She’s only been doing this for two years, but it’s been a successful two years.
Clarkston resident Mary Rosso, an independent sales consultant for The Longaberger Company, “America’s premier maker of handcrafted baskets,” was recently named a 2003 National Top Sales Award Winner. Rosso received the award for Sales Achiever in the $20,000 to $34,999 range.
This wasn’t the first time she’s been recognized for her dedication to the company.
It, in fact, was the second consecutive year she’s been a National Top Sales Award Winner.
“To be a national winner is pretty neat. You get to go to the annual convention (in Columbus, Ohio) and you’re recognized on stage. It’s big stuff.”
Of her achievement, she says, “To see that much sales in one year was pretty great, but to see it again this year was even greater. I work hard at it.”
And she’s rewarded for it, too. Rosso has received monthly awards, like top sales in her branch, which consists of 16 consultants, since she began the career. She also placed fifth out of 200 regional consultants for top sales.
Recently, Rosso was named a Management Bound Associate, which involves recruiting new consultants. She is now on her way to becoming a Branch Advisor once she has recruited six individuals.
She reveals she’s not a “pushy” sales person. Her success boils down to the passion she holds for Longaberger.
The mother of one, Steven, a 2003 Clarkston High School graduate, and wife to Larry, an Independence Township trustee, had been in human resources for an auto supplier for many years. She had always loved the Longaberger baskets and had been collecting them for 14 years.
“A friend of mine said, ‘You know so much about these baskets and love them so much why don’t you sell them?’” So she began to.
“People’s first reaction (to the baskets) is, ‘They’re beautiful, but they’re so much money,’” Rosso said. “They’re not cheap baskets, but everything is handmade. There’s no machinery involved in the making of them. Everything’s solid maple. All are American-made and the company employs only Americans.”
Each basket is imprinted with the Longaberger brand, initials of the weaver and the year woven.
“The baskets can be used four ways: decoratively, for entertaining purposes, for gift giving and functionality.”
They also come with fabric liners including your choice from seven solid colors or seven patterns as well as seasonally-themed fabrics.
“Every basket comes with a plastic liner. You don’t have to be afraid to use them. Just spray it with Windex.”
Rosso, who has at least 75 baskets throughout her Clarkston home, said the baskets are “very versatile.” She uses the baskets for everything from hiding magazines and newspapers, to serving food, as a purse, and more.
“Everything has a name, but it doesn’t have to be used for that. I use the ‘Bread Basket’ to hold my nail polishes.”
Plus, Longaberger also manufactures pottery and wrought iron shelving units and stands to compliment the baskets.
The biggest obstacle Rosso faces is husbands. “None of our husbands understand this. They say, ‘You’re spending how much money on a basket?’ But when you see how they’re made, and the quality of each basket…”
She says, “I’m really passionate about this. I love these baskets, but more, it’s the friendships I’ve made.”
Rosso said her Longaberger branch advisor is an oncology nurse, who when her now late brother-in-law developed cancer, she pleaded with her bosses to bring him home to the Rosso’s home for Christmas.
“She came over here on Christmas Day and took care of him. And I could tell many more stories of the friendships and what we do for each other.”
“There’s so many wonderful things about this company,” Rosso said, noting how the 30-year-old Longaberger company is a huge contributor to charity.
In particular, each year Longaberger holds a “Horizon of Hope” campaign from July 1 through Oct. 31 to raise money for breast cancer research. Launched in 1995, Longaberger has educated more than 14.4 million women on breast cancer awareness and early detection, and donated more than $8.4 million to the American Cancer Society.
“It’s a company I’m happy to represent,” Rosso said, who also substitute teaches in the Clarkston school district. “It’s a great company to work for.”
For more information or to register to host a Longaberger home show, contact Mary Rosso at (248) 625-9646 or basketmary88@aol.com. Also visit www.longaberger.com/maryrosso.