INTERVIEW WITH A JUSTINE CONSULTANT

1 November 2022 – by René Woodenberg

I recently had the opportunity to interview a long-standing Justine Consultant, Tannie Irene Swemmer.

Tannie Irene, who celebrated her 89th birthday this year, has been a loyal Justine Consultant since she first joined Justine in 1978.

How did you join Justine?

I was approached by a Justine area manager.  She had her Justine kit in a stunning suitcase that I fell in love with and wanted for myself.

While I was utterly convinced that I had no clue how to sell a thing, she had so much belief in me and my ability to be a success that she would only allow me to buy the kit as a Justine Consultant.

So I joined with the intention of only being a consultant for a year. That was in 1978 and look at me now!

Describe your first few months in the business?

I am a firm believer in using and knowing the products that you sell. I attended the training sessions that were offered and I implemented the techniques and tips on my own skin. This gave me the confidence to do the same with my own customers.

Being able to explain the products, demonstrate them to the customers and let them experience it for themselves is what helped me grow my business exponentially within a few months. The Justine products were, and still are, so fantastic that everyone who tries them loves with them immediately.

How has your career changed with Justine?

Since I was the only Justine Consultant in my area at that time, I started recruiting others to sell as well to help my manager. She was so impressed with how I was able to recruit that she offered me the position of manager in my area.

And I remained the only manager in my area for 3 years.

How did the extra income impact you and your family?

It meant so much to me.

I was able to pay for my daughter’s university education with my Justine earnings. I am so proud of the fact that there was not a cent owing by the time she graduated.

What did you enjoy most about being a leader of your own team?

Oh, I loved being the leader of a team, and being able to help others to achieve their goals. It was such an honour to have ladies look to me for guidance. I remember how I helped to raise the confidence of the ladies in my team that they started believing in themselves so much more.  To see them become successful was one of the greatest enjoyments during my years as a leader.

How do you still maintain your business after all this time?

I make it a party! (*giggling*)

My friends come over for dinner parties and I still share the brochure with them. When they come and collect their products at the next party, I have my next brochure ready!

Some of Tannie Irene’s mementoes

LP records  – Music by Roy Bulkin.

Listen to the tracks here:
English Version
Afrikaans version

What would you say is the reason for your success?

My philosophy is to never let anyone feel like they are being sold to. I have always maintained that as consultants, we need to provide advice and guide her to make the best choices possible for her own needs. I never want anyone to feel like I’m just trying to make a sale or reach my next target.

When I was recruiting, I would explain how building a customer base of regular customers would help to pay for your own products. So if you had enough customers buying from you, your own products would cost you nothing as your earnings would cover that cost.

What do you remember about our founder, Ms Veronica Devine?

She was such an inspiration. Her personality shone from her like rays of sunshine.

When she spoke at the conference we felt that we had received so much knowledge and inspiration that cannot be put into mere words.

One of the many nuggets of wisdom I received from her was, when asked about a competitor’s product, to decline providing feedback as it gives the competitor free advertising. I thought it was brilliant advice and it has stuck with me all these years.

I will be forever grateful to have met Veronica Devine and to have learned from such a profoundly pioneering woman.

Do you have any advice for current and future Justine Consultants?

There are two tips I can give.

Firstly, use the products. This helps to build your product knowledge, and helps you give advice from a personal perspective. I don’t believe that you can sell products that you don’t know and love.

Secondly, be a consultant. Consult, provide advice, build a relationship with your customers. Approach your customers with their needs in mind, and the sales will happen naturally.

Conclusion

Thank you Tannie Irene, for your inspiring words and sharing the gift of your knowledge and experience with us. Your dedication to your business, and to our beautiful brand, Justine, brings encouragement to follow in your footsteps.

May your business continue to grow from strength to strength. We are honoured to have you in our team, and to celebrate your success with you.

To the reader

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