Visualize this scene: I am sitting with my sister at a Tupperware rally (aka, a revival for consumerism). There are streamers, there is glitter all over the Berber carpeting, and there are spray-tan women with microphones. As an early-twenty-something still in college I don’t quite have my footing in life, nor do I know what I am doing there, but I am wise enough to know that despite what these women are screaming about I am not going to find the answer to life within those burping plastic containers.
How did I get here?
At the end of the rally, my sister and I grab our magenta-colored, four-person salad plate sets and quickly left the scene. I think I made it out of there just in time.
As of 2009, sixteen million people (82.4% are women) have turned to direct selling in order to make a side income, and a lucky few have turned this into a career. I had secured my own seller seat at a Tupperware Rally back in 2003 when I made a $75 profit by going door-to-door in Amish country and selling $375 worth of Tupperware to help fund my study abroad trip to Japan. While I sold Tupperware for a quick infusion of cash, I have found that many people go into direct selling business for reasons other than to make money. From talking to several direct sellers in researching for this article, I found that at-home businesses offer social interaction (wine, food, products, and an excuse to get a group of women together), can feed an addiction to a certain product/stock up their home at a discount, or even can help you “get out of the house”. In fact, several people that I spoke with actually make plenty of money as a household and could toss their side businesses out if they wanted to.
As a daughter, niece, cousin, sister-in-law, and friend of direct sellers (ranging from Tupperware, Avon, Mary Kay, Partylite, Scentsy, and CAbi consultants), I’d like to offer some advice on how to increase your profits and make money with any of these businesses listed below. If you are not in this to make money, then ignore the following advice:
Finally, I would like to highlight several of these businesses so that you can compare commissions, startup costs, and average earnings per party to make a more informed decision about which consultant position you may wish to pursue. Please note: while I list the initial startup fees from the company itself, as with any business you will also have other costs such as gas, shipping and handling, marketing, business cards, etc. Also, there are specials going on all the time with these companies, such as Mary Kay’s $50 initial startup kit instead of the normal $100 cost now through the end of April. These are not reflected in the chart below.
Have you had experience with direct selling? Are you currently a direct seller? I’d love to hear the pros/cons and all about your experience.
Other Articles You May Enjoy:
The Story of My eBay Debacle – Part I
Part-Time Work-at-Home Ideas – Are they for You?
I’d like to thank the following people for their contributions to this article: Jen, Helen, Just Heather from Inexpensively, Sustainable PF, Jason from Live Real Now, Penny from the Saved Quarter, and Crystal from Budgeting in the Fun Stuff.
How did I get here?
At the end of the rally, my sister and I grab our magenta-colored, four-person salad plate sets and quickly left the scene. I think I made it out of there just in time.
As of 2009, sixteen million people (82.4% are women) have turned to direct selling in order to make a side income, and a lucky few have turned this into a career. I had secured my own seller seat at a Tupperware Rally back in 2003 when I made a $75 profit by going door-to-door in Amish country and selling $375 worth of Tupperware to help fund my study abroad trip to Japan. While I sold Tupperware for a quick infusion of cash, I have found that many people go into direct selling business for reasons other than to make money. From talking to several direct sellers in researching for this article, I found that at-home businesses offer social interaction (wine, food, products, and an excuse to get a group of women together), can feed an addiction to a certain product/stock up their home at a discount, or even can help you “get out of the house”. In fact, several people that I spoke with actually make plenty of money as a household and could toss their side businesses out if they wanted to.
As a daughter, niece, cousin, sister-in-law, and friend of direct sellers (ranging from Tupperware, Avon, Mary Kay, Partylite, Scentsy, and CAbi consultants), I’d like to offer some advice on how to increase your profits and make money with any of these businesses listed below. If you are not in this to make money, then ignore the following advice:
- Don’t be your own best customer
- You can do ‘book’ parties, but according to the Direct Selling Association, 78.0% of sales are made when face-to-face with your clientele; internet sales only make up 7.3% of all direct sales
- Don’t overinvest in your business in the beginning (do you really need to order another shade of lipstick in order to seal more business?)
- Keep your inventory as low as possible
- Progress out of your initial inner circle of friends and family for clients
- Keep accurate records so that you can see trends in profits and losses (this will be helpful for tax season as well)
Finally, I would like to highlight several of these businesses so that you can compare commissions, startup costs, and average earnings per party to make a more informed decision about which consultant position you may wish to pursue. Please note: while I list the initial startup fees from the company itself, as with any business you will also have other costs such as gas, shipping and handling, marketing, business cards, etc. Also, there are specials going on all the time with these companies, such as Mary Kay’s $50 initial startup kit instead of the normal $100 cost now through the end of April. These are not reflected in the chart below.
| Business Name | Start Up Cost | Commission Rate | Average Made Per Party |
| Avon | $10.00 | 20-40% (depending on the item) | Unknown |
| Tupperware | $79.99-$119.99 | 25% | Unknown |
| Silpada | $199.00 | 30% | $950 |
| Scentsy | $99.00 (plus shipping and tax) | 20-25% (tiered earnings) | $150.00 |
| Mary Kay | $100 | 50% | Unknown |
| Pampered Chef | $80-$155 | 20-31% (tiered earnings) | $450 per show |
| Partylite | $175 | 25% | Unknown |
Have you had experience with direct selling? Are you currently a direct seller? I’d love to hear the pros/cons and all about your experience.
Other Articles You May Enjoy:
The Story of My eBay Debacle – Part I
Part-Time Work-at-Home Ideas – Are they for You?
I’d like to thank the following people for their contributions to this article: Jen, Helen, Just Heather from Inexpensively, Sustainable PF, Jason from Live Real Now, Penny from the Saved Quarter, and Crystal from Budgeting in the Fun Stuff.