The Art of Direct Connect

...Direct sales and home parties might drive a shudder down your spine as you instantly think of pushy old women wearing crisp blazers and too much makeup, sipping tea from their pasted-on smiles over stacks of Tupperware. Or you automatically picture a bored and restless housewife from a bygone era hosting Bridge each week with cucumber sandwiches and Vienna sausages, easy prey for a big company promising large income with a "small" investment... 

So maybe you follow me under the impression that home parties and consultant teams were a trend of the past, or at the very least somewhat archaic in nature and therefore only entertaining to an entirely different group of people from yourself. Certainly not for the contemporary, sophisticated, and savvy, like you! That said, the overall concept is more likely a valid avenue for those in the midst of certain economic and social circumstances, as I am beginning to discover. With an audacious spirit and a little research, you just might find it is a perfect fit on both sides - Buying and selling.

Delicious on toast or coffee... or both!

We've all heard of the largest companies like Avon, Mary Kay, the aforementioned Tupperware, HerbaLife, and Amway (or whatever it's called these days). But there is new blood in the life of the old home party. Lia Sophia, Miche, Scentsy, Thirty-One, Pampered Chef, PartyLite, Watkins, BeautiControl, Pure Romance, Purse Parties, Silpada... These are just a few of the ones I've heard of, and you can even find some Watkins products in stores! Shall we summarize the typical hang-ups for skeptics?

Why is it not available in the conventional mass market? And what is up with all this recruiting nonsense? Admittedly, I was usually in the camp of people who got annoyed with all this ridiculousness, criticizing the whole idea because it "exploit(s) social conventions in ways that embarrass 'guests' into buying things they did not want [stolen from wikipedia.org]." And what heck is the difference between these guys and the illegal, ill-fated pyramid scheme?

However, if you have ever been roped into attending one of these silly, girl-y functions, and furthermore gotten roped into parting with your cold, hard cash to purchase some of these sort of "private label" items, the chances are good that you ended up not hating what you bought! A big worry for a lot of people is that their hard-earned money might be wasted because the idea of the return or exchange process with a salesperson who is likely a close friend or co-worker is downright horrific to them. Keep this in mind: If your friend is half the salesperson she wants to be, she's smart enough to make it as painless as possible. She will want to know which products don't work and why. She won't want bitterness and resentment over wasted money and perceived pressure.

One of my many Miche purse-onas!

Ironically, for someone who has been a little put off by the whole idea for the most part, I happen to love just about every single one of my purchases! My Miche bag and interchangeable shells were not cheap, but the construction and materials are significantly better and will probably last much longer than the dozen others I paid a lot less for. I felt pretty fantastic and healthy when I was on HerbaLife. PartyLite candles really do burn a lot longer and have just the right amount of fragrance in each one. I still cherish my mom's old Home Interior artwork prints and Christmas decorations. My mother herself was a Stanley Home Products rep once upon a time, and we have yet to find a de-greaser that works as well as theirs. The best laundry pre-wash and stain remover I ever used was from Amway. 

From either Home Interior or PartyLite...

Nothing could keep me away from my mom's Home Interior parties, watching the representative rearranging home decor on her portable "wall" with clever little T-pins. And fond memories resound with the ring of a doorbell, announcing a house call with "Avon calling!" just before one of my mother's friends sat down with her to browse the catalog one-on-one. 

I have the cutest trunk organizer that complements the interior of my beloved SUV, and a fabulous storage basket that does double duty as my toilet paper roll holder, both of which I bought from my friend who sells Thirty-One. I'm constantly coming up with new ideas for using my old scrapbooking supplies from Creative Memories, like adding a little embellishment to my shipping and packing materials for the jewelry & crocheted items I sell online. 

One of Thirty-One's storage items...

I was approached recently with the proposition of becoming part of a Mary Kay team. Although flattered, I was shocked, since I didn't use many of the products yet, didn't know much about the company, and have always despised the dreaded career path of sales. I can't fight the notion that most true salespeople are telemarketers at heart, who presumably must sell their souls prior to anything else! I needed to do some online research to tackle my hesitation head-on and promptly stumbled upon some very nasty blogs and comments about the company and its consultants. I had to... quite honestly, just laugh! The criticism and disillusionment from former representatives and clients was understandable in some situations, but as more and more of my friends and family jump on the home business bandwagon, I'm experiencing a shift in my perspective.

In case you hadn't already noticed, something happens to a woman after she gives birth. And some women go through a sort of 'crisis' when they navigate various stages of mid-life. Honorable mention goes to the current crisis in America's economy, and my personal journey through this season has evicted me from my former camp. The direct selling and home party thing may not be so distasteful, in fact, it just might be a viable solution! 

Before we moved a couple of states away from our family and friends, we were the primary host of social functions and get-togethers for our group, and suddenly not being in that position was quite a shock to our system. I got pregnant very soon after the move with baby #3, and I felt my grasp on the corporate world and my social life slipping away. It would be just about impossible to afford childcare for three on my wages and it was much harder to get out of the house than it had been in the past. I had always wanted to be a mother, but I had never thought of myself as being only a homemaker forever. And although I had never thought of myself as a "salesperson," I was experiencing more than a few hints that I desperately needed something to maintain a link to my former self and the world at large.

