Best WFM Direct Sales Companies For Moms (It’s Not Just Avon!)
There is a unique lure about working at home and having your own business.
Many people wish for the freedom it offers to set their hours and control their income.
While there are numerous ways to do this, one of the easiest is through direct sales.
You can easily find something that will suit you, thanks to the range of direct sales companies offering opportunities in a variety of fields.
WFM Direct Sales Primer
Before you jump into direct sales, you need to understand what it is and what it entails because sales are not for everyone.
You want to be sure before investing time and money into the venture that it is something that will work out for you.
Basic Definition
According to the Direct Selling Association, direct sales is where you become a retailer for a larger company, selling directly to people in your social circle.
You have the responsibility for marketing and lead generation.
However, you will usually not keep an inventory.
If you do, it is minimal, and often you will use those products to help you sell additional products.
Direct sales companies have affiliate programs set up to help you start.
They may offer minimal training in sales and to help you learn about the company and the products.
One of the unique aspects of direct sales companies is that the products you will sell for them are exclusive to the direct sales route.
People can only get products through sellers like you.
The companies don’t sell their products in any other venue.
This makes the products valuable to consumers and is a point to keep in mind as you develop your marketing.
Start-Up Costs
There is usually a start-up cost when you begin a program.
These costs will typically include an investment in a starter kit that provides you with sales literature, sample products, and internal systems access.
You may also get a website and marketing materials.
Part of your start-up costs will also usually secure you a discount on products you buy and the chance to win contests for sales you make.
You will usually have a quota you must meet to stay active with the company and avoid additional fees.
Run Your Own Business
Once you sign up, you embark upon creating your own business.
You are entirely responsible for finding your customers and forging relationships with them to encourage continuing sales.
Many companies now allow you to operate completely virtually.
In the past, it was common to hold parties where you would meet with customers and showcase the products.
Parties still occur within many companies, but virtual live feed parties are quickly replacing them.
Still, some products sell better if you can meet with customers in person, so this is worth keeping in mind.
Earnings
Along with the discount you receive for being an affiliate, you will also earn a commission on the sales you make.
There is also the potential to increase your earnings by getting others to sign up to sell for the company.
If you sign up someone else, you will make a percentage off of everything that person sells.
How to Find Success in Direct Sales
You have a lot of control over how much money you can make in direct sales.
However, you need to have some basic sales skills to be successful.
You also need to be good at networking and reaching the target audience for the product.
Home Business Magazine explains that it can be challenging to build up your customer base, especially if you don’t already have connections to people who need or want your products.
Capturing leads and gaining customers will take up the largest amount of your time in the beginning.
You can make this easier on yourself by ensuring you do a few things:
- Make a plan
- Choose the right company
- Build your network
Make a plan
Before you begin, you need to know how you will make your new business a success.
You should have an idea of where you want to market and how you will do that.
It is essential to identify your target audience and identify people you know who could be possible customers.
As part of planning, you want to set goals.
Your goals may be to make a certain amount of money or sell a certain number of products by a specific date.
When you have goals to work towards, it will push you and keep you working hard to reach them.
It also allows you to gauge your success and see if you need to change anything.
Choose the Right Company
The company with which you choose to partner will significantly impact your success because it dictates everything from what products you will sell to the overall impression people have of those products.
You want to work with a company with a good reputation and products people you know will want to buy.
You should check out the products yourself. It is tough to be a direct sales professional if you don’t know the products you are selling.
You want to be sure that you can talk about every aspect of them, and the best way to do that is to know the products from first-hand use.
Furthermore, when you use the products yourself and love them, it makes it much easier to sell them to others.
You can give an honest endorsement and review of the products, which people will appreciate.
There are a lot of direct sales companies from which to choose.
To ensure you choose the one that is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
- What products do I love to buy and use?
- How much time do I have for my business?
- How much money do I have to invest?
- Do I know enough people to form my customer base?
- Am I good at talking to others and persuading them to do something?
- Do I have the technical skills to manage the virtual aspects of a business?
Build Your Network
One thing you will always do as long as you are in direct sales is to build your network.
You have to add new people to your customer base continually.
You need to make good connections to pockets of new customers and do whatever you have to do to keep your customers happy and coming back to buy more.
If your network dries up, then your sales will, too.
Direct Sales Company List
There are direct sales companies that sell almost anything and everything you can imagine.
It can be overwhelming to search for direct sales opportunities because it will turn up pages and pages of results.
It can help to look at some popular categories and decide which products you are most passionate about. Then you can begin looking at specific companies.
To get you started, here are some of the top categories and popular companies within those categories.
Skincare and Beauty
Skincare and beauty companies will sell everything from makeup to self-tanner.
This is probably the category with the best-known names in the direct sales business.
It certainly is one with the most established companies.
1. Avon
Almost everyone has at least heard of Avon, if not flipped through a catalog.
This company sells various beauty products and also some clothing, jewelry, shoes, and even toys.
Avon has a generous commission and often offers the ability to start for no cost.
