Making Money From Home

It’s not a coincidence that the popularity of direct sales companies is on the rise; most of them offer flexible working hours and fair commissions, making it a lot easier to run your own business to draw in a secondary, and often passive, income. As someone who has recently graduated from university, I am under no illusion that putting the cash together for a deposit on a house or car is going to be no mean feat. But where do you start looking when you want to start making money from home?

Well, this blog post is aimed for anyone, whether you’re a student or professional, single parent or part of a large family in need of extra support; so that you can see a few of the better known companies and their benefits in a simple and understandable format. This isn’t a sales pitch. I’m not linked to any of these companies; this is strictly educational so that you can make an informed decision before you step into the wonderful world of direct sales. Consider me an unbiased voice of reason.

Direct Sales Companies

There are plenty of Direct Sales companies out there, each designed to suit individual personalities and sales types; but more specifically, with different sales strategies and compensation agreements. Having done research into a selection of direct sales companies, it has become pretty obvious that their driving advert for Partners are marketed towards mums and women working from home. However, some of these companies allow for a more even-keel, and I shall explain further in time. It is important to remember that these businesses require people skills beyond being social and friendly. To be successful at making money with your business you’ll be expected to be involved with networking, marketing and have at least a basic understanding of the sales skills required depending on the industry. Some companies offer training, and others simply give you a helping hand and a support structure to send you in the right direction. It is also important to remember, as you continue to read this, that when considering and comparing business opportunities please be aware that it is illegal for a promoter or participant in a trading scheme to persuade anyone to make a payment by promising benefits from getting others to join a scheme. Do not be misled by claims that high earnings are easily achieved.

Arbonne

Arbonne are not a particularly well known company, which they attribute to the fact they rely heavily on word of mouth marketing so that any funding or profit can go back into their products. This is by no means a negative attribute for a company that prides itself on unparalleled quality and effective products. As a consumer, I have to admit I agree. Plus, what’s not to enjoy about gathering your friends for a girly evening to try the new products? Petter Mørck founded Arbonne in Switzerland, 1975, together with a group of leading biochemists, biologists and herbalists. Arbonne promise to continuously improve and evaluate their ingredient policy; though for some it’s enough just that they have one. All of their products are unique in the fact they’re plant based formulas rather than chemical, globally sourced with high end ingredients, vegan certified, pH correct and hypo-allergenic, dermatologically tested and clinically proven. Plus the face wash smells zesty.

‘Arbonne Clients love our products and trust them for their families. They simply can’t do without them, so they buy them over and over. They are steadfast and loyal because they trust our brand. They believe in it. Our core commitment is to provide effective products that deliver a true benefit. Products everyone should have and will desire. As trailblazers, we must educate, empower and inspire people to make better choices for the beauty, health and wellness of their families and friends.’

Arbonne skincare products, based on botanical principles, became a reality in the United States in 1980 and are now shared throughout the world through the Arbonne network of Independent Consultants. Building on these same founding principles, the product line has since grown to include both inner and outer health and beauty products that are unparalleled in quality, safety, value, benefits and results. Over the years, the product portfolio has grown to include aromatherapy, cosmetics, nutrition and much more.

Arbonne’s Environmental Values

Arbonne’s green values extend past their products. Whilst striving for the purest, safest and most beneficial way to create products, Arbonne also strives to keep earth friendliness in the bargain. Constantly looking for ways to minimise their impact on earth, their green initiatives span sourcing, manufacturing, operations and generally lightening the carbon footprint with each step.

Arbonne Business Opportunity

But there’s more to Arbonne than just great products. Thousands of individuals work with Arbonne, with sales incentives and rewards, travel opportunities and a generous Success Plan. With Arbonne, sharing your love for products can lead to product sales and a successful business. Success comes from building relationships by creating a personal network of clients who purchase Arbonne products, plus teaching others to do the same. Arbonne understand the power of networks and has the tools and expertise to help you build one of your very own. ‘Average people build businesses — extraordinary people build networks.’ Arbonne promises a challenging yet rewarding career for you to run your own business and team, an opportunity to increase self-confidence and leadership skills whlie still making money. A way to work when you want and with whom you want.

However, the start-up fee is a little higher than with many similiar direct sales companies, as are the products. So that is definitely something to keep in mind. You can find out more about making money with Arbonne on their website:

http://arbonne.com

Avon

Everybody knows Avon, Avon’s products and at least two Avon Ladies; but there’s a lot more behind them than just a good sales strategy and a friendly smile. As self-analysis goes, their introduction is very convincing. They are the company that ‘puts mascara on lashes and food on tables, which knows the value of a perfect lip and opens its mouth to speak out against domestic violence and for women’s financial independence.’ What self-respecting feminist couldn’t get behind those attributes? It’s a company that has 125 years under its belt, 6 million representatives in over 100 countries; a beacon for beauty, innovation, optimism and all women. Their vision is clear; ‘Our vision is to be the company that best understands and satisfies the product, service and self-fulfilment needs of woman globally,’ and it seems that, from the reviews of other independent representatives, this is not focused solely on the customer but on the representatives as well.

