Job Situation - WWYD?

[momof1princess]

as some of you know from my previous posts, i have been searching for a job for over 7 months now, with no success. i have been a stay-at-home mom for 11+ years, and, i suppose, that makes me unemployable, although i have a degree and excellent skills.
so, about a week ago, it came to me that if no one would take a chance on me, perhaps it was time i took a chance on myself. i started researching direct sales companies, and found Thirty-One Gifts. Thirty-One is a faith-based company that celebrates and empowers women to succeed, and their products are really cute AND useful.
i am seriously considering becoming a consultant, once the recruiting freeze is lifted. there are only 1,097 reps in my state, and only 1/3 of those are active. no one is selling it around here (i checked with my aunt, she has loads of friends and gets invited to LOTS of home parties-she'd never heard of TO), so i'd have a pretty open market.
i would like to know what you all think. i am providing the catalog link so you can check it out. **i am NOT asking anyone to buy anything, just give your opinion on the products and my situation** so, if you were in my shoes, would you give it a shot?

http://catalog.thirtyonegifts.com/page1.html

 

[pat fan]

I took a little look at the catalog, and it's ok stuff. If you were my friend and you had a party, I would buy something from you, but mostly because you were my friend than because I was in love with the products. I probably would not book hosting a party either, but I rarely do for anything anyway. Sorry I wasn't more help.

 

[momof1princess]

i appreciate your honesty honest feedback is exactly what i'm looking for.
a friend of mine who lives in a suburb of our state's largest city says her friends go nuts for these products-she has another friend who sells it there, and my friend says she's doing very well with it.

i'm not looking to get rich, although that would be nice, lol. just help out with the bills and save up a nice down payment for a car.

 

[bdcp]

11 years as a SAHM doesn't make you unemployable. I was home for 14 years and went back to work in 1997. I did have a couple of part-time jobs during the last 3-4 years I was home, but nothing long term. I guess it depends on what your degree is in too and if you expect to only work in your field. I never finished college (I attended for 3 years and then got married) and I did mainly admin work, although now I do a lot more than just that and I had no problem finding a job. I think where you live and what the unemployment rate means a lot more than the fact you stayed home for 11 years. I know quite a few women who stayed home for 10+ years who now work.

I have never heard of that company, but you do have to wonder WHY there is a recruiting freeze. Successful companies like this don't freeze recruiting as that's a major part of their growth and income. Research the company a bit more before you decide to do just this and give up on a traditional job.

 

[eyor44]

I didn't read up on the company, but I did look at the stuff. If the quality is good than the prices are reasonable and the personalization price is very good. I would buy some of the things as they would be good gifts.

As for the highering freeze, I would check into that more for the reason. Perhaps the company limits how many consultants they have to not saturate the market? That would be a good thing.

Also the buy in cost is not that much. I have a friend who spent $1200 to get into on the jewlry markets and at first she had a lot of parties, now, not so much. Her business didn't take off like she thought it would.

 

[momof1princess]

the recruiting freeze came about because they had over 10,000 consultants sign up in january of 2011 alone. the growth was so overwhelming, recruiting had to be suspended for a few weeks to get everyone processed and set up, as well as prepare manufacturing and shipping for the influx of orders.
i live in a very small city, and secretarial jobs are hard to come by. my degree is legal secretarial, and i've applied to law offices, dr.'s offices, banks, k-mart, wal-mart, sears, jcpenney, you name it, i've applied. i've even started applying in cities as far as an hour away...i can't even get hired as a store cashier. i'm told i interview very well, so i have no other explanation for the fact that i can't find a job, other than my employment gap. i've done a good bit of volunteer work in that time, but my only paid job was as a chacha guide, which, as an IC, doesn't really count.

ETA: i thought the buy-in cost for thirty-one was fairly reasonable - $99. the enrollment kit contains a good bit of merchandise, and it only takes 3-4 parties to earn another kit for free.

 

[eyor44]

have you seen the other thread on here about the products? Seems people like them. You might check that out.

