Sooo… guess what.
I have made a leap into something that makes me a wee bit nervous. (Though, come to think of it, not even close to as nervous as I got becoming a teacher or bringing a baby into the world.)
I have decided to join the ranks of the Pampered Chef Consultants! My Consultant Kit has arrived, filled with wicked-cool gadgets.
I’ve decided to blog about this, not so much to publicize my business venture, but to explain, since a lot of people who know me will think it’s a strange thing for me to do. And I sort of agree, but I’m gonna give it a whirl anyway.
Main reason it’s un-dilovely-ish: I’m not a seller. When I’ve had to sell things for school fundraisers (cheese, travel toothbrushes, Easter-themed porcelain bells – insert eye-roll), I always hated asking people to buy things from me. Even in charity canvassing, requesting that people part with their hard-earned money is an uncomfortable activity. And I’m not good at talking the talk, being smooth. All that sales-y stuff.
Also it might seem incongruous because my goals are normally so lofty (insert fake pretentious hand flutter). I aspire to perform, compose, write great things, have stimulating conversations in different languages, and of course teach, in what is considered a respectable profession (by many… some think it’s not, but that’s another post)… molding young minds and giving life tools to the leaders of tomorrow, yada yada. All these things have a certain slightly dorky, intellectual quality.
This is not to say that sales isn’t a respectable job; it is. Many of my favourite people are in sales-related jobs, and work hard and use important skills. (And in fact, bit o’ trivia: many Quakers went into such business back in the day because they weren’t allowed to join professions – and they did well because they were trustworthy. And apparently good at chocolate – Cadbury, Fry, Rowntree.) I just know that compared to the other things I do or think about doing, it seems un-cerebral. Well… who cares? Is wiping poop off cute little buttocks cerebral? Because I do an awful lot of that. There’s honour in it.
So what inspired me to do this? Well, it wasn’t exactly inspiration… my consultant called me. She is a really nice lady and she knows what she’s doing. She got into Pampered Chef after she became a mom too: having a way to earn money on a pick-your-own schedule is pretty tempting, especially when you’re on EI for maternity leave. She sensed I was the type who would be un-thrilled about going back to work full-time when my mat leave is up – and she was right. If this could make it feasible to be part-time instead, it would be a huge relief.
And I’ll say something else about my reasons: I actually looove Pampered Chef products. I owned many before getting my kit, and they are brilliant and lovely, and even my husband is excited by some of them. Like the micro-scraper and the ice cream scoop and the collapsible bowl and the stove-top griddle. They absolutely sell themselves.
Furthermore, since I’ve been a mom, I don’t know if it’s the maternal/nurturing hormones kicking in, or the fact that I’m not drained by being with lots and lots of kids all day… but I have a renewed interest in cooking. I mean, I’ve always been a foodie and loved to cook, but when energy and time are running low, some enjoyment goes out of the process.
So basically, the idea of having social time – with adults! – involving food cooked with aforementioned wicked-cool gadgets that I get to keep, and possibly making money on top of that… honestly, what’s not to love? I’m looking forward to it.
And if I decide after a few shows that I don’t like it after all… I still get to keep the stuff. 
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