‘Working for Avon was wonderful. Getting the products in the mail, getting it organised. I learned more about sales and how to run a small business than any previous job,’ sang one review, ‘the most enjoyable part of the job was selling and up-selling’ another. Making money appear to be very achieveable with Avon.

Avon Details

Down to the nitty-gritty; there is a small start-up fee of £16, which includes your brochures, but this will only be charged after you have placed your first order – with £10 taken from your first order and £6 from your second. There is also a ‘Smart Start’ scheme that offers gifts once you’ve placed your first six orders. You do not pay your joining fee if you do not place an order. Should, for whatever reason, your situation change and you no longer need to work for Avon, you are still not charged. There is also a 28 day money back guarantee on all the products. All the ordering is done online to keep it quick and simple, and there is also more information on incentives and competitions. As well as constant support from your Area Sales Manager, there is telephone support from the customer services team and an online community where you can get support and advice from other representatives. You are self-employed, so running your Avon is like running your own business; you set your working hours to suit yourself and your life. The website doesn’t mention anything about target setting, but if you really want to make a good go of making money from home, then that is something you’ll need to think about. Regardless of the company you choose to get behind.

Avon Cosmetics

Avon scientists create and evaluate nearly 1,000 cosmetic, fragrance and toiletry products every year. In 2012 Avon celebrated 20 years of its pioneering Skincare brand ANEW and collaborated with globally recognised dermatology laboratory, NeoStrata – a leader in topical anti-ageing technologies. It allowed for the creation of treatments only available through Avon but also ‘revolutionising anti-ageing skincare.’ This is not the first time that Avon has been at the forefront of technological advancement in skin care. In 1992, Avon was the first company to bring Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Technology to the mass market with the launch of it’s ANEW skincare brand. Avon was also the first to deliver stable vitamin C in skincare. Although Avon has many competitors in the direct make up sales market, few have the reputation let alone the innovated products, customer service and competitive prices.

There are certainly pros to getting behind a company of this size. It is one of the world’s largest direct sales companies, with nearly £10 billion in annual revenue. Their product line includes cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, wellbeing products, jewellery, lingerie, accessories, gifts and fashion products for your home. More products carry the Avon name than any other brand in the world. According to their own statistics, ‘Avon now reaches one in three women, with six million women seeing an Avon brochure every three weeks’.

Avon Charity Support

In 2009 Avon celebrated its 50th Anniversary in the UK. In 2010 ‘Avon Connects’ launched in the UK, offering Independent Avon Representatives and customers the opportunity to connect through a unique, online, social media platform. Avon has also donated over £16 million to UK charities, including but not limited to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Macmillan Cancer Support and Women’s Aid. As a company dedicated to the wellbeing of women, Avon has spoken at length of its commitment to supporting causes that matter most to women. The cons are that it is an incredibly saturated sales scheme. There doesn’t appear to be any specific boundaries on areas or demographic, so it is very much up to the representative to carve out a territory of their own.

You can find out more about making money with Avon on their website:

http://www.avon.uk.com

Younique

As one of Avon’s biggest competitors, Younique has a lot to live up to. It isn’t as well-known and its products do not have the same appreciated branding, but the opportunities for making moey and building your own successful business out of the company are definitely still there; and for some, the ‘outdated’ branding of Avon is just the thing they want to avoid.

Younique Rewards

As a company, it has slightly different incentives. Unlike Avon, it rewards its representatives with Trip points and Younique Cash – which is product credit. It’s a dollar for dollar product credit that cannot be used for business supplies or to go towards shipping; but presenters are enrolled with the opportunity to earn 1,400 incentive points in their first 90 days as a ‘Fast Start’ program. If you’re someone who loves Younique products, then this is a fantastic opportunity, but it doesn’t seem to be designed for just anyone looking to work from home and earn a little extra. Similarly, your hostess rewards are not singular rewards they choose and receive at the end of the party, but also work as a credit that they can spend whenever and on whatever they like from Younique.

The standard royalties (or commissions if you like) are still available though, and Younique promise that their online system, you should be paid quickly and easily, thus giving you control of your earnings but also making it very easy to then spend your earnings back on Younique products. Once your commissions reach $50, you are provided with your own Younique Debit card. Younique also provides a free personal website, so that you have instant access to the Virtual Party System to get your business on a running head start whilst you’re waiting for your Presenter Kit.