 

[momof1princess]

i have not seen it, but i'll do a search. thanks!

 

[RangerPooh]

Have you considered taking a few classes at the lcoal community college to boost your eligibility? I read somewhere recently that some employers are hesitant to hire people who have been out of work for more than 6 months. So by taking a few college courses you can show that you are trying to make yourself marketable. Also, are you listing your volunteer activities for the last 11 years on your resume, so that they see that you haven't been sitting around all that time, but contributing to others.

 

[ConnieB]

What are the start up costs for this business? Is that something that you can afford, or would you be boring money or using credit cards to start up? Reason I ask...if the costs to start up are relatively low then I'd say if it's a product you believe in, go for it. The only way you're going to know whether those products sell to the folks in your town is to try. Marketers will tell you about products that sell like hotcakes in one state and the next state over they fail miserably. So, success if really going to depend on whether you personally can sell these items to those around you. If the start up costs are reasonable then you have little to lose but time (ok, and some confidence, but hopefully it won't go that way!). You can still continue to look for another job because this type of sales usually are evenings and weekends (though also consider selling to local boutique type stores or churches...going in with churches on profits perhaps?).

IF the start up costs are high you may want to do some more research....WHY are 1/3 of the sellers in your state inactive? Perhaps because they simply weren't willing to give up their weekends/evenings or perhaps because the products simply don't sell in your area? Also talk to some active sellers (maybe in a far away county of your state so they don't feel threatened by you taking their secrets and stealing customers, lol).

 

[Juliet25]

My cousin just became a consultant. I like their stuff; it's good quality and the styles are very current. I just can't afford it. I have more than enough bags and their storage solutions are nice but too fancy for my needs. I mean, I'd like a pretty bag with "recycling" stitched on it, but I don't need it, kwim?

That said, it's low cost to buy in, and I like the idea of purchasing these sorts of items from friends and family. I really do like the products. My cousin had a catalog party and I bought the insulated tote on clearance. If I had extra $, I would have purchased more.

 

[momof1princess]

Have you considered taking a few classes at the lcoal community college to boost your eligibility? I read somewhere recently that some employers are hesitant to hire people who have been out of work for more than 6 months. So by taking a few college courses you can show that you are trying to make yourself marketable. Also, are you listing your volunteer activities for the last 11 years on your resume, so that they see that you haven't been sitting around all that time, but contributing to others.

honestly, i thought about doing this, but i really don't know what type of courses i would need to take, since i already have a degree. i always list my volunteer work in my cover letter, and my volunteer supervisors as references on my resume.

What are the start up costs for this business? Is that something that you can afford, or would you be boring money or using credit cards to start up? Reason I ask...if the costs to start up are relatively low then I'd say if it's a product you believe in, go for it. The only way you're going to know whether those products sell to the folks in your town is to try. Marketers will tell you about products that sell like hotcakes in one state and the next state over they fail miserably. So, success if really going to depend on whether you personally can sell these items to those around you. If the start up costs are reasonable then you have little to lose but time (ok, and some confidence, but hopefully it won't go that way!). You can still continue to look for another job because this type of sales usually are evenings and weekends (though also consider selling to local boutique type stores or churches...going in with churches on profits perhaps?).

IF the start up costs are high you may want to do some more research....WHY are 1/3 of the sellers in your state inactive? Perhaps because they simply weren't willing to give up their weekends/evenings or perhaps because the products simply don't sell in your area? Also talk to some active sellers (maybe in a far away county of your state so they don't feel threatened by you taking their secrets and stealing customers, lol).

the buy-in cost is $99, and the enrollment kit is huge (IMHO), and it takes 3-4 parties to qualify for an additional free consultant kit. my sponsor says that most consultants are inactive because they either didn't take the time to work at their business, or they only enrolled to get discounts for themselves. i don't know anyone in my area who sells TO, but i've been corresponding with some women who sell in other, nearby states, and they're all doing very well. i'm planning to meet my sponsor in a nearby city in a couple of weeks for a company meeting.
i have the money to get started without using a CC, borrowing or dipping into savings, so that's a plus, and i could still continue to look for a FT job, and if/when i found one, i could do this on the weekends-another plus. my biggest minus so far is self-confidence.

