Why I love direct sales

Look what arrived on my doorstep right before the Thanksgiving holiday...my first two boxes from Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories!  I feel like Creative Memories and my "old life" has been resurrected from the ashes. (Isaiah 61:3 "...he will give beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.")

(The first box contains my Enrollment Kit full of Product Samples, Catalogs, and everything I need to do Ahni & Zoe parties. The second box is an extra 100 Catalogs to start sharing Ahni & Zoe photo solutions right away!)  

Of all the jobs that I could do, I truly love direct sales. The top 5 things I love about being involved in direct sales are:

1. Flexible Schedule - a huge benefit when juggling 4 kids and a military spouse!

2. Friendships - some of my best friends have come through my team and my customers. I get to meet so many people and get to know them quickly through their photos and stories.

3. Company Support  - being a small business owner but backed by a product, design and marketing team so that I get to do the "fun" part - sharing with others and enjoying the rewards! (Now if only they did the bookkeeping for us...lol!)

4. Rewards, Prizes, Incentive Trips - I'm a big "carrot" person. I love setting goals and working towards rewards. I love earning bonuses and prizes. Direct sales companies are usually lavish in their incentives!

5. Quality Product...I get to use what I sell. I love knowing that extra care goes into the quality and is backed by a 90-day Happiness Guarantee. My family enjoys looking through our albums - laughing over old hairstyles and clothing styles, feeling close and connected through our family traditions, and feeling loved by the power of a photo album and words of affirmation.

complete an album before Christmas

Who do you know who needs to know they are loved? 

Putting one of the new Ahni & Zoe albums together for a loved one

 can be done while you are catching up on tv.

It's that simple.

And there is not a better gift to repair relationships, express joy and produce tears 

than a completed album (except maybe diamonds...haha)!

So many of you that I have talked to this past week have told me, "I can do that! I'm so excited!"

You can view the current Fast2Fabulous Albums here: Fast2Fabulous

Just print approximately 70 photos and stick them on with Tape Runner

Add a few dates, names and family stories with a Photo-safe Pen

and Voila!

You're a holiday hero!

A&Z is open for business and we can start placing orders now which will ship before Christmas!  If you gather a few friends for a preview party, you can get an item for half-price as a thank you! If you are more than 4 hours away from me, then you may be interested in hosting a Catalog preview party or virtual Facebook party. It's super fun and easy and you'll get your stuff before Christmas! 

For those of you who have already checked out the Catalog

did you know?

There are 3 Exclusive Items available for a limited time that are not shown in the Catalog:

Here they are: (drum roll, please!)

My Kit arrives today...I can't wait to share it with you!! And I can't wait to see it all!!

If you want to be one of the first to complete a Fast2Fabulous or Slide-In Album, you can contact me here:

cmdonnalyn@frontier.com 

www.ahniandzoe.com/donna

Ahni & Zoe Catalog Preview Day

You may be hearing a buzz about Ahni and Zoe Preview Day and are wondering What is it?When is it? Where is it?

Basically Consultants who have been with Creative Memories have an opportunity to get a jump start on this new business while the website is "under construction." We get to work the bugs out of the system before it officially launches in January.

Now you have will have the opportunity to see the new Catalog and products through your Consultant. If you don't already have a Consultant, I would be happy to pop a Catalog in the mail to you - just send your request and contact information to cmdonnalyn@frontier.com  

If you are wanting to sign on as a Consultant and are looking for an additional stream of income and the tax benefits of having a home business, you will be able to reserve your Kit through your Consultant now and won't be billed until it ships in January. It will include product samples, Catalogs, order forms, and the basics to start this meaningful business! 

If you would like to earn free or half-price items from the get-go, you will definitely want to host an Ahni and Zoe party! Get in touch with your Consultant and be one of the first to introduce your friends to this exciting product line.  I'm traveling up to 4 hours to launch this business but if you are further away than that, we can do a Facebook event or Catalog party! 

 Most of us have friends who have said, "I don't have time to scrapbook" or "I'm not creative" or "I'm too busy."  Well, this is for them! It's getting photos off our devices and into our lives through album kits, pocket pages and display boards. It's brilliant!!