Younique Cosmetics

It’s a standard kit that includes several of the products, including but not limited to 3D Fibre Lashes, Moodstruck Precision Pencil Eye Liners and Flawless Complexion Enhancer. The kit also includes $25 Younique Cash on your birthday annually, a presenter guide and a signature Younique case. One thing that Avon doesn’t seem to provide is the intense training at Youniversity. Designed to give you an understanding valuable marketing tips and critical business insights, the weekly training courses keep you connected with your sponsor and Younique Family as well as develop yourself as a real saleswoman.

Social Media Marketing

Younique was one of the first direct sales companies to market and sell almost completely though the use of social media. Their pioneering Virtual Parties created a bridge between tradition direct selling and home businesses, and the ever growing market online. For someone who’s looking to make extra money, but is hindered slightly by being self-conscious or isn’t as particularly confident as other direct sales representatives, Younique is certainly unique in that it doesn’t seem to matter. It also means that if you need to work from home because you can’t leave the house – whether as a full time carer or responsible for children full time – then you can; which in turn makes the hours even more flexible. Social networks are opening up so many possibilities to small companies now. Blogging is a tool that can be used for sales and marketing, and Facebook and Twitter make it so easy to create a network to sell towards. A few clicks of your mouse, and you’ve got thousands of people that you can sell to every day. Openly invite people to your virtual party, or be more specific. At the end of the mouse is all the research you could need to know. Which Bloggers are making money reviewing make up, which people are completely clueless, or even which product is completely underrated and therefore most in need of promoting? That’s not to say that traditional forms of sales, marketing and networking are dying out. But when creating your own business from home every little tool should be used to the best of its advantage.

You can find out more about making money with Younique on their website:

https://www.youniqueproducts.com/

Herbalife

Herbalife International is an American company with its headquarters in the Cayman Islands that specialised in nutrition, weight management and skin-care products on a global scale. Founded in 1980, it employs about 7,400 people worldwide has over three million Partners based in 90 countries and is reported to net sales of nearly $4 billion in 2014.

Making Money with Herbalife

Herbalife promises its members a making money opportunity that fits your lifestyle with flexible part time or full time hours, help with coaching and support and research proven products developed by leading nutritional scientists. The premise of being a Herbalife member means you learn the basics of better nutrition, share the fundamentals of an active and thus more healthy lifestyle and help your customers reach their weight and nutritional goals.

Herbalife Products

As with the hours, the products you promote are also pretty flexible. You can choose to specialise in a product, or represent the entire brand. Their product categories include Weight Management, meal replacement solutions etc., Targeted Nutrition, supplements and vitamins, Sports, Energy and Fitness, training and recovery solutions and Outer Nutrition for the skincare and beauty range. Having such a diverse range of products does make for less gender bias for those selling the products. A lot of direct sales companies are designed specifically for women to sell the products (Avon in fact uses that as their tag line) so it’s good to know that if the primary carer is in fact a stay at home dad who’d like to earn some extra cash, there are viable options.

Community Support

Herbalife is a strong advocate for people helping other people. The turnaround support system creates a community with other members; which in turn helps raise money to help teach children about the benefits of good nutrition. If you think that this system would not only benefit yourself and your family, but your friends and neighbours as well then it’s definitely something to consider.

There is a start-up cost, which includes your start-up kit, but Herbalife gives you the opportunity to work to your own hours and maybe even extend into full time work later on. Herbalife also has one of the more generous compensations plans with the opportunity to earn 73% commission through wholesale profits, royalties and bonuses. Plus you’ll be put in touch with a personal Herbalife coach who can offer support with both your nutritional and business development needs.

Company Evolution

Herbalife has changed a lot as a company since it started, though they promise that the standard of their products and their customer care has only improved in that time; they are also very much looking into the future and the constant improvement and expansion of their business. ‘The possibilities are limitless!’ Their reputation does put them ahead of other companies of a similar ilk such as Body by VI, so in terms of starting up an at home business, now may just be the perfect time. It’s also a strong possibility for those of you looking to make money from home – but are male. Herbalife, along with some of the other companies I’ll speak of, do not have a gender biased product. Much like Utility Warehouse, they are designed to cater to varied needs, which is perfect if you’re looking to sell a product to make some extra money, but make-up is not something you yourself would buy. It’s incredibly difficult to sell a product you have no interest in. It’s also more difficult for men to sell to women something they themselves don’t use. Not unless you have an extensive knowledge of the product, created it yourself or if you’ve been in sales your entire career. For those of you just starting out, Herbalife offers a ‘dipped-toe’ approach, as you expand your product range to suit your client base.

