home parties business

Start a Home Party Business

2007-10-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

Start a Home Party Business

This traditional business idea is fresh once again as a new generation of sellers open their homes for direct sales.

By Karen E. Spaeder | November 17, 2006

It's a party at your home--or better yet, at someone else's. Customers socialize, and you make money. Need more convincing?

Home parties now account for roughly 29 percent of the nearly $30 billion in U.S. direct sales, and 13.6 million Americans bought or sold goods from home in 2004. Direct sellers are hawking everything from organic gardening supplies to wine. Some are even hosting virtual parties online. And the numbers are growing, according to Amy Robinson of the Direct Selling Association in Washington, DC. "The majority of companies coming into [the] DSA are party plan companies," she says. "In a lot of cases, they are smaller, newer companies started by entrepreneurs from their basements."

Andrew Shure (below) is one of them. Nationwide, he has 1,300 consultants selling Shure Pets pet products, and he predicts he'll have 2,800 by the end of 2007. "The only requirement at Shure Pets is a passion for pets," says Shure, 43, who launched the Chicago-based business in 2003 and projects sales of $1 million for 2006. Another example is Newburyport, Massachusetts-based Anna William, which lets customers design their own handbags. Kristen Lee, 29, launched the million-dollar company in 2003 with Keek Bielby, 57; Rani Chase, 36; and Erin Hornyak, 33--and already has 125 consultants nationwide.

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Home Parties Go Big Time

2007-10-14T09:15:00.004-07:00

Many of us who have sold the jewelry we make have tried a number of venues for selling it. Throwing a home party is one option and has started to become pretty popular. Much like a Tupperware party, the home jewelry party isn’t a new concept: you schedule a time for friends to meet, you bring your jewelry (either pre-made or available for party guests to make), the hostess gets some sort of incentive for having the party, and you schedule another one before the night is up.
This jewelry business concept has been a constant topic of interest to members of the Jewelry Making Forum, and I’ve also written about it in a previous article entitled How to Sell Your Arts and Crafts from Home. In fact, many members of the forum have written that they’ve had some pretty good success with them, so it doesn’t really surprise me to learn that a jewelry maker eventually decided to take the next step with the jewelry party idea and go “big time,” with it, eventually creating her own direct sales company, which she named Luxe Jewels.
Jessica Herrin, founder and CEO of Luxe Jewels, shares a story similar to many of ours. She loved making beautiful jewelry, and she need to have more flexibility in her life. However, she took her idea one step further. Through her company, Herrin offers jewelry consultants a way to start a jewelry business by becoming a Luxe Jewels consultant. They are able to purchase tools, kits, and related supplies at a discount. Plus, the company website offers a way for party guests to receive email invitations and pre-select the kits and merchandise they wish to purchase.
It’s great when a fellow jewelry maker establishes a successful business, and like I’ve always said, there is more than one way to make money at the art you love. Jessica Herrin has done exactly that. She’s taken a familiar concept to the next level, and it doesn’t hurt that the jewelry she sells is beautiful too (some of which has been designed by well-known jewelry designer Maya Brenner.
While this business model may not work for everyone, I think it’s worth checking into if you’ve considered starting a business but either wasn’t sure where to begin or were concerned about the amount of time and money you would need to invest. You can find more information about Luxe Jewels at the following website:www.luxejewels.com/

Home parties business

2007-10-07T23:19:00.000-07:00

How to choose a theme for your home parties business
Home parties are a vital part of many network marketing businesses, but sometimes it�s hard to come up with a good theme to really get your customers interested. Here are some tips to get you thinking of new themes:1. What events or holidays are coming up?This could be back-to-school, Fourth of July, Super Bowl, baby showers, any event. Think of how your products tie into this event, and use that knowledge to sell, sell, sell.2. Solve a problemHow do people use your products? What problems do they solve? Do they keep people organized? Make cooking more fun? Decorate the house? Use your knowledge of your products to motivate your customers.3. Men/Women only partiesThis is great if they aren�t your usual customers. Think of ways to help the men or women learn to use your products or buy as gifts.4. Clearance sale!Focus on your company�s clearance or discount price items. Who doesn�t love a sale?5. CharityOffer a percentage of sales to a charity and encourage your guests to give or buy products for the charity.6. Time saversThis is really a part of the problem solver party, but worth mentioning on its own. If your product can help people save time, why not demonstrate that?7. Party at a businessCheck with local businesses that your clients tend to be at and see if they will let you do a party. Your workplace probably will not, but what about gyms?8. Team upKnow other consultants for other network marketing companies? Coordinate a party with them. Give your guests even more products to buy, and show how they work together.Hopefully, these tips will give you many options for your home parties. Themes can encourage people to buy, so make sure you plan thoroughly. Above all else, have fun! About the author:Stephanie Foster is the owner of Home with the Kids, a resource that knows that there's more to staying home with your family than just business. Get more work at home advice at