of votives.
My mom let my sister and I pick out some of the scents. There were over 80 scents to choose from. My favorite scent is Fresh Apple. To me it smells just like a real apple. My sister likes Angel Wings. It smells like cherry-vanilla. All the candles smell really good.
Since my parents started their candle business we get to go to a lot of festivals and craft shows. Most of them we wouldn’t normally have gone to. When we go to the shows my sister and I help to set up and sell the candles. It’s great!
The first time my parents went to pick up their order from the company, the owners gave us a tour of the place. During the tour we got to see where they create and test all the new candles. This is the lab. Next, they showed us how the candles are poured, both jars and votives. After that they showed us how to put the wicks in the votives, this is done after they cool. Last they showed us how they package the candles to ship across the country and Canada.
With our business we do other things besides craft shows and festivals. My mom also does home parties, where the hostess can get free candles for having a party. They also do fundraising for schools, churches, sports or any one who needs to raise money for their group. SVRCS did a fundraiser for one of our Relay for Life teams.
I am glad that my parents got into this business. We get to spend a lot of time together to work the business as a family and we have fun doing it. We now have an extended family, The Mia Bella Family.”
-Janel Welch
My 5 year old daughter and husband were helping a friend get a ride to the next part of a birthday party and in conversation my husband asked where her daughter went to school. She told him and as she did my daughter leaned forward from the back seat and said "Do you ever do fundraisers?"
My husband and the lady laughed at her question and then she said "Why, yes we do". My husband then gave her one of my business cards and she said she loved candles. I guess I never knew how much my daughter was paying attention to me when I'm talking. It has turned into a family affair.
Sincerely,
Christine Pennino
Just a short note showing how a WAHM (work at home mom) works her business with a toddler. I let my 2 year old daughter, Shalynny, play with the votives and she created a Mia Bella’s Votive Candle Train!
I am sitting on the computer next to her working my business, while she's having a good time with my product. So our candles have "added value" - not only can you burn them but they double as toys.
AND I have to laugh cause I remember when I first started two years ago, I recommended Maple Syrup cause my teenage son, Adam thought that would be an awesome scent. And you laughed and said, "we'll consider everything!" And here it is for the December Scent!
I can't wait until he gets home from school to tell him - his desired scent is on the way.
Too funny!
-Cathy Mahady
My name is Heather Howard and I live in Rawlins, Wyoming. I was recently asked to do a write-up about my successful networking open house I did at the beginning of October. First, I’d like to say that I have been with the company since April of 2004 and my specialties have been open houses and home parties, as well as the “sell and smell” method. I have two wonderful children, Austin and Ashley, who have helped promote my business, as well as my husband Anthony.
How did I get involved with a network open house? I was asked by one of my best friends to do an open house with three other companies to kick off the fall season and get some ladies together for a night of shopping.
After I agreed to do the party, I realized that I wasn’t going to be the only one there selling. I had to compete against three other ladies and their products, as well as mine. I was a little nervous, but not scared at all; actually I was excited because I knew that the products I had to offer were top of the line and something that everyone liked (Candles of Course)! The hostess of the open house had us separated two upstairs and two downstairs, that way people had to move around to view the products. I was downstairs along with a woman who sold the top stoneware cooking products. I had a display set up with all the different products, along with some gift sets. Once people started arriving I made it a point to greet them and hand them a brochure, order form and business card, and let them know that they could look at any of the products that were out and smell the samples out of the sample bag. If they had any questions I would be glad to answer them.
Through this networking open house I had the chance to meet some new people who have never even heard of Mia Bella’s Candles and introduce them to our wonderful products. I also had the opportunity to see how our products would stand up against some other competition besides candles. The outcome was tremendous! I had a $595.00 party, which was the highest out of all the competition. From this open house I booked another networking party, and gained some new customers.
I have come to the conclusion that no matter how many people you have to compete with, if you believe in yourself and your products you will be successful every time, whether it be a new customer, new distributor, a booked party, open house or just the chance to get your name out there. You will have the satisfaction of knowing you have a product that people like and they will keep coming back for more, which makes it fun for you and them.