The new pre-decorated pages will fit into the old coversets and vice versa. The new Pocket Pages are a bit larger than the old coversets so I'm not sure if they will fit properly. I will keep you posted when I receive my Kit! The new tape runner refills will fit into our old dispensers and vice versa. My Kit is scheduled to arrive this week! 

Washi Tape dispenser, wrapping presents, and more!

Washi tape is showing up everywhere! Now they have these sweet Washi Tape dispensers available at Costco that feature multiple tape dispensers on a Lazy Susan. 

Use Washi tape just like regular Scotch tape...

I love using Washi in my Planner to cover up mistakes stuff.

My favorite use for Washi is wrapping presents:

Write directly on the Washi with a Sharpie....

Use a large piece of Washi to tape a stack of present together, then add some curling ribbon to the top like this:

Go crazy....Washi some candy on top! Have fun!! Washi on...

Ahni & Zoe New Company APPROVED!

"Creative Memories bankruptcy process concluding

Today, the Plan of Reorganization for the Creative Memories business to emerge bankruptcy as the new Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories was brought before the judge for confirmation. There were no objections to the plan and the claims voting classes voted overwhelmingly to support the Plan. Subject to several documentation changes that were discussed and agreed to during the hearing, the judge indicated her intention to approve the Plan and enter the confirmation order within a few days.

In addition to entry of the confirmation order by the judge, there are a number of other things that need to be completed and finalized prior to the Plan going effective. It is the company's intention to ensure that all these are completed as soon as possible, and we hope to be able to fully emerge from bankruptcy by November 15.

Fresh start for Creative Memories

In conjunction with this announcement, we are pleased to unveil the next generation of our business, Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories.

Ahni & Zoe, which means “beautiful life,” will incorporate the best of our history - 26 years helping people connect with each other through their photos – with a new business plan to meet the needs of today’s busy families. Chris Veit, CEO, notes: “Ahni & Zoe will offer direct sellers and their customers a unique, fun, and rewarding new business opportunity with the energy and simplicity of a start-up, supported by the quality and reputation of Creative Memories.”

Ahni & Zoe is wholly committed to Direct Sales and our Independent Consultants. Consultants will now have a simplified product offering that anyone can use, which includes the same quality and photo safety Creative Memories customers have long enjoyed. The product line’s foundation is predesigned, preassembled Fast2Fab Albums (winner of the Direct Selling Association’s 2012 Most Innovative Product of the Year) which will revolutionize the album-making industry. What’s completely unique is combining these products with a free proprietary app called inawink™. App users can take photos, flag their favorites and their prints will be automatically mailed to their homes, where they can easily be placed into a waiting album. No tools or embellishments required – and projects completed, lives impacted!

The simplification continues with a revised, competitive compensation plan and best-in-class web sites for customers and for Consultants to manage their businesses. The excitement for the new business has been considerable, with the first 3500 Consultant launch kits fully reserved in just 72 hours. Tracey Decker, a Senior Consultant from Colorado says “I’m excited about the simplicity! Everything from the product line to the career plan is now so much simpler to understand and explain, so we can easily reach so many more people.” Linda Wright, a Senior Consultant from New Jersey agrees. “I look forward to expanding my circle through my new Ahni & Zoe by CM business, as we reach even more people and their families with our mission and our incredible products.”

Ahni & Zoe’s Consultants will begin offering Preview Days of the new business in November and December. The company’s Grand Opening will be in January 2014. The company will remain headquartered in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where they’ll serve the North American and Japanese markets.

Ahni & Zoe’s Mission:

We exist to inspire people to pull photos off their devices and into their lives…with products that help connect families and friends to unforgettable moments, letting them know they’re loved. We take great joy in providing a fun and rewarding opportunity that encourages all to seize the moments that make up their beautiful lives."

Future self...what should I do?

I'm having an unexpected turn of events in my professional life.

The court decision on the approval of the future reinvention of Creative Memories is very soon.

As a creditor, I sent in my ballot. I was going to vote No, but I after seeing the business plan, I changed my vote to Yes.  I have been with Creative Memories for 20 years (!) and have been there in the good times and the not-so-good times. I have ridden the storms until I could no longer stay on board.

In 2011 I released my team of Consultants so that I could try something new.

