Making Your Home Business Work For You

I have 3 home businesses, Tupperware, Epicure and Norwex, and I started each for similar reasons.  I had also tried Avon for a bit, but joined for a much different reason, and failed at it.  The difference for me was passion.  Avon didn't hold a place in my life.  After 1 complete fail, 1 struggling and 2 successful business attempts, I hope I have some insight on making this type of business work for you.

Tupperware was my first business.  I had thought of making it a full-time job so I could be at home with my little one, but I never found it lucrative enough.  The person who signed me up wasn't much of a leader and had screwed up my kit order and such, so I lost motivation before my stuff arrived a whopping 2 months later.  I do, however, love the product and sell it mainly just to keep my discount.  I have signed 3 people up under me, however, and they are all doing better at it than I am.

Epicure was my second business, and like Tupperware, I love the product.  I sell it easier though and realized that it's because I am more passionate about it.  I love to cook, and I enjoy new flavours.  With hundreds of spice blends, baking necessities and an abundance of innovative cookware solutions, for me it sells itself.  It also holds another value to me; everything is locally grown, low sodium and non-GMO!  How great is that!  I can cook really simple meals, guilt free and make it look like I slaved away.

My latest business is Norwex.  I'm in love with Norwex, and not because I love cleaning.  After having kids, solutions for cleaning not only your house, but your body become a priority.  What's best, how safe is it, will it actually clean things.  I became a Norwex customer a couple years back and finally joined after realizing my husband wouldn't kill me if I had just one more business.  I had wanted to sell for awhile.  I find Norwex also sells itself, especially when you can give great examples of how it helps your own family.  Generally, you go to someone's house and clean it live in front of a crowd.  Using only water and a cloth and getting something so shiny and clean is amazing to just about everyone.  I've managed to also clear up eczema, eliminate perfumes and take out all toxins from that aspect of our lives, and for that I am thankful.

Not all businesses work for all people.  For anyone who doesn't like cooking, isn't concerned with chemicals, or perhaps really likes scented products, my businesses wouldn't make sense.  Just like Avon didn't make sense for me.  I don't wear much make-up, I am allergic to perfumes, I'm trying to eliminate chemicals and I'm unwilling to buy clothes I can't try on first.  I also didn't have time to canvas the neighbourhood for customers, and hated ordering books every 2 weeks.  The only reason I joined was because one of my friends needed someone else on her team to make the next level and, at the time, it was free to join.

So how can you make sure a business is going to work for you?

1. Make sure it is a product or service you use daily.  Become a customer first and see if it fits in your life and how often you would need to make a purchase or service call.  If you can't use it often, how can you sell it, even to someone who can.
2. Talk about it, even before you start the business.  If you can get other people interested and excited, you know you can sell it.  For home party businesses like mine, host a party first and see how many guests you can get to come.  If you can get a good turn out, they can all be potential customers for you.
3. Be prepared to invest a lot of time, money and energy at first.  If you can't commit to at least a few hours a day to think of your business, even if it's just while kids are napping, or after they go to bed, then wait until you can.  The first few weeks and months are crucial, and you need to make sure you have time to build a customer base, and money to spend on supplies.  Each business will also require it's own unique amount of work to be put into it.  Talk to others doing the same job to see how well they are doing with the time they put in.  
4. Truly love the product.  If you have no confidence in the product, or feel uncomfortable talking to complete strangers, say at the grocery store, about what you do, then it's not the right business for you.
5. Invest in that company's personal website.  It's usually only $10/month to have your own site and some companies, like Epicure and Avon, offer it for free.  There are always people looking for a rep, but unless you have your own website, people can't generally find you.  At first, you may not get a lot of business, but once you have a client base, people will inevitably hear about you and start looking online.
6. Customer service is key!  Calling customers is very important.  I tend to forget a lot, but when I do remember, I'm always glad i did it.  The amount of loyalty you can get just from 1 simple call is amazing and you almost always make extra sales.  If a customer has any questions, no matter how silly, find the answers.  It seems simple enough, but I have had my share of almost impossible questions.  I also like to give stuff away now and then.  $8 out of my pocket, can mean several hundred dollars into my pocket.  
7. Lastly, know the product.  Do the online webinars if they are available, read all the info that comes in your kit, look up allergens or ingredients and if needed keep a printout with you on anything you may be asked.  Also know your competition.  Do they have something you don't offer?  What can you offer that they don't.  Each company will have at least 2 competitor companies, and you need to be able to say what makes yours best.  If you can't come up with something...perhaps you are in teh wrong business.

Good luck in all of your business ventures, and I hope you have great success!