By Guest Blogger, April Whitlock, CEO Fundanoodle
Dear Charlotte Smarty Pants Mamas –
I am so excited to share with you that Fundanoodle has successfully launched a direct sale pilot program – The Fundanoodle Ambassadors. This idea has been lurking in the back of my mind for the last three years. And my desire to make it a reality has grown every day: With every Mom I met who had a story to tell about how much their child loved these products; with every teacher who told me of the students in her class who struggled with fine motor skills and needed these tools; with every Parent of a special needs child who found success through Fundanoodle and with every passionate Fundanoodle friend who couldn’t wait to tell someone about how these products worked.
The mission of the Fundanoodle Ambassador program is to provide individuals who are passionate about early education an opportunity to impact their community, build a business and earn additional personal income. Our goal with this program is to develop multiple opportunities to empower individuals to parlay their experience in education or occupational therapy, or their commitment to early learning development, into a profitable and flexible personal business that has a dramatic local impact.
We have extensively researched comparable programs in the marketplace. Armed with this information and our five years of experience, we have put together a strategic business plan for our Ambassadors that is in line with our successful experiences, will utilize direct sale best practices and will allow participants to maximize their experience and their network for personal growth.
Fundanoodle Ambassadors will be allowed to buy a Fundanoodle Sample Kit (one of each Fundanoodle product) at 50% off four times a year (once a quarter). With our current suite of products, a sample kit will cost $140 plus shipping/handling. We know that the hands-on experience is the most effective way to educate parents and teachers about Fundanoodle’s benefits and we want to make that experience as cost-effective as possible for our Ambassadors.
To meet our goal of allowing Ambassadors to build their own business, or add a new channel to an existing business or practice (e.g. tutors, occupational therapists etc.), we will provide multiple sales opportunities, and each with earning potential that corresponds with the expected risk/reward. For example, our experience shows that website sales will be a small portion of an Ambassadors business and the lowest level of commitment, so that is the lowest commission level at 10%. However, opportunities where users can buy the product on site for immediate use are the most successful. Those opportunities will require a higher degree of investment by the Ambassador to purchase the inventory, but have a higher earning potential (up to 40%).
In addition to traditional house parties, Fundanoodle will provide step-by-step instructions for implementing school fundraisers, delivering parent night and teacher presentations, offering summer or teacher workday camps, after school or tutoring programs and much, much more. Ambassadors will build a business that fits their lifestyle, skill set and experience.
Finally, the Fundanoodle Ambassador program will take a unique approach to recruiting. In most instances, our corporate office will be responsible for recruiting, screening and selecting new Ambassadors, as well as the initial training. Ambassadors who desire to grow their business by growing their team will be required to meet certain requirements and sales milestones in order to apply for a management position.
These first Ambassadors will truly be my partners in this opportunity. I am looking to you to help me understand what you need to build and grow your business. After the initial pilot program, the first Ambassadors will join me in a strategic review of the pilot. We will work together to analyze the successes and obstacles, make recommendations for improvements and additions. I truly want these first Ambassadors to be instrumental to the development and growth of this program.
We launched the pilot on March 1st with 13 Ambassadors. I’ve been amazed by the interest nationwide, but am anxious to identify more Ambassadors from the Charlotte Smarty Pants area. Fundanoodle has a STRONG brand presence in this area allowing local ambassadors a shorter business ramp up as well as a lot of in-person coaching. We will continue to take applications and add Ambassadors during the Pilot Program. Specifically, we are looking for Ambassadors in Cabarrus County, Gaston County, Iredell County, Union County, North Mecklenburg and Rock Hill/Ft. Mill area.
Applications are accepted at www.fundanoodle.com/ambassadors. Thank you for helping me spread the news!
Best Wishes,
April Whitlock