The feminist in me bucked the general concept of direct sales and home parties, but suddenly I was in unfamiliar territory. I no longer felt threatened or hindered by my newfound domestic capabilities, yet I was still feeling socially isolated and less than financially productive. I have opened shops on Etsy and ArtFire to sell my handmade jewelry and crocheted work online, and this taps into every creative nook and cranny I have in me. I love it; it is so fulfilling even though I am just starting out and far from monetary success. I can do all of it from home, in my pajamas, with my children playing nearby. But the Mary Kay thing is nagging at my social butterfly... I love makeup. I love a reason to get together and hang out with friends. I love a facial; if you've never had one, I highly recommend it! I hate that I wear lounge clothing 99% of the time. I hated even more that I had gotten to a point where I didn't have too much incentive to not appear a little slovenly.

In re-visiting one of the originators of this business concept, companies like "Tupperware created a means for the housewife to maintain her obligations in the domestic sphere of the household while creating an independence from the home in a sociable atmosphere.^[10] The Tupperware Party allowed for women of the 1950s to work and enjoy the benefits of earning an income without completely taking away the independence granted to women during the Second World War when women first began entering the labor market, all the while keeping their focus in the domestic domain.^[11] The "Party" model builds on characteristics generally developed by being a housewife (e.g. party planning, hosting a party, sociable relations with friends and neighbors) and created an alternative choice for women who either needed or wanted to work. The reciprocity that emerges at the “parties” which are traditionally composed of friends and family members of the hostess create a nurturing atmosphere without a direct sales feeling." [wikipedia.org]

Modern women in the feminist camp usually feel this business model is outdated and unnecessary, but stay with me. Many of these companies, including the ones that have been around forever, have a strong commitment to empower the women who sell their products. Many of these companies are built on a solid foundation of good morals and principles. Many women are attracted to this line of work because, unlike a "regular" job, it enables them to decide when, where, and how to work. You can be your own boss! Set your own hours! Starting your own business can be too daunting for some, and selling direct from these established companies eliminates a lot of the obstacles and guesswork. All great women understand the concept of getting back what you put in, and this is how some people become very successful at it.

My new Mary Kay makeup...

When you love a certain product and become a loyal customer, you use it regularly and you become devoted to it. Therein lies the rub. How do you know you like or dislike something if you don't try it? Isn't that what we all tell our kids at the dinner table?! When you develop a passion for something, you become a natural spokesperson! No effort necessary. Your zeal alone is magnetic. 

Nowadays, internet and cell phone technology make the home party just one of the fun, albeit more personal and nostalgic options for the myriad of ways to shop, market, and network. The single biggest attraction to these businesses is often also the biggest turnoff. The simplicity of connection is what drives and feeds this machine. Unless you are a born salesperson or stellar liar, you must put a lot of time and energy into connecting with others and building a powerful confidence in your product in order to make sales and profit. If this doesn't sound like you, think about the challenges you would face. Ask yourself if building relationships, learning to deal with possible rejections gracefully, making persistence pay off, and becoming independent in a variety of ways are challenges that you could stand to incorporate into your life?

Comedic scenes depicting the massive bombshell dropped during the blissful baby shower, the bachelorette party catfight, or hasty birthday party exits with screaming toddlers, with tearfully humorous scene conclusions are pretty funny. Not so funny is the fine line between the annoying stalker who never just 'hangs out' anymore and the awesome party planner that happens to also sell cool stuff you can't get just anywhere. But it's rare to find the products or the party themselves a problem, because the products have been rigorously evaluated in similar casual environments and practically no one hates a party!

Young and old alike love a party, party, party! Yet at the core of all this fun is usually a group of inspired people dedicated to marketing products they have put their whole lives into. All the while preserving an equal opportunity for women, typically mothers, who need better than just one good excuse for possibly preserving a bit of their former identity and, even more so, for taking a break from the typical responsibilities they face doing the toughest and most important job of all.

www.MommasBiz.com

If you're hesitating to attend or host a party - Don't. Go for it! You have nothing to lose. Even if you don't buy anything as a guest, the hostess will appreciate your support by just being there, the rep will appreciate your attention while laying the foundation for future prospects, and at the very least you'll have a decent time and probably some delicious snacks! Buying local is a huge movement right now, and one of the fastest, easiest ways to do that is to support and compensate someone you know who is a consultant for one of the many direct selling companies out there. If your focus is buying American, most of these companies are owned and operated here, not overseas. If you're considering becoming a consultant yourself, do your homework. Get answers from the Direct Selling Association website. Know what you're really getting into. Investment on your part should be minimal to start.

If you're worried about making money once you've marketed to all the people you know now, remember there are tons of resources, ideas, and venues for expanding by advertising. A couple of my innovative friends at MommasBiz.com manage a website that helps people locate local businesses online and acts as an advertising platform for consultants. The good news is that the home party business has been around for decades, and diligent independent consultants don't appear to be going anywhere else anytime soon. People love getting a great party invitation, and most people find it pretty difficult to turn down the prospect of making a little extra money. Even better news? Everyone agrees that the camaraderie of a great team and the connections you make with your clients and fellow customers along the way will take you to places you've never been, inside and out.

Recommended links:
www.mommasbiz.com
www.watkinsonline.com/anaduncan
www.mythirtyone.com/Luvina_31
www.makesscents2me.scentsy.com
www.dsa.org