WAHM Forums

Hi everyone! I had a few questions for some of you in the business of direct selling of toys/children's books. Firstly I was wondering howsomeof you sell- do you primarily conduct home parties (and if so do you go to people's homes, do you throw parties in your home for those you know), do you sell directly to the schools, daycares, etc., do you do most of your selling online, or other?

What are some of the companies you all take part in selling for? Do you just work for one company or do you sell for multiple ones?

Do you find most of your profit comes from the actual selling itself, or building a team.....or really a combo of both (honest answers please)?

I ask b/c I have a friend who has juggled with the idea of looking into Toy DS, but she really does not have anyone to ask. She lives in NYand was wondering if there was opportunity in a big city for direct selling? If you are uncomfortable answering here, feel free to PM me with any information you care to share.


P.S. Happy Holidays!!! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

ETA: I have taken my e-mail off since it doesn't appear anyone else is replying and I rather my personal e-mail not hang in limbo on a public forum. If you do end up wanting to send info PM please and I will forward it on. Thanks!Edited by: veve1

I am with Usborne Books. We carry just over 1400 award-winning, beautifully illustrated, educational and fun books and activity kits for ages infant to adult.


I sell our books through a variety of means. Home shows, online sales, direct sales, book fairs, reading programs, fundraisers, etc. What is nice about what we do is that we work with families, schools, libraries, and other organizations, so our possiblities really are limitless!


I only work for one company. It keeps me busy enough- and I don't think I would be as successful as I am if I had more logs in the fire! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

My income comes from a combination of my sales- and my downline's. In our business you do not have to recruit to make money- for instance- just ONE reading program I did paid in cash, and in full for my husband and I to go to Jamaica for a week for an all-inclusive vacation for our 10 year anniversary! BUT- I will say that recruiting is a plus- because I get paid on sales my team makes then too ( I have a team of just over 170- and I have been with Usborne for 3 years)

There are a lot of other perks with our company as well. (and I am sure other companies too) I have earned a few trips with Usborne- my favorite was a week in Paris for two- and I have earned an Alaskan cruise that my husband and I will be going on next May. Plus- I have a great library of books for my kids!

If your friend would like to ask me questions- feel free to PM me for my contact info.

Best wishes,

Dawn

edited for spelling :)Edited by: ReadingCanBeFun

Hi!

It definately depends on the business. I've done both Discovery Toys and Usborne Books, and was a manger with both. With Discovery Toys, you have to be in management to make any money. With Usborne, you make a better profit right off the back. With any company, though, you will find you make more money with a team.

For DT, I did primarily home parties. With Usborne, I do a combo of home parties/bookfairs/booths/and fundraisers.

I do know a few people with DT who live in NY City, and they do pretty well. A few of them are trip earners, so yes, she can do well.

Tell her to go with her heart. To make money with direct sales you need to be willing to stick with it, so she needs to have a product she absolutely loves!

Best of luck!

Debbie

Thanks to Dawn & Debbie for your replies, I have forwarded your info on. If anyone else has any further info to share that would be great! Happy New Year to you all!!!

With Story Time Felts the easiest way to make money in the shortest amount of time is through the home party BUT we have several consultants who never do them and concentrate instead on vendor events, or visiting schools, daycares, preschools etc. We have one lady in NY who does great, she lives in Hyde Park and I am sure she could help your friend if she is interested. What is unique about our product is you can't find anything like it in stores so if you are doing home parties that draws people in. Teachers and childcare providers LOVE it as well since they HAVE to use felts but usually make their own. When they see what we have they go crazy and that is a lot of fun as well. Let me know if you'd like Susie in NY's info for your friend, she's been all over the state and surrounding states, selling this for I think 12 years or so!!

I am a rep with a company called BabyCrazy. We offer toys and other products for children ages birth thru preschool and their families.

I like the others find that it is better to have a combination of downline and personal sales when it comes to making money. Also, a combination of home parties, fundraisers and internet is the way to go, I think. But I also think the key is to keep your mind open.

Debbie also has a great point about making sure that your friend really loves and can stand behind the products that she is offering. That is so important.

Good luck in helping your friend with her search! There are tons of options out there in this area.

Hi,

I am an independent senior crew member with Noah's Ark Animal Workshop! I have been w/the company for 2 years and already average 8-10 workshops a month and have built a team of 30 other ladies from several different states! I was appointed Rising Star in January 2008 and was one of the crew members w/highest sales!

I do have a few girls in New York!!

What is so great about NA is that it is the perfectbusiness for the whole family and you are not just selling a product, you are offering a service and there are soooo many ways to incorporate a workshop.

I tried other direct sales and never did so well - I guess I hated to ask everyone if they wanted to buy something.

With NA everyone is looking for bday party ideas and more!!!

I absolutely love it and the products are Awesome!!!

Please contact me if you have any questions!! I would be happy to answer any and all!

Rainbow Wishes,
Julie
https://www.noahsarkworkshop.com/juliestackhouse1455
http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

I am with Discovery Toys which carries books, games and music for birth to adult.

Most of my income does come through home parties. I have done parties at my own home and at other people's homes. I have also sold to schools, daycares, churches- basically anywhere that could use toys!

I have done some selling on-line. I do find that products in hands makes a world of difference!

My profit comes from both selling and from my team. When I first started, I did not have a team and was able to quit my part-time job as a therapist to stay at home and sell toys. I still stay at home, however I do also make income off of the team that I help.

I only sell toys. Keeps me pretty busy.

I have friends in NY that sell toys. They do quite well. They have the benefit of large corporations that want set ups for their employees. I know she does a lot of her business with companies!

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions! Krista