Working from home has become common place among a large percentage of moms and even dads. It is the “wave of the future” for families who wish to spend more time with each other, develop deeper relationships, save money, become self-sufficient, and directors of their own future. The direct sale industry has opened up many doors for families who wish to work from home. No longer are you restricted to companies like AVON, Mary Kay, and Tupperware.

These great companies paved the way for the thousands of other baby companies that have followed in their footsteps. Today, the direct sale industry is even a viable way for moms or dads who have created their own product to market it to the public efficiently and with little investment, while helping other families work from home.

In deciding which company will be a perfect fit for you, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What are my interests?
2. How much time do I have to devote to a home business?
3. Will I have support from family?
4. How much money do I have to invest?
5. How much money do I need to invest in maintaining the business?
6. What are my long term and short term goals with regards to managing a home business?
7. Am I a people person or more of an introvert?

In answering these questions you will learn a bit about yourself, your goals, and what opportunities are available to you in the direct sale industry. For instance, let say you love to visit with friends and family… This makes for a good companion to businesses that deal with party plans and marketing their products one on one. If, however, you are a more introverted personality, you may want to think about seeking a company that can be run over the Internet exclusively.

Knowing how much money you have to invest initially as well as monthly on a home business is a must. You don’t want to make the initial investment and then realize 3 months into it that you have to use savings or credit cards just to maintain the business. Budget your money, it won’t be a lot in the beginning, but with resources on the internet, you will find easy, low cost, and even free ways to market your business.

Is your family on board? What does your spouse think about this endeavor? Family support is key to running a home business. If you don’t have the support at home, you will be hard pressed to make it successful. Make sure you and your spouse talk with each other about the impact that working at home will have on the family as a whole. You need to review the positives as well as the negatives of having work and home join. Always remember, working at home is for the good of your situation—your family, if it loses this focus and becomes a burden or thorn in your flesh, please consider letting it go. No business is worth breaking up relationships and a family.

In choosing a business the most important thing to consider is not money although that is a consideration. The most important thing to consider is, will you enjoy what you do and can you do it? Some people will only focus on the money part, which will sometimes lead them into making a decision to go with a company that just is not their match. This is why it is important to know what you like and what you don’t like. If you like scrap booking, then choose a company that supports that interest. You will be an enthusiastic sales person and you will reap benefits by getting your supplies at a discount. Do you like children? What about starting a business selling books crafts clothes, or tutoring? Are you more “business” oriented? Do you like to travel? Do you like wine tasting? How about cooking? The possibilities are endless in the direct sale industry.

After determining where your interests lie, you need to seek out a company that matches not only your interests but your financial goals as well. The Direct Sale Association (http://www.dsa.org) lists a number of well-known and not so well known companies that have agreed to abide by a set of ethics in business relations. You can start your research here if you’d like. If you know the name of a company you can always look them up on the Internet and directly ask the company about it’s work at home opportunity.

You can also, visit a number of sites like Host A Party Online (http://www.hostapartyonline.com ) or Direct Selling Opportunities (http://www.directsellingopportunities.com ) and request information from a sales representative. Each company listed has paid a fee to briefly list their opportunity and your information request goes immediately to their inbox for review.

The following are some questions you may find useful when researching your company:

1. What is the start up cost? Any hidden fees?
2. Are there sales quotas? What are they?
3. Is a web site included? Additional?
4. What are the advertising policies? Off and online?
5. Do you provide sales training or support?
6. Are order forms and sales aids an additional expense?
7. Is a starter kit a required cost? If so, how much is the kit?
8. How long have you been in business?
9. What is the history of your business? Who is the CEO, How did the idea/business come about?
10. What are the commissions?
11. Can I build a Team of Recruits?
12. What is your recruiting policy?
13. Do I earn a percentage of my recruit’s sales?
14. Is there an opportunity for advancement?
15. Will I be able to maintain a “group” online where I can meet/chat with my team of recruits? What are your policies on this?

I am sure there are more questions you can come up with. Questions are not a BAD thing. On the contrary, it is when we do not ask questions that we get into trouble and get sucked into a scam or illegal pyramid type business. I always say “take everything with a grain of salt”. What this means is listen to the responses, but always keep a look out or be aware of anything that seems out of place. Not everything that is presented to us can be taken at face value, after all business is business and even the direct sale industry is trying to make money. They are just using you as way a to do it in a more economical way for them, but also helps you out as a side benefit.

I hope that this helps you in your quest in searching for the right Direct Sale Company for you. Good luck in your search and please if you have any questions contact me or visit my site at (http://www.directsaleopportunities.com) Direct Sale Opportunities.

Sara Duggan and her lovely family live in beautiful California. She loves to crochet and write in her spare time. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/directsaleopportunities

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