I wanted to see what a more simplified business system would be like (CM's computer systems were antiquated and cumbersome, compounded by a string of other problems that constrained them). It took me 4 years to find another company to join and when I did, I went in full out!

It was interesting to find a different company and see how fun, fast and easy it could be.

I quickly built a team and enjoyed the camaraderie of this new business...

And yet...I hung on to a cord...

I held on to Creative Memories by continuing to service my loyal customers through my personal website.

Continuing to put my own photos into Creative Memories albums.

Staying informed on what was happening with the company.

What was so hard about letting go completely?

There was something that I was still holding out Hope for. 

I am very thankful for my time with my current business (Thirty-One Gifts).

I love my amazing team, the cute products, my wonderful Hostesses and customers.

That is something that I do not regret and I am still actively involved in. It filled the need for an additional stream of income while CM was reinventing themselves.

Up until last week I thought I had found my Plan B and was moving on...yet knew that I hadn't completely left CM. This week Creative Memories revealed their final plan to emerge from their bankruptcy and get out from under the confines of previous management. The Plan revealed their new, simplified product line, computer systems, career plan, Consultant website plan, even their new name...and I love it.  Everything is very close to what I was wishing, hoping, praying for ever since they fell into sophisticated confusion.

This is my heart singing!

This is my passion...photos, stories, simplicity,

complete albums, display boards, pens and tape.

This proposed plan that needs to jump the hurdle of Court Approval on November 7.

But this is something that I prayed for and now may be faced with the reality of...

but in the meantime, I have set lofty goals and am working another business!! oh my, oh my!!

What about my Plan B??

As a wise friend said, "You can't ride two horses with one hiney."  Or something like that...

What do you think?

Are any of you working two businesses and how is that working for you?

DSA has a rule where you can't be a Leader for 2 companies, but you can be a Leader in one and a seller in another.  I have been doing 2 businesses for 3 years now and would really prefer to concentrate on just one and do it with excellence.

Does this make me fickle? Or is this just the result of finding a Plan B and then your first love, your Plan A, says, Hey! I've been to rehab! Let's get back together! lol

20 years.

heart song.

photos

stories

mission

oh, and Made in the U.S.A.

future self...what should I do???

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

1 Corinthians 13:12

Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories - Business Preview

Last night I watched the preview videos of the proposed new business plan for Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised!

Although seemingly a complete 180 turn from their roots, it is a refreshing makeover in the party plan business. You all know I have been struggling with letting go. 20 years with Creative Memories hasn't been something I've been able to fully say goodbye to. Yet I was close. Very close.

I am intrigued by the new Slide-in Pages being interchangeable with the predesigned Fast2Fab pages. The Slide-in themed Packs remind me of Becky Higgins "Project Life" but with the benefit of Creative Memories quality coversets and not a huge 3-ring binder system.

One of my favorite Creative Memories products is the Everyday Display Board  and I was pleased to see it included in the Ahni & Zoe collection (slightly different and called Magnetic Displays)!

The A&Z catalog and product offerings are simple - making it easy for Consultants to memorize products and pricing. The new career plan is simple to understand. Being a "personal use" Consultant is simple. Pursuing leadership in this new company is clearly laid out in an easy-to-understand plan. The logo and graphics are simple and classy. Could this truly be?!

After so many years of "sophisticated confusion," this total company makeover is what I have been waiting for! I think they have a chance of helping today's busy people get their best photos off their phone and into a tangible, meaningful and enJOYable display or album.

Another exciting benefit is that all of the products are made in the USA with the exception of the Tape Runner, which is made Denmark. The album coverset material will be imported from England but assembled in America. I am curious to see the quality of these "new" products.

Now if I were CEO, I would add a Plain-page Refill Bundle option. (no brainer, right?!)

I would also add a rainbow of assorted quality cardstock, a trimmer & some glitter stickers...for starters ;)

Alas, I am not the CEO. What am I? Well, currently I am in prayer over the upcoming court decision (they must have approval before launching this revamp), and I am in prayer over what this means for me and my future with CM. If you are a prayer warrior, would you pray for me? I released my CM team back in 2011 to pursue other opportunities while CM struggled through their 2nd bankruptcy. Now I have some decisions to make as the company I loved is reinventing itself into something that is surprisingly pleasing to me.

