Tri-City Herald:
When rising gas and food prices started pinching the finances of the Harpster family in Pasