A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step- more importantly, the right step.

Sixteen years ago I took the right step by quitting my sales management job at Madura Coats where I was head of sales for a set of Northern markets in their threads division, and joined Tupperware, which was then setting shop in India. The year was 1997 and at the time, little was known about direct selling. More importantly, steel was revered as the right choice in kitchens across India. As part of the start-up team responsible for establishing the business in India, my experiences were very interesting. I remember the first Tupperware party that my mother hosted for her south Indian friends in which I demonstrated our products (it was a test marketing exercise), and most of the conversation veered around them wondering why a bright girl would stoop down to selling plastic at parties. They told my mother to get me married as my prospects would be brighter. It was a challenging time for me as not only did I have to convince people that direct marketing was a viable career option, but also change traditional consumer views about the merits of food storage in airtight plastics that kept food fresh, over steel. Start-ups are often painful and exhausting. I punched my ticket between sales management in the company and finally moved to heading the marketing function. Each role brought with it new learning and experiences. For example, in south India, idli and dosa batter gets spoiled very quickly in spite of being refrigerated. But Tupperware helped keep it fresh. This enabled us to demonstrate the product and its perceptible benefits. Along the journey, we Indianised or functionally localised the product portfolio to cater to Indian food habits. Slowly and steadily, our brand started being appreciated and women who started embracing our business opportunity started seeing a big personal transformation. A turning point came as my husband took on an international role and we decided to leave India. That marked the beginning of a new chapter, a global quest so to speak. The best of these experiences was when we lived in Copenhagen, and I was the marketing director of the Nordic countries for Tupperware, which spanned Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. Working in a different culture taught me a lot. One of the first things I did as a marketeer was to learn Danish in order to get closer to the culture and the people. Although it wasn't easy, it did do wonders to how I was perceived as a leader. The fact that I was making the effort earned me tremendous respect from my team. The next step was to gain an insight into who they were. The Danes, I realised, liked their work-life balance, while at the same time they were highly productive and creative people. A typical American management style might not have worked there. One had to respect their personal time, their need for four week vacations and yet invent ways to turn them into a high performance cultural group. In the process, I learnt a thing or two about having a balanced approach towards life and work and appreciating a lot of fine things in life that we often take for granted. From a career standpoint, such moves always help one get robust global experience and the ability to adapt oneself across cultures. This is certainly a competitive advantage for anyone who wants to have a rewarding global career today.

We had already spent time between Saudi Arabia, Austria and Scandinavia when we decided to return to India in 2005. Although the time abroad gave me global exposure, the newly emergent India was filled with exciting possibilities for all businesses. The sheer dynamism and optimism that filled the market place posed a new challenge, the game had changed dramatically and we needed to adapt both product and business strategy to become a dominant player in the market. My new role was as the MD of the Indian market. I saw our biggest opportunity in ramping up recruitment of women, who are an under-leveraged resource in our country when it comes to participation in workforce, and training them with business and leadership skills to make them productive and successful. More importantly, they became role models to others who were stumped to see ordinary homemakers become extraordinary entrepreneurs. Today we have successfully established this model in its entirety in India. Tupperware is the number one kitchenware brand among the SEC As and Bs and increasingly women across the country are choosing this as a valid career option which provides them a life changing opportunity, make very respectable incomes which allows them and their families to lead an upgraded lifestyle and use this opportunity to develop and percieve themselves as more than just home makers. I am deeply passionate about following the success of women and seeing them transform their lives for the better. This is the one thing that has kept me going in this business for over a decade and a half. I have had the good fortune of having a great support system that not only is proud of what I do, but gives me the much needed energy and encouragement to take on new challenges.

A mother, daughter and a professional of repute, Asha Gupta has been at the helm of Tupperwares success story for over a decade. With over 16 years of experience into Sales and Marketing, Guptas contribution has been immense, starting from her projects abroad to taking up the role of managing director in 2005. Coming from a south India family where education was given the topmost priority, Gupta learnt several facets of being a perfectionist from her father during her early years. She later moved to Dubai post her marriage and returned to Chennai only in 1997 to be a part of Tupperwares India operations. As she recalls, convincing the traditional south India women about this new concept of modern storage was a herculean task at the beginning. People were still comfortable in storing their idlis and dosas in stainless steel containers. From being a mother of a two-year old son to a successful entrepreneur, Gupta shares her story in an exclusive interview with Bizxchange

opportunity
Earl Tuppers willingness to entrust the success or failure of his treasured inventions into the hands of one woman speaks volumes of the faith Tupper had in the role of women in the professional workforce. The same is echoed today, since Tupperware is committed to Enlighten, Educate and Empower women across the globe. Tupperware has imbibed the Chain of Confidence Campaign in its direct selling model, creating invaluable connections that last a lifetime. Chain of Confidence invites women to share in the immeasurable rewards of self-confidence and ensures the next generation of women will benefit from this knowledge. Celebrating women and the powerful bond of friendship that connects them together, Tupperwares Chain of Confidence honors women across the globe and the profound life altering impact they can have on one another. True to its virtue, Tupperware recognizes the extraordinary source of strength, that women derive from one another, which enables them to feel confident and secure in their ability to succeed. Tupperware gives every woman the flexibility to set work schedules, own a business, earn extra income and have a wide circle of influence. The Chain of Confidence also provides an incredible support team of women all with a vested interest in personal and financial success.