You can find out more about making money with Herbalife on their website:
http://www.herbalife.co.uk/

Body by VI

Body by VI is a top weight-loss challenge platform based in North America. It is marketed as a simple, rewarding, fun and flexible for your lifestyle. The idea is that your challenge starts with a personal goal for you, set by you. Then, by using one of their four challenge kits over a period of 90 days at a time, you should achieve your goals. The boast one of the pros of the challenge is that it should save you money. By providing one full meal and nutritional support for you need to be healthy, the cost per day for the program is designed to cost less than a fast food meal or breakfast. This saving spreads even further when you think about the fact you get a free kit when you invite three others to join The Challenge.

Visalus Weight Loss Products

The products are available to buy individually, however the Challenge Kit offers the best value. It is important to remember, however, that these products are not a replacement for exercise but to be uses in conjunction with exercise, with a varied calorie-restricted meal plan and routine exercise regime. Any product that claims it can ‘help you lose weight’ without exercise should be consulted on by your GP. What Body by VI offers are nutritional shake mix meal replacements, with a variety of options depending on your needs. Whether you want to raise your source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, lower your carbohydrate intake, go lactose free, gluten free or avoid GMO ingredients; Body by VI has a solution in the form of a shake. Their shakes are made with real fruit, so there’s no horrible pasty powder after taste. Add two scoops of the VI-Shape Shake Mix to 250ml of semi skimmed milk – job done. This shake does not, however, replace your daily water intake which should still be an average of two litres per day. If you have any concerns regarding a medical condition or taking these shakes whilst pregnant, please see the Body by VI website.

Making Money with Body by Vi

So how can you get involved? Body by VI offers a ‘lucrative’ making money program for all of their representatives. ‘Because they transform lives through The Challenge, bringing our mission of Life, Health and Prosperity – we are proud to reward them.’ Apart from the aforementioned ‘Refer 3, get your next month Free!’ deal, Body by VI also offers home-based work opportunities. As a promoter, your focus will be on creating a retail customer base, as well as building a team or ‘organisation’ of other promoters. As your progress through the program, you will increase your home base income through commissions on the product sales generated throughout your Partner organisation. There are, as with most direct sales companies, elite groups within the company that are recognised for their commitment to excellence. These people, within Body by VI, are the Bimmer Club, who are eligible to earn monthly BMW Bonus points that go towards a Body by VI branded black BMW.

Start up Options

There are start-up prices, and depending on how much you want to jump in will decide how much you’re willing to spend on your start-up kit. The basic promoter kit is £39 and includes a welcome guide, a challenge DVD, access to the VI-Net Lite and Promoter Marketing website, as well as a few other pieces of merchandise. The System Speed Up to Rising Star Pack – which is £349; includes all of the above plus the executive product pack, challenge journal and challenge magazine, exclusive online success audio seminars and mentorships. There is also a Star Promoter Supercharge program which includes all of the above plus 40 starter packs, 15 magazines and 15 challenge journals. From an outsider, trying to remain unbiased, this seems like an awful lot of money to become a promoter without proof of the products ability. Body by VI doesn’t have Avon’s good reputation, or Kleeneze’s heritage. Most of the information found about Body by VI is on their own website as opposed to review websites or affiliates. And the reviews I did find for Body by VI were not altogether flattering.

Reviews

One wrote ‘After two and a half months on the program, I was very disappointed and quite upset that I had paid so much for a product that didn’t work.’ The reviewer went on to say that the claims of the product make it sound like she would have no problem losing any chosen amount of weight, and that when reading up reviews post-challenge, she’d found that most of the people who’d lost weight by using The Challenges had actually had lap band surgery before the program, or had been vastly overweight before they’d begun; rather than someone who was trying to work off the last of the weight they were trying to lose as she had been. She also pointed out that whilst the ingredient list mirror a good multivitamin, there are other shakes and protein shakes on the market that far surpass the products of Body by VI. Of course, this is just one review and it’s important to take a balanced view.

My advice would be to make sure that the products available to you from Body by VI work for you, so that when you’re selling the product you know that it’s something you can put your name behind. As the products are available individually, you shouldn’t have to fork out a small fortune to be part of this company. We live in a tight economy as it is; if you’re looking to earn a passive income, this may not be the company for you.

You can find out more about making money with Body by Vi on their website:

http://www.bodyby-vi-uk.co.uk/

Aloe 2 Bee

Aloe 2 Bee was founded in 1978 and now operates in over 150 countries under the company name Forever. It is the largest manufacturer and Partner of Aloe Vera and Bee products in the world, actively avoiding the use of herbicides and pesticides. ‘Because we are not dependent on any other supplier, we can guarantee the quality of our Aloe.’ A valued ingredient for centuries across the globe, highly concentrated Aloe Vera gel is delicately separated from the leaf pulp and gently stabilized in a special patented process. Similarly to Herbalife, the product range is a variety of products such as health drinks, natural supplements, weight management products, skin care and other daily and topical solutions. Forever is so confident of it’s product, that it promises a 60 day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with anything your purchase. These products are available to Partners at the wholesale price.