I would like to thank my family for sticking by me through this business adventure that I decided to pursue. And I would also like to thank my sponsor Sue DeVries - I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for her auto responder. I just want to say that Scent-Sations has been a wonderful company with great products and great customer service.
Sensationally Yours,
Heather Howard—Wyoming
My name is Susan Arena and I have been with Scent-sations since September 2005. The reason I am writing you today is that I had my first home party for a friend of mine who owns her own Day Spa so we decided to do it there.
I was very nervous about it and spent a lot of time running around picking things up for the party wanting everything to be perfect
That party was the easiest thing to do. I sold over $700 in candles and orders are coming in every day! I also learned a very important lesson in that you don’t have to go crazy trying to make every thing look perfect because people just want to smell (and buy) those candles!
Thanks for a wonderful product and opportunity!
-Susan Arena
I joined Scent-Sations in September 2005. I have been in several home businesses, but this one seems to offer so much more. I can see myself actually earning enough to supplement my social security income in a year or so!
My social security that I get is for a disability I have had since birth, being born with no arms and only partial legs. Having been born with my disability, I've learned to live with it all of my life, and I was taught to adjust. I was also taught to take charge, to not sit and wait for things to happen for me.
I was a little apprehensive about having home parties. But, I thought I have to give it a shot. So, I asked my future sister-in-law if she would like to host a candle party for me. She said yes! One hurdle down.
Then we worked on a guest list and my fiancé (he's very supportive of my business) mailed my invitations out for me. But, I filled each one out myself. I write holding a pen in my mouth, and I use a pen in my mouth to maneuver and navigate my way around the computer. I'm pretty good at it! (lol). (I do have speech command for my computer, but I find it too slow for me!) Okay, second hurdle down for my party!
I got on the phone and started calling everyone I know but didn't have addresses for. My guest list grew! Now, I needed samples. My sponsor, Tonya Bolam, was a great help! I bought one Bella Hand Wash, some votives and Bella Bars from her. I already had a jar candle from my COTM package. My sponsor also sent 18 scent samples to get me started. I didn't have to spend that much at all for this party. My hostess came over the night before and picked everything up, brought them to her parent's home (that's where our party was being hosted). Another hurdle crossed!
Now it was party time! My helper had made a cheesecake, and my hostess made roll-ups and a poundcake. The food was great! We had 8 guests and one lady called from Texas during the party just to order! It wasn't hard speaking in front of my family and friends about products of which I was so proud to represent. I sold $209 during the party, and another $240 during the week following the party!
Now all my candle orders are arriving and it feels like Christmas! My hostess will be coming over to help sort out all the orders and she will deliver them for me. My disability did not hinder my success in any way! I love this business!
My next goal is recruiting. With the profits I earned I was able to purchase my presentation cd. This is a valuable tool in growing your business. I had been designing a website for my sponsor to help her grow her Scent-Sations business and I was not a Scent-Sations distributor yet at this time. She mailed me a copy of her presentation cd to give me an idea of what to put on her website. I was really hooked after watching the presentation. That's when I took charge and became a Scent-Sations representative. Boy, I'm glad I did! Look out 2006, here I come!
-Sharron Walter
Up until about 3 years ago, I would have never seen myself having my own candle business. I never even thought about the concept of a home business. If anything, I didn't believe I could ever make any money with one.
I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2002 with my Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. I wanted to be a probation officer or a substance abuse counselor. I guess I just wanted to help people. Soon after, I moved to North Carolina and worked in a federal halfway house. After about 9 months, they lost their federal funding and had to shut down. This was the best thing that could have happened to me. I needed some income fast and I found a job working for a small Internet marketing company. I learned so much about the Internet, which I didn't even realize would play such a big role in my life until now. Strange how everything happens for a reason.
So, last June I was doing a search online for home businesses. I have been watching my boss come and go whenever he pleases so much that I decided I needed to, pardon the overused phrase, "be my own boss" too. Luckily for me, I found the website of my wonderful sponsor, Patti Price. I signed up immediately as a Scent-Sations distributor. I thought I would just have to sell some candles.
