Inspiring Women: Sandi Ervin

Sandi Ervin Interview
by: Lori Fox

Sandi Ervin is one of Kika's top consultants. I had the opportunity to interview Sandi amid her busy schedule. By the end of our phone conversation, I hung up the phone feeling energized and motivated to not only set goals and dreams, but take practical steps to make those happen. So, grab some hot tea and cozy up to your computer and get ready to be inspired!

KIKA: Hi Sandi! Tell us a little bit about yourself: Where you came from and how you ended up at kikaPaprika.

SANDI: My name is Sandi Ervin. I was born and raised in Los Angeles but had the opportunity to travel to Australia and Canada a lot since my mom and dad were from there. After meeting my husband, and the birth of our first two children, we decided to move to Spokane, Washington for a slower paced life. We have been here for 17 years and now have seven children ages 9-20. We have 6 boys and 1 girl.
I have always worked from home, and home schooled our children. My husband also works from home. I decided to be a consultant for kikaPaprika because I love working with women and helping them look and feel good. I feel customer service is important and I like working with clothes because it is a personal thing.

K: Why was having a home based business so important to you?

S: I believe family should be first. I wanted to be able to work from home and still move forward with home schooling our children and supporting my husbands home business. With having a home based business I am able to have my work go alongside my lifestyle, rather than my [personal] life being structured around my work. I love the flexibility and freedom to choose my work schedule; And it also helps me to be flexible with my customers and their schedules and needs. I like working from home because it gives an opportunity for unlimited growth in income. I can choose how much research, knowledge, and time I want to set aside to increase the business. This way I have more control over my income.

K: How are you involved in your community?

S: One of my favorite is an activity I do with the kids. I'm a dancer so we do a lot of dancing. Our dance company goes to retirement homes and does dance performances. We don't go in and do hip-hop or current dancing, though. We research music, such as vintage jazz, and dance what they would be interested in from their time. This way we get them excited and involved and reliving good memories. Afterwards the kids will hear how the elderly used to dance and get to learn a little bit of history! Other than that we just try to meet needs when we see them. For example, I was in a store and started a conversation with an older women. She was saying how she didn't have anyone to clean her floors, so I got her contact information and went home to hunt for someone to fill that need for her.

"You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.

- Zig Ziglar."

K: How do you set goals for yourself and make sure that you attain those goals?

S: I try to set reasonable goals. My motto is to "always beat my best". I make a road map and look at my time and see what will realistically fit into my schedule to make, for example, my business work. I decide how much money I want to make, then figure out how many shows I need to have to accomplish that, then I work this into my calendar. But, I also guard my time. I communicate my goals to my family so they also know when I have to work.
I don't give up. If someone cancels a show, I still work and do customer care, or whatever I need to do. And I ask myself if what I am doing during my work time will be profitable and beneficial to move the business forward. Every business has to have a plan and you have to work that plan. Everyone's plan is different because everyone's goals are different. You have to stick to it and don't give up.

" What separates the successful from the unsuccessful so many times is that the successful simply do it. They take action, they aren't necessarily smarter than others; they just work the plan."

-Jim Rohn, JIM ROHN'S WEEKLY EZINE, December 8, 2008

K: How do you overcome obstacles?

S: My philosophy is there is no such thing as an obstacle. I look at obstacles as a new opportunity and I decided to move forward. If something seems to be turning into an obstacle, I don't sit on it long and get down about it. I stay positive and reroute myself in another direction. It's all about attitude in life. You must keep a good attitude. I try to be a peacemaker and not let anything hold me back.

"Rarely does any plan succeed without a bump or a glitch."
-John Maxwell, THE MAXWELL LEADERSHIP BIBLE.

K: How do you balance your home, work, and social life?

S: I set clear boundaries and block my calendar. I make sure this is well communicated to my family, customers, and friends. I make sure not to work 24/7, even though it's exciting and sometimes I want to. I think a schedule is important for balance and I stick to my plan. I make a real work day a real work day. It helps me focus more.

K: Do you have any advice for other women?

S: Enjoy what you do whether it's activities you choose for yourself or your business. Be "others" oriented and look for needs that can be met for others. We don't have problems looking out for ourselves, our needs are usually well met. But we worry more when we are focused on our self! It's more rewarding to focus on others and their needs. I incorporate this into everyday. If a friend is not doing well and I'm going to the store i will text her and ask if she needs anything. I try to be busy doing good things, not just being busy.

"The person's true legacy is the time and effort he or she contributed to enriching others."
-Dan Sanders and Galen Walters, EQUIPPED TO LEAD

"God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us. All three are indispensable for character development. God’s Word provides the truth we need to grow, God’s people provide the support we need to grow, and circumstances provide the environment to practice Christ-likeness."
-Rick Warren THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONALS, July 24, 2008

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"Sandi is truly amazing. We are fortunate and so proud to have her on our team of dedicated kika Consultants. She embodies the spirit of kikaPaprika and is an inspiration to us all."

~Kim Shaw, President and Founder of kikaPaprika

Sandi Ervin sold over $10,000 in kikaPaprika clothing during the month of September, 2009.