I read a really interesting article in the New York Times entitled “Direct Sales as a Recession Fallback.” According to this article many direct sales companies report rising numbers of sellers signing up. The spokeswoman for the Direct Selling Association said that’s typical in recessionary years. Why?

The article said people use their earnings to pay off debts or as a way to bring in cash while they — or their spouses — look for jobs. Also, if you want to start a home-based business, the start-up costs for direct sales are usually fairly minimal.

I believe direct sales to be a smart option in ANY economy. Here are the five reasons I see women drawn to direct sales as a career option:

1. MONEY – Direct sales gives us the ability to meet and establish our own financial goals – whether that’s a few hundred dollars a month or a more substantial income.

2. CONTROL – Direct sales allows us to control our careers. Instead of just a JOB, we enjoy something more meaningful. You can also work around your family’s schedule.

3. FUN – There are over 30 industries represented in direct sales, so there is certainly something to fit your interests – from books, to finances, to travel, to gourmet food, to wellness products, to scrapbooking… Many of us also love the chance to share our products through “parties” and gatherings.

4. BEING OF SERVICE – As women when we find a solution to a problem we naturally want to share it with others and direct sales helps us to do that while we make a profit.

5. PRODUCTS – Direct sales allows us to get our products at a reduced price and/or make a commission for sharing something we’d happily buy anyway. (Here’s an extra perk, products moved through direct sales, like jewelry, cosmetics or home décor items, are often considered recession-resistant because most are priced under $50.)

Why should you care about your reasons? Knowing what motivates you is a key factor in your success. Read more in my article Unique Home-Based Business Opportunity in Direct Sales.

Women in direct sales – please share what you DO and DON’T like about direct sales. Also, what impact on your direct sales business have you seen by the economic slowdown?

Do you know of any stay-at-home moms that are suddenly back in the job market? According to a recent article in Time magazine men make up 82% of the recession’s job losses, which means a lot more women are looking for work to make up for the lost paycheck. The article in Time magazine explains a recent phenomenon – many white collar moms who opted out of the workforce to focus on their kids are suddenly scrambling to get back in.

The problem is there are not a lot of jobs to be found! I was in Dallas this last weekend with Tory Johnson at the Women for Hire expo. ( and I’ll be back again speaking at her expo in Atlanta on April 4th). What struck me most was how many women are searching. Searching not just for a job, but they’re searching for support as they face a transition from their life as a stay-at-home mom.

It was great to get out from behind my computer and have face-to-face interaction with women. I was able to share a solution for women and moms who want a career and want to be there for their children. Many women don’t realize they can create their own work at home job by starting their own business.

The BIG question I heard from most of these women is where do I start? My answer to that is really two-fold – you need reliable information and you need support from other women. It made me so appreciative of our Metromom community. In these economic times, we need each other and I’m so proud of the sharing and learning that goes on every day, especially in our Connection Café.

Times have changed and more and more stay at home mothers need to define careers to meet the needs of their families. If you want to take advantage of our best resource – each other – then make sure you get involved with our community. I guarantee you can find tried and true ideas from real women on how to run a successful home-based business in any economy.

Honestly, I have made every single one of these 7 Deadly Sins. Thankfully, I developed “direct sales savvy” which has motivated me to share what I learned.

This is one of my favorite topics to speak about! Why? Because I realize that all someone in direct sales needs to be successful is recognize these “Seven Sins” and then make very small but positive changes. To hear my presentation, there are several opportunities coming up (some live, some virtual).

I’m looking forward to presenting live at two Women for Hire Expos:

· Work From Home Expo Dallas

• This Saturday, 03/21/2009
• 10am – 2pm
• Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre

· Work From Home Expo Atlanta

• 04/04/2009
• Saturday, 10am – 2pm
• Cobb Galleria

Women For Hire was founded by Tory Johnson –a truly inspirational entrepreneur with a passion for helping women be successful. If you’re looking for smart ways to supplement your income or you want to find an alternative to the cubicle and the commute this Women For Hire’s Work From Home Expo is a must-attend for you.

I’m also going to be interviewed about the “Seven Sins” at the upcoming teleseminar series for home party professionals – The Direct Sales SUPER Summit on March 22-April 4, 2009. This educational and empowering summit created by Lisa Young will give you a chance to learn from the very best in the industry.

