–FAQ–

TELL ME ABOUT STUDENT SAFETY.

We take safety seriously. During Sales School, students receive safety training based on their gender. Students are typically assigned to low-medium populated towns with low crime rates. Students are encouraged to check-in with police departments and obtain appropriate permits in their localities, prior to selling. Ultimately, it is up to each student to utilize the training we provide them and their common sense during the summer.

DO STUDENTS NEED TO BRING A CAR?

We encourage students to bring a car. Having a car during the summer allows students to commute more easily between families and have more freedom before/after work. Although students can do well without one, having one typically increases morale.

WHY DO STUDENTS WORK IN ANOTHER STATE?

We relocate students to push them out of their comfort zone and remove them from distractions. Working away from friends and family allows each student to truly focus on their personal and professional growth. In addition, relocation serves as a great resume-builder for students.

HOW DO HOST FAMILIES WORK? DO THEY LIVE ALONE?

We place students with host families to help them feel part of the community and have extra eyes watching over them. Host families are typically past hosts, alum of the program, or have hosted exchange students/missionaries. We place 2-4 students per host family, typically including an experienced student manager.

Host families typically offer to host our students for free or between $10-50 per week.

WHAT ABOUT COVID-19?

This past summer, our students were able to serve families while prioritizing safety. Our interns were encouraged to wear masks, keep their distance, and monitor their temperatures daily. In addition, our interns quarantined for 2 weeks prior to relocation. If the coronavirus continues to affect the U.S. through 2021, our students will take the same precautions.

WHAT IF STUDENTS DON’T HAVE A CAR?

If students don’t have a car, they will carpool with another student and be encouraged to purchase a bike. Although having a car isn’t required to participate in the program, students typically prefer to have a car or bike to make commuting between families easier. Regardless, students without a car will be placed in a locality where the homes are closer together.

WHY DO STUDENTS KEEP THEIR PHONES OFF?

Students keep their phones off during the day to remove distractions. Social media and easy access to friends/family can make students feel 10x as homesick and distract them from working effectively. Students are instead encouraged to keep their phones off either in their car or book-bag, only to be used for emergencies.

CAN STUDENTS ATTEND TRIPS, FUNERALS, OR WEDDINGS DURING THE SUMMER?

Yes, students may leave the field for special circumstances. However, students are encouraged to stay the full 12-weeks to gain the maximum Southwestern Advantage experience. Leaving during the summer can increase homesickness and frustration with the learning curve.

HOW DOES THE MONEY WORK?

During the summer, each student takes orders and collects deposits of 50% or more from the families in their locality. At the end of the summer, students receive their product shipment and hand-deliver each order, collecting the remaining payment at delivery. As a general rule of thumb, 60% of each order goes to Southwestern Advantage (to cover the cost) and 40% goes to the student.

For example, let’s say the average order is $150. $90 will go to Southwestern Advantage to cover the cost of making the product and shipping it, $60 will go to the student.

For each deposit collected, students are encouraged to keep only what is needed to cover their expenses and remit everything else to their Southwestern account. Thus:

Money remitted - cost of products = end-of-summer check

For example, let’s say a student collected $23,000 over the course of the summer. The student kept $3,000 to cover their expenses and remitted everything else to their Southwestern account.

$20,000 - $12,000 = $8,000 end-of summer check

ARE THERE ANY START-UP COSTS?

There are no start-up costs to participate in our program, but we require students to have a tablet to work with. If you don’t already have one, past interns recommend purchasing an iPad mini. We use tablets to run our apps for taking customer orders, mapping out our localities, and Facebook marketing.

Although not a requirement, past interns have suggested having $300-500 saved for the first few weeks to cover food, gas, and rent. The first few weeks typically consist of on-the-job training, where students learn the cycle of sales.

HOW DO STUDENTS FILE THEIR TAXES?

Students receive a Form 1099, as they are independent contractors. During the summer, students can write-off expenses like food, gas, and rent.

ARE THERE QUOTAS OR REQUIREMENTS?

There are no quotas or requirements in our program. However, students are encouraged to follow our success formula: hours, demos, and attitude. Our 160 years of experience has shown that 80+ hours, 180+ demonstrations, and a great attitude will lead to a great summer of growth and sales.

WHY DOESN’T SOUTHWESTERN COVER EXPENSES?

Southwestern Advantage is designed to help students learn the ins and outs of running their own business. Part of running a business is expenses. We train students to keep track of their expenses (for tax purposes) and keep expenses low.

WHAT DOES TRAINING LOOK LIKE?

Students receive training on campus, at Sales School, and on the field. Prior to the summer, each student will receive one-on-one training with their sales manager to prepare them emotionally and technically for the summer ahead. After their finals week, students will attend an intense week-long sales training program held in Nashville, TN where they will be introduced to a multitude of challenging scenarios. On the field, students receive nightly coaching calls with experienced managers and attend weekly group training sessions.

HOW DO MANAGERS GET PAID?

Managers put in hours and hours of work, after the “typical workday” is over for first year interns. When a manager chooses to recruit a team, they earn income based on how well their team does, but never out of their team members’ income.

As a general rule of thumb, 60% of each product order goes to Southwestern Advantage and 40% goes to the student selling the products. The manager of the student, depending on how well they performed, will be paid out of Southwestern’s 60% chunk- never the student’s 40%.