WAHM Forums

Hello, all! I am brand new in this forum, but I have been reading over the last couple of weeks. I have been looking for party plans that I can earn some extra money with, and possibly go full-time. My husband is on disability, although he is working a job this summer. I teach in a small Christian school. My thinking is that I should join now so that I have the summer months to get used to the products, etc., try to do my teaching job and the businesses for a year, then maybe go full time next year. I have narrowed this down to three companies:
1. Home and Garden Party - mostly because I love the variety in their products and the 40% commission is nice. I can see this doing extremely well in the area where I live. I'm ordering the starter kit this week.
2. Usborne Books - I love books, love Usborne, and with our contacts with area schools I think we can do alot of fundraisers. My dh is willing to work this during the fall/winter while I'm teaching. I will order their kit in 2 weeks.
3. Heritage Makers - this looks like a very promising business opportunity right now. I can see my husband, who is quite computer savvy, getting real excited about this. I hope to order this kit by late June.

I know this is a lot to jump into. I don't have little ones at home anymore - my youngest is 14. We have tons of medical bills to pay off, and I am quite frustrated with the teaching profession right now (especially the lack of pay in Christian education). I am hoping for some pointers on getting started, pitfalls to avoid, what to do "for sure",and so on.

Thanks so much!

Hi Shannon, I am a former teacher as well :)

I only rep for one company and do very well with it, I have been with At Home America for 2 years.

~ I know others do several and are successful with them.

However, I know that if I had my energy split between two or more companies that I would not have been able to nurture the fantastic team and business I have with AHA :)

So my advice is to pick one and just go for it!

Blessings in whatever you choose to do :) ~ lisa

Hi Shannon and welcome!

They are all great companies with strong foundations. My advice is to always follow your heart.

For me, my passion is my kids, so Usborne was an easy yes when I realized the quality and selection they offer. I am in the process of doing a Reach For the Stars fundraiser/bookfair for our local library with their summer program, and I love the reinforcement I receive from parents when they see the books.

I had them set up for wishlists (no purchasing) last week, and still sold a book after the kick off. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

For me, as well, my kids reinforce what I'm doing when I read to them or watch my older son grab a new book from the shelf and dive in.

What I recommend, with whatever you chose, is find a sponsor who is there for you and will train you according to your needs. When you join, your sponsor should spend time with you that first week training you, giving you pointers, and answering those first questions.

Then they should work with your weekly (more or less depending on your needs).

If you have dedication, drive, passion and support, you can do great in any of the businesses.

OK, back to my Billy monster! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

Debbie

I agree if you have the passion, drive and dedication and your consistent. You'll do very well with what ever you decide to do. I was a preschool teacher for 12 years when I came across a company called 1800partyshop 5 years ago, unfortunately that companyclosed but my passion was party supplies and I wanted to continue with that so I joined theMakesParties affiliate program and added a few other programs and have been workingmy party store successfully for4 years now, I love every bit of it. I am with afew otherdifferent companies and doing fine with it. But, working for multiple companies is not for everyone. I suggest starting out with one company. If your just starting out I would NOT join more the one company. It is alot of work. And you can easily become overwhelmed. Find your passion and follow your heart and you will do very well. I wish you much success with what ever you decide to do.
http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gifEdited by: AvParties4u

I just noticed the dates you had.
Yes, I would only do one. If Home and Garden Party is where you want to start, then just start with that company. If after a year you are ready to add another, go for it. But I have seen many women start out with more then 1 biz and not do much with any, or just one of them takes off, which is the one they choose to work.


You will overwhelm yourself if you start with too many. There is a learning curve with each biz, and the time factor.


Best of luck!
Debbie

I am a teacher and am with Jordan Essentials and Usborne books. Usborne works great for just making small sales to other teachers and parents and doing fundraisers. JE is my fun time away from the kids and having fun with the girls. If you are going to do more than one, you have to be super organized.
Terri

Wow - lots of responses already, thanks!
For the record - I have decided on those three, so thanks to those of you who have pm'ed me about your other companies, but I have looked at them all and chosen these.

I do understand about the difficulty of have three businesses going at once. I live in a beach community that is fairly affluent - so I think H&GP will do well here. That one's just for me. The other two I chose because of my education background and my husband's willingness to help with them. So it could quickly be full-time for two of us. I also have a 19yo daughter who may want to join in the fun. So I am really looking at building a full-time income for 3 of us, perhaps. Does that make sense?

Anyway, thanks for the tips so far! Keep 'em coming!

Hey Shannon -

Good luck with Home and Garden Party!!

Hi Shannon,

I had to do a double take when I read your list, as I have experience with all three companies! So we have something in common there. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif When I first started party plan, I also joined 3 companies all at the same time, one of which was H&GP. Many people told me that I would eventually end up narrowing it down to my favorite of the 3, and I quickly discovered that they were right. For two years I focused solely on H&GP, and found much more success than I would have had I tried to continue with all 3. I found that trying to work multiple companiesjust made it too difficult to focus and devote the energy needed to build any of them. If you are intent on going with all three on your list, I do recommend that you start with just one and then add others as you find time.

Since that time my passion has changed. I fell in love with Heritage Makers, and it has been and continues to be an absolutely amazing experience! We have many consultants who are also educators, and they absolutely love it. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a holler!

Blessings,
Christy

I wish you the best of luck!! I started with one company and am now up to two.. Not sure if I would ever add a 3rd, it would depend. But I looked at the market around me when I made up my mind! And so far I am totally happy with my choices! Which I am sure you will be too! Just do not get overwhelmed at first!! Hang in there and it will all pay off in the end!!
Good luck and God Bless!!

Heather
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HGP is a great choice IMO!

You will be one busy womanhttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

Best wisheson your new endeavors!

I do 2 companies although I focus more on TS and have JE more for fun...eventually, I think I will end up with one but I'm enjoying both for now. I have a daughter who will be 19 on Saturday so I know you will have fun involving her...best wishes!

Audrey

Sounds like you have already made up your mind but my advice, from a veteran who has been there,would be if you are even remotely interested in recruiting (building a team) that you stick to one business focus as far as direct sales/network marketing goes.




Reading through this post (http://forum.wahm.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=380748) might give you a better perspective as to what I mean.

By the way, all three companies seem great. I personally have experience with products from HGP and Usborne and they are great.