11 Benefits of Having Your Own Direct Sales Business
February 7, 2014
Direct sales has been a popular way for women to add income to their family for dozens of years. With the economy the way it is, women are joining the workplace now more than ever. Over 80% of the 15 million direct sellers in the U.S. are women. Worldwide there are more than 92 million people in direct sales. For some, it’s a part-time income with just enough money earned to buy a few treats ; for others it becomes a larger part-time income, and still for others, it constitutes a full-time job and income level. The potential is only limited by the effort put into it. There are many benefits to joining a direct sales business:
Cost
Unlike a franchise’s huge fees or opening a small store, someone can start a direct sales business of their own for as little as $20 with an average of about $100-$200 to get started. Costs can be recouped very quickly this way.
Flexibility
It’s extremely flexible. People can choose to work a few hours a week, a few hours a day or more. You can work at morning while the kids are at school, or at night while they are sleeping. You can “take the day off” when you don’t feel well without penalty.
Work Anywhere
You can work from your house and even your patio, anywhere in your home town or online. You can work at a Starbucks or even when on vacation!
Minimal Risk
If you don’t like it, you can stop working it. Simple as that. If the company is not a great fit, you can switch companies. There is something for everyone.
Savings
Being with a direct sales company provides a way for people to get their own products at a reduced cost (rep discount). This is great if it’s a product line one would be paying full retail for anyway (think foods, cosmetics, etc).
Growth
Direct selling inadvertently will offer personal growth training and after a few years, many reps have said that the training they received and personal growth that took place far outweighed the income in terms of satisfaction (not that the extra income was bad!)
Social
Direct sales can help stay at home moms get out of the house and create new friendships, both online and offline.
Training
You’re on your own but not doing it alone. The steps are usually laid out for people new to the business and the tools are all provided. No need to reinvent the wheel-follow the guidelines.
Choices
There are many choices when it comes to joining a direct sales company. You can choose to represent a well-known line with a household name, or a totally new line where you’re the first in your area to offer the products.
Friendship
I have found, in my 13 years of direct selling, that I have made wonderful friendships by meeting other women in direct sales, connecting with new team members and meeting new customers.It brings people together with common interests and can create lasting friendships.
Online Sales
Though selling strictly online can be a challenge for many people, with the huge networks of friends and followers we have on social media channels, we can reach a very broad audience without even leaving our houses. THAT is social selling at it’s finest.
If you are looking to begin a home business in direct sales, do research about the company (try dsa.org), ask other moms already in direct sales and be sure to seek out something that excites you and fits with your lifestyle. From there, the sky’s the limit!