Well, I did sell some candles my first month. As most of you know, the Sweet Orange & Chili Pepper candles can be smelled before they even come out of the box. I knew from the day I received my first shipment that this was a product I would enjoy selling. And I do. But after doing enough research on residual income and network marketing, I realized I needed to change my focus. My first month of recruiting, using the power of the Internet, I sponsored 7 people into the business and earned my Diamond status. I have been addicted ever since.
I enjoy sharing this opportunity with others and being a team leader. Prior to joining Scent-Sations, believe it or not, I rarely spoke to people I didn't know. I was not nearly as outgoing as I am now. I guess falling in love with my business and everything that I have to look forward to has really brought my personality out. I am so thankful. I have no worries about whether or not I will succeed at this. My 2 year-old daughter is the most important person in the world to me and if I can be home with her and watch her grow, that is all the motivation I need.
Thank you, Scent-Sations, for giving me an opportunity that will make my dreams a reality! I can't wait to meet you all at Spring Fling!
See you at the top – soon!
Shira Colish
Durham, NC
Before the birth of my second child, I was a full-time special education teacher who had just finished completing my masters. I had the ability to do great things, but selling a candle was not something I had taken a class about. With a white-knuckled grip, I let go of $39.95 for the Candle of the Month. I used all the nervous energy about “what did I just get myself into?” to brainstorm ideas on where I was going to “hawk” these candles. Ok, let's see, family (sharing DNA = obligation to help me by at least buying one), friends (past history together = buying one of these candles) and so on and so forth.
However, on a “busy” day, the mailman and trash-man come down our street. On a day like Sunday, forget it. The only other people I see are the ones in my house (whom share my DNA). Who the heck was I going to sell a candle to? This was one of the many questions I had when contemplating (for 3 months , kicking myself now), on whether or not Mia Bella was right for me. A friend in New Hampshire had been “slowly” trying to convince me to try this whole “candle” thing. As a stay at home mom, struggling to make ends meet and pay for my infant's physical therapy, I was not about to risk money (I didn’t have) on something I would not be successful doing.
By the time my first Candle of the Month arrived, I had sold all of it ($60) and ordered more. I did pretty well with family and friends, made some money ($1000). and didn’t even leave the house or get out of my jammies (hey, maybe I can do this)! After I had exhausted all the people I knew (though, didn’t necessarily claim to know me), it was time to move on. So, I loaded up my candles and headed to my daughter's school to drop her off. I left some candles with the secretary and have since sold over $600 to the teachers at the school. I took my youngest daughter, Easton, to physical therapy and the three ladies in the office went wild. I have since sold over $600 worth of candles to them in 6 weeks. And so the story goes of how I have made money with Mia Bella Candles selling them to people without leaving my comfort zone.
In less than two months, I have:
- Family and Friends - $1000 (signed up 5 Distributors)
- My Daughter's School $600
- Therapist's Office $600
- Beauty Salon $60 (signed up 1 Distributor)
- Library $8
- Georgia vs. Florida Football Game - $35
- Post Office $80
However, by far, the best sale ever is the time a local church came to witness to our family. A shipment of candles had just arrived. My two daughters and I were sniffing away when they came to the door. They saw us through the window, so I invited them in. They gave me their literature and we chit-chatted. Before long, they had bought some candles. Two weeks later, they returned, not to witness, but to buy $160 worth of candles!
I have never had to leave my comfort zone. I have never made a trip out of my way to make a sale. This success has come not even two months after signing up for Mia Bella. I can’t imagine the success I can accomplish, actually “peddling” these candles. However, my family is my number one priority and this allows me to fulfill all my obligations with earning some extra income. If I can do it, you can do it without a doubt. I walked into the post office and someone referred to me as being the “candle lady”. Needless to say, I was proud not because I am known as the “candle lady,” but because that is one of the nicest “nicknames” I have ever had!
-Amy Cummings
The attached picture illustrates the fact that gifts don’t have to cost a lot to be elegant and “special.” The votives are placed in a frosted, snug holder and then placed in the embroidered lace draw-string bags which I purchase at PaperMart.com.