If photos, stories, photo-journaling, paper and creativity were not my passion, I would have quit a long time ago. But I didn't. What does that mean? What is that last apron string that I have been unwilling to cut? Could this be the thread that will pull me back into the wonderful world of my passion?  Hmmm...

Happy Scrappin'

Creative Memories Blank Refill Pages

 (Requesting permission to use above illustration from the talented Hannah Flinn at http://handrawn2011.blogspot.com/ )

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!  Run from the Blank Page!!!!!!!

I have tried to be patient and understanding. 

I really have.

Is the reason CM is no longer offering blank refill pages really because they are 'scary' and require unlimited funds? Or is it something else?  Because in my opinion, blank refills are the SIMPLEST form of scrapbooking. It's what our great grandparents used to do.

No paper, no fancy scissors, just....

Tape. Write. Done.

Seems to me it would fit perfectly into the new Ahni & Zoe line.

But today CM issued the following public statement on why they are no longer offering blank Refill Pages (as posted on their Facebook page). What are your thoughts on this?  

Coversets & Blank Pages

October 28, 2013 at 12:01pm

Hi everyone -

There have been many of you who have made what seems to be a very reasonable request – for coversets and blank pages.  

Hopefully this will provide you with an understanding of our situation and our decision. Our go forward business must start with a clean and simple product line that can be used and sold by anyone – with little need for detailed explanation. Many of you are quite comfortable creating an album with blank pages. But the reality is, many people are not. In fact they’re intimidated by a blank page. They don’t know where to start, and they’re concerned the album won’t look good. This prevents them from doing anything.

We need to be able to reach out to as many people as possible to help us build this business. Our positioning must be clear so people understand what we’re about. And we’re going to be about easy completion of albums.

Now some of you may understand, but ask why can’t we just add the pages? Unfortunately we don’t have unlimited funds at the moment, and we’ve had to make the tough decision to start with the products that the average person finds easiest to get to completion with.

We do have some options for you. They may not be perfect, but they’re options.
 - We made sure that old and new coversets were interchangeable. And that’s true for all refills as well. And there are many consultants who are still selling coversets and blank refills.
- You can use your paper and put your page into our large slide in pocket page.
- There’s also the option to take the Fast to Fabulous and add your own paper. These albums are significantly less expensive than before.
- And of course, we’d like you to try the Fast to Fabulous. You can make it your own. You don’t have to follow the template. There’s plenty of opportunity for creativity.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the emotion of this particular topic. We’d just like to share one last thing. We’re a much smaller team here at the home office now. We’re moms, and dads, sisters, and brothers. If it were at all feasible, we’d grant every request. We take no joy in upsetting the very people we love. This has been a stressful journey for all of us. We’re still here because we’re devoted to this company and all it stands for. And we’re proud to play a role in helping to provide a business opportunity.

It’s becoming easier and easier to be positive because Ahni & Zoe is becoming real, and we see where this can go.   And though there’s a lot of concern being expressed, there’s also a lot of excitement and optimism for the future...via this fan page, and the emails and calls we’re receiving. We all have to move forward. Hopefully this at least provides some insight. Let’s get this business going, and the future may be filled with all sorts of possibilities.

Thank you.
Your Ahni & Zoe Home Office Team

Ahni & Zoe Frequently Asked Questions

(Note from Donna Lyn: Please remember that the grand opening of ahni & zoe is all pending court approval). The following Frequently Asked Questions are answered here by Creative Memories:

Have questions related to the new Ahni & Zoe product line? Here are some frequently asked questions that may help you find the information you are looking for!

For the inawink™ app, why is there not an Android version? 

As a company that’s still in the bankruptcy process, we had to make choices based on limited development resources. While researching which platform was best to begin development on, we found iOS to be the best practice as a starting point, and the buying behaviors of iOS users are most closely aligned with our business strategy. We also discovered, while surveying Leaders for January focus groups, 86% of the respondents had iOS devices. So that’s why we started where we did, but please know that we are working on a web version, which everyone with a computer will be able to use, and Android is on our development roadmap.

Will old refill pages fit in new Ahni & Zoe albums? 

