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I need advice pleeeease
I need your advice and opinion. I have the opportunity to get involved in direct sales company called Willow House. You can check out some of their stuff here: http://www.willowhouse.com/ It's home decor and serving pieces, and it's very "Pottery-Barn" esque and is very much my style. Here are the pros and cons
Pros: Low-start up cost and no commitment, it will give me the opportunity to work as much or as little as I can and make some extra cash, and it's fun! I would love to host parties and socialize.
Cons: I don't want to be seen as "that person" in my circle of family and friends who is always selling something. I'm NOT a pushy person, and I don't want to annoy everyone.
So, my dear Nesties, what do you think? Should I do it?
PS if you like the stuff, you can order from me online too, once I sign up 
Or I could host a party for you NJ girls 
Thank you mucho in advance for your help!
Re: I need advice pleeeease
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If you're asking for honesty, I have to tell you that I CRINGE any time I'm invited to a Mary Kay/tupperware/candle/jewelry/etc. party. I always come up with an excuse not to go! Although, I'm also usually invited by people I'm only aquaintances with - not good friends - and it's often for things that my real friends would know I have no interest in.
I guess if you have a close group of friends who would actually want those things, then I would be more in support of it - as in they would totally buy it anyway, why not make it easier for them? But if it would be more of a "pushy" salesperson thing like you said, I may lean the other way.
If it helps, I am not a pushy person. I gave my friends a lot of extras if they got their friends to order something (i.e. free shipping, 5% off, or one free product). I did find however, that I can be a pushy salesperson with someone I do not know (i.e., certain clients of my H, or the random person at an arts/craft show). I say give it a shot. If you do not like how you are doing in 3 months, you can drop it and find something else to do. I am going to use the next month or so to look at my options before I sign up with someone.
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One of our close friends does Tastefully Simple, and she's pretty tactful about how she handles it with us. When she first started it she had a big party that I went to, and I did buy a few things that I eventually used. I get an email from her about it maybe once a month. No pressure really. Although now for every birthday/holiday she gives us Tastefully Simple things as gifts and that's getting annoying. Their stuff is super processed and for the most part not healthy so I don't want to eat a lot of it.
I don't think there is any harm in trying. Like others have said, if it doesn't work out than oh well, at least you tried.
I also agree that I hate feeling compelled to buy things if my friends are reps, but this stuff is cute and not something I see around very often. I think brining it to a fair or a craft show is good because people are there to buy stuff like that, and if you can get a party or two out of it then that is great!
Good luck!
Thanks for all of your input girls! I did attend a party like this one a couple of weeks ago (that's how I even knew about the company) and the hostess was verrrrry laid back. She didn't do a presentation, she didn't hound anyone, she just passed around catalogs and let everyone socialize. If I do it her way, I'd feel more comfortable, instead of putting on a sales pitch. I might give it a try - I already have one friend at work that said she would have a party and she would definitely buy some of this stuff, because it's different and she just bought a house.
I'll let you know what I decide
I thought of something else for you to consider, if you do want to do some kind of direct sales business, make sure it is something that is not very saturated with reps (think MaryKay, Avon, Pampered Chief, etc). I haven't heard of this business, so I don't know how popular they are. But the more reps a company has, the more you will have to fight for clients (especially returning clients). Just giving you more food for thought.
Good point! That's actually one of my "pro" reasons, because there are very few reps in NJ since this company started in the South and is more popular there. In my area, Pampered Chef and Mary Kay are everywhere. You are so right!
If you really think you can succeed with it, there's no harm in trying. Unfortunately I tried being a Partylite consultant and got nowhere. After my 6 starter shows I stopped doing it because I didn't want my friends, family and neighbors running in the other direction whenever they saw me coming their way.
And it F'd my tax return to boot!!!
However a friend of mine is a consultant for Tastefully Simple and she is doing phenomenal with it. In fact she's working up to a free Cancun trip with her sales. I think food items sell better than candles though, too. Especially overpriced candles from Partylite. ;-)
Good luck whatever you decide!!!
Let me be the devil's advocate here for you. I used to sell Pampered Chef, and I'm not going to lie, it was A LOT of work. Yes, you set your own hours and you can work as much or little as you prefer, however in order to be even remotely successful you have to put a lot of time and effort into it. Are you willing to spend your evenings/weekends making phone calls, placing orders, doing shows, etc? Are you willing/interested in having your "inventory" in your home? What does your hubby think?
I'm not saying don't do it, but just giving you some food for thought. I really enjoyed selling Pampered Chef, but I wasn't willing to put in the effort that was necessary to actually earn an decent money.
These are really good points...and I already have my side biz doing calligraphy for weddings so maybe I should spend some time growing that instead. Hubby is supportive of whatever I decide (and he's always excited when I make extra cash LOL) but I know it will take alot away from our time together, and that's something to think about.
Everyone's input is great, and I love that you girls are brutally honest. I'll keep you posted on this! xoxo
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