For the Bella Bars, I take a 20” x 20” sheet of cellophane, put colored tissue the same size (or folded to the right size) on top of the cellophane. Put the Bella Bar in the middle, gather the sides up around the Bar, secure with a twist tie, add the silk flower, securing it with the twist tie also, then finishing with a strip of tulle tied around the package, making the bow underneath the flower. Ta-da!
These are great for hostess gifts or anytime when just saying “thank you” doesn’t seem quite enough. I sell the votives for $5 and the wrapped Bella Bars for $6.50.
All the best!
Becca Mutz
Bella Vista, Arkansas
I met Marylou who introduced me to Mia Bella’s candles and to this day I've been burning these candles all the time. Thanks for having such great candles.
I love burning candles and until March of this year I was not able to. But thanks to your candles I finally can burn candles again. Thanks! Just letting you know that your product is great I can finally enjoy burning candles and other product you have to offer.
I was panicking when this happened, and just needed to share the positive outcome!
I was updating my sample bag and conveniently had the inserts with the ½ oz containers, layed out across my countertop. I had cut up a votive for melting and when I took it from the microwave, the paper cup I used had leaked through and dripped, (actually it looked more like splashing all over my ½ oz containers and inserts! ) Yikes! I immediately removed all the ½ oz containers and scraped the wax off the inserts. With warm soapy water clean up, no one will ever know! Thank you Scent-Sations for an incredible product!
Paula Bishop
Maine
-Shelly Begarowicz
My kids asked if I would put a votive in their rooms until they fell asleep because their night lights didn’t work of course. It was so cute to see my 5 year old son looking through my shelves sniffing candles to see which scent he wanted to fall asleep to! He finally chose the cucumber melon. I made sure the wicks were properly trimmed of course. We may be in the dark with everyone else, but we are doing it in style!
A few days after the storm, my neighbor had come over to use my cell phone because lines were down and she commented on how great my house smelled. She knew I sell the candles and she bought one! She told me the next time a storm comes I should have a Hurricane Party! Hey, what a great idea!
I try to make the most of a bad situation. I am so thankful that we made it through the storm safe and sound, and that I could have a product that I truly believe in to get me and my family through it! Thank you Carmen and Lynn for making such a wonderful and reliable candle that helped to light our home in our darkest hours!
Jennifer Sanchez
Coral Springs, Florida
I did "Career Day" at my children's school today. I did this last year for my daughter's first grade class, so I requested to speak to my son's kindergarten class this year.
I had 23 Kindergartner's learning all about my "Career" and our products. I told them about one of my typical days as The Candle Lady, passed around our jars and explained the cleaner, healthier burning benefits of our wax in 5 year old terms.
While doing that I had each of them make a fragrance sachet with Sweet Orange and Chili Pepper crushed votive wax to bring home to Mom, Grandma, Sister or Auntie. Some of the girls said they were keeping them for themselves to put in their backpacks to make their homework smell good. Most of the children couldn't get the zip lock filled with crushed wax off their nose long enough to place it inside the Organza bags!
I also showed them the other "crafts" I make with our waxes and talked about our "factory" and the candle makers. I told them how our candle makers make a new scent every month and had them try to "stump me" by asking for a scent that smelled like something they would like. I had the sample case there and pulled out Dark Chocolate Supreme for the "chocolate" request, Sugar Cookie for the "cookie" request, French Vanilla for "ice-scream and so on. They could not stump me!
One little boy thought he could get me with "Do you have a carrot?" Well, out came Carrot Cake! They really had a good time of it. The Teacher liked the idea that I showed them how all of the samples were in Alphabetical Order and I even had them calling out letters to see if I had a scent to go with it. Thankfully, no one called out Z. My son was beaming with pride the whole time. I, naturally, sent home business cards and brochures to all of the parents and his teacher said she would be calling me for holiday gifts.
