Can you tell us who you are and about your family.
My name is Holly Miller and I’m the work at home mother of two beautiful children. My son is a kindergartner and my daughter is two. We just got a Yorkshire Terrier puppy for my birthday and of course I married my best friend. Well actually he was my best friend’s brother first and now he truly is my best friend.
Can you share with us what My Dream Samplebox is?
My Dream Sample Box Inc. is a company based in Colorado that strives to promote small businesses and especially work at home mothers. Our product is our Sample Boxes. They are monthly themed goody boxes filled with amazing samples from some of the best e-tailers on the web. We have two types of boxes: the handcrafted and the Masters Direct Sales. The handcrafted comes in three sizes: Mini, Mighty, and Mega. We are also working on a Kids Only box, filled with samples of products just for kids to open and enjoy; and the Happy Birthday box, filled with samples that will delight any woman on her birthday.
How can someone join and what does it cost to be included in the boxes?
Sponsorship is free! We accept sponsors continuously and are always looking ahead to the upcoming months. You can sign up on our website: www.mydreamsamplebox.com and then send in your samples by the 5th of each month you’ve signed up to participate in.
How many samples is someone required to send in and how often and what do you accept for samples?
We have a 20 sample minimum per month you’d like to participate, if you can’t meet this requirement but are still interested in the boxes send me an email at mydreamsamplebox@gmail.com and we can work something out. Samples are due by the 5th of the month you’re participating in, but many sponsors send in samples early or combine a couple of months to save on shipping costs. Samples can be any representation of the sponsors’ products. We’ve seen everything from crocheted flowers on business cards to full sized products. As long as it’s something tangible for the consumer to enjoy we’ll accept it. If anyone has any questions please email me.
Will you take just business cards and coupons or does it have to be samples?
We require that it be something for the consumer to enjoy because that’s what they’re paying for. We prefer samples but we have accepted goody bags of candy or promotional items like pens, notepads, etc. with business information in some circumstances. If samples of your product are not feasible to send in, please email me.
Are you in a business and if so do you send in samples as well if so how has worked out for your business?
I am an Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and I include my samples in the Masters Boxes as well. I first learned about the boxes and decided to participate from my Mary Kay business and it’s brought a lot of consumer interest my way. I feel like it’s a win win for both the sponsor and consumers buying the box. The consumers want the samples, so as a sponsor you know you’re not wasting your precious samples on people who may not care and only take them because they’re free.
How long have you had your business?
I’ve owned My Dream Sample Box since late July 2011 and I’ve been an Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant since December 2010.
What makes it different from other sample companies?
There are several differences. The biggest is the services we provide to sponsors. We aren’t a send in your samples and never hear from us again company. We are always available to help sponsors with questions about anything from their samples to their website, to how to blog and Facebook and so much more. We take pride in promoting our sponsors and driving new traffic and consumers to them. It’s not just about their samples, it’s about them. Other differences include our actual boxes. Unlike other boxes, we accept both handcrafters and independent representatives of direct selling companies. However, the boxes that do accept both types of sellers usually put both in the same boxes, we do not. We separate the handcrafters from the independent representatives in order to make sure that each sponsor is highlighted to the best of our ability. You can also order a box from us at any time instead of waiting for the first of the month even though our monthly boxes ship on the 15th of each month. We are bringing out two specialty boxes beginning in October that will be available to purchase and ship at any time, they are the Kids Only Boxes and the Happy Birthday Boxes. We believe our boxes aren’t just a bunch of samples but a gift box filled with surprises to delight you, therefore we package them like lavish gifts for every consumer.
Can you tell us how we know this would work for us?
I can’t guarantee that this model is right for every company, but we do strive to personalize our service to each sponsor that applies to our boxes and believe that upfront communication with the sponsors is vital to their success. I would recommend asking yourself three questions: 1. Do I have access to samples of my products? 2. Can consumers easily buy from me over the internet? 3. Is my target market primarily female between the ages of 25-50? If you answered yes to these questions then you’re in the right place. You can also read reviews from some of our sponsors on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mydreamsamplebox.
J L Designs “If I had known about My Dream Sample box, I could have Forgone all those other small time giveaways, PLUS all those "paid" Advertising pages and just done a month here! Holly is great! She goes out of her way to give each sponsoring business a moment to shine. She has promoted our business better and found us more fans in 1 day, than the other paid advertises I've been using have been able to do in 2 months! In one day, my fan count increased by over 130! ONE DAY! And they all came from her efforts of promoting our business. PLUS, Holly is so easy to work with, So encouraging, and Positive, and is very professional, yet personal with her sponsors. we just mailed in our samples for our upcoming month of sponsoring, so we haven't even reaped the benefits from that part of the service yet either! I will definitely be participating again in the future as time allows!”
