My Not-So-Secret Secrets to Running a Successful Direct Sales Business
Hi, friend!
Welcome back to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust. I’m Lindsay Dollinger—high school Spanish teacher, dog mom, world traveler, and direct seller. I empower women to run their direct sales businesses the right way so they can earn the money they deserve, live their dream life, and travel the world.
Let’s dive into today’s quick-but-powerful episode, because I’m sharing my not-so-secret “secrets” to a successful business—whether your side hustle is Color Street, coaching, wellness products, a handmade business, or literally anything in between.
These three principles changed everything for me. They are simple, but they are game-changers.
Secret #1: Treat Your Business Like… a Business
This one sounds obvious, but it’s actually not—especially when your business starts as a “side hustle.”
Here’s the truth:
👉 If you treat your business like a hobby, it will pay you like a hobby.
👉 If you treat your business like a business, it will pay you like a business.
When I first heard that, it was a total lightbulb moment. I realized I said I wanted a business, but I was running it like a hobby—working “when I felt like it,” getting distracted, not planning ahead, and wondering why I was only making a couple hundred dollars a month.
When I shifted my mindset—when I began scheduling time, investing in learning, creating systems, and showing up intentionally—everything changed.
So ask yourself:
✨ Are you treating your business like a real business?
✨ Or is it an expensive hobby?
Your results will always match your commitment.
Secret #2: Be Professional (Always.)
Professionalism will set you apart instantly—and it matters whether this is your full-time career or your side hustle.
Here are a few ways professionalism shows up:
✔️ Respond to messages within 24 hours
Your customers and team members deserve timely communication. It doesn’t have to be instant, but it shouldn’t be days later.
✔️ Go above and beyond with customer service
The customer is always right—within reason. But even when it costs you a little extra time or money, great service always pays off.
That means:
- Replacing a lost package (and writing it off later)
- Sending a friendly thank-you card
- Shipping promptly
- Following up after a purchase
- Making things right when the company makes a mistake
People remember how you treat them.
✔️ Follow through on your commitments
If you say you will:
- Attend a vendor event
- Host a party
- Show up on a training
- Meet someone to drop something off
…then do it.
Even if the party only has 3 attendees.
Even if the event looks “small.”
Even if your host wasn’t as engaged as you hoped.
You never know who those three people could introduce you to.
Every connection matters.
✔️ Keep it positive
Professionalism also means:
❌ No complaining publicly
❌ No trash-talking your company
❌ No posting negativity on your timeline
❌ No venting to customers
Keep your vibe high. Your ideal customers are attracted to positivity, not drama.
Your attitude is your personal brand. Make it a magnetic one.
Secret #3: Be Consistent (The REAL Magic)
If I could tattoo one business lesson on everyone’s forehead, it would be this:
👉 Consistency beats intensity every single time.
You don’t need to work 10 hours a day.
You DO need to show up consistently.
And the good news?
We have tools that make consistency SO easy:
✔️ Use schedulers
Whether you’re using Facebook’s built-in scheduler, CinchShare, Later, Planoly—whatever—use it.
This is how:
- Your business stays visible when you’re on vacation
- Your group stays active during busy seasons
- You still “show up” when life happens
- You avoid long periods of silence that drive customers away
When I traveled to Chile and Argentina—and later Europe—my customers kept saying:
“WAIT… aren’t you on vacation? How are you still posting?!”
Scheduling. That’s it.
Consistency doesn’t require more time—just more planning.
✔️ Stay consistent with parties (if you’re in a party-plan business)
No parties = no pipeline.
Be consistently booking, hosting, and following up.
✔️ Create consistent routines
Your consistency might look like:
- Going live every Thursday
- Sending love bombs every Monday
- Following up every Friday
- Hosting your Girls Night In weekly
- Posting three times a day
- Sending one email weekly
There’s no one-size-fits-all plan—but there IS one requirement:
You have to do it consistently.
When people see that you show up regularly—not just when life is easy—they trust you more, buy from you more, and refer more people to you.
Putting It All Together
If you want to grow your direct sales business…
If you want it to be profitable…
If you want it to be your full-time income someday…
These three things are non-negotiable:
1️⃣ Treat your business like a business.
2️⃣ Be professional.
3️⃣ Be consistent.
These are simple, but they require discipline.
And the reward? Financial freedom, growth, confidence, and a business you LOVE.
If this was helpful, share it with your team, screenshot it for your story, or tag me on Instagram or Facebook! I love seeing what resonates with you.
Go out there, be consistent, and make today magical. 💛✨