Treat Your Direct Sales Business Like a Business (Not a Hobby!)
Hi, friend!
Welcome to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust Podcast. 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 the life of their dreams, and travel the world.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way… let’s jump in.
https://pod.co/the-social-selling-sisterhood/treat-your-business-like-a-business-team-training
Why This Training Matters
This blog recaps a training originally created for my Color Street team, Team Polish Princesses. But whether you’re reading this as a stylist, a direct seller from any company, or a business owner in another industry, the message is the same:
👉 If you treat your business like a business, it will pay you like one.
If you treat it like a hobby, it will cost you like one.
This is tough love—but it’s true.
If you feel like you’re “doing all the things” but not getting results, this blog is for you. It may be time to honestly evaluate how you’re showing up.
Let’s dive into the top habits that separate hobby sellers from true business owners.
1. Build a Routine That Supports Your Success
Every sustainable business has structure. You need routines—both personal and business-related.
Your Personal Routine Matters
You cannot pour from an empty cup. For me, that looks like:
- Getting enough sleep
- Limiting afternoon caffeine
- Working out
- Eating healthy
- Daily meditation
- Protecting my energy
When I don’t take care of myself, I cannot show up for my team, customers, or business.
Schedule Like a CEO
I time-block everything—literally everything.
If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t happen.
I use my Direct Sales Done Right Planner + Tracker, which allows me to:
- Break my day into hourly blocks
- Track follow-ups
- Document monthly goals
- Note daily intentions
- Organize priorities
Your planner is your roadmap. And it’s how you eliminate the “I don’t have time” excuse forever.
2. Communicate With Your Family or Support System
If you’re building a real business, you need buy-in from the people who live with you.
I tell my sister:
- When I’m doing power hours
- When I’m on team calls
- When I can’t hang out
- When I have big goals I’m working toward
People can’t support what they don’t know.
Let them in. Share your vision. Let them cheer you on.
3. Professionalism Will Set You Apart
Let’s talk about leveling up your presence as a business owner.
Provide Amazing Customer Service
A real business owner:
- Responds within 24 hours
- Uses kindness and professionalism in replies
- Solves customer concerns quickly
- Sets boundaries (you don’t need to respond instantly)
People remember how you make them feel.
Stop Overposting in Your Groups
Your VIP group is not your diary.
Posting 10 times a day screams “hobby mode.”
A healthy posting pace is:
- 1–3 posts/day max
- More during a structured “girls night in” or event
And please—stop copy/pasting other people’s posts. The algorithm hates it, and your customers can feel when something isn’t your voice.
Email Your Customers Like a Real Company
You should be emailing your customers:
- For every launch
- For special promotions
- To share inspiration
- To build connection
Your inbox will convert more sales than your social feed ever will.
4. Use Your Resources Before Asking Questions
There is SO much available to you:
- Team groups
- Search bars
- Company training
- Apps
- Back office resources
- Past videos
- Guides
Before asking your upline, check your available tools.
This isn’t about not helping—it’s about empowering you to think like a leader.
5. Instant Replies Are NOT Required
Let me set you free:
✨ You do NOT need to respond immediately.
✨ There is no such thing as a “nail emergency.”
✨ Boundaries make you a stronger leader, not a weaker one.
If you respond instantly all the time, you train your team and customers to expect it.
You’re building a business—not running an ER.
6. Don’t Recreate the Wheel
Please, friend, hear me:
You do NOT need to make your own hostess coaching system, templates, or training if one already exists.
Creating new graphics, templates, and systems might feel productive, but…
👉 It’s not income-producing.
Use the tools available. Spend your time doing what grows your business:
- Talking to new people
- Following up
- Booking parties
- Sponsoring
- Serving customers
That’s where your money lives.
7. Show Up—Because the Speed of the Leader = Speed of the Pack
I can always tell who is going to be successful:
- They show up to power hours
- They come to team calls
- They bonus qualify early
- They book parties
- They take initiative
- They participate
- They don’t make excuses
Your team will follow YOUR lead.
If you want committed teammates, you must model commitment.
8. Avoid Drama and Negativity
A business owner does not:
- Complain in team groups
- Vent publicly
- Start drama
- Belittle others’ success
- Comment negatively on recognition posts
Your energy is part of your brand.
Protect it. Guard it. Elevate it.
9. Step Into Leadership Now
You do NOT need a large team to be a leader.
You become a leader by:
- Helping
- Sharing
- Offering training
- Being proactive
- Thinking big
- Being coachable
- Showing up
If you have a strategy or system that works for you, offer to share it. The team grows when YOU grow.
10. If You Ask for Coaching… Be Ready to Take Action
This one’s big:
If you ask for help, you MUST be ready to implement.
Don’t take your upline’s time if you’re not willing to follow through.
It’s not fair to them—and it won’t move your business forward.
A business owner honors commitments, takes feedback, and executes.
Final Thoughts
If you want business-level results, you must take business-level actions.
✨ You get to decide your level of success.
✨ You get to decide how you show up.
✨ You get to decide whether this stays a hobby… or becomes a true business.
If you’ve been stuck or stagnant, that’s okay.
It just means it’s time to level up.
And I believe in you so much.
Want the Planner I Use to Run My Business?
My Six Figure Social Selling Planner & Tracker System is officially live!
Printable + fillable + created specifically for direct sellers.
Grab it here:
👉 http://www.LindsayDollinger.com
It includes:
- Follow-up tracker
- Party tracker
- Business activities
- Daily planning
- Hourly schedule
- Monthly overview
- Mindset section
- And so much more
If you want RESULTS—you’ll love this tool.
If you found this blog helpful, share it with your team, pin it, or comment below with your biggest takeaway!
You’ve got this, friend.
Go treat your business like a business. 💖