When I tucked him into bed that night, he apparently had been thinking about those "Candle Makers" all day creating a new scent every month. He asked me if I could call the candle makers and ask them for one that smelled like Watermelon (This coming from a child that has had Dark Chocolate Supreme votives in his sock drawer and closet for over a year now). I told him to stay in bed and I would be right back. I came back in his room, told him to close his eyes and I put a Juicy Ripe Watermelon votive under his nose. His eyes got as big as pancakes and his jaw dropped. He sat up with amazement and said "Boy! That was quick!" He put it on his nightstand and went to sleep with a big smile on his face.
My 7 year old daughter heard all about it this morning when we woke up for school and said "They should make a candle that smells like Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving." I went in and brought out a Pumpkin Spice Jar and asked what she thought. She said "Yep, that'll work!" Her favorite, up until now, has been the Victorian Rose votives she placed strategically in her room because her name is Rose.
-Carolyn De La Tour, Florida
Things went pretty well at the craft show we did at the Sabina Elementary school. I was able to get 184 people to sign up for a free candle drawing. We had decided to give away a 16oz. jar today after the event was over. I had 34 people check that they wanted to purchase candles and or get a discount and had 6 people check that they would be interested in hosting a home party.
If even half of the people that signed up would follow through I think it would be wonderful. We were able to have a spot as soon as you come in the doors of the school. I had the Hollyberry candle burning, which seemed to draw people over to the booth. We had people stop by when they came in and when they were leaving. I was really happy with our results. Mark was excited for me. He kept saying, "Look at how much exposure you are getting here. I think you'll do great honey!" I just had to laugh a little, he is starting to get into trying to sell the candles with me. So he keeps me on my toes and laughing which is great!
Also, while I was at the craft show, the president of the PTO for the elementary school, who was hosting the craft show, asked if I could drop off some information about our products and asked if I would be willing to work with her on some fundraisers for the school. Needless to say Saturday was really fun and enlightening. We have all but made our money back on the Fast Pack! My husband said he could really see this going somewhere for us. I do hope he is right!
Hopefully in the next few days I will be able to catch up with everyone to see how things pan out. Just thought I would share in some of our excitement! Thanks again for everything and all your help!
-Aleshia Griffith
This is my son (hero) Jason Daniels. We live in a small area of Alabama called Sand Rock. He graduated in 2005 and went in the army. He is also in college at the moment. We never known when we will get the call, but he is ready and willing to go. I love him dearly and hope he doesn't have to go for a while. I guess that is just the mom in me. I think his favorite fragrance is muscadine if you want to honor him with one your candles, I am sure he would be very flattered.
He loves peoples appreciation for soldiers serving our country. Thanks for letting me brag about my soldier. I make gel candles and I am always looking for stuff on the net. That is how I found your site.
-Tammy Daniels
As my brother and I were growing up we were always fighting and now instead of fighting with me he is fighting for me and all of us. He was deployed in August and is now serving in Iraq. Last year he was sent to Afghanistan and pulled his crew out of an ambush. I pray everyday that he will make it home again. My brother is not married nor does he have children but he will always be my hero. I am attaching a picture of my brother Sgt. Chris Keith and his crew.Thank You
Tia Keith
My name is Lisa Mulrine. I am stationed at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station and my unit is the 913th Maintenance Group.
With the Hurricane Katrina leaving much devastation and need, our base decided to get involved with some fundraisers. The people I work with are awesome. I've never met a more giving bunch; we've sent more than any other base to the folks down south and they are so appreciative, it's really something special.
We decided to try our hand at the Mia Bella's fundraiser, with the goal of sending all proceeds to the Keesler Air Force base, which was quite heavily hit by Hurricane Katrina. We have been sending down all that we could to help them get back on their feet. So far, our base has sent them over $7000 in Wal-Mart gift cards (the people requested them), and more recently Home Depot gift cards to help them rebuild. Next up is linens. Trailers have started rolling in for temporary housing and they come with twin and queen sized beds. People have been sending them quilts and blankets, but sheets are what they need.
To advertise for our Mia Bella's fundraiser we sent out e-mails and basically just asked folks if they were interested in buying. They were more than willing to give for a good cause.
My job is to deploy the guys to wherever they are needed. Right now they are overseas and away from their families, so the wives have really pitched in and gotten to be a close bunch. One of the guy's wives actually took the form to work and sold over 70 candles and she is asking when we are doing it again!
