Anyone with a Home Biz such as Avon, Mary Kay, etc.

**Vannie** · 02-12-2006, 02:29 PM

Does anyone have a direct selling home biz? If you do, is it bringing in enough money to make it worthwhile?

Have you made plans to take it to the next step this year? Just curious because I have a home biz--I sell Watkins products and have a standard company site that I have changed a bit. This year I am determined to have my biz make some real money this year. My fingers are crossed that I am taking the right steps. The first thing I will do is to send out a monthly newsletter to those who have bought from me or asked for a catalog.

Any advice to help make my biz successful?? Any and all appreciated. This was part of my January 2006 plan

**PrairieRose** · 02-12-2006, 04:08 PM

I used to have a Home Interiors Biz. Vannie. When I truly worked at it, did all they trained me to do including going to the meetings, I made good money doing it. My only suggestion would be to treat your biz. like a reg. store front biz. Set aside hours to dedicate to it, go to the meetings if there are any near you and don't give up when you're discouraged. Good luck with it. I know it's not easy to run a home biz. but there are so many benefits. Oh and be sure to always do some little something for your biz. when you take a trip for gro. or supplies. That way if you have a receipt you can deduct the trip.

**Vannie** · 02-12-2006, 05:02 PM

Hi Lisa,

I do well but determined to do better in 2006. Thanks for great advice. Truthfully I have never set up any hours dedicated solely to work with or on Watkins on any kind of schedule. Sadly, I never even thought of it, but it does make good sense. I do change my site with the seasons but I will set up time some real office time for other promotions, etc. as well. Will get started today gathering customer names.

Thanks again.

**PrairieRose** · 02-12-2006, 05:54 PM

You're welcome. It's not easy to set aside that block of "business" time to work on it but honestly you will get lots done for your business if you learn to do it. I mostly made my phone calls and set appts. for my shows and worked my freight up during that time.

**Vannie** · 02-15-2006, 11:29 AM

Lisa,

I bow to you

The sensible advice I received from you has stayed with me these last few days. So far, I have gathered names from inquiries and past orders, ect. Will send 2006 catalogs to these people before end of month. PLUS I am building a new busines website with a blog. Yahoo!! Still working on the newsletter idea

I'm so proud of me, of you and of FV--you guys have become my conscience (sp??), not sure if that is good or bad

LOL but I am loving it.

**profnot** · 02-22-2006, 09:50 PM

Yes. I make $30k a year as a mobile notary. I work around 15-20 hours a week.

Let me know if you want to know more.
professionalnotaryATyahooDOTcom

substitute @ for AT and . for DOT

**madhen** · 02-23-2006, 01:13 PM

I have a small eBay business. You can make good money in such a business, but you really have to pace yourself. I started out slowly, just selling one line of products. As I started getting successful at that, I added a line. You will actually be more successful sooner if you start very slowly and allow yourself to grow naturally. A lot of people are tempted to dump a bunch of money into their start-up, and then you are in a bind to get your debts paid off.

I've been running my little eBay store for about 15 months now. I make between $250 and $750/month (net), much of which I dump back into inventory. I usually can put about $200-$400 into my personal checking account, after I feel I've invested appropriately in keeping my business going and growing.