Waukee Area Women Find Business Success at Home

Ask Melinda Kiernan what she does for a living and she'll likely tell you she has one of the best jobs ever.

As a seven-year sales consultant for Tastefully Simple, this mom of two sets her own hours, works from home and sells a product — easy to prepare foods and recipes — she uses and believes in.

"We do own our own business," said Kiernan of Tastefully Simple's sales consultants. "You can either work it like a business or work it like a hobby. It's as easy as that."

What's your experience with direct sales businessses been? Tell us in the comments section below.

Kiernan, like thousands of other women, are choosing direct sales businesses like Tastefully Simple that work around their busy families and lifestyles while still generating an income.

Direct sales are businesses that sell products face-to-face or at home parties. Most also rely on catalogues or online sales, as well.

According to the Direct Sales Association's 2008 National Salesforce Survey, direct sales businesses employ more than 15 million salespeople in the United States, 87.9 percent of which are women.

So why are so many women getting involved in direct sales? That's easy, according to Julie Quandt, a sales consultant for Scentsy and mother of twin boys — the flexibility. 

"After I had the boys, it got to be where I was stressed and the boys were in daycare and I just didn't know if it was worth it," she said. "I decided then to stay at home and I stumbled upon Scentsy. I thought it might be a good opportunity to get out of the house and meet new people and I just fell in love with the product."

Flexible Hours, Income a Win for Moms

Quandt said she's been selling Scentsy, a fast-growing direct sales company selling scented wickless candle warmers and other fragrance products, for nearly three years. She said despite doing anywhere from two to four parties a week, and customer follow-up, she still has time for family.

"I let my customers know that I'm always here," she said. "But when other things come up, I do have the flexibility to work from home and schedule work on nights that it works for our family."

Jen Fischer, a supervisor for Usborne Books, an educational books sales company, says she has the best of both worlds in her job. Not only does she get the benefits of working from home and setting her own hours, she also sells a product that directly benefits her three children.

"It's definitely a feel good business," Fischer said. "I get to do something that I love and that I'm passionate about and I get the benefits of reading to my children. It's so important to read to your children. I feel like through Usbourne, I'm giving families that opportunity."

In addition to sales, Fischer also supervises a team of 20 consultants. She said Usborne is growing so fast, she could use another 20 consultants just to keep up with the demand.

"There are all kinds of opportunities and only one of me," she said. "I can always use more help."

Contact Sales People

Melinda Kiernan, team leader for Tastefully Simple, can be reached at (515) 987-7806 or by e-mail at tsbymelinda@gmail.com.

Julie Quandt, independent sales for Scentsy, can be reached at (515) 689-6295 or by e-mail at jules277@msn.com.

Jen Fischer, supervisor with Usborne Books, can be reached at (515) 210-9139 or by e-mail at jen4usbourne@hotmail.com.