Melendy & Steve

Corraling the Kids and the chaos while running our business

lularoe

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How to Make Videos seamless in Instagram Stories!

How I make Videos for Instagram Stories!

I absolutely love that you can use just about any form of Social media to share your story! You all know I love YouTube
One of my favorite ways to connect on a more personal level is through Instagram story videos. This platform is a short quick glimpse into your daily activities! They disappear after 24 hours, unless you feature them, and are a great way to share Purposeful content, Personality content, and even Promotional content!
Several people have asked me how I do this, and I wanted to share my magic!

Step one – I record a video like the one you see here. I want to post it to Instagram Stories!

 

Step two – I edit if it is necessary using my in phone editor. You can utilize any type of video editor before you upload – I find that unedited videos work best for IG Stories because they are more real.

instagram story cut

Step three – I upload the video into an app called CutStory – CutStory will splice your video for whatever platform you are using it on. Facebook/Instagram/snap chat/whatsap, or you can make custom cuts. you end up with a camera roll that looks like this – wonky face and all!

instagram story videos

 

Step four – The hardest step – Post in stories. You need to carefully select one post at a time, and watch it. That is the only way to be sure you have continuity. Instagram stories are always a little choppy, but- utilizing patience, and adding your own personality will make for a seamless looking IG story that tells your story!

instagram story video clips

Whether you are selling something, sharing a fun event, or an interesting part of your day – this is a great way to make your videos stand out! AND you can enjoy the moment by recording a video, and editing and posting it at your leisure!

What would you use Instagram story videos for?

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Body Shape – How to dress for yours!

Body Shape
Do you know what yours is?
Do you often wonder how to dress for your body shape? I often wondered as well, so I did some research, and discovered what I “Should” wear for my body type. I discovered I was often wearing things that didn’t work for my body type, and that was what was leading me to be frustrated!
I decided that If I was struggling others were too!
So here is a sample of the information I found. I created graphics for you to better see the information up close and personal!
These body shapes are just a few – but are a general overall sample of what to wear, specifically from the brand that i offer. LuLaRoe can be seen as simple fashion – but it is very easy to dress it up, and find something that works for every body type! I have the body shapes listed here, as well as an example of a LuLaRoe outfit that works for that shape! What Shape are you?

A Pear Shaped body:
Pear Shape

A Carrot Shaped Body:
carrot shape

 

A Rectangle Shaped Body:
rectangle shape

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Apple Shaped Body:
Apple Shape
An Hourglass Shaped body:
Hourglas Shape

What is your favorite Look? What style would you want to add to your closet?
Do you need help with your Body Shape and how to style it? I would love to help you find the perfect outfit for you!
Just head on over to my Group, and you will find all of my resources for helping you to style your body!
Thank you for checking in!

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YouTube for Styling Tips – Here are my latest!

Do you use YouTube for styling tips?
While I love my trips down the Pinterest rabbit hole – I am not always able to pull apart the how to. I love the ability to watch a video, pause it, and follow the steps!
I spent some time creating a few YouTube videos about some new styling tips that I love!

YouTube styling tips

This first video is me using a Lindsay Kimono and a skirt to create a wrap top! This look is super easy and versatile! What ways would you use this style in your wardrobe? I love that it can stand alone or be a part of a Capsule wardrobe. I am very cautious about not sharing styling tips I wouldn’t wear myself, and I am in love with this look!

 

This second video is One of my favorite ways to pack for a vacation! I use a capsule when I am going for one/two nights, and need to minimize my packing.You can use any three/four pieces you own that can work in this way! This is how people travel with just a carry on! I add sneakers, heels, boots, a bathing suit, jeans or shorts, a tank top, jewelry, toiletries, Headphones, chargers, and a good book! Super easy to Pack and go!

If you enjoy my videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel to be sure you see them all!

Want to know what I use to make my YouTube videos? Read this article here!

I so enjoy sharing styling tips, and fashion ideas with you! If you love my tips, please reach out and let me know what tips you want to see more of!

What other types of styling tips would you want to see on my YouTube Channel?
Clothing Storage?
Caring for your Clothing?
Dress Sizing?
Travel tips?
Health and wellness tips?
Running advice?
I am willing to talk about any and all of these tips!

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Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out these styling tips!

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LuLaRoe Business – How to start your own

LuLaRoe

You have been watching your friend/neighbor/relative for some time now.

Maybe, you own zero to fifty plus pairs of leggings.

Do you want to know what draws them in/ why they do what they do/ if it could be right for you!?

