lockhartkitchen
08-11-2009, 01:24 PM
Last night on my local news channel, they featured a PC consultant for the topic of home based business during this economy. They featured her cooking show using the DCB and it was also featured in the news trailer. It was a great plug for PC.
By Shellie Bailey Shah, KATU News and KATU.com Staff PORTLAND, Ore. - Why are people still buying in a tight economy? Because they're spending more time at home and want products that make their lives easier and their homes homier, if recent sales figures are any indication.
This sales increase also is boding well for those selling these products through at-home parties.
One person's story
"I was about the last person that anyone would expect to get fired but it happened," said Malia Davidson. "But it can happen to anyone."
That life-changing moment forced Davidson to make some big decisions. "I just was not up to the task of going back to the corporate world," she said.
Now Davidson is her own boss and she determines how she spends her day: "I can work as many hours a week as I want or as little as I want."
Davidson sells Party Lite-brand candles and home decorating accessories at home parties. It is a business that is apparently paying off for her and others. A Party Lite regional leader told us that nationwide Party Lite consultants are seeing a 5 percent increase in their income.
Long-term work
Julie Dowhaniuk (pronounced Doe-han-ick) began selling Pampered Chef's cooking products eight years ago.
"I only do this 5 to 9 because I chose not to work 9 to 5 anymore," Dowhaniuk said.
Even in a struggling economy, she said her business is growing. She said she's seeing an increase in the number of people who want to host pampered chef parties and in the number of people who want to become a consultant.
"Most people are looking for an extra $300 to $600," Dowhaniuk said. "By leaving your home about three or four times a month you could earn that much money."
A Pampered Chef spokesperson said its recruiting was up 5 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. Recruiting numbers for the first quarter of 2009 are up 6 percent compared to the same time period in 2008.
Not for everyone
But the home-party business is not for everyone, as Cheryl Bonawatz found out years ago when she sold home décor items.
"People wanted parties when I couldn't be available to do them," Bonawatz said. "[Then I got] complaints when people would get their orders wrong. They would call me and because I worked full time I was never available to deal with them."
The home-party business looks easy and fun but it requires work. To be successful you have to put in the hours. But there are benefits.
"Well, I can't get fired," laughed Davidson. "My job security is in my own hands."
KATU Problem Solvers has compiled the following list of resources for those interested in looking into reputable home party companies.
Direct Selling Information and Tips
http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/opportunity/
http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/consumer/
http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/consumer/index.cfm?fuseaction=pyramid
At Home Party Businesses:
www.pamperedchef.com
www.partylite.com
www.silpada.com
www.wineshopathome.com
www.sensaria.com
By Shellie Bailey Shah, KATU News and KATU.com Staff PORTLAND, Ore. - Why are people still buying in a tight economy? Because they're spending more time at home and want products that make their lives easier and their homes homier, if recent sales figures are any indication.
This sales increase also is boding well for those selling these products through at-home parties.
One person's story
"I was about the last person that anyone would expect to get fired but it happened," said Malia Davidson. "But it can happen to anyone."
That life-changing moment forced Davidson to make some big decisions. "I just was not up to the task of going back to the corporate world," she said.
Now Davidson is her own boss and she determines how she spends her day: "I can work as many hours a week as I want or as little as I want."
Davidson sells Party Lite-brand candles and home decorating accessories at home parties. It is a business that is apparently paying off for her and others. A Party Lite regional leader told us that nationwide Party Lite consultants are seeing a 5 percent increase in their income.
Long-term work
Julie Dowhaniuk (pronounced Doe-han-ick) began selling Pampered Chef's cooking products eight years ago.
"I only do this 5 to 9 because I chose not to work 9 to 5 anymore," Dowhaniuk said.
Even in a struggling economy, she said her business is growing. She said she's seeing an increase in the number of people who want to host pampered chef parties and in the number of people who want to become a consultant.
"Most people are looking for an extra $300 to $600," Dowhaniuk said. "By leaving your home about three or four times a month you could earn that much money."
A Pampered Chef spokesperson said its recruiting was up 5 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. Recruiting numbers for the first quarter of 2009 are up 6 percent compared to the same time period in 2008.
Not for everyone
But the home-party business is not for everyone, as Cheryl Bonawatz found out years ago when she sold home décor items.
"People wanted parties when I couldn't be available to do them," Bonawatz said. "[Then I got] complaints when people would get their orders wrong. They would call me and because I worked full time I was never available to deal with them."
The home-party business looks easy and fun but it requires work. To be successful you have to put in the hours. But there are benefits.
"Well, I can't get fired," laughed Davidson. "My job security is in my own hands."
KATU Problem Solvers has compiled the following list of resources for those interested in looking into reputable home party companies.
Direct Selling Information and Tips
http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/opportunity/
http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/consumer/
http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/consumer/index.cfm?fuseaction=pyramid
At Home Party Businesses:
www.pamperedchef.com
www.partylite.com
www.silpada.com
www.wineshopathome.com
www.sensaria.com