The company does not use animal testing either. As an employer, they help people to build substantial incomes and control their finances. ‘Our business is designed to allow motivated individuals and couples to earn what they are truly worth.

Money Making Opportunity with Aloe 2 Bee

As an Partner, the making money opportunity comes through the retailing of a market leading range of Forever Living products made with Aloe Vera and Beehive based health and nutrition products, and through building a team of like-minded people. Aloe 2 Bee provide a professional and easy way to build your own business on a part-time basis working alongside existing commitments or you may decide to build a full-time role as your income increases. This opportunity is open to everyone and no previous experience or qualifications are necessary as ‘award winning’ training and support are provided. Each new Partner is provided with a sponsor or an up-line manager, generally the person who introduced you to the products in the first place, who will give you day to day advice and support as and when you need it. There are also training materials available to you and a Partner training website. Within the training, you’re advised on finding customers, setting up your own website, sponsoring your own Partners so that you yourself can become an up-line manager in time. What they don’t always tell you up front is that an official Forever website has a hosting cost of £10 a month. No doubt this includes help with both technical and other issues, but it’s definitely worth looking into whether it’s better value for money to set up your own website. Aloe 2 Bee claims that they also do very well at conventions; displays, stalls, events and presentations making access to large groups of your target market at the same time. Whilst this is not exclusive to Aloe 2 Bee, they are one of the few companies that make it a part of their selling campaign. There are only so many products you can do this with. But organising a pamper evening for couples would not be a bad way to sell products to large groups of people, if you can find a venue willing to host the event. Clients will be much more likely to buy/sign up if they know, like and trust you. This means no matter how you found these people in the first place, you need to spend time interacting with them, listening to their issues, and talking to them about the benefits of your product from their point of view.

You can find out more about making money with Aloe2Bee on their website:

http://www.aloe2bee.co.uk/

Amway

Amway (short for American Way) is an American company that kick started it’s UK branch in 1973. It uses a multi-level marketing model to sell a variety of products, primarily in the health, beauty and home care markets. For over 40 years, Amway has been supporting, motivating and teaming up with successful business owners. In 2013, there were over 33,000 registered Amway Business Owners and 250,000 registered customers in the UK and ROI. It has been part of the DSA since 1981. Amway puts the credit of it’s business behind the people that work with Amway. ‘People are our most valuable asset. Our business owes it’s success to our employees and to our Amway Business Owners, all of whom we support wholeheartedly by helping them live up to their full potential.’ As with most of the other companies, Amway provides it’s own brand of free training to build up the necessary skills for a better and more business-like future, whether you’re looking to take on the task as a part time job or full time. Their opportunity is open to everyone, offering the same chances and right to work to their fair and reliable partners. Throughout their work environment, Amway promotes diversity, as well as ensure high standards in health and safety and provide benefits and development opportunities for all of their Partners.

Amway market’s it’s products as ‘Life-Enhancing’; combining expertise and opportunity to help change the world by addressing the health of wellbeing of people. Whilst their products look to tackle social issues such as malnutrition and water pollution, their training promotes entrepreneurship as a gateway to individual empowerment. Cutting through the jargon, Amway are trying to say they’re the ‘nice guys’ of direct selling. And for all intents and purposes, Amway appear to have a solid track record for looking after their Partners.

Company ethos

‘We achieve a sustained performance by growing our business in a socially responsible way, whilst continually improving the environment within which we do business.’ Whether you’re looking at making money, or run your very own business, Amway suggest that you set yourself goals to achieve and with the support and benefits one gets from working with a team with different experiences, each goal is achievable. Their work model is relatively low risk, but it would be worth doing further research into monetary targets to continue working for Amway. Very few of the companies have mentioned it on their websites, but unlike Utility Warehouse, many companies to expect a minimum sales quota per month or quarter. It can put a level of undesirable stress on anyone trying to set up a business if they know that they could potentially lose that business, and that income, if they have a bad couple of months. If you do have any concerns, please speak to someone within the company you’re planning to work with. A vital part of this team is your sponsor, who will help you get started and provide you with help and training along the way. They should be able to answer any extra questions you have up front.

Training

This training website contains everything you need to know about Amway so you can make an informed decision about your future. You’ll learn about the philosophy, the products and the support available to every Amway Business Owner. When you’re ready, speak to an Amway Business Owner, if possible, the one who invited you to the business. He or she will help you register your business and order your Fast Start bundles. Once you’ve tried these products for yourself, your recruiting Amway Business Owner can help show you how to demonstrate them to your first potential customers. “In the first year of my business I focused on getting to know the products and establishing a base of customers who would keep re-ordering with me. Once I got comfortable doing that I wanted to grow my business more. I had lots of inspiration in the beginning. I did the Amway online e-learning courses and talked to other Amway Business Owners. Gradually I started to realise the potential in bringing other people into the business. Now that I have a group, my sales volume is much higher than I could achieve alone. There’s no doubt in my mind I’m getting ahead.”- A testimonial from one of Amway’s Partners.

