PINK ECONOMY: Women are succeeding in this economy by running their own home party businesses
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You've probably been invited to a party to shop for purses, sample make-up or smell candles. But, have you ever thought about selling the stuff yourself? The Direct Selling Association says the direct sales force grew by a record 6.6 percent from 2009 to 2010, despite a slow economy, as people look to make ends meet. More than 16 million Americans are in the business and most of the reps are women.
Cally Slauson sells monogrammed bags, purses and other items at parties hosted by other women. She says, "What better way to make money than to hang out with a bunch of ladies for the night?"
Cally Slauson sells monogrammed bags, purses and other items at parties hosted by other women. She says, "What better way to make money than to hang out with a bunch of ladies for the night?"
Slauson is a Thirty-One Director. She says it only took $99 to start her business nearly two and a half years ago. The mother-of-three says she was ready to leave her desk job behind. She says, "I said this no, this doesn't make sense. I'm basically working to send my kids to preschool. And, it didn't really make sense with the economy. I wasn't getting any raises, so we said let's do something else."
Meg Fisher says she also wanted something else and started her own business called Lincoln & Lexi. The recent Drake University graduate's business combines her two passions: kids and clothes. She says, "Lincoln & Lexi is a home party service for children's clothing."
Fisher says she hopes to grow her business so she can stay at home with her future kids. For now, she's looking for sales reps to help others do the same. She says, "It really gives you so much flexibility, and you're out there selling. You can make good money off of it."
Experts say starting your own direct sales business can be a great option to make money in this economy, but business professionals say you need to do your homework first. Drake University Professor Tom Swartwood says, "It's a business, and people who do this should treat it like a business."
Swartwood works with Drake's Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. He says people need to sell products they're passionate about. He also says to look at the company's track record and talk to current and former sales consultants. He says, "Ideally some people who have done it and no longer do it because the attrition rate is high. A lot of people start and fall off. "
Swartwood says most people can expect to earn $25,000 to $40,000 a year. He says you can make much more if you stick with it and grow your business. He says, "Once a person establishes the network, and if they build a network of sales people and customers, repeat customers in particular, they can make that kind of money without having to run all the parties and run all the events themselves. But, that's like building any other business."
Fisher says she's excited to get her business off the ground. She says, "It definitely is your own business and hard work does pay off."
Clauson says hers lets her live the life she wants. She says, "I really made it my full time job while taking care of my children, so I really made it happen."
Fisher is showing off her clothes and signing up sales representatives at the Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines the next couple months. The Direct Selling Association offers more advice, if you're interested in starting a direct sales business with one of more than 200 companies. (whotv.com)
Meg Fisher says she also wanted something else and started her own business called Lincoln & Lexi. The recent Drake University graduate's business combines her two passions: kids and clothes. She says, "Lincoln & Lexi is a home party service for children's clothing."
Fisher says she hopes to grow her business so she can stay at home with her future kids. For now, she's looking for sales reps to help others do the same. She says, "It really gives you so much flexibility, and you're out there selling. You can make good money off of it."
Experts say starting your own direct sales business can be a great option to make money in this economy, but business professionals say you need to do your homework first. Drake University Professor Tom Swartwood says, "It's a business, and people who do this should treat it like a business."
Swartwood works with Drake's Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. He says people need to sell products they're passionate about. He also says to look at the company's track record and talk to current and former sales consultants. He says, "Ideally some people who have done it and no longer do it because the attrition rate is high. A lot of people start and fall off. "
Swartwood says most people can expect to earn $25,000 to $40,000 a year. He says you can make much more if you stick with it and grow your business. He says, "Once a person establishes the network, and if they build a network of sales people and customers, repeat customers in particular, they can make that kind of money without having to run all the parties and run all the events themselves. But, that's like building any other business."
Fisher says she's excited to get her business off the ground. She says, "It definitely is your own business and hard work does pay off."
Clauson says hers lets her live the life she wants. She says, "I really made it my full time job while taking care of my children, so I really made it happen."
Fisher is showing off her clothes and signing up sales representatives at the Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines the next couple months. The Direct Selling Association offers more advice, if you're interested in starting a direct sales business with one of more than 200 companies. (whotv.com)
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