Direct Sales

mamadcb

I have a question that is only tangentially baby-related. My husband and I just decided that I would not return to teaching part time in the fall because of all the logistical challenges it presents. But I'd still like to supplement our household income while I'm a SAHM. The question is: do any of you do direct sales or have friends who do? What has been your/their honest experience? Specifically I am considering LulaRoe. Input appreciated!

Ljohn43

I've never heard of lularoe - I will have to look it up. My mom does Stella & Dot and it's pretty good - you have to sell a lot to make a lot though (she is usually ranked top 10 in the country). I love their jewelry! I pretty much have the whole collection from 2012 on haha. She also does BeautyCounter which is a line of chemical free makeup, beauty products, bath etc. I use all their makeup and use the baby products on Graham. She isn't really selling too much of that right now but that's bc she's not actively pursuing it. Another friend of hers is doing BeautyCounter in Atl and killing it!

i do Advocare but honestly haven't really tried to sell it - I've basically used my membership to get the spark 40% off bc I love it! 

teachmegs817

@Ljohn43 I did the same thing with Advocare! I love their products.  I don't do direct sales, but based on what I see flying around my FB feed, the two most popular products that friends of mine are selling would be Nerium and Younique makeup.  The Younique make up has made quite a few of my friends a LOT of money.  One of the girls has gotten 2-3 trips/cruises out of it so far and has been invited to a bunch of Younique conferences all around the country.  She does really well with it. It's the company that sells that 3D Fiber lash mascara that may sound familiar to you, too. 

cali1710

I do Thirty One. I know people who do younique and stella and dot. All say good things. I personally love Thirty one. Great company to work for and amazing people! 

Mamabeagle

LLR is a large financial investment  (about 6K) and you can't be shy about posting on social media, but they do buyback inventory at any time at 85% of cost, so the risk is pretty low. 

BarrettJ89

I'm looking at selling LLR too! My problem right now is the initial investment. I'm also concerned about time management and storage. Having a 19 month old and a 6 month old, leaves my hands full most of the time. I'm about 99% sure I'll become a consultant once the custody case for my stepdaughter settles down and finances ease up. 

mamadcb

@BarrettJ89 Do you have any friends who sell LLR? I have one whom I just asked a lot of questions, and I'm leaning toward doing it too. She said she got a 15-month no interest credit card for the initial investment so that she didn't feel like she was using up family resources as she got started. The more I think about it the more I am excited about the idea. 

BarrettJ89

I have 3 really good friends that I've met through LLR that are all newbie consultants (they are getting their initial inventory this week). They've given me a lot of ideas on how to start up, I just worry with credit is that I don't have any income. I have good credit, no income. SO has the income, bad credit... we definitely have some things to figure out before we dive in. But I'm hoping it'll work out. I think it would give me the ability to socialize more than I do now, a feeling of purpose, plus of course the extra income would be fantastic. 

stephanienjer

I used to sell Thirty-One. I liked the company so much, but I found it just wasn't for me. 
I joined to make a little extra money, and to meet new people, but neither thing happened. I felt like I was bugging everyone, and all I was getting out of it was to annoy people, and to not make any money. After a full year, I still hadn't made any friends. 
I was able to stay active because I was such a large purchaser personally, but I just got to the point where I didn't need any more product. 
Before you decided to do it, take a really hard look at your personality. Are you the kind of person that can push a little, but make it seem like it's not? You have to be comfortable with things like cold-calling, and asking outright for people to support you. That type of person doesn't offend me. As a matter of fact, I appreciate it, because I was SO not that way.
The other big thing is to make sure your upline is really strong and supportive. (Meaning the people above you.) Mine were not. Other than holding a every other month meeting, I never saw or heard from either of the girls above me. If you really want to be successful, that's so important.

Ebiejay

I'm really glad you posted this topic. You've inspired me to become a Consultant for Usborne books, they're really amazing books for babies up to middle schoolers. (They have the BEST touchy feely books for babies/toddlers, and a great selection of non-fiction)

I know you have to put a lot of work to get anything back. I did Avon a few years ago, everything I earned went right back on the product! But I think if you have good support, and you're willing to put in the time, and you're not shy about talking to all sorts of people, then you can make it a worthwhile business.

stephanienjer

@Ebiejay
If I had to choose something from DS again, I would totally go the Usborne route. I don't feel like books are a luxury. They're a necessity, and that would be easier for me to sell. (Also, I worked as a bookseller in an independent children's bookstore for about 8 years. I loved it.)

mbrewed312

I currently sell Scentsy and have been selling for 3 1/2 years. I love it and am greatful I started this journey! I love how DS companies allow you to have the flexibility that you need. When I first started I was worried about how many consultants there were but quickly learned that most of them are doing it for personal product purchasing reasons not so much for business reasons. I have an amazing customer base and meet so many new people and build friendships all the time! Sometimes it can be hard to get on a steady platform at first in different circumstances but once you get your foundation you can do great things with DS companies. I know where I live there are only 3 LLR consultants in the whole state but I also know that they spent a fortune getting started. I like to do "trial runs" for anyone interested in joining where they talk to people about their interest in joining and show a catalog to their friends/ family/coworkers and see what interest people have in it around them for when they have their launch party before they buy the starter kit. Maybe you could see about doing something like that where you shadow a consultant for a day or so. Sorry I wrote a book but I hope this helps!

CartersMom16

This isn't direct sales more network marketing, but I've enjoyed being a Beachbody Coach. It motivates me to work out and exercise and helps me meet people, plus I can eventually make a good income from it if I keep it up.