This is some interesting reading.
I started out my career in Direct Selling with Creative Memories. I was so passionate about staying home for my children (and still are) that I was determined to find a way to do this. CM had only just started when I heard about it and just knew that this was the very tool that would help me to see my dream through.
I was also very passionate about preserving memories, 13th child and not a lot of good ones I wanted to ensure I had great memories for my children.
I loved my career with CM it helped me grow, earn a income, and learn and develop new skills whilst still being there for my children. I could have earnt more $ working 9-5 but who can put a price on your children we only get one go at raising them.
I eventually left after 7 years as with anything there is a season for everything. It was time for me to build my own business something that I could sell at the end of the day. That is another long story.
Today though I have been blessed with the opportunity of working 8.00-3.00pm so I’m still there for the children I have helped to set up this www.theencouragementfoundation.com.au and are beginning a new online business shortly.
Again I could earn more $ working longer but one learns to go without it isn’t a major drama, stuff is just that stuff, but children well they are a gift from God and I love the gift that I have been given.
Have an amazing weekend.
Julia
Research ahead of time can make the venture a success
Mothers want more time at home to spend with their children, full-time employees need additional income from part-time jobs and others depend on home-based businesses as their career.
More than 15.2 million people chose direct sales to meet those kind of needs in 2006 in the United States alone, according to the Direct Sales Association.
Yet not all companies are reputable and the DSA warns that some unscrupulous people try to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
Wisdom and research before signing with a direct sales company helps avoid losing money or partnering with a company that does not share your values.
Kelly Zobrist, a South Salem independent sales director for The Pampered Chef, worked for six other companies before becoming a Pampered Chef consultant.
“I feel very comfortable with Pampered Chef and its products. We know what is expected and I have never been encouraged to lie or be sneaky about things. I like the honesty and straightforward integrity of the company.”
Zobrist appreciates not being pushed to do the hard sale, as was the case with some of the companies with which she worked.
“I can work just as much or as little as I want, depending on my life and my schedule,” said Kim Donat, a Creative Memories consultant in Turner. However, she advises people who are considering direct sales companies to evaluate how long the companies have been in business.
She cites the example of Creative Memories that has been in business for 20 years and has a progressive outlook.
“They are the leader of the scrapbooking industry. They keep doing things to become better and better. They have added custom framing and digital scrapbooking in the last couple years.”
Shelly Stoll of South Salem became a Cookie Lee consultant a year ago. After hosting shows for numerous companies, she has not found one she likes better than Cookie Lee. She, like many others, has a full-time job, but works her home business on the side.
She suggests people interested in home-based businesses first determine their interests and passions.
“You don’t want to be doing something you don’t really like,” she said.
Zobrist, an Oregon Department of Transortation employee during the day, has done multiple businesses, and agrees.
“There are a lot of good companies out there, but you have to follow your passion. You have to find a product that fits your personality, and you’ll do much better than if it’s a stretch for you.”
“Don’t expect too much of yourself all at once,” she said. “I have had people sign up to be consultants and they only made $100 off their first show and they were disappointed because they wanted to make $4,000 a month.”
She tells people not to think their first month is going to replace a career. Perhaps they can build to that, as many have, but they are cautioned against quitting their day job to start a home-based business.
“You have to build up your clients and build a rapport. You have to know that you can really do this and that you can sell it,” she said.
Janet Syverson, a HomeStyle Specialist with At Home America for almost eight years, does not have another job.
“I stay home with my four kids and I do this. It’s maybe half-time kids and half-time At Home America. I am available to go to the doctor, dentist and orthodontist. I can do my home shows on evenings when I don’t have other things with my kids.”
Syverson warns about fraudulent businesses.
“If it’s too good to be true, it might be,” she said, emphasizing that it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme and it takes hard work.
Hard work has paid off for her. Syverson has 85 people working under her in several states, about half of whom are active each month. Because of the volume of her team, she and her husband have been able to go on company-paid trips to Mexico and Alaska. She is working toward a trip to Hawaii this year.
Would Zobrist do it again if she had it to do over? She says yes to working with The Pampered Chef.
“I wish I had started in The Pampered Chef earlier. I am very confident that I have picked the right company for me.”
Marlin Brownell is a freelance writer. Contact him at brownellm@comcast.net.
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