Your former refill pages will fit into the new Ahni & Zoe albums because the straps are in the same location. The new pages are interchangeable between Fast2Fab and Slide-In Albums. So you’ll be able to put Fast2Fab pages in Slide-in Albums, and put vertical, horizontal or single pocket pages into the Fast2Fab albums. 

Looking at the new catalog, is the black coverset just a plain black coverset or does it have a design? Do the true pages work in it?

The Black Slide-In cover has a light mono-tone plaid design. True pages will work in it. 

Are the albums offered made of bookcloth like the albums CM used to offer? Or are the albums made of that paperette material?

The majority are made with a soft-touch laminate paper-based material. This is not the same material that we have previously used. A lot of testing and R&D (by us and our suppliers) have gone into this material to ensure it meets all of our high quality standards. And for those that love bookcloth, we always have that as an option for future... when our volumes increase so we can meet minimum order quantities and contain costs. 

Will 11x14, 12x12 and 13x9 PicFolio pages fit in the new Ahni & Zoe Slide-In Albums?

Because of the changes needed in the album design to allow for the interchangeability, the Slide-In albums will not appropriately hold the former PicFolio pages.

Regarding the slide-in album pages, either the single pocket or multi-pocket: are they top-loading or side-loading?

Side-loading from the spine side.

Will there eventually be more colors of Slide-In albums available besides black and greige?

What we’re launching with is just a starting point.

Will the Large Single Pocket page fit a 12x12 piece of paper (that you can find anywhere), so people can scrap as they would with other top-loaders? 

Yes. The Large Single Pocket page will fit a 12x12 piece of paper.

Is buying an album with the single pocket sleeves an option, instead of the horizontal or vertical sleeves?

Not at launch, but we will take your feedback into consideration for the future.

Does the cost of the refill pages include page protectors?

Yes, they’re sold together so it’s one easy decision. And one pack of refill pages and page protectors is included with each Fast2Fab album.

Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories

The "big reveal" was today and Creative Memories is rolling out information on their new company, pending court approval, "ahni & zoe", ahni meaning "beautiful" and zoe meaning "life" - from A to Z!

Fast to Fab(ulous) album Kits, pre-decorated pages, page protectors.
Slide-in Pocket style albums
Pre-decorated refill pages and Pocket Page albums will fit into either style albums.

Tape Runner
4 Pens: Black, Brown, Gold and Silver

A smart phone app

Magnetic Displays

And that's about it!

Simple.

For the "time-starved mom."

You may be able to view the new Catalog here.  I would love to know what you think!

Goodbye Creative Memories for now...

 

Creative Memories is shutting down our Consultant websites today, September 30th. They hope to reemerge as a "new" company offering pre-designed album kits (like Fast to Fabulous) and Picfolio-type albums sometime in November pending court approval.

 

Please continue to follow me here on my scrapbooking blog for updates on CM. I am 99% positive that I will not be continuing with the "new" CM. I will be happy to put you in contact with a Consultant if you need assistance in the future.

 

 

 

I am moving on as an Independent Director with a new company, Thirty-One Gifts. Thirty-One is a faith-based company offering super cute products that help organize your home, office and life!  I will still keep this Scrapbooking blog and will continue to update it on my album progress, ideas and inspiration for your album making and photo-journaling. In fact, I was just scrapbooking this weekend and completed 32 pages, journaling done and Page Protectors on!!

 

Please keep in touch via my blog or email. You may also find me on Facebook for daily inspiration and encouragement: http://www.Facebook.com/adashfromdonnalyn

Thank you again for your awesome support and loyalty these past 20 years!

 

Happy Scrappin'

 

 

 

Official Announcement from Creative Memories

We're writing to remind you that as part of Creative Memories' reinvention that’s starting this fall, we’ll be shutting down our current web sites for a spell, which include Creativememories.com (.ca) and Consultant websites. The Digital Center and Project Center sites, once closed, will not be returning. Please find specific dates below.

We’re looking forward to introducing you to our new, fresher, simpler selves in a few months, and are excited to help you and your family celebrate all the amazing memories you have captured in photos.