Step one to starting your own LuLaRoe business –
Talk to someone who works their LuLaRoe business the way you would want to work your business. Ask them as many questions as you have. Most people who work their LuLaRoe business will be willing to make time to meet with you and talk. Some tips for topics are: Value, Time, Money, Balance, Support.

I hope you don’t mind, but I will share mine with you!

join lularoe

  • What Value will I get out of LuLaRoe?
    I like to start with this because I know how important value is to everyone! Here is what LuLaRoe has given me. Since I started my own business a year ago – I have found a group of friends that I can relate to. We lift each other up, support each other, and there is a community of encouragement that never fails. Steve and I have become a team in a way we never were before. We work for the common goal of success in our business, helping others be successful, and giving back in every way we can. The value extends to our family who is quick to help, happy to be a part of our LuLaRoe Business, and is learning responsibility through the business model Steve and I have placed out. Our boys are a major part of my why, and a major part of my drive to do better for others.
  • What is the cost of starting your own LuLaRoe Business?
    What does it COST to start your own business with LuLaRoe? LuLaRoe requires that each fashion consultant start their business with approximately 350+ pieces of clothing. That translates into a significant investment. There are no fees involved with the startup of your business through LuLaRoe. Every dime that you pay goes towards your initial wholesale order. This order is a decent inventory that will come filled with some of the most amazing pieces LuLaRoe offers. The model is simple – we purchase at wholesale, and sell at retail.  The work is not easy – but it is simple. Organization is a strong tool to have in your toolbox!
  • What Type of Time commitment is a LuLaRoe business?
    How much time does it take to make your own business work with LuLaRoe? The answer is not easy – it can take as much or as little time as you want, however, the more time you put in, the more you will get out of your business. Some families have replaced their  full time jobs with their LuLaRoe business and work 50+ hours a week to get it off the ground. Others use this business as a way to supplement bills, or pay for a vacation, a new wardrobe, or even their car and work 20 or so hours a week just doing sales while working their full time jobs. The idea of time in your business is what you are willing to put into it. Some families sell completely online, and some sell only in home. The flexibility to make it work for you is what is important! For our family – It is my full time job, and Steve’s part time job – and together we work hard to make it a success for our family – based on our goals.

So – now that I shared some of my tips with you, lets move on.

Step Two – repeat step one with a few more people. It is important to get as much information as possible from as many sources so that you can make an informed decision.

Step Three – Pick a sponsor who you will be able to work with. Someone who you share goals with, or who will fill in your voids. Which person that you spoke with did you connect to? Is it a friend or a relative or is it a stranger?

Step Four– Fill out your application – and wait for your call. LuLaRoe uses a queue as a waiting list for people interested in starting their own business. While in the Queue, there are training calls, and support from your sponsor and their team. Utilize this time to learn, and plan. This time well spent will catapult your career in a way you cannot imagine.

Step five – The day has arrived, the phone rings and it is the LuLaRoe home office calling to welcome you to your new business! You got your call now – go rock your business! remember you are not alone – there are many women and men standing in front of beside and behind you lifting you up. Noone has to do this alone, the community of LuLaRoe will help you to succeed.

Step six – Share your passion and love of LuLaRoe with others! Just like I am doing here –  you want others to know how LuLaRoe has changed you, helped you, or what it has done for you! LuLaRoe also encourages us to focus on being leaders in our day to day so that we are helping everyone succeed!

Do you have more questions about LuLaRoe? Just ask!
You can always send me an email or a message.

If you love what you read – and you want to join my TEAM – you can do that by emailing me – or following this link! I would love to help your life be blessed with this journey!

 

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how a dress changed my life…

We all have that one outfit – The one we love the most. you know the one – The outfit that when you wear it – you run the world!
For me – This is the dress. You see, this dress is the one I was wearing the day i decided to join LuLaRoe. It fits me perfectly, and is covered with the most amazing floral pattern. My grandmother had the best garden, and when I wear floral, I feel like I am close to her.

Isn’t it funny how something like a flower on a dress, or a whiff of perfume can bring you back to a moment. My grandmother was in love with fashion, she owned hundreds of shoes and had closets filled with clothes. Her costume jewelry collection was astounding, and her real jewelry was very well cared for. A true southern belle, she was always well put together. I always wanted to be that way.

As a little girl I would get dressed up with gloves and hats. I was also really good at being a Tomboy though. I was never afraid to get dirty, and I often wonder how my grandmother felt about that. I wanted nothing more than to fit in, be beautiful, and love who I was. As the teenage years began, I started to realize, I didn’t love me. That “Unlove” of myself lasted a long time. I questioned friendships, lovers, adults. I did not believe I was worth loving. The one I cared about the most was my Gram.

