Think Outside the Box: Tupperware Drag

On today's New York Magazine website a man named Robert Suchan aka "Aunt Barbara" was profiled who is one of the leading Tupperware salespeople in the United States. He lives in the New York City/New Jersey area and has become very desirable as a Tupperware host(ess). This man's schtick is that he basically dresses in drag and dreams up alternative uses for the various pieces of Tupperware that he sells.

Now, this business example has a few lessons to teach.

(Photo from Tupperware's website)

Make it your own: Whatever you do, infuse your own personality into whatever you are doing. Sales, marketing, retail, whatever--everyone has a unique personality and it is your job to fit your current or prospective business to your own mold (in Barbara's case, a literal Jello mold).

Get people interested in this you-infused business: It is not always enough to do everything your way all the time. Be sensitive to your audience and be aware of what offends, delights, and excites them in relation to what you are trying to offer.

Start small: Robert Suchan started the way every other Tupperware salesperson started: with a $100 kit and a dream (or crazy, off-the-wall fantasy come to life).

Have confidence in yourself: Whenever you have self-doubt, instead of imagining everyone in their underwear, think of Robert Suchan putting himself out there in drag and going to people's homes as a salesman (saleswoman). Hopefully that thought alone will put everything in perspective at some moment in your life.

Well, there you have it; a little lesson from a drag queen selling plastic to lots of eager housewives.

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