In lieu of the start to my job hunt, I've been going over my options. I thought about my interests and what kind of job I would want to do. I've sent resumes out for numerous administrative and secretarial positions. I'm just not sure if that's what I want to do or not. I dont have enough experience to find anything in the accounting feild, though I've sent resumes out for positions there too.
One option I came up with was being a Pampered Chef consultant. I love thier products, which means I would be willing to do sales, but there's a real entertaining aspect of it that I think I would really enjoy. Also, I think it would give me a good glimpse into what it's like to run my own business. I would have to do all of my own advertising, booking, planning, etc. I think it could be a really great experience, and I would be working on my own schedule.
Does anyone have any experience with Pampered Chef, or with any other home-party based businesses? What is the commission like? How much can you expect to make? I would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
Pampered Chef... anyone have any thoughts?
October 3rd, 2008 at 03:52 pm
October 3rd, 2008 at 04:52 pm 1223052772
I used to be a Pampered Chef Consultant for two years. Their product is really a great product and you can earn some money.
The things you will need to think about if going this way are:
1. Are you willing to compromise your friendship/family relationship vs. a business relationship with them? The reason I ask is often your family and friends are key to kick starting this business. It can be uncomfortable in the future when all you talk about is your business and they might run the other way.
2. You will be generating/paying for all the advertising, practicing demo which cost you money in food(generally non-healthy) as most hosts chooses desserts for the party demo), car mileage and gas for commuting to people's home, and etc.
3. Pampered Chef is not something you can do part time even if you do only few shows. Customers will be calling you, emailing you for orders, broken items, preparations for the shows and host coaching.
4. You will have monthly meeting with your regional management team. This can be a very good thing as you get training and ideas, but it can be time consuming.
5. You will need to be very organized and track all your expenses, mileages and the like for your taxes as you will be doing it like you are self employed.
All in all I had a great experience but it was too much work for me. Pampered Chef does have sophisticated software system to track all sales, outstanding orders and payment received. I just wanted to warn you that this is a lot of work. You will be washing dishes all the time and caring heavy loads of products in and out of your car. Putting in a lot of time and effort is what going to make you succeed in this. If you put in only a little time, you will only get so far.
October 3rd, 2008 at 05:24 pm 1223054647
Not that I do not like Pampered chef products, on the contrary, mony of my large pieces come from them.
However. Building a business based on 'everyone' is a potential customer...not my cup of tea. And the truth is you do not sell to businesses, you sell to your friends and their friends. And when you hit a dry spell, you call up your friends again.
Debating on a particular brand of knives with your family is one thing, trying to convince them to buy for your supper is completely different.
They tell you you can make X amount (depending on the party type) in one 2 hour party, but they leave out the prep work, the after work, the drive time, and the 'leg work' to find and book that party. Not to mention that since EVERY sale is important you really don't get to be 'off duty'.
If you buy the stuff yourself, and want the discount I guess, but if you really want to make a living, go for something that is less dependent on your circle of friends.
October 3rd, 2008 at 05:34 pm 1223055292
Not sure on PC particularly, but I did sell for a MLM and was able to make good money. (This MLM had 50% commission and was easy to sell - did not bother friends and family. I think both these aspects were rare to my MLM. I hear it was a high commission percentage compared to most. Whenever I wore my jewelry I got lots of compliments so mostly sold to strangers funny enough. I mean, I just wore it and it sold. But the income came from shows. Easy to get, but a lot of time and work). So, agreed, to make the good money quickly became a full-time job. & in that regard, the money sucked really.
Secondly, I was self-employed all through college and it is one of my regrets. The "per hour" pay was good, but these days I can't believe at the end of the day my spouse made the same as me working his seasonal jobs. (Every year I get his social security statement. I did not realize at the time how much he had made - we both averaged $10k per year but he only worked summers!) A lot of my friends got internships that paid very well and were very flexible as well. No matter what the business, it is hard to run one when you are in school. Looking back I could have made as much with a lot less effort and stress. So it is one of my regrets.
Just think about it carefully. & be forewarned...
October 3rd, 2008 at 07:02 pm 1223060535
So, I guess a lot has to do with if you are a real go getter or not.
October 4th, 2008 at 12:06 am 1223078785
October 4th, 2008 at 01:45 am 1223084716
October 5th, 2008 at 08:58 pm 1223240317
October 15th, 2008 at 10:14 pm 1224108857
Is my business even slow? NOPE....much better than everyone elses. No one can afford to eat out so everyone needs new ideas to eat at home....and I am just the person to show them how to make that quick and easy.
In reply to the first poster:
1.) I do not sell to my family...though they are often my best customers. My friends are my friends. DoI sell to them? Yes Do I pester them or ever feel guilty about it? No they get Tons of free stuff from me!
2.)Do I practice my recipe and pay for ingriedients? Occasionaly but, I make my family dessert occasionaly anyway so no difference there and I could write off as well. I write alll my mileage and wear and tear off, it's one of the biggest benefits of the business for me. It's a no brainer with software where you just enter a host's address and it tracks it all for you.
3.) Pampered Chef IS most definitely part time. I do all my Host Coaching, Packet Assembling, Customer Care and Networking 2hrs 2 or 3 times a week. That and two or three shows run me about 12-16hrs for $350 plus a week.
4.)Monthly meetings aren't mandatory. I live in MA my director in VA. I call her when I have a question.
5.) I am not super organized. Does that mean I don't squeeze every tenth of a cent out of the IRS that I could? Probably. Do I ever pay taxes? NO, God No!
My best to you if you decide to join. I'd be happy to answer any questions I can about my business!!
December 16th, 2008 at 06:25 am 1229408702
December and January are excellent times to start, since you can get y our start up kit for as low as $55,instead of $155. I would be glad to send you more information. Please, just email me at
amanda_prentice@hotmail.com
I look forward to hearing from you!
-Amanda
March 25th, 2009 at 04:20 pm 1237998049
E-mail me at kandrsmith@mvtvwireless.com
April 16th, 2009 at 05:41 pm 1239903666
March 16th, 2011 at 03:22 pm 1300288971
Sincerely,
Lisa