During the next couple of weeks, we encourage you to export any information that may be useful to you in the future. Below are some helpful instructions to make the transition as smooth as possible.

creativememories.com and Consultant web sites
Creativememories.com and Consultant web sites will shut down at 11:59 p.m. CT on September 30, 2013. Prior to that you will want to download all digital artwork files and export your digital artwork activation codes. For specific information on steps to follow, see our Digital FAQs.

Digital Center
The Digital Center website will shut down at 11:59 p.m. CT on September 23, 2013. All orders for Digital Center or StoryBook Creator projects must be completed by that time. If you’ve uploaded photos to Digital Center, your photos are available to purchase as prints or downloads through 11:59 p.m. CT on September 23. After that they will be removed from our servers and will no longer be available. Please note that we’ve reduced the fee for downloading your photos to $0.05/photo to make it more affordable for you to retrieve any photos you don’t have backed up elsewhere.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to download projects that have been uploaded to the Digital Center.

Project Center
The Creative Memories Project Center website will shut down at 11:59 p.m. CT on September 30, 2013. If you’re interested in preserving any of the project ideas that are on the Project Center, you can copy the images and instructions and paste them into a Word, PowerPoint, Pages, or similar program, then save them to your personal computer for future reference.

We can't thank you enough for your support and input over the last several years.

Sincerely,

The Creative Memories Home Office Team

Creative Memories Important Digital Update!

 

Thank you for your patience as Creative Memories has been working on a plan to transition out of their current digital business.  Creative Memories has reached an agreement with Panstoria (the creators of Memory Manager and StoryBook Creator) which has been put before the Court ("although it is important to note that the agreement is subject to Court approval, so it is not yet final. We anticipate a decision from the Court the week of September 23. Also important to note: there are additional conversations happening between Panstoria, Creative Memories and a third interested firm. If that negotiation is successful, it will supersede this agreement between CM and Panstoria, but it will only improve on the above.")

Here are the highlights:

- Both Memory Manager and StoryBook Creator software will continue uninterrupted. Software can be activated through December 31, 2013, and Panstoria will continue to provide software updates as needed. This means that software purchases you have made that haven't shipped can be activated without any trouble, even if they ship beyond September 23.

- Memory Manager and StoryBook Creator users will be contacted by Panstoria, and will be given access to printing and other features through Panstoria, and will be given access to printing and other features through Panstoria. The plan and timing for printing has not yet been finalized, but will be forthcoming. Please look for Panstoria news and updates in the Memory Manager and StoryBook Creator news feeds (right side of the main page).

- Any Creative Memories digital artwork you've purchased can be activated (without an end date) on any computer.

- Anyone who has made an investment of time or money in software, projects or artwork can continue to use them uninterrupted. (Yay!!)

Reminder: the last day to order Creative Memories digital products is September 23. Any unexpired Product Credits, Print Plans, Storybook coupon codes and/or Host Rewards coupon codes can be used on the Digital Center through that date.

Please know Creative Memories, and myself as well, are very grateful for your patience. I will continue to keep you updated on all additional developments as they are revealed. 

Happy Scrappin'

Creative Memories bankruptcy update August 2013

Creative Memories Bankruptcy Update:

August 21st is the LAST DAY to order from my Creative Memories website.

However, they are keeping my website up until September 30th so you may access digital artwork. 

If you see something on my personal website that you need for scrapbooking (While Supplies Last), you may contact me via email or via the comments section below and I can place the order for you through my back office (until September 30th).

Digital Center printing (pages, storybooks, calendars, cards, photo gifts...) is available until September 23rd.

Thank you for your loyalty and support over these past 20 years! I told you that CM announced they were ending our Consultant Contracts on August 30 but they have since changed their mind and are keeping all of their Consultants. Consultants are still waiting to hear what will become of Creative Memories and when they re-emerge as a new or revised company in November (no concrete information has been shared with Consultants yet). Whatever they decide, I will most likely end my contract with CM and focus more on my Thirty-One Gifts business.  

Update on Shipping: All but two of my June orders have shipped. Many of you are still waiting for your outstanding orders that you placed in June and July. Creative Memories is working 24-7 packing and shipping and getting those orders out to us. I appreciate your patience!  As of today, I have only 22 outstanding orders so I am seeing the light! ;)

Happy Scrappin',

Donna Lyn