Candace's Creations Handmade Bows and Headbands “ I don't think I could be happier with My Dream Sample Box! Holly takes time out to learn about you and your company to give you the best results for your participation. I am just starting with My Dream Sample Box, but I am confident that I will continue to use their services, as today has been outstanding. Today was the first that that she started advertising for my company, and in less than 24 hours she has sent over 100 new fans my way! If anyone reading is contemplating using this service, don't even hesitate! It is WELL worth it!! Thank you all for taking the time to read my review, and I really implore you to work with M.D.S.B......you won't regret it!!!”
Yvonne's Invitations & Favors LLC “First day in renewing with this group, under new ownership and I'm already pleased! I have known Holly for a short amount of time, but already she shines through with her professionalism, enthusiasm and support for her sponsors. I am happy to be back and hope to have a long-lasting partnership with My Dream Sample Box.”
Is it for sales or recruiting as well?
We welcome recruiting information in our Masters direct selling boxes along with company samples. It’s a great way to expand your teams and for consumers to really find the right place for them. It’s not a requirement to send in your recruiting information but we find that consumers fall in love with the samples so much that they start selling their friends and family on it without realizing it, so why not make sure they know they could have a future with your team if they would like one.
How much does a box cost and what all is on in?
We have two types of boxes, the handcrafted and the Masters direct sales boxes. There are three sizes of the handcrafted boxes. The Mini has 5-10 handcrafted samples and costs $12.50. The Mighty has 15-20 handcrafted samples and costs $22.50. The Mega has 20-30 handcrafted samples and costs $44.50. The Masters has 10-30 direct sales samples and costs $20.50. Shipping is included in the United States. Shipping to Canada is $26.50 and International shipping is $45.50. Handcrafted samples are different each month. Some of the past samples have been: keychains, lip balms, soaps, bath and body products, crafts, hair bows, buttons, stationary, magnets, jewelry, and so much more. Our Masters Boxes samples are also different each month and some have been: recipes, napkin rings, makeup, bath and body products, candles, melts, chocolate and many others. We provide a sneak peak of each month’s samples in our Facebook Albums so you’ll have some idea of what you’re going to get for that month.
Do you do special orders?
Absolutely! In fact, we just had one consumer concerned because she doesn’t have any children and didn’t want any children’s items included in her box. After I explained that we could ensure that her box would be kid free she was delighted to order and tell her friends. It’s not a problem and we welcome consumers to give us feedback on what they would like and not like. If they’re just dying to have one of the samples, I would like to know so I can make sure that they receive it, instead of leaving it to chance.
Are there different types of boxes?
Yes, there are currently two types: the handcrafted and the masters direct sales boxes. In October 2011, we’ll also have the Kids Only Boxes and the Happy Birthday boxes available as well.
Can someone do a party with your company and do you have Gift Certificates?
We don’t do parties per say, but we would be happy if you wanted to purchase our boxes to give out as favors at your parties. We do have gift certificates available, and we also take gift orders and ship directly to the recipient with a card and your message.
Will there be more than one Mary Kay or Avon in the box I purchase?
You can always go to our Facebook page to see the current month’s sponsors. There are many participants in each box. The September Pink-A-Licious Boxes include:
Masters Direct Sales: Handcrafted Boxes:
Wildtree Herbs Bright Occasions Events & Papers
Alex + Von Bugs & Bubbles Soap Co
At Home America Candace's Creations
Ava Anderson Non Toxic Diamond Crochet & Crafts
Brandy's Storybookers & Club HM Healthy Options of Days Gone By
Celebrating Homes Heart & Home Creations
Dove Chocolate Discoveries Jade Louise Designs
Gold Canyon My Dream Party
It Works My Lady Dye
Mary Kay Olive It…
Mia Bella Safari Soapa
Mia Bella Sarah's Naturals
Scentsy Shop 323
Tastefully Simple TearDrop
Avon Two Crafty Nanas
Whipple's Whimsy
My Little Princess Tutus
Bimini Balms
Lange's and Hog's Origami Shop
It's Wrapper Time
Can you tell us how a blogger might use your services and why they would want to.
Bloggers are welcome to purchase boxes in order to do reviews for their blogs. This could increase traffic to their sites as well as doing a Giveaway. We sponsor a certain amount of giveaways each month with prizes like sample boxes, gift certificates, and full products from sponsors.
Do you think a blogger would help or hinder you?
Sorry Glenda I don’t understand this question?
~*~Meet Holly Miller~*~
Holly grew up in Wyoming and moved to Colorado in 2001. She spent eight years on the Western Slope of Colorado and then moved to Denver in 2009. She is the wife and work at home mother of two children. She attained her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Mesa State College (now known as Colorado Mesa University) and her Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming. She worked for the Better Business Bureau for many years both in Grand Junction and Denver. The rising child care costs and desire to be with her children led her to give up corporate non-profit America to be an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay and eventually the President/CEO of My Dream Sample Box Inc. She says, “I love it because not only do I get to see my kids grow up and be there for them, but I also get to use my business education doing something I am passionate about.” Her other passions include: people, networking, reading, movies, running, and spending time with her kids, husband and family. She can be reached at mydreamsamplebox@gmail.com.
Holly Miller
