Once Upon A Time...

I decided a couple of months ago to become a consultant with Thirty-One Gifts. It's been a pretty cool and profitable ride so far, and since it is a relatively new, up & coming company, I thought I would share some information that was passed along to me this morning. Many of you have asked these questions... so here you go... nice & informative.

Who is Thirty-One?

Thirty-One is more than a company that sells unique and on-trend purses, accessories and products that offer organizing solutions. It's a company that changes lives. Thirty-One's mission is to Celebrate, Encourage and Reward women, and we have been blessed to see this mission played out through the years in the individual lives of so many women who now have their own "Thirty-One Story." The heart of Thirty-One remains in the home. As a direct selling company, Thirty-One's Independent Consultants hold home parties to share the company's products in person and build relationships with Hostesses and customers. In 2003, Cindy Monroe began Thirty-One in the basement of her Chattanooga, Tenn., home with a dream and a calling: to provide an opportunity for women to achieve financial freedom, find personal fulfillment and realize their dreams through becoming successful business owners. Our foremost company purpose is managing and building a business that helps our Consultants succeed in theirs.

How did Thirty-One get its name?

The name Thirty-One comes from the verses of Proverbs 31, which celebrate hard-working women who are compassionate, giving and inspirational to their families and the people around them.

Cindy's Story

Cindy Monroe launched Thirty-One in the basement of her family home in Tennessee eight years ago. She had two employees at her side. Today, she has 1,500 employees and an Independent Consultant sales force nearly 40,000 strong. Thirty-One is now headquartered in Johnstown, Ohio, with a second location in the Easton area of Columbus. A third location in Springfield, Ohio, will open in mid-September.

Cindy and her husband Scott borrowed $10,000 from family and friends to start Thirty-One eight years ago. The goal was to provide affordable and fashionable products previously available only at exclusive boutiques that closed at 5 p.m. - too early for working women to shop there. Cindy did not stand on the sidelines to let others create her dream; she dove right in and got to work. Cindy held the first party, recruited the very first Consultant (who is still with the company today) and helped develop the first product lines.

Thirty-One exists because Cindy wanted to provide an opportunity for women to find financial freedom through owning their own business in direct selling. Thirty-One's Independent Consultants hold home parties to share the company's products and opportunity in person and build relationships with Hostesses and customers.

Thirty-One offers exclusive, on-trend accessories and organizing solutions - many of which can be personalized. It is the company's commitment to give women the opportunity to become successful business owners.

What does Thirty-One sell?

Our stylish, affordable products are exclusive to Thirty-One. From our signature purses, totes and accessories to eye-catching storage solutions that help organize your life, you'll find something to fit every personality and situation. Each season, we develop new products built on the idea that our products must be functional AND fashionable.

How can I buy Thirty-One products?

Thirty-One is a direct selling company, which means we bring the party to you! Partying with Thirty-One is a fun shopping trip with your girlfriends, except you never need to leave your home. Our Independent Consultants are passionate about their jobs and our company's mission, and they're experts on our products. Our Hostesses love Thirty-One because of the fun...but also because of the great deals and rewards they receive!

Fast Facts

- The Johnstown Home Office and Distribution Center sits on 31 acres of land in Monroe Township in Licking County. Its address is 231 Commerce Blvd., Johnstown, OH 43031.

- The 98,000-square-foot office, warehouse and production facility is a LEED® Certified building, which means the building is an earth-friendly facility.

- The first Thirty-One catalog was released in October 2003. . Founder & CEO Cindy and Scott Monroe, along with 11 families (total of 38 people) moved the headquarters from Tennessee to Johnstown, Ohio.

- There are Thirty-One Independent Consultants in every state! Thirty-One has more than 40,000 Independent Consultants.

- In November 2010, Thirty-One shipped its one-millionth order! . In April 2011, Thirty-One shipped its two-millionth order! THAT is some serious growth in one year!

- Thirty-One currently has 1,500 full-time employees. This is the part I love the best, because these employees are in OHIO.

Celebrate - Encourage - Reward

If you would like to become involved in Thirty-One as a customer, Open House hostess or as a consultant, let me know. Regardless of your motivation, Thirty-One truly does have something for everyone. You can reach me at thewhitewords@gmail.com.