I. COMPANY INFO:
1. Company: Once Upon a Family
2. Products or Services offered: Heirloom quality products that inspire family to celebrate their traditions and learn new ones. This company is very focused on traditions. We also sell a Live, Love, Laugh Club.
3. Year company was founded: Oct. 2002
4. Founder Name: Lorle Campos

II. PERSONAL INFO
1. Name: Mary Lou Doudican
2. Position:  Founding director
3. Length of employment:  Since March 2003
4. Why did you choose this particular direct sales company?: I wanted in on the ground floor of a direct selling company and I love the company. The idea of bringing new traditions to a family or renewing old traditions makes me feel so good about what I do.
5. Brief story about how you got started with company: My friend found out about this company in early March. The more she talked about it, the more I knew this was for me. I have 3 school age boys and am already so busy, but I knew I would be kicking myself if I did not sign up now.
6. Any other exciting stories you have to share about your career choice. Once Upon a Family is about traditions. My three boys will now say” Mom, we have to do it, it is a tradition.” We usually go to the same burger place on Saturdays and now we must since it is a tradition. The fact that my boys are already learning about traditions makes me so happy.
7. Share an exciting moment, a funny incident, a big win? I signed up in late March and had 100 days to reach certain sales goals and to recruit 5 people. I thought it sounded so hard, but I was determined to do it. There were 48 people that accomplished this goal and we all won a cruise. We took the cruise in August. It was unbelievable what Once Upon a Family did for us while on this trip. I was already sure, but this trip confirmed, this was going to be a great company for which to be a consultant.

III. GETTING STARTED
1. Describe the training they provide you: They have a video. I have been to several trainings in Dallas. The trainings are usually in the Dallas and LA area right now. The consultant you sign under is expected to train you. OUAF also offers a lot of conference training calls each week. They have a great manual.
2. What kind of income can someone expect?: The first couple of years, you can expect 300-1000 per month depending on how many celebrations you do and how many recruits are under you. After that, if you build a team, you can make several thousand dollars a month. Some girls already are making that much.
3. What are the start up costs? They have 3 different kits to start. There is an $99.00 kit that includes the manual and 9 items. They have a kit for 199.00 that has the first kit and more products or the large kit, which is $299.00 that includes the first 2 kits plus more products. When you buy the kit, the items are about 50% off of retail. They have kit upgrades 3 times a year where you can buy an item at 40% of f of retail but you can only buy 1 of each item.
4. Can you return unsold inventory? Everything is ordered through home parties. You are not expected to keep an inventory.
5. How can someone sign up to get started? Contact my website or me personally on my phone. I am happy to talk to anyone, even if you just want to know a little more information.
6. What is your sales commission? You earn 20% on the first $3000 you sell then you earn 25% of what you sell if you sell over 500.00 per month, 20% of sales if it is under 500.00
7. What additional types of income incentives do they offer? You eventually make money on your down line if you sell 500.00 per month. Some monthly contests offer more money or free product. Their compensation plan is one of the best in direct sales. This year (2005) you make double your wholesale bonus for adding team members. This year they have a trip to Mexico for you and your spouse as an incentive prize, all expenses paid!!!
8. What costs can I expect running this business? They like for you to send out your hostess’s invitations. You will need to purchase catalogs, order forms and basic business supplies, you get enough for about 1-3 celebrations in your kit.
9. What is the average earnings of distributors feel ? I do not know this answer. You can make as much as you want if you are willing to be consistent and have some patience.
10. What type of compensation program do they offer? You make 20-25% of what you sell, then you make percentages on your down line up to 4 generations.
11. Do they offer parties or sell person to person? Home parties, but you can sell one on one if you want. You can also sell from your web site.
IV. SUCCESS STRATEGIES
1. What advice would you offer someone just getting started in this field? This is a great time to join. Tell everyone you meet what you do. You would be amazed at how much business I get just by doing this. Everyone loves the product when they see it in person.
2. What sales/marketing strategies have worked best for you? Word of mouth and trade shows.
3. What is the biggest mistake you made in this business and what did you learn from it? So far, I have done really well, but I have not been recruiting like I should at shows.