Episode 47 Transcript

Hey everyone, it is me, Lisa, and welcome back to another episode of The Other 99%. I apologize if my voice is a little bit more scratchy than usual, but I’m just trying to fight a cold here. So bear with me. Hopefully, there are no coughing breaks or anything like that, but I just wanted to pop on and chat with you today about a few things. I was thinking a lot about what I could do this episode on, and a few things have come up recently. I think we need to just put it out there.

I hope this doesn’t offend anyone in this episode, but I just want to be real and honest with you. As a leader, I hear—and not necessarily from my team but from people all over—not just my team, but from others in the direct sales community. I hear a lot of people putting blame or excuses on things that are happening in their business. So, I came up with five tips for direct sellers to take ownership of their business in 2025. We are fast approaching a new year, and now is the time to set your goals, set your sights to succeed, and do all the things to make your business grow in 2025. Let me go through my five tips.

Tip #1: Embrace a Growth Mindset
Stop putting the blame on external things that are happening. Focus on things you can control because only those are the things you can change. What other people are doing—you can’t change it. What your company is doing—you can’t change it. But the great thing is, you are in business for yourself. You don’t have to work your business in that cookie-cutter, direct sales approach.

For example, I don’t work my business the way probably 90% of people do. I run my business entirely online. I use email marketing, text marketing, and social media. I don’t do in-person events. And don’t get me wrong—it’s not because I don’t want to. I’m not sure if many of you know this, but I physically can’t do in-person events. I deal with some major health issues, including fibromyalgia and pain, which prevent me from carrying things, standing at event tables, or doing anything like that.

I had to pivot my business—I had no choice. But I absolutely love that I’m able to run my business virtually. When I started dealing with this pain, I could have easily stopped my business and said, “Well, my body isn’t letting me do it, so I can’t.” I could have blamed my situation. Instead, I said, “No, I can work through this, but I need to find ways to take control and still run my business.” So, I figured out how to work my business online and keep consistent or even increase my sales through virtual events and strategies.

The takeaway: stop blaming things you can’t control. It’s only going to drive you crazy. Focus on what you can do differently to achieve the results you want.

Tip #2: Set Clear and Achievable Goals
This has been advice I’ve heard for many, many years, dating back to when I first started. I remember one of my leaders asking, “How much would you like to make in your business next month?” My response was, “Just a little extra money.”

That stopped me in my tracks when they replied, “So, would you be happy with a dollar?” I thought, “No, I need more than that.” But the point was clear: I had only asked for “extra money,” and a dollar qualifies as extra money. That’s what I got because it’s what I asked for.

Be specific and clear with your goals. For example, if you want to make $200 in January, then say, “I want to make $200 in my bank account in January.” From there, break it down. How much do you need to sell? How many events do you need to book? How many new customers do you need?

Write these goals down, and keep them in front of you at all times. With 2025 fast approaching, now is the time to do things differently. If you’ve never done goal-setting before, I highly recommend it. There are tons of trainers out there offering free goal-setting workshops, like Rachel Perry and Becky Launder of Modern Direct Seller. These resources can help you get started.

Tip #3: Take Responsibility for Your Time
Your business is flexible, but it’s not optional. You need to actually work your business. Schedule time into your day for business tasks.

Too often, I see people join accountability groups only to come back with excuses for why they didn’t complete tasks. What I hear in those moments is this: your business was not a priority. And that’s fine—because life happens—but just own it.

For example, if you had a doctor’s appointment or other obligations that took precedence, simply say, “I didn’t complete this task because I prioritized my health. However, I’ve set aside time later this week to finish it.” That’s a growth mindset.

What’s important is to adjust and make time for your business, even if things don’t go as planned. Don’t let excuses pile up and become a reason to walk away from your business altogether.

Tip #4: Invest in Personal Development
I’ve talked about this so many times, but it’s so important. Don’t let your business run solely on the information your company or upline provides. While they can offer valuable knowledge, you need to branch out and find trainers and resources that resonate with you and the way you want to run your business.

For example, I love online components like email marketing, text marketing, and content creation. I’ve linked arms with Becky Launder of Modern Direct Seller because her training aligns with my approach. She teaches content creation, email marketing, and other online strategies that fit my business style.

I recommend setting a goal each quarter to take a course, attend a workshop, or participate in some form of personal development. Many of these resources are free, so you don’t always have to spend money. Just be mindful that you also need time to implement what you learn—don’t fill all your business time with training alone.

If you’re looking for good books to read, here are a few of my top recommendations:

  • Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller (we discussed this in a podcast episode with Susan Larimer—it’s amazing).
  • Never Lose a Customer Again by Joey Coleman (Kimberly Pulido and I talked about this on another episode; she revisits this book yearly because it always feels fresh and relevant).
  • Atomic Habits by James Clear (a fantastic book for building effective habits).

Personally, I love listening to audiobooks on Audible while doing chores like cooking or laundry. It’s a great way to absorb knowledge while handling tasks that don’t require much thought.


Tip #5: Focus on Building Relationships, Not Excuses
This ties back to the importance of connecting with others. Don’t just blame your upline, company, or circumstances for what you feel is lacking. Instead, focus on forming relationships that help you grow.

You don’t have to limit yourself to connecting with people within your company. Some of my best collaborations have been with direct sellers from other companies. Everyone has a unique perspective, and you can learn so much by sharing ideas. Take what works for them and adapt it to your own business.

If you don’t have an upline or don’t feel supported by your current team, don’t dwell on it. Remember, everyone is doing their best with what they know. Their approach might not work for you, and that’s okay. Seek out others who can help you grow.

To sum it all up:
I hope you found these tips useful. If you decide to read any of the books I suggested, I’d love to hear your takeaways. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or Facebook—you can find me at LisaDuck or SpicedUpWithLisaDuck.

Thank you so much for joining me. I’m so excited about 2025 and what’s ahead. We’ll talk again next week!


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