Hi there J. -
I live in Frisco and I've been working from home since my first child was born 13 years ago. Direct sales is definitely the source for flexible work that pays more per hour, but in my experience, there are some things that you'll want to consider.
First, find a product that you are passionate about. For me,I did not intend on building a business with MonaVie, but when I started drinking it and found that it gave me tremendous stamina, took away my cravings, and took away my back ache, I became very passionate about the number of people that I knew that I could help. So, find the product that truly inspires you.
Next, look at the timing of the product or the company. I joined Southern Living at HOME during its first year of business and rose to the top level of Senior Director. The timing was great when I joined. When I retired in April, the timing was not so great. With MonaVie, the company is three years old but has hardly hit here in Texas - it will soon explode because when a product works as well as MonaVie does, people keep drinking it and tell other people. The timing of MonaVie in Texas is tremendous, but I'm not one to pass up a chance to get in early, either. So another option to look at is www.votrevu.com - it is being led by a good friend of mine and the leading company in direct sales web interfacing and offers amazing French skin care. It has not launched yet, but you can still hold a reservation for free - just click on reservations and use my number 005120. To give you an idea of the timing, you will be one of the first 1,000 and these companies historically grow to hundreds of thousands.
Another thing to look at is the compensation plan - compare compensation plans before you settle on one, still making sure you are passionate about the product and that the timing is good. I was very proud of my income with Southern Living at HOME and it did wonderful things for my family, but when I looked at MonaVie and then Votre Vu, I realized that slight changes in the structure of a plan can make big differences in pay. In MonaVie, people make in a week what I used to make in a year with SLAH. So, look at those comp plans carefully.
The final thing to look at is at non-income producing activity that might be required. With SLAH, I spent time coaching hostesses, calling customers, unpacking and delivering my own parties - all things that were necessary for good customer service and a successful business, but all things that were not technically earning me any money. The time required by my business as been cut dramatically, so that I really can work at home and spend as much time with the kids as needed.
I hope this helps you and others that might be looking. Obviously, I am passionate about my businesses, but I am also level headed enough to be able to help someone look at the businesses in which they are interested and help them ask the right questions. I also have a pro and con sheet that I've filled out that might help you - email me at ____@____.com if you want me to send it to you.
Good luck with your decision and call me if I can help.
E.
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www.thegreatproduct.com/richerlife - ask me how to drink for free!
www.votrevu.com - launching in May, join me in this super fun, innovative company! ID 005120