What can I do

Kelly-Lou

Hi although this is my 1st post I have been reading the forum for a while now.
I wondered if any of you had any advice. I am a sahm, 1 child is in full time education and the other has just started nursery each morning. My problem is I really need to find an income. In the past I have tried Avon, Mamatoto, Stardust, Forever Living Products and Usborne. Despite giving it my all the only thing I have gained is a large credit card bill. I'm not sure if I'm chasing the impossible dream of wanting to find a job that fits in with my family but I'm sure people must do it. I have been looking at Phoenix Traders and FM but as I have failed badly in the past I'm not sure. Can anyone offer any advice I'm not after making millions but some money at the end of the week would be nice.

batley1

Hi Kelly, I'm in the same boat as you, so will be watching your thread interest...

Chuzzle

My only thought on this is do you have a hobby you could turn into a business? For example I do cross stitch, card making & jewellery making I have loads and loads of stash which I am now using to make stuff with and then selling it on the likes of Etsy and Folksy. I've not sold a thing as yet but the stash I'm using has been bought and paid for several years ago or was gifts from family and friends at birthday/xmas so I've not had to find the money to buy any of the kit first of all IYSWIM. Maybe knitting or crochet? I'm hoping to expand into local craft fairs this time next year but until then I'm starting off with the internet. HTH

[Deleted User]

Have you ever tried mystery shopping? You can't rely on it for money as some weeks you get no jobs then the next you get 5/6, but it is a really good earner if you fit it around your day to day activities. I started a few years ago and signed up for a few agencies and did some now and again but now that I've finished University I have more time to do them. I live in a city but it's not big and I have earnt £56 in the last two weeks from doing about 5 visits for banks and clothing shops! Definitely worth a go even if it is only one or two every week!

Kelly-Lou

Hi smidge I signed up last year on a couple of mystery shoppers sites but heard nothing. Can't remember which ones though.

Batley I hope you find something I seem to have been looking for ages and have tried lots but can't seem to make anything work!

Chuzzle I have never been a very artistic person so not sure there's an avenue for me there but thanks

candlegirl

Hi Kelly

Party Plan and other jobs like Avon are really a business, so you need to put time and effort into building contacts and making it work.

I see from the above post you gained a large credit bill - was this from buying products?

The company I work for has no cash outlay, so you would not be out any costs, most of the work can be done from home- paperwork, phone calls etc, and the money is good for the time you are out the house.

I started nearly 4 years ago and it was very slow at the start as I never had alot of contacts in my area, but I went along to fairs, car boot sales, fundraisers and got talking to people and slowly but surely built my business up to be strong and I also have a team of girls as well.

I love my job, and have great fun but do belive all party plan needs time and effort to make it work properly.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Kelly-Lou

Hi Candlegirl
I did spend time trying to build up my businesses. I spent a hell of alot of money on advertising, products and stalls at events so yes hence the large credit card bill! I looked at partylite but couldn't get any info without giving lots of details. Do you have a catalogue that you could send me so I can have a good luck. I have received some info this morning from 2 companies this morning, although I'm not 100% sure on either of them. There are fors and againsts for them both and I need to be sure.

candlegirl

Hi Kelly-lou

happy to send you a catalogue, pm me your address details.

I am sorry you have spent money on making a business work, here's hoping you dfind something which works for you!

Kelly-Lou

Hi Candlegirl

have pm'd you many thanks x

Moonbeam

Kelly Lou - you don't say which products interest you. What was it about those companies that made you want to join them?

It is possible to use a party plan company and work around your family - I have been very successful with the one I chose to go with, but I am mad passionate about the range and as it is jewellery I am my own walking advertisement. (it's amazing what you can sell at the school gates and even on holiday).

I have 2 children under the age of 7 so one is at school, but the other one is home a lot and I still manage to get a lot done. We also earn as consultants between 25% and 40% of everything we sell so when we do a party we generally can come away with a reasonable amount for our time.

There is a degree of cost as I do events as well as parties, but most of the events I do are happy with a donation of profits and a raffle prize rather than charging for the stall. When I do parties the only cost is of me getting to the persons home so that is often a preferred approach. I also regularly meet my customers for a coffee and do one-to-ones which can work out really well.

Anyway, the point is, I LOVE the product and with turn that passion into sales - so what things make you go ooooh?

-chris-_3-2

Have you ever thought about doing some kind of freelance writing or something like that. It would be a different direction to the things you've tried already so may be worth a pop. If you research things like 'become a freelance writer' etc in Google there is some good stuff that may be worth looking into.