Always secretly fancied being an Avon Lady? Stop dreaming and kick-start a career in direct sales…
Fashion and jewellery
From fashion to face cream and booze to baby clothes, whatever you’re passionate about, you could make it work for you with a career in direct selling. The premise is simple: the company you join will supply the products and you sell them in your local area, either through parties or knocking on doors, and keep a percentage of whatever you sell. Depending on how much time you can dedicate, it’s possible to earn a decent wage. We take a look at some of the exciting areas within the sector…
Captain Tortue
Turn your burning interest in fashion into a nice little earner with this luxury clothing company – already a market leader in its native France. It’s simple to get involved with the direct sales of gorgeous children’s and women’s wear, by hosting sales at home, parties and events. Benefits include minimal start-up costs, full training and support, flexibility and not to mention a wardrobe full of fabulous clothes! Call 01403 754040, email mimi.marchant@captaintortuegroup.com or visit www.captaintortuegroup.com
Crystal Café
A love of all things sparkling could become a lucrative money-spinner. Crystal Café’s range of handcrafted jewellery uses a stunning variety of crystals, semi-precious stones and glass beads for truly unique designs. And as a consultant, you can sell the range through home parties, fairs or online via the Crystal Café website. Benefits include choosing your own hours and you have no sales targets to meet. Call 01483 721246, email enquiries@crystalcafe.co.uk or visit www.crystalcafe.co.uk
Beauty and make-up
Avon
Probably the best known of all direct sales companies – you’ll probably remember the Avon lady calling on your mum! The company has modernised a lot in recent years, though, and boasts a host of lovely products, which are all reasonably priced. Being an Avon representative allows you total flexibility as you can pick your hours and there are opportunities for progression. Becoming a sales leader, for example, will mean you recruit other representatives and earn commissions from them, too. Call 01604 232425 or visit www.avon.uk.com
The Body Shop at Home
What girl doesn’t love The Body Shop? For staple beauty products and the odd treat, it’s been a household name for 30 years. And it’s a way of generating a flexible income, too. The store has put together a collection of products that you and your friends and family will love – packed in a Bag for Life so that you can take them with you wherever you go. Whenever you sell any products, you will earn 25% commission on your sales. No experience is needed and you’ll be supported every step of the way. Call 0845 905 0607, email online.carecentre@thebodyshop.com or visit www.thebodyshop.co.uk
Natures of Scandinavia
From supplements to smoothies, and shampoo to skincare, Natures has harnessed the power of broccoli for total wellbeing, mind, body and soul. Targeted, organic phytonutrition from broccoli has been proven to inhibit cell ageing in the brain and throughout the entire body, and you could help spread the word by becoming a Natures of Scandinavia representative. The company will provide you with all the support you need to make you feel part of the team, so you’ll be running a successful business of your own in no time at all. Visit www.naturesofscandinavia.com
Baby and children
Arabella Miller
One for the eco-friendly mums out there, make a few extra pounds without compromising your ethics by selling funky kids’ clothes for ages 0 to six years, all certified organic by the Soil Association. You’ll earn 50% commission on everything you sell and can fit your role around your family. There are no sales targets and all you need to start out is a starter kit from £75. Hostesses get 10-40% discounts so Arabella Miller appeals to green, shopaholic mums! Call 020 7043 2120, email info@arabellamiller.com or visit www.arabellamiller.com
Truly Madly Baby
Get involved in the sale of truly unique and exciting products for mums-to-be, babies and older children. From baby’s first toy to children’s school equipment and practical items all mums need around the house, it’s hard not to fall in love with the diverse collection of goods. Once you start hosting parties, you’ll see exactly why. So if you are looking for that extra bit of cash why not become a consultant? It’s a great flexible way to earn money around being a mum! Call 01922 405600, email info@trulymadlybaby.co.uk or visit www.trulymadlybaby.co.uk
Household and homeware
Jamie at Home
Checkout Jamie Oliver’s latest business venture and share in his passion for bringing people together and getting people in the kitchen. You’ll be selling the gorgeous Jme product range by holding parties in the homes of friends and family. You don’t need any prior experience as you’ll get free training, and you can hold your parties whenever suits you – around an existing job or looking after the kids, perhaps? Call 0844 871 2010, email enquiries@jamieathome.com or visit www.jamieathome.com
Kleeneze
As a direct sales opportunity, this couldn’t be simpler. You deliver catalogues – packed with useful, stylish homeware – to homes in your local area, friends and neighbours and wait for the orders to flood in. Then just collect the catalogues and claim your commission. Kleeneze is renowned for the constant support it gives to its sales consultants, the amount you earn is only limited by the hours you can spare. Call 08703 336688 or visit www.kleeneze.co.uk
Linen at Home
This exciting company offers beautiful linen products, and you choose how to run your business. If you want to work less than five hours per week, join as an agent for £25 and get an e-shop business with brochures and training to get you started. If you’d like to offer home parties and style workshops, join as a consultant for £99. Your starter kit will include contemporary bed linen, children’s bedding, Egyptian cotton towels, bathrobes, throws, cushions, kitchen accessories and other soft furnishings. Benefits include a transparent pay plan, bonuses and great incentives. No wonder it won the Hampshire Winning Women Business Awards in 2010 for Best New Business Venture. Call 01489 795988, email info@linenathome.co.uk or visit www.linenathome.co.uk
Food and wine
Chocolates for Chocoholics
If you have a sweet tooth and arranging chocolate parties is up your street, why not become a self-employed Chocolates for Chocoholics distributor? The company is well-established and many of the original distributors who started their businesses 15 to 20 years ago are still selling products. A considerable amount of marketing support is offered to distributors, so you’ll be making money out of your love for chocolate in no time. Call 01189 321043, email sales@chocolates-for-chocoholics.co.uk or visit www.chocolate-parties.com
After 5
Start your own wine business with the support of a well-established wine industry organisation – VinNet – and you’ll be able to set your own schedule and be your own boss. As a host of After 5 parties, it will be your job to introduce independent wines from around the world to potential customers, explaining the characteristics of their grape varieties and origin. Email ambassadors@after5wineclub.co.uk or visit www.after5wineclub.co.uk
Pictures: getty images