Support Structure

If you have a question about anything – registration, renewal, business, or product information – Amway has a dedicated Customer Care staff with all of the answers. Amway also help support your sales efforts with DVDs, websites, magazines and brochures to help you grow your business, so the marketing worry is kept to a minimum. All you have to do is sell the products, they provide the rest; such as processing the order, managing your customer accounts and handling shipping details. What’s more, each one of our products is covered by our no quibble Amway Satisfaction Guarantee. If you or your customers are not entirely satisfied with any product, simply return it and we’ll give you your money back. No questions asked.

You can find out more about making money with Amway on their website:

https://www.amway.co.uk/

Betterware

Stepping into a more gender neutral zone now; Betterware is a registered trademark of Stanley House Distribution Limited; a UK door-to-door direct sales company of household products. They have at least 5000 Partners throughout and 550 franchise team leaders. Their format is simple, and this is possibly what lead to their great success. Catalogues are delivered door-to-door in the UK and Ireland and then your local Partner collects the order forms. The products are then distributed from the company’s own warehouse. The hours of the Partners are totally flexible; with some choosing to work full time, others part time and the rest as and when they choose. They are all given a pre-determined geographical area, so there’s little to no competition from other Partners. Instead, everyone follows the family ethic that founded the company and team work is the solution to every problem.

Betterware’s market

From what I understand, Betterware doesn’t have a specific target audience, as their products are evolving alongside the company and their Partners. Whilst you’d expect there to be a specific draw towards elderly people who grew up with and trust the brand, it’s proven to be particularly popular with mums looking for specific products of good quality. This is definitely something to brag about as a Partner; as no specific target audience means that the choice really is yours. As you develop a network, you’re supported the whole way by your co-ordinator – but the structure of your working hours and your choice of target audience is completely down to you. Whether you’re an at-home parent or taking on Betterware for making money on the side, it’s perfectly suited for someone looking for flexibility.

Lifestyle Improvements

Betterware say ‘our greatest achievement is the opportunity we’ve offered men and women to improve their lifestyle and control their family’s earnings by running their own Betterware business.’ Graham Harris, one of their sales agents wrote, ‘I’d had enough of working for other people. I wanted to work for myself and I’m loving this role. It’s the best thing I ever did.’ There are different levels within Betterware that involves independent sales. The first is the Partner; this is the part time/flexible hours option where you work for cash in your local area and off of your own initiative. The next level is a Territory Sales Agent; where a specific territory is assigned to you. You must have access to a car and a computer and have the time to give your business your full commitment, though the hours are still flexible so you can fit your job around your family or any other commitments. The third level is a Co-Ordinator; this a full time position where you’ll be expected to manage a team of people and be committed to recruiting new people into your team. It provides a higher earnings opportunity, and still flexible hours – though you’ll have to work around the others you’re working with, as well as your family and any other commitments.

Weekly Commissions

Betterware pays weekly, so whatever commissions you earn you shall receive quickly; which means if you have more time to focus on your business than others, then you shall reap the rewards you sow. Your Co-Ordinator will pay your money directly once the products have been delivered to the customers each week. Betterware promises constant support, either via your Co-Ordinator for advice or the Betterware Hub online which has a ‘wealth’ of information. Betterware doesn’t clash with any benefits you may receive, though for more information on that I recommend you check out the Gov website.

There are of course downsides, as with any business; Partners have reported a difficulty with delivering and collecting brochures often enough to get orders worth submitting, and even when they do there are delivery costs and charges each month for ordering over the internet that comes out of your commission. A rival company, Kleeneze, deals with all these issues in a slightly different way, but the commission is lower and there’s no specific territory for you to work within. Whether that’s a plus or a minus will depend on your style of business and how you intend to characterise yourself as a direct sales representative.

You can find out more about making money with Betterware on their website:

https://www.betterware.co.uk/

Kleeneze

Kleeneze – originally Kleen-e-ze Brush Company – was the brain child of a man named Harry Crook, who attempted to make his fortune in America, and returned to England in 1923. The first major milestone for the company came in 1930 when the annual turnover topped £1 million for the first time, and diversification followed shortly after with the introduction of polishes and other complimentary items. Kleeneze obtained a place in the industrial history in 1959 when it became the first company to introduce the 40 hour week. Kleeneze are also a founding member of the Direct Selling Association, which means that all the companies I’ve mentioned must uphold a strict code of trading ethics, upheld by the association. In 1970, Kleeneze also stepped ahead of the crowd by being one of the first companies in the UK to utilise network marketing. After celebrating their 75th anniversary in 1998, Kleeneze extended its field of operation into Ireland and changed its name to Kleeneze Europe Limited. Just 6 years later, the company expanded its operations into the Netherlands and then a year later, Germany. Since its birth, Kleeneze has never failed to make a profit.