How to join
When you decide to join the Tupperware family, just start with a party. There is no initial investment required. And dont worry. Always remember at Tupperware, help is at hand from the word go. Your Manager will help you plan, organize and ensure that your first party is a success and is enjoyable. All you have to do is draw up a guest list and fix a date. You can invite neighbors, friends, family and co-workers. Your Manager will help you display products, demonstrate its use and guide you with how to place orders. The goal of your first party is to set dates for future parties with as many people as you can. Just watch as the products sell themselves whilst you make money, and have fun at your first party.

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN?

While being a part of one of the most influential brand in the world is a good enough reason to be associated with Tupperware, the fact that you have an unmatched income opportunity, without sacrificing the good life is what attracts hordes of women to Tupperware.

A Recession proof you

Yes, you read it right. Inflation will never be a worry if you have the capacity to increase your earnings. Find ways to earn more. Get another source of income. Increase your wealth. This is when Tupperware comes to the picture. It provides a platform where you can earn without having to sacrifice the other important aspects of your life.

Become a Businesswoman
The world of Tupperware brings to the fore a wonderful opportunity that has touched the lives of millions of women the world over, across 100 countries and speaks one language, the language of Opportunity. The Tupperware opportunity is suited to all women who desire to change the course of their lives. Millions of women the world over re-enforce their confidence in Tupperware products daily. They not only use them in their own homes but also have gone a step ahead by making a career out of introducing them to others through the world famous Tupperware Party Plan method of selling. Just so you know, a Tupperware party demonstration is held somewhere in the world every 2.5 seconds! At Tupperware, it all starts with a party and of course; its party all the way thereafter.

GET PAID TO PARTY

Work doesnt feel so much like work when everyone is happy to be there. Unlike many jobs, you get to meet heaps of new people in a social context. Party guests are usually among friends, ready to have fun. They're more relaxed, friendly and usually very interested in what you have to say. Perhaps unlike some of your work colleagues now, they want to be there.

Overall, after a couple of hours partying you'll come away considering it time well spent, and certainly nothing like work as you know it.

REWARDS & RECOGNITION

Have fun and enjoy your life while making serious money!

How often are you acknowledged for a job well done? As a Tupperware Brands Consultant, you'll receive bountiful recognition and rewards for all

your achievements.

For example: Exciting recognition at sales meetings and special events. You may even find yourself receiving thunderous applause at one of our annual sales events! Exclusive products and awards to enhance your business, beautify your home and uplift your spirit. Luxurious trips to beautiful and exotic locations.

As an independent Tupperware Demonstrator, you're in control of your own time and income level. When you're ready to step up, the sky is the limit. You can become a Tupperware Manager, Executive Manager, Executive Director, even a Distributor operating your own independent franchise.

Experience the luxury and unforgettable memories that money cannot buy with Tupperware Brands incentive trips. Yes, you may have been to Bangkok, Vienna or Prague, but we bet you have not experienced the fun-filled moments, surprise elements, 5-star treatment in every incentive trip that Tupperware Brands has organized.

Apart from sightseeing, Tupperware Brands always ensure that every achiever is exposed to the local culture, food and things the local people do. It is through these exposures that we all learnt, and many of our Tupperware Directors / Executive Directors have benefited from the trips.

Experience the road to Confidence. 4 key highlights of the trip challenge are:-

Earn on monthly sales, Personal Team Qualified Recruits and new director promote up. Opportunity to earn double or even triple trip bonuses when you achieve different total number of Personal Team Qualified Recruits. Earn Rank bonus of RM 1000/ $ 600 for the trip if star directors achieve AED rank before 1 April 2013. All trip subsidies in excess of the full package will be converted to shopping money.

Receive training & support

As a Tupperware Brands Consultant, you are independent but certainly not alone.

Everything is in place for you to succeed, and we guide you every step of the way,

Products - As soon as you join Tupperware Brands, your starter kit will be on its way. You'll get products and tools to start earning money right away.

Classroom training -Take you by the hand training makes getting started easy. Create your own future with confidence.

As a member of the Tupperware Brands family, your continuous learning, growth and success are supported with the programs and resources you need to achieve your dreams:

Meetings - Meet Consultants in your area, share ideas and success,

and learn about the latest products and promotions. National meetings, held annually, offer even more learning.

Marketing tools - From creating client catalogs to product brochures, Tupperware Brands does all the work so you don't have to.

The amazing Tupperware Party - Your Tupperware Party is your best success tool. Just follow our proven path to reach your immediate and long- term income goals.