Our next fundraiser will be to help our squadron fund. We've been so busy giving to others that our commander decided it was time we start giving back to those who helped make the donations possible. The squadron fund pays for retirement ceremonies and group parties, family days and anything else that comes up that we are not funded for. I have a feeling that this fundraiser will also be a success.
We have people asking for more Mia Bella's already! So we will run another one for two weeks in December, just in time for the holidays!
Thank you to everyone at Scent-Sations for your kindness and help to make our fundraiser a success.
-Lisa Mulrine
The Fall Fling was such an awesome event that we came away even more excited than when we first started! So, armed with renewed energy and the knowledge that we have the right vehicle fueled by the best gourmet candles ever made, with the most lucrative (and stable) compensation plan in the industry, we hit the road!
No matter where we are on the planet, the internet keeps us growing! Our internet recruiting campaign is truly where the "rubber of recruiting" meets the "road of success" for us. It allows us to be anywhere on the planet and still manage and grow our business.
Having missed our summer "vacation" due to illness we decided to head for Florida and tour both coasts. Our first stop was to visit our our Auntie Lol and Uncle John in Interlochen. They loved our candles and we let them each choose their favorite scent. Auntie Lol said if she was any younger (they're both in their late 80s) she would jump right in to this business! After a wonderful visit with them, we headed to St Augustine, one of our favorite spots. While we enjoyed the beach and golfing, we came back to our room and found we had personally sponsored a couple of new reps ... while having fun!
We eventually made our way over to the Gulf Side of Florida and stopped in O'Brien to visit a couple of friends we've known for several years. They were excited to see us and of course, curious as to what we had been "doing lately". We simply shared the smells of our awesome candles and immediately they were intrigued. They signed up right there and before the end of their first month, they had already sponsored 3 new reps, one of them with a Fast Start Pack!
So off we headed to Clearwater. I was in need of a power bar for our computers as our hotel didn't have enough plugs, so I headed to the local Wal-Mart as we were passing through New Port Richey. At the entrance to the store was a young lady and her mom raising money for the local High School Marching Band. You can guess the rest of the story. I let them both have a brochure and smell some sample scents 
we always have with us and told them we specialize in Fund Raising and if they think the school would be interested to have them contact us. "Mom" turned out to be the President of the Booster Club and she called me the next morning to see if I could meet her and the Band Director at the school in an hour! Not only did the Band Director LOVE the idea but he asked us to present the program to their monthly Booster Club Meeting that Thursday night! Not only did the parents agree excitedly to do the Fund Raiser but one of the parents leads a local Scout Troop and had already been to our site (thanks to the brochure we left with "mom" at Wal-Mart) and their Troop agreed to do a Fund Raiser with Mia Bella's as well!
Eventually we arrived in Clearwater where we made time to test drive our DREAM CAR - a Bentley Continental Flying Spur (what a blast that was). and then on to Naples, Florida, featuring some of the most breathtaking homes on the planet! Of course, we also found time to play some golf at Forest Glen Golf & Country Club, but after Lise found her ball in the water right next to a five foot alligator, our hearts just weren't in it for the last couple of holes. It's hard to concentrate when you're on the lookout for alligators! But sure enough. while Lise and I were out chasing golf balls and running away from alligators, we had more new reps added to our business through the Internet!
Next we were off to beautiful Fort Myers, Florida where the beaches and sunsets are SPECTACULAR. More new reps! We're now in Fort Lauderdale. Our room overlooks the Intra-Coastal waterway and we have the most spectacular view of some of the largest private yachts we've ever seen! Better check our down line... one more new rep!
We'll be heading back up to St. Augustine before joining our teams in Tennessee, Ohio and Michigan finally heading home around the 12th of December! By the way, we only intended to go to the Fall Fling and home... our family wonders how on earth we can "just decide" to take a two month vacation! Well, that is what Scent-Sations is all about.... OPTIONS and CHOICES! You have more options when your residual income says you do and that ultimately leads to more exciting choices in your life.