Kleeneze Earnings Potential

Kleeneze boast of their commitment to their Partners, explaining that the difference between earning £100 to £10,000 pounds extra per month purely down to hard work and ambition. Kleeneze use a catalogue and the prevailing income prospective of network marketing. The catalogue is a tried and true method, where the catalogues are left with friends, relatives, households and then the orders are collected a day or two later. It allows the client to have free reign of their purchases, rather than a pushy salesmen knocking on the door with his suitcase full of products. You earn 21% cash on all orders that you receive. When you start your Kleeneze business, you are given a credit limit – enabling you to order products from Kleeneze and only pay once you have received the money from your customers. This means there are never any stock purchase requirements or cash layout needed. It’s simple maths to deduce that the more catalogues you put out, the more orders you will get. Thus, the more profit you shall earn. The average national order is £1 per catalogue, but this grows once you’ve developed a customer base with returns rising to £600 with as little as 10 hours work per week. Orders will be at your house within 48 hours of Kleeneze receiving the order, which is a pretty quick turn-around. It’ll be relatively easy for you to keep up with any high demands you invoke in your client base. Kleeneze accept cash or cheque, so you get your 21% commission before worrying about paying Kleeneze back the remaining balance.

This is another ‘non-territory’ business, where it is up to you to stake out your client base. It is advised to stay close to home to save time and keep your customers loyal to you. ‘We expect our Partners to have excellent customer service. They should be reliable, polite and friendly. Keeping your distribution local means these attributes are a natural benefit to you anyway.’

Kleeneze Products

From gardening to gadgets, Christmas gifts to beauty products, the Kleeneze catalogues have it all. With over 1,500 wisely selected items to choose from, whether you’re looking to spend one pound or a few hundred, there’s something for everyone. Kleeneze has unlimited purchasing power when it comes to new products and any products added to the catalogues have been very carefully selected and priced not only to sell, but to make a profit. Specialist Kleeneze purchasing teams travel worldwide to secure the very best products for the catalogues. Many of the products sold in the catalogues are consumables; this brings repeat business on a monthly basis and Kleeneze promise 100% money back guaranteed for any products that are not satisfactory. Each year Kleeneze produces three or four main catalogues as well as a selection of smaller, supplementary catalogues. It is really up to the Partner to create their own flexible timetable and product base, to suit themselves and their clients.

That catalogues do all the selling for you; so for someone who otherwise lacks in the confidence to direct sell normally, that is definitely a positive. Over 70% of the UK already know and use Kleeneze, so there is obviously a demand for the products. But there are still millions of households without Kleeneze, and these are the people with the greatest potential for making money.

You can find out more about making money with Kleeneze on their website:

http://www.kleeneze.co.uk/

Utility Warehouse

Utility Warehouse is the trading name of Telecom Plus PLC, who provides a range of essential everyday services to over 400,000 homes and businesses all over the UK. Founded in 1996, their aim is simple – To save their customers money. Utility Warehouse have several positions put in place so that you can work from home, in the hours that you choose, so that you’re not torn between being financially dependent on your partner and ‘abandoning’ your children.

Utility Warehouse Partner

For example, the position of Partner is designed for anyone who wants to generate additional income by achieving realistic goals with the potential for bonuses should you surpass this. It costs £100 to join, but with a starter bonus gained from achieving your first 90 days goal this is returned to you. After that you earn a one-off of up to £50 for every customer you sign and a regular monthly commission based on a percentage of your customers monthly spend on Utility Warehouse services. You can also sign up as a Partner which involves building a team so that you get paid for the all the team’s customers as well. It really is that simple; and the more customers you sign up, the more your monthly commission grows – which means that if you are able to commit more hours to the job as your children are at school or what have you, then you reap greater rewards.

Added Benefits

These rewards include cash bonuses when you reach certain milestones such as personally recruiting customers and reaching targets, as well as share options among others. Once you have established yourself as a successful Partner with an income of £175 each month, you can apply for a company branded BMW Mini One. On the other hand, there is more to working with Utility Warehouse than just making money, as shown here by these real success stories:

After my children started school I found myself with plenty of free time that I wanted to put to good use, but I needed to ensure that I had enough flexibility to do the school runs. The idea of earning a little extra money had definite appeal and the Utility Warehouse seemed to fit my requirements nicely. Little did I know that I had stumbled across a potential goldmine! Now when I buy clothes or a new car, I like being able to tell the other mums that it was thanks to my own efforts!

