Want to work from home but not sure what you can do? The Hot Home Business Directory helps you find a business to run out of your home, lists the skills you need to do it and tells how to get started and where to get more information. Read on to find out if this Hot Home Biz is for you!
What You'll Do: Promote and sell party supplies for the direct sales company 1-800-PARTYShop, by marketing its partyware catalog through your own company-sponsored Web site and through face-to-face networking. No home parties are required. You receive a 25 percent commission on all orders you generate. The parent company handles all the order processing and shipping, so you don't have to worry about investing in an inventory of party supplies. In addition to marketing the partyware, you can also supplement your income, if desired, by recruiting others to become independent party consultants, which earns you additional bonuses for the orders they bring in.
Skills You'll Need: A love for the product you're selling, plus the personality and willingness to market yourself and your product. The company provides training and ongoing phone and email support.
Equipment You'll Need: A computer with Internet access and a company starter kit.
Start-Up Costs: Approximately $50 to $249 for the Starter Kit (most consultants purchase the Executive Kit, which costs $249), plus an additional $19.95 per month for your Website. You'll also need to factor in the cost of a computer and monthly Internet Service Provider fees, if you don't already have these, as well the cost of business cards (available through the company for around $28 for an order of 500).
How Much Can You Make? It depends on how much time you devote to your business. Many moms with young children do this part-time, working only about 15 hours a week. A beginning consultant might earn around $200 a month at first, but seasoned consultants, working approximately 30 hours a week or more, can eventually pull in a four-figure commission every month. Like with any other business, your earning power increases as you grow your client base.
How to Break In:
- Talk to other independent party consultants to determine whether this is the right business opportunity for you (you can see some people's comments on the experience on this iVillage grafitti board). If you decide to pursue it, you must contact an independent party consultant to be your sponsor, and then purchase your starter kit and begin your training.
- Register your party consulting Website on all the major search engines, under "party supplies."
- Carry business cards and catalogs with you wherever you go, and tell everyone you know about your business -- parents, local merchants, even doctors and dentists! Everyone throws a party at some point, so you never know who might be your next customer!
- Spread the word about your biz through the free "business opportunity" boards located on many work-at-home Websites, such as the one right here at iVillage.
- Sponsor local fundraisers in your school and church, and offer to decorate for group parties to show off what you sell. (Have business cards and catalogs at the ready.) Also display your catalogs and samples of partyware at local festivals and fairs.
- Advertise your business in your local paper and through magnetic car signs.
Resources
iVillage boards
Meet iVillage Members Who Are Independent Party Consultants