2. Mary Kay
Mary Kay is the top competitor to Avon.
Both companies have been around for decades, and both sell similar products.
Mary Kay is a slightly higher price point, though.
It offers one of the best commission rates you will find in direct sales.
The company does offer various start-up options at different price points, which can let you choose what option fits your budget.
3. Jamberry
Jamberry is relatively new when compared to Avon and Mark Kay.
This company’s focus is on selling vinyl nail wraps, which have become a popular way of getting amazing looking nails without the hassle of polish.
To sign up as an affiliate, you will need to go through someone who is already a sales rep for the company.
4. Rodan and Fields
Rodan and Fields offers specialty skincare products that address everything from aging to dryness.
The products are higher-end and usually encourage buying skincare systems that include multiple products, which can be great for boosting your earnings.
The company is very community-based, encouraging its consultants through various opportunities to meet up and earn rewards.
Cooking and Baking
This is another category of direct sales that has a long history with some household names in the lineup for potential companies.
1. Tupperware
Tupperware is pretty much synonymous with storage containers, but today, the company sells a nice range of products for the kitchen and home. It also sells bags and toys.
Everyone needs storage solutions, so Tupperware makes it easy to start selling.
It offers different start-up options to meet your budget.
2. Pampered Chef
Pampered Chef made a name for itself in selling items for the kitchen.
They have a variety of cooking utensils and gadgets.
The company also offers items for gardening, food products, and cookbooks.
The start-up costs include sample products.
3. Tastefully Simple
Tastefully Simple built its reputation on providing easy yet scrumptious meal solutions.
It focuses on entertaining and ways to make food that tastes good without a lot of work.
The company sells kits that allow you to make everything from cheese balls to holiday cookies.
This type of product often does best with in-person parties so that you can make some of the food items to share.
Home and Décor
Home and décor companies are starting to take off, especially those that sell candles.
Making your home look and smell amazing is simple with these direct sales companies.
1. PartyLite
PartyLite offers candles of all sizes and scents. It also sells other home fragrances and accessories to go with the candles.
A new part of the company is wellbeing products, such as essential oils.
The company puts a lot of focus on this being an online business option, which is excellent if you don’t like the ideas of parties.
2. Scentsy
Scentsy also wants to help you help others make their homes smell amazing.
The company’s flagship products are warmers and wax tarts, but it also sells a variety of other products, including bath bombs and cleaning supplies.
Scentsy has rewards for its affiliates that allow you to earn things like trips.
3. Norwex
Norwex is known for providing healthy cleaning options.
Its best-known products are microfiber cloths.
They are ideal for anyone aiming to be more environmentally-friendly and who worries about the chemicals in traditional household cleaning products.
You will have to connect with another consultant to join this company.
Weight Loss and Health
The weight loss and health industries are huge.
Direct sales companies can help you get a small piece of the billions these industries make every year.
1. Amway
Amway is a well-established company known as the highest-earning direct sales company.
It sells a range of products that include home and beauty, but its health products make it stand out.
You can earn commissions, bonuses, and rewards if you join this company.
2. Plexus
Plexus is known for its famous pink drink.
It provides a range of health supplements and products to help you lose weight and get healthier.
The company also sells skincare products.
You can sign up under various options to become an ambassador for the company.
Jewelry and Clothing
Jewelry and clothing companies are becoming popular for online parties where people sell their products.
They seek to provide high-quality clothing, jewelry, and accessories through the direct sales platform.
1. Lularoe
Lularoe is a well-known company that started as a source for unique leggings.
It also sells tops, coats, and accessories.
The company operates on a very exclusive level, with many prints becoming what they call unicorns because they are rare to find.
You will have to keep an inventory because the company ships out items to you.
You can only sell what you receive, which you may not have a choice about.
2. Paparazzi
Paparazzi focuses on affordability for great-looking items.
The company offers various accessories for only $5 each.
The commission is reasonable, and the company likes to keep things simple, which includes signing up and starting your own business.
You will need to join under an existing consultant.
3. Origami Owl
Origami Owl has created an interesting idea in jewelry, allowing customers to design their unique lockets. It combines the idea of crafting with jewelry.
As a consultant, which the company calls a designer, you will not only sell but also help your customers design their lockets.
Start Earning With Direct Sales Companies Today
Direct sales companies work hard to help you find success as it benefits them when you sell a lot.
The key to making it work is finding the right company, so make sure that you take time to research the ones that interest you before making a final decision.
image: Pexels
Great list of some direct sales companies you can do to make money.
Finding the right company for you personally is great but remember that whatever company you decide on you will have to work. I’ve been in the industry for over 20 years and so many people quit their first year because they expected it to be a fast way to make money. The direct sales industry promotes it that way, too. I remind people that it is like every other business. It takes time, patience, hard work, and reinvesting your profits. With that said, there are ways to make fast start bonuses in some companies that really help new associates. Also, getting discounts on products you already love is a big plus. I’ve joined companies just to get a discount. (Avon being the most recent one because of their inexpensive starter kit that I wrote about)