 

[Trinity524]

What part of the US do you live in? Have you considered call center jobs just to get your foot in? I have a degree, but I couldn't find work in my area when I first got out of college. I ended up going to a temp agency, getting some office experience, and then being able to land a job in a callcenter for a financial institution. 10 years later, I am still at that company and I don't even use my degree. As a manager, I look at people on my management team who have master's degrees and HS diploma's. Only difference between me and the lady in the office one desk over is I still pay 70 dollars a month to pay off my College education (she has a HS diploma). I would suggest temp work to get in the groove and see where it lands you.

 

[ELLE-TN]

another option. Have you considered Avon? $10 is the only investment you are ever required to make. You don't have to stock inventory. Everything is 100% guaranteed. Unlimited earning potential. And unlike pocketbooks, people always need to replace the product. Just a thought There are a lot of direct sales companies out there. You just have to find the right one for you.

 

[Planogirl]

Be careful taking a call center job. It can be a good way to get into a company but once you develop that skill, companies will love you...as a call center person! If you don't mind that work there's nothing wrong with that but sometimes it can be hard to get past it. Been there done that.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[seashoreCM]

the buy in cost is $99

It's not a job situation.
You have to buy the stock and find the customers.
You have to host the parties, possibly hiring a hall.

 

[RangerPooh]

honestly, i thought about doing this, but i really don't know what type of courses i would need to take, since i already have a degree. i always list my volunteer work in my cover letter, and my volunteer supervisors as references on my resume.

You mentioned your experience is in secretarial work, then I would consider taking computer courses. Excel is always good to know, as are other applications I'm sure. You could always look at community college programs and see what it would take to earn an AA/AS or certificate of technology in computer science. It's just a thought.

I know that I rarely buy things that friends are selling (candles, bags, cooking products, etc). I try to decline their invitations, but it's hard. Plus the few times that I have bought things I did it because I felt guilty. Most products I don't need, but Avon I'm more likely to purchase (although I usually do it online), and Tupperware I've been wanting to buy but no one near me is selling it.

 

[momof1princess]

You mentioned your experience is in secretarial work, then I would consider taking computer courses. Excel is always good to know, as are other applications I'm sure. You could always look at community college programs and see what it would take to earn an AA/AS or certificate of technology in computer science. It's just a thought.

I know that I rarely buy things that friends are selling (candles, bags, cooking products, etc). I try to decline their invitations, but it's hard. Plus the few times that I have bought things I did it because I felt guilty. Most products I don't need, but Avon I'm more likely to purchase (although I usually do it online), and Tupperware I've been wanting to buy but no one near me is selling it.

that is something else to consider. not sure i would qualify for any type of financial aid though, and i would definitely need it.
i am also concerned that people won't want to order. i know everyone won't, and that's okay.

 

[SoonerSarah]

Do you think that the people you want to sell it to will be excited about it? Do they have the money to buy this type of product, and are they "bag" type of people?

Sometimes you just don't know until you find out.

Anyway, if you were my friend, I'd likely buy something occasionally, I do like a few of their bags, but for me, the prices are high. I buy Vera Bradley at cheaper prices. but I likely wouldn't host a party (and because I have been a Pampered Chef consultant before, I would be nice enough to tell you).

It looks like you have done a good amount of research into this, which is good. Is it a product/company that you believe in?

 

[kaytieeldr]

OP - just so you know, it's more likely you're not getting hired based on the economy, not on your gap in employment, especially if your volunteer work is current.

But yes, take the computer courses. See if your local unemployment office offers anything for which you qualify, even though you chose not to work. One near me offers a MicroSoft Office certificate for $500 - cheaper than any community college around here. Faster, too