Susan Mackenzie

Once I’d had my two children I just didn’t want to go back to work as an accountant. Darren loves his job as a policeman but we were keen to find a home-based business that could replace my earnings. Now we know we could both give up work before we are 50. We’ve made some great friends and love working with positive, like-minded people and it’s great for Darren and me to be working together.

Jane & Darren Turner

I started off as a customer with the Utility Warehouse. I was so impressed with the savings I was making I decided to become a Partner. Fitting this business around my hairdressing and raising my two sons proved to be both fun and easy! There is free training provided, and you can go as many times as you like. Now the Utility Warehouse has given us a very positive future. We’ve made great friends along the way. We now have great opportunities, and I’m able to spend quality time as a mother with my sons, while building a secure future for the three of us.

Christine Wise

Training

You don’t need have to have a specific skill set either. Utility Warehouse makes sure that all their Partners receive comprehensive training, which is both online and held in venues across the UK, free and available whenever you need it. You will also receive a Business Manual to guide you to success. All Partners receive a free hosted website, which looks just like the corporate website, where customers and Partners can sign up online and be added to your account. You’ll have access to a wide range of professionally made marketing materials free of charge, and also promotional material for purchase (T-shirts, business cards etc).

One thing mothers may be sceptical about is support once they have had the training and are officially working for themselves. Utility Warehouse will not throw you in at the deep end, nor will they leave you to fend for yourself. You’ll receive advice and support from your peers to help you build a successful business, not to mention the opportunity to meet people and make friends, which can be difficult if you spend the majority of your time at home.

My Experience With Utility Warehouse

Whilst I was at university, I was introduced to a Utility Warehouse Partner named Jonathan Hamilton. I was initially sceptical. There are so many companies out there promising to save money, I was struggling to see the wood through the trees. Jonathan explained to me that he’d had a few customers who he couldn’t save money and therefore had not gone ahead with Utility Warehouse. However, these people were so impressed with the customer service they received that Jonathan received business via their friends, family and neighbours. As Jonathan builds a rapport with his clients, his benefits also increase. He has already qualified for a free branded BMW Mini One from head office, and is now working towards the Porsche.

Utility Warehouse is an entirely ethically led company. They are listed on the London Stock Exchange (trading as Telecomplus PLC) and are in the FTSE 250. They were even awarded Best Performing Share Award in 2011 with an impressive growth profile. Furthermore customers of Utility Warehouse are provided with a service that everyone needs – their utilities, so there is a tangible product that is in high demand. According to their website information, the £100 Partner deposit is used by the company to pay for the classroom training, maintaining and upgrading the online training and for the box of initial training materials each new Partner requires. Once the new recruit has started to making money, gathering customers they then qualify for a refund of their deposit. Utility Warehouse then return the £100 in an effort to incentivise them to continue gathering customers. The company, of course, starts to make a profit from those customers who have been gathered by the initial Partner.

Commission Payments

The commission structure is based on an ethical policy of making sure that customers are happy and cared for. Therefore there are no large up-front bonuses. The initial gathering bonus for any new customer is currently capped at £40. The lucrative element of The Utility Warehouse commission structure is the ongoing monthly payments. Each month when a customer pays their Utility Warehouse bill, a small percentage (typically approx. 3.5%) is then set aside for the Partner who signed them up. On 21st of the following month, this slice is then paid to the Partner as ‘CVC’ Customer Volume Commission. This amounts to around £5 per month per customer for a typical 4-service customer. (The 4 services being Gas, Electric, Telephone and Broadband. Mobile phone is available too.) Statistically, Utility Warehouse believes a Partner working alongside them for at least two years will have worked with at least a hundred clients. That’s £500 per month, depending on the quality of the customers gathered, as a passive income whilst you work towards attracting new clients.

You can find out more about making money with Utility Warehouse on their website at:

http://www.utilitywarehouse.org.uk

Conclusion

Chris Rock, the comedian once said, ‘wealth is not about having a lot of money, but having a lot of options,’ and I feel that this quote pretty much covers the premise of this post. I hope it has helped you gain a better understanding of the different types of direct sales companies currently available to you, so that you can make an informed decision about your path to making money. The world of Direct Sales is your oyster; no matter your background or experience. I think it’s easy to think of these companies negatively, as quick fix solutions; but that’s really not the case. As with any business, you will need to work at it, work with people, and develop your own skills for your business to progress. To repeat what I said at the start, remember that these businesses require people skills beyond being social and friendly. To make the most of your business you’ll be expected to be involved with networking, marketing and have at least a basic understanding of the sales skills required depending on the industry.

Should you have any more questions about anything I’ve mentioned above, leave me a comment below. I wish you all the best making money with your new business venture and good luck!