If you want to learn more about the “Seven Sins”, you can also check out my action guide – The Seven Deadly Sins Women in Direct Sales Make and How to Avoid Them. Trust me – avoiding these sins is easy once you know what they are! The beauty of direct sales it that once you get your business headed in the right direction your successes truly multiply.

Discover tips and advice on how to be successful – on your own terms – as a mom working from home, subscribe below to our FREE bi-weekly newsletter – Direct Connect.

As a gift you’ll receive a special report, “5 Surprising Secrets Every Mom Entrepreneur Must Know.”

These secrets are surprising because they challenge the status-quo on what it really takes to be successful as a mom AND an entrepreneur.

http://www.metromom.com/fivesecrets

The right kind of partners make all the difference when it comes to direct sales success. So how do you go about finding these ideal customers and partners? Learn the three steps to get yourself out in the world AND give yourself the opportunity to connect effectively.

Learn from some of the mistakes I made in my direct sales business – so that you don’t have to. Click here to learn more.

 

 Three Steps to Help You Find Direct Sales Partners [Metromom Podcast] [5:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I have a really exciting announcement to share with you. A few months ago I was interviewed about The Seven Deadly Sins Women in Direct Sales Make…and How to Avoid Them.

I received such positive response from women that I was motivated to expand on this interview and create a 7-Week Guide.  This guide walks you through the ins-and-outs of each Deadly Sin and provides concise action steps on how to conquer them.

I decided that instead of making it just another ebook or info product (if you’re like me you have a few of these that you still haven’t read), I would create it to be an email series over 7 weeks. This weekly training program will help women learn from my mistakes AND save time and money. In today’s economy I’m very conscious of the fact that most moms really can’t afford to make mistakes, they want to know what works.

For me the key message that I want to communicate through these 7 weeks is that Small Changes Make Big Differences. That’s what’s so exciting about being an entrepreneur – the CEO of your own life – you’ll be able to see tangible results at the end of the 7 weeks by making a few small changes…

Check it out for yourself. By applying these suggestions I TRIPLED my income in one month. I wish you a prosperous New Year!

Let’s face it, with the recent trends in the economy many of us need something to provide financial breathing room. For many moms direct sales is the way to go because it gives us the ability to meet our own financial goals – whether that’s a few hundred dollars a month or a more substantial income.

The problem is there are over 30 industries and hundreds of companies represented in direct sales, so how do you decide which one meets your needs and your personality? Where can you learn about your options?

Then there are women who’ve found a great direct sales company but they can’t seem to get their business off the ground. These women want to move beyond selling products to their sister or close friends and make it a truly profitable business.

Join me…I’m hosting a panel discussion in my local community here in Connecticut that will help women determine the best work-at-home option for them personally and how to be successful with it. This promises to be a fun networking event and an opportunity to hear from women who are working just a few hours a week to women who are working full-time in companies like Arbonne, Send Out Cards, Silpada, Hello World and CAbi.

This event will allow women to learn more about their options and find out what exactly is involved in establishing a successful home-based business. This event is scheduled for Sunday December 14th from 2:00 – 4:30 pm in Woodbridge, CT.  For more information or to register.

Direct sales appeals to women of all ages, backgrounds and personalities. Why? We love how direct sales give us the ability to balance our career with our personal and family life. So what do Metromoms want to achieve with their direct sales business?

1. 1. The majority of us want to make additional income on a part-time basis. Many of us want to work around the schedule of our school-aged children. Others are already working full-time but want to supplement their income.
2. One of the biggest attractions of course is the freedom to work from home. We want to be available for our children. We want to manage our own time without the stress of worrying whether we’ve used up all our sick days.
3. Many of us are looking for something to provide financial breathing room. Wages aren’t keeping up with the high cost of living…grocery bills, gas prices, high interest all contribute to mounting pressure on the average family. We are looking for ways to get our head above water and help our families live debt-free.
4. For some women it’s all about the perks. Not only do they enjoy their company products they like the extras-cars, trips, jewelry-that come with being successful.
5. One of the things I personally like best, is the opportunity direct sales gives you to grow personally. It’s a natural fit for women who like to be helpful, like to mentor and want to develop as a leader.

No matter what goals you personally want to achieve, you’re sure to connect with like-minded women as part of the Metromom community. What has motivated and inspired you to succeed in your direct sales business? Share your comments here.