A Little Thrifty Chic: My Why

So, by now you've probably seen my announcement that I'm entering the world of direct sales. Okay, wait don't stop reading, this is probably not going where you think it's going. Hold the phone! Chelsea, why the heck would you even consider entering that world? Excellent question; one that I was asking myself just a few weeks ago.

Here's the thing, I have never been a big fan of any thing direct sales related...ever. I have multiple friends who sell for various direct sales companies and I honestly find the entire process a bit annoying. There, I said it. I find it annoying. Can you relate? I don't mean that my friends themselves are annoying, just the continuous ads and pictures and videos and pleas to buy. I just don't like being bombarded and I don't like feeling pressured. So again, you're probably still asking, "Chelsea, WHY then?"

You want to know why I've decided to jump on board with Younique? Well, honestly it's kind of a God thing. No! It's definitely a God thing. It's a God thing for many, many reasons, which I'll get to shortly, but it's also a God-thing because, y'all I'm still not a fan of direct sales even though I'm entering into that world. That doesn't even make sense, I know. It probably seems bit random to most of you, but please allow me to share this entire GOD THING because it's pretty cool in my opinion, and I think you'll tend to agree.

Let me begin by rewinding about 3 years. I started blogging and sharing our home updates with family and friends. It was nothing major + VERY low maintenance. Then, I encountered some site host problems and quit blogging for a while. Then, after Emerson was born + I "retired" from teaching {at least for now}, and I needed an outlet. I was suffering from some PPD and I was discontent. Enter my current blog, A Little Thrifty Chic. I started up again with a new site host + just took it slow. I wrote about motherhood, marriage, and everything in between, including some home decor projects + some very real struggles I had encountered as a new mom. Then, several months ago, I made the decision to take it all public. Like PUBLIC PUBLIC. I opened up our lives for everyone on Instagram + Facebook. SCARY!!!! It was a very bold move on my part, but I loved blogging and encouraging other people through the use of my experiences. I have received tremendous, tremendous feedback in the past 6 months and I am beyond grateful for everyone that shares in this world with me. It has truly become another little babe for me, except way less cute + cuddly {no offense to y'all}. Hey, at least this blog doesn't tell me "No, mommy".

Anyway, let me back up just a smidgen again. Back in March or so, one of my Facebook friends, and a blog reader messaged me on Facebook. She actually went to college with my husband + they were in choir together, so she wasn't a complete random stranger. Anyway, she asked me if I'd ever heard of Younique and if I'd like to try some of their products. Specifically, she wanted me to try their 3D Fiber Lash Mascara + possibly share a review with my blog and IG readers. I loved the idea of trying out a new mascara because I'm always interested in trying out new makeup. {Makeup is a major hobby of mine when I'm not busy momming, blogging, decorating, or thrifting}. Unfortunately, at the time, doing a makeup review on my blog just didn't seem to fit with my content. I politely turned her down and she totally understood. She, being the super sweetheart that she is, said she wanted to send me a mascara anyway just because she loved my heart and my blog so much *a resounding "awwww"* and she thought I deserved it. Not another word was said about it and I had never encountered another Younique presenter until I found one on Instagram about a month later.

This particular presenter is named Allie. I took a free makeup class on Facebook through her Younique group and it was amazing. I learned so many fun makeup tips and tricks. We even discussed my possibly ordering the makeup. The girl was talented and I was hooked. She was so helpful, but it just wasn't in the budget and I knew it. I couldn't support her business at the time because I just couldn't afford it right then. Fast forward a month or two and now we're in July 2016. Allie randomly sent me a message on IG about Younique. We talked for like an hour about the possibility of my joining her team of presenters and what it could mean for our family. You get the idea.

Well, not a day later, Lindsay and I were in communication again. Coincidence? I think not. One thing led to another and I just knew that God was calling me to this company. There had been too many signals for me to ignore. There were no persuasive arguments from either girl. No begging me to join. No begging me to buy anything. Just honest, real conversations about life and goals. I knew that I was being torn in two directions. On the one hand, Allie is extremely successful with the company and is such a sweet, sweet woman. We share a lot of similarities in our lives. Then, Lindsay is also extremely successful and is a newer presenter in the company {when compared to Allie}. Lindsay and I just really clicked + I immediately just felt an instant bond with her. I felt like I'd known her my entire life. We talked for days! I prayed hard for days and days. I really didn't want to jump into anything {especially direct sales} without a clear peace about it. There were little signs everywhere I turned and I just KNEW that God was telling me to TRUST HIM and take a leap of faith. I am NOT a risk taker, so I knew that doing this was going to be a true test of my faith. I was scared.

You've probably determined that I decided to take on Lindsay as my sponsor, meaning she's my go-to gal. My teammate. My encourager. My teacher. My friend. I told her that I wanted in and that I was scared to death. I was scared of what other people were going to think about me. I was scared of failing. I was scared of being completely clueless when it comes to business. I had {have} lots of fears. When I look back at the entire journey of my blog and how it's come this far, I can't help but think that God was strategically planning my future. He knew all along that this opportunity would present itself. He knew that I would border trusting in ME or trusting in HIM. He knew that I would need a network of people online in order to be successful. He knew that I would need loving, encouraging, supportive friends and family to make this business a reality. I'm honestly just in awe of how He has orchestrated this entire thing. This is how I KNOW that Jeremiah 29:11 is absolutely truth. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future."

Let me reiterate: I AM SCARED and I HAVE LOTS OF FEARS in starting this business. Those have not magically disappeared just because I feel like I've followed God's lead. I kind of feel like I'm walking off a cliff, actually, but I'm also confident that He is able to do more than I can hope or imagine. I posted my very first video this morning announcing this endeavor and I had major anxiety immediately after I posted it. I have already had many people "unfollow" me on Instagram, I imagine because they fear what I fear....annoyance. But, on the other hand, I have had so many people wish me the best in this new adventure, and others who have expressed interest in the makeup + others yet, who have already joined my Facebook group to be a part of my launch on August 2nd, which obviously I would love for EVERYONE to join, but I get it. It's not for everyone, so NO PRESSURE!!! :)

I'm writing this tonight, not as a ploy to make you suddenly interested in this makeup. I'm not trying to recruit you. I'm not trying to make you think anything of me, good or bad. I am simply writing to share with you my WHY for doing this. I am doing this because I feel like I am being called to this, truly. I never in a million years saw this for myself. I am doing this because I want to contribute financially to our family again. I want to do this because I love makeup and I love encouraging others, and those two together is like two of my worlds colliding in a powerful way. I am doing this for many reasons, which I don't expect everyone to understand. I am doing this to conquer fears that have lived inside of me for a long time. I am doing this because on January 1st of this year I made a resolution + a promise to myself that I would say YES to things that make me uncomfortable, within this year specifically. God has certainly challenged me on that. I have already conquered one of those resolutions in the form of regular, consistent exercise + nutrition. Now, I have to prepare myself to conquer this one. This fear of rejection. This fear of failure even though I know I have what it takes to be successful.

So, I ask that you please support me. Don't leave me in the dust because you think I'm suddenly going to hunt you down and follow you begging you to buy from me, watch me, like me. I NEVER want to be that person. I'm going to continue being Chelsea. I'm going to continue blogging with my usual content. You may see a couple extra selfies here and there on your news feed, but honestly, I just want to share some things I love with you, in hopes that maybe you'll love them just as much. I am just anxiously awaiting what the Lord will do. I know His plans are far greater than mine and that makes me so hopeful. Thank you guys again for constantly supporting and encouraging me. You will never know how truly thankful I am for you all. XO!