It's been absolutely wonderful to spend time with the people we love and to have the time to spend with our best friend, each other! This has truly been the best vacation we both have ever experienced together (so far!). Who knows where the next few years will take us.. it's exciting for us both to dream about the possibilities!
As of this writing, we have personally sponsored 22 new business partners since the Fall Fling, all but one from the Internet. That's the beauty of the internet. While you're on vacation, doing the things you WANT to do, it's working for you - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of course, the internet isn't the only tool we use, but like our good friend Bob Schmitz teaches, you have to have MANY lines in the water and the internet is like a big DRAGNET for us, constantly "trawling" for new partners.
If you want to build a huge residual income you have to be willing to build your business in MANY different ways and the internet is 
just one of them, but don't forget to follow up with those who respond to you. Qualify them! Do they have a credit card? Do they know anyone who burns scented candles, and then send them a scent sample, CD, brochure and business card. You will be amazed at the results if you "just do something" every day!
Suffice it to say, this has been our BEST MONTH yet in the business, and we're on vacation! We're working on making NEXT MONTH the best month ever, maybe we should just stay on vacation! You never know what can happen until you decide to make it happen!
-Lise & John MacFadden
The Klunders, Jim, Joyce and daughter, Jennifer set out for the Fall Fling on Sept. 25, 2005. Why not? Isn't a successful home based business supposed to give you the time, freedom, tax deductions and the financial means to get up and go wherever and whenever you want?
One of our dream vacations has been to follow the Fall Colors of the leaves turning all the was across the Eastern states, starting with our home state of Iowa. We also went into the Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
It has been a fabulous adventure, full of history, beauty, hiking, meeting new friends, whale watching, etc, and its been Five Weeks of prospecting new distributors and leaving trails of votives and business cards all over the USA!
The Petro Truck Plaza is very close to Scent-Sations Inc. headquarters and the Woodland Inn where Fall and Spring Flings are held. It is off I-81 on exit 178 B in Scranton. It has electricity, water and a sewer station. It's a great place to leave our coach while attending the Flings!
(Note: Jim and Joyce Klunder are networking professionals who have lived the dream for over a decade. They chose Scent-Sations Inc because it just makes scents!)
| 01. Lise & John MacFadden, ON, CAN 02. Paul Hobson, PA 03. Lori Moreno, IL 04. Gail Wahl, CA 05. Kelly Wissink, MI |
06. Kathy Schneider 07. Rebecca Ward 08. Jackie Ulmer, CA 09. Debra Warren, MI 10. Kellen VanDorn |
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01. Septon Mayers, FL 02. Geri Berger, PA 03. Cheryl Elliott, CT 04. Jeff & Stacey Pfohl, TX 05. Temple Baptist Church, TX |
06. James Ravert, PA 07. Jennifer Bonita, PA 08. Kelly Zubler, NJ 09. Susan Gregurich, IL 10. Amy English, MS |
My husband Bill and I joined Scent-Sations in the summer of 2003 after a long time friend of mine, Terry Capelan, emailed me about these candles. She said they were wonderful and that they would be safe for our birds knowing I had lost a cockatoo that I had hand raised to lead and zinc poisoning, and our new grand baby. This interested me enough to try them, and I was hooked, line and sinker. What was even more amazing was that Bill was also, and he is a huge skeptic.
I had just moved to Kansas a couple of years prior to this after living most of my life in California where I raised exotic birds, so this was truly an important subject for me and for many bird owner friends I knew. Most of my time in California was spent raising these birds and being a stay at home mom as I had made the decision in 1987 to stay home with our youngest daughter Savanah Rose after a viral infection at 7 weeks left her severely disabled and in need of 24 hour care.
I am very shy by nature, as anyone that knows me well is aware of, but I had a new passion in my life and that was fighting for the rights and basic needs of special needs children like Savanah. I became very effective and successful at this and organized and advocated for many parents during this time to the point of exhaustion, such is the need in California for these children. So when I moved to Kansas it was with the intention of being closer to family (my oldest daughter and grandson) and also to put down that gauntlet as I knew the system here was such that I could let that go for while.
