Home parties still a good sales model

Long ago, way back before we all had computers and could spend hours shopping from our desks, people would have parties to sell things like makeup, fancy plastic containers and snazzy kitchen tools.
The sellers of these products would display them in people’s homes, demonstrate how great they were and try to convince others to join the sales team.
Who needs this anymore when you can buy just about anything with just a few clicks?
Far from becoming obsolete, however, it turns out that the number of these smallest of small businesses is actually growing.
“The ability to connect with someone really is invaluable when it comes to a shopping experience, and that’s not going to change,” said Amy Robinson, senior vice president of the Direct Selling Association.
The recession and slow recovery have also contributed. Tough economic times and job losses leave more people looking for ways to make extra money. In 2009, there were 16.1 million direct sales reps in America, up 6.6 percent over the prior year. Sales were down 4.3 percent, but that was better than the overall drop in retail sales.
Robinson was in Massachusetts last week on a “whistle stop” tour to rally the direct sales troops. The trade group is celebrating its 100th year, as strong as it has ever been.
Diana Aliberti understands why. She started selling Mary Kay nearly 13 years ago as a way to make some extra money on the side.
Within a year she had quit her job to pursue makeup sales full time.
She hasn’t had a car payment in years. She has sold enough and recruited enough people to earn a car supplied by Mary Kay. Also, she’s earned much of the jewelry she wears and at least a few of the purses she carries. This is in addition to the money she makes.
“I’m much more fulfilled out on my own and building my own future as opposed to making someone else rich,” Aliberti said.
It is easy to get into a direct sales business. A kit typically costs around $99. Running one, however, is no easier than any other small business. You still have to find customers, do marketing and balance the books.
You won’t have company health insurance or paid holidays, but you will have control over your own schedule.
“If you treat it like a hobby, it will pay like a hobby,” Aliberti said. “But if you treat it like a business, it will pay like a business.”
If you are interested in direct sales, first find something you really like because you will spend a lot of time with it.
Then, look closely at what is included in the start-up costs and how you will be compensated.
Source http://www.bostonherald.com/