Reaching into adulthood, being a wife, a mom, and never finding me in any career was so hard. Then – A dress – this dress, and I felt comfortable – beautiful – confident. This confidence led me to a decision that changed my life. The rest is history, but this dress, it brings me back every time.

What draws you in? what creates memories for you? how do you use it to strengthen your present?

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Be proud of who you are, and what you do

When you were a child do you remember getting a sticker on your paper? Or a smiley face drawn on by the teacher? How did you feel? You were proud! As we get older, we are taught to be humble, to be kind, and not to boast. Is it truly boasting though if you are doing something that makes you feel good?

track
Steve and I had the experience of coaching some amazing athletes at track and field this season. It is always pride filing to watch these youth go from fear to belief in themselves. We give them the tools to do what they have the physical ability to do, and they soar. Several of our athletes qualify for the National level of the Junior Olympics this year, and it was humbling. The biggest thing we did as a team was to win a local meet. This meet is regional and teams from all over the area come to compete. It was exciting to watch our athletes reach PR’s, do things they hadn’t before, and be proud of their work!

 

In our day to day life – we work our LuLaRoe business together. We are having much success, and enjoy the work that we do. Why is it that I have a hard time talking about this success? I want others to know that this woman who disliked everything about herself a year ago has found out how to love herself because of the work she is doing with LuLaRoe. I found myself “Turtleing” when people ask what I do, or how it is going. You know – when you pull your head into your neck and round your shoulders.

I don’t do that anymore – or at least I try not to. It turns out that the sales figures I have, and the work I am doing puts me in the top 1% of the company. I didn’t know that, I assumed I was average, I assumed others were doing it the same or better. you know what they say about assumptions.  I was setting personal PR’s, but I was also creating a sustainable business and keeping it to myself. That helps no one!

lularoe retailer

Today I am making a change. I am choosing to be proud of the work I am doing, and to share that with others. Someone else could benefit from my success story, and I don’t want to take that away from them.
So I will share. I will tell people about my success, and what the benefit is for my family, because I can do this, and stay humble, and possibly change a life all at the same time.

What can you share? How could it help someone else? Will you share?

 

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Why I want my husband to quit his job- and why it isn’t selfish

I love my husband
He loves his work
His work creates constant stress
With his Diabetes- stress is negative
For me- a huge part of why I started LuLaRoe was to bring him home.

I have become so focused on my business that it has become our business. Following convention I am spending some time alone – never have I done this! I am standing in line at Disneyland by myself- with a million strangers- and I want him here. I want our business to be our business, and I want him here enjoying all of the rewards!

But

He is scared
Scared of failure
Of financial strain
Of failure
Of not feeling he has a place
Of failure

You know what- don’t tell him this- but I have some of those same fears- except – I give those fears no place. Every time one pops up- I give it a reason to go away.

This golden ticket we have in LuLaRoe it is indescribable and invaluable- and we own it- we own our own business. I never thought it could be real, but- we do.

We

Neither one of us should face those fears alone-
Neither one of us should be alone in our business.

So I am here, and he is home- having fun with the boys, doing live sales, and still running our business. I am beyond grateful for those things. So grateful. But I miss them.

So- I want him to quit his 9-5, fire his boss, and be with me- because separately we make our business work- but together- together we will make our business greater and travel towards our larger goals…

What are your goals? What would you do to achieve them? What can I do to help you?

I want to help you find your dreams and achieve them too!
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Never have I ever…a Tale in courage and anxiety

Let’s play a game –

It’s called Never Have I Ever –

Usually this is a drinking game where you take a drink every time someone says something they have never done that you have. For the purposes of this exercise, lets do 1 burpee for every item you have done that I haven’t.

Never have I ever – traveled alone

Never have I ever – gone on a work trip

Never have I ever – been away from my children for a long period of time

Never have I ever  – stayed at a hotel alone

This coming week – I will get to do a burpee for all of those -and it is scary… exciting and scary.

I have already tackled obstacles one and two so that is something to be okay with!

Obstacle one – getting tickets and reservations – Way back in the beginning of April  I was able to get a ticket to the LuLaRoe annual Convention. I was at a point where I was stepping up my business, and working towards being a better business owner. I knew that this convention would be a game changer for me, so I had to go, and Steve supported me fully.