I hadn’t worked for 14 years after resigning my position with the police department to stay home with my children and provide the care and advocacy that Savanah deserved and had been back in the work force for 2 years when Terry sent that email to me. I will always be grateful. We started off modestly, thinking that I just wanted to be able to purchase my own candles at wholesale and would sell just a few to family and friends. Well, it quickly became clear that I had a new purpose in life, and it was one that Bill and I shared. As we came home from our first seminar with Bob Schmitz, I began to feel a NEW passion, and saw glimmers of a new vision. This was the beginning of the realization of my “Why” for this business.
I have mentioned a little of the history of Savanah because this is the heart and soul of my “why” and what has been my focus. For years it haunted me that I had nothing in place to assure Savanah’s security if and when we are no longer here. I knew she would be loved and cared for, but not knowing what paths my other children’s lives would travel I didn’t want her to be a financial burden.
Terry opened the window that day with her email, and Bob opened the door and showed me a promise of what could be, and it was sincere. I took that home with Bill and I felt that passion that had been resting begin to build again, as it has so many times in my life when there was a need to stand for something, but this time it was full of promise.
This passion is not about having to fight in the arena of advocate for special needs anymore to make a difference, this is so much more positive, I simply share the Mia Bella experience, whether with a customer, or distributor, or combination of both. I love that my life has come full circle to this, that I have a real promise of satisfying my peace of mind, that Savanah will be provided for when we are no longer here, that I can be a vehicle to make that same difference in other people’s lives even if their vision and why is different.
This year I made the decision to quit my day job and devote 100% to our candle business. It was a decision I made with great relief and excitement. And because of our success with this business I was able to make this decision without worry or guilt as to whether the bills would be paid. What an incredibly freeing experience. This is where my heart and passion are, building a financially secure future for our family and being there for the distributors that partner with us, to do what I can to help them do the same.
To this end we proudly partnered with our team to host the Mid States Conference last August. My two children still at home joined me in front to be introduced to everyone that day. I’m choked with pride still as I type this thinking of the enormity of emotions I felt that day, as my son Garrett wheeled his sister Savanah’s chair up front to stand with me. This is a very real part of this business, family, and now 4 months later my son Garrett is a distributor and business man in his own right developing his own visions and “why”. Jackie Ulmer did an exercise with us at Mid States in Closing and again at Fall Fling. It was powerful, and all about picturing a moment in your life that stands out and sets you apart. This moment definitely qualified as one of those moments.
The greatest compliment I know to give Scent-Sations is to believe so strongly in the integrity of this company that I have encouraged my son to become apart of it. I believe that if it is his choice he will realize his dreams as Bill and I are. How wonderful to be a part of a something that you know will, simply by association and the example that the Founders and Directors of Scent-Sations set, be a model of building self esteem, and character in your child that you have seen grow up in a world where the opposite is more often true.
Can I discipline myself for daily action to reach my goal of financial security for Savanah and my family? You bet I can. Daily action will empower you, and that will inspire even greater daily action, and that will magnify that empowerment even more, to truly inspiring daily action, and it all starts with YOU, the CANDLES, and sharing the experience.
We each have our reason or “WHY” for this mindset, find the one that empowers you and visualize it, KNOW it, and daily take the steps necessary to empower you to success. This is where Bill and I intend to go, and we intend that we take the people dear to us with us. This is the real wealth of the opportunity that Bobby, Charlie, Lynn, and Carmen have created for us...the chance to make a difference in the lives of the MANY. We are blessed with a growing and dynamic team that is doing just this every day.
This company and the business we all have because of it is a gift, not only to us but to everyone we will touch with this flame of integrity, passion, vision, and power that have been given to us all. And the passion and vision that I see this business inspire everyday IS powerful, and it is ours. So ask yourself what Bill and I ask ourselves and others everyday, who do YOU know that would LOVE these candles? and how can I make a difference? Dream your dreams, and build your vision and passion, because it IS attainable with this business, and by attaining your vision and dreams you will pass it on and so will others. This is the gift. Thank you Carmen, Lynn, Bobby, Charlie for my peace.
-Kellene & Bill VanDorn
