Pampered Chef questions

[Jynohn]

I noticed on another thread that there are some Pampered Chef consultants who post on this board. I've been seriously considering becoming a consultant, but I'm still on the fence. My mother's having a party in two weeks, so I'd like to make a decision soon so that I can sign up through her party.

Does anyone out there have any experiences, good or bad with Pampered Chef that they'd like to share? Realistically, how much time commitment is involved? I know it depends on how much you want your business to grow, but right now I'm working full time and have two children. I wouldn't be able to leave my full time job unless this became lucrative, however, I'm not sure that I'd have the time to build up a business while still working full time...
Kind of a catch-22!

How much money can someone realistically expect to make as a full-time consultant? Finallly, how do you get over the nerves doing all those presentations???

Thanks in advance for any advice, and feel free to PM me if this topic isn't appropriate for these boards...

Jynohn

 

[FreshTressa]

I was kind of wondering the same thing. I love their products.

 

[pumba]

in the evening time ....juggling a teaching position and family life......alot of time besides just doing the parties......she had to go and try to recruit people to host the parties and then keep after the hostesses to make sure that they are having enough people come....that enough people will buy and make it worth her while to spend three or four hours away ......yes we all love pampered chef products but to sell as well as doing other family things was hard.....remember the paper work that has to be done too.......and then try to make these dishes that you are going to make in front of an audience......

 

[zulaya]

Pampered Chef consultant chiming in here...

It really is as flexible as you want it to be. I have been with them for almost 5 years. Now that both my kids are full time in school I have more time to devote to the business and I can see real growth.

Time can be different to everyone. I am a very organized person and since I have been doing this for years, I have my routine down pat. I have fliers and such that I use, both from the company and that I have made on my own, all in order so when it comes time to send out a host packet, it literally takes me maybe 2 minutes to put one together. At first, it may take a new person longer, but once you have your routine down, it's a snap.

I think the biggest time saver is the software program that you get when you sign up. It is totally awesome. You put all your orders in there, all contact information. You can track your own sales, track your top sells, print out receipts, create labels and mailing lists. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I can't fit all that Pampered Partner can do for you as a consultant in one post.

From sending out a packet to doing the show to closing the show and sending it in electronically, I would say I maybe spend 4 hours of time. Not all at once. Aside from the show, a lot of it is a little bit here, a little bit there.

The cool thing is is that as a consultant you are so supported. The Host Benefits, which really are top of the direct sales market, do not cost you the consultant a penny! You have the chance to earn new product samples free. You get a supply of new marketing materials every season. You have a toll free customer service number. There is NO fee to accept credit cards - the Home Office takes care of that for us.

A brand new consultant starting out will make $100 per Kitchen Show using the national average. $25 per hour sounds pretty good doesn't it? The more your sales are, the higher your commission goes.

Even if you are working full time with 2 kids - and I have a consultant friend that has 3 kids working full time - you can make this work. It takes some juggling, but it can work. If you start out easy and do only 1 Kitchen Show per week, with the above average, you have $400 extra per month. Who couldn't use an extra $400 per month?

For some people they see it's too much work. And that's everyone's choice. I find it to be a great opportunity and I am making it work for me.

PM or e-mail me if you have other questions or need more info.

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi I just wanted to let you know that I as a single mom working full time outside the home do this too - I just started in 9-2003 I made just over $600 by the Mid Dec my christmas shopping money ( I have no shows booked till my open house - surprise hostess party mid Feb -- MY CHOICE ) I have lots of fun doing this as I can do this job when my kids are away with their dad and not have to worry about a sitter . I have lots of support like zulaya said and its fun to hang out with a bunch of ladies for a few hours making a few buck ! .. Best of luck with your decision.. Michelle

 

[Jynohn]

Thank you very much for everyone's input.

This is a decision that I don't want to make lightly, so I'm still mulling it over, but your posts have given me a lot to think about.

I really like Pampered Chef's products, and have heard that they treat their consultants very well. I also really enjoyed all the kitchen shows that I've been too, and would love a job that would one day allow me to make my own hours and be home with my kids more often.

On the other hand, I'm afraid that I'll be taking on too much extra on top of my already crazy schedule. And I know that eventually doing the kitchen shows would be easy, but thinking about doing those first few shows is really anxiety inducing!

Well thanks again for giving me more to think about, and if anyone else would like to chime in that would be great!

 

[bigsis1970]

book your first 4 or 5 shows with friend and family .. that is what I did and it eased the fear of being new ! and pick simple recipies .. best of luck once again with your decision.. Michelle

 

[barbeml]

I am a Pampered Chef fan--love to go to shows, love all the products. I just ordered from Zulaya--she gives awesome service!

However, I tried the Consultant thing briefly while I was unemployed (by choice) and planning my wedding. This was BEFORE the software was available, and the paperwork was a nightmare.

Also, I think part of the success depends on where you live and how receptive people are to hosting and attending shows. I found many people totally unreliable as hosts, some would book and cancel. It was all I could do to get six shows. My particular area and circle of friends/family/acquaintences seem burned out on ALL shows. No one will go to Tuppperware anymore, and it has been years since I got a PartyLite invite. The good news is that Pampered Chef still seems the most popular.

I think PC offers a great opportunity, but it is still a bit of work.

Barbe

 

[zulaya]

Hi Barbe--

Thanks for chiming in.

Jynohn - What Barbe says can be true, but it really is in how you work at it. I am in MN - the first state Pampered Chef expanded to outside IL where it is headquartered. There are a lot of consultants in the Twin Cities area where I live. At least from my perspective. But the thing is is that we all don't know the same people. Sure, you get some people who won't host a show because they have hosted too many, but I think by and large that doesn't happen.

Pampered Chef provides new products and new ideas all the time, which is why people keep coming back. For example, this spring we have 3 new Celebrations shows - 3 new themes to celebrate our lives!
It's a Wrap! takes on the new idea of making sandwich wraps to cut the bread out of sandwiches and cut the carbs. What we are teaching are ideas on meal solutions with what's in your fridge with this show. And every guest at this theme show takes home 4 different recipes for wraps to try out. Fast Family Favorites focuses on meals you can make in 30 minutes or less. Who isn't busy? But Lemon Chicken Stir Fry and Mandarin Pasta Salad are so yummy and easy to make. Simple As Pie...even if you hate to cook, most people have occasions or special events where they need to bring a treat. This teaches some fun ways to make easy and tasty treats will little fuss. Doesn't Cherry Chocolate Mousse Pie and Streusel Berry Tart sound divine?

I completely understand your not wanting to try it unless you can commit to it. That says you want to succeed. But the old saying of "you'll never know until you try it" really holds true here. The nice part is you can try it and see if it really is for you with no strings attached.

Please feel free to e-mail me direct at pampchef@qwest.net or PM me with any questions, no matter how hard or candid, and I will answer them.

Best of luck!

--Mary

 

[Pin Wizard]

I won't buy their products any more. I LOVE the all purpose spreader. So much I bought a second one! Not long after getting the second one, the original one had RUST on the edge between the handle and the spreader. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... I expect it to last a LOT longer than it did!!!! Tupperware would have replaced it if it was theirs!!!!! Not buying PC ever again.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I have a friend who is a consultant. She makes about $100 a show on average. If I were going to start a home business I'd do Southern Living at Home or Partylite as a first choice, Discovery Toys or Pampered Chef would be second, and Tastefully Simple or Natural Body Care as my third choice.

Good Luck!