The months have rolled on, and always in the back of my min was obstacle two – what to pack!!! How do you dress for a fashion event filled with like minded clothing obsessed ladies! I spent a few months putting the clothes I thought I would bring into a laundry basket in the corner of my room. It was something constantly buzzing in the corner of my mind for the last few weeks, so the fact that I am packed is a stress relief. not completely, but it helps!

That one was hard –

The past week I have been really focused on obstacle three – my our business while I am away! I have monthly sales goals set for myself, and I am close to them this month, but I leave Tuesday… Unfortunately my dream of going for the week and leaving Steve to enjoy the boys is turning into leaving Steve to make a few sales! I know he can, I know he will, but the plan didn’t work the way I wanted, and that is ok!

The most important obstacle, obstacle four – my family. Steve travels for business a lot. I do not. I have never traveled alone, haven’t flown in 5 years, and well, I have Never used a ride service (not a taxi or a ride share, maybe a bus and a train!) I don’t know how to be away from my family. The look in Aaron’s eyes said it all yesterday. He asked how many minutes to where I was going…my heart sank – he doesn’t know. So I showed him California on my map, and then said do you want to see Rhode Island? his eyes welled with tears and took a big gulp. “When will you be home?” I am gone for a week but we can talk every day! “Ok, will you be awake when we are asleep?” for some of it! “Ok” and off he went to play. I hope he can hop off to play on Tuesday when he wakes up and I am on a plane…”

I am sure there will be other obstacles, but I don’t leave until Tuesday AM. We have some time to overcome them.

I end this game of Never -Have -I – Ever with this question – What have you never done that you wish you could do? What are your obstacles? Are you willing to do to overcome them and take on your Never?

 

My challenge to you – Go do it!
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A LuLaRoe Catalog?

‘I would like a catalog, please…’
(That is a request I get a lot)

‘At LuLaRoe, we don’t have catalogs.’

‘What? How do I know what to buy if I can’t get a catalog? ‘

(The answer is simple!)
Come on over!
Touch the material,  try on the clothes, bring a friend to my home and have a private styling session.

‘But why no catalog?’

LuLaRoe only creates approximately 5000 cuts of a print, making the items rare, and almost exclusive.
This exclusivity is a major part of why LuLaRoe is so amazing!
When you walk into a retailer, you run the risk of that old school fashion Faux Paux of showing up in the same outfit!
LuLaRoe Retailers think outside of the box.
Can you imagine the physical size of the catalog needed to contain all of the prints – and the hours of upkeep needed to know what prints were and were not available?
So – we as retailers create our own catalogs.

‘How?’
We do so by using individual photographs of our items, or prints available and posting them online for you, the customer to see and purchase from.
We have taken the Catalog from analog to digital and customized it to our individual styles. You get the benefit of not one catalog that everyone has a copy of, but access to hundreds of catalogs with hundreds of retailers, and the ability to pick what you like!

Also – you have access to all of the LuLaRoe news in an instant.

How amazing is it that you can see what we have in person or online? If you are in home you take it that day! If you shop online most retailers ship next day after payment getting the items into your hands FAST!

So, Why don’t we have a catalog? Because that is part of what makes us unique!
lularoe catalog

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when the run seems so far away…

I recently decided that If I am going to coach track, I need to be running.
I can run, I do it, It is just not consistent.
So, I did what every normal crazy person does –
I hired a running coach, and signed up for a 10K.
That is what normal people do, right?
I love my coach
She gets me
Her first email to me was all… “and you are a mom, and a wife, and you own a business, and sometimes your workouts are going to get pushed aside, and we have to be okay with that…”
After reading that, I went out and bought new running shoes, a whole mess of LuLaRoe running pants (because they are awesome) some new bras – you know – the essentials! And I started out all super excited…
Week three was last week…
I got 2 of my 4 workouts in – ouch –
and truthfully – I should be running right now.
but –
the list
the lists of things that are so important they can’t wait
the promises we make ourselves
the things that are more important than the run
these things add up
and the run seems so long – who can do 50 minutes of running?
and I have to breathe, and remember that I can
I can and I have –
The choice to run is mine – it is for me – I need the mental break
my family wants me to do it.
Steve went for his run, and so should I
the run seems so far…but look how far I’ve come!

so I ran…

 

What seems so far for you? the run? the diet? the book? the degree? what are you waiting for? what is holding you back from moving forward? what is on your most important list?
because “when everything is (most) important then nothing is.” – Patrick Lencioni

let’s take the time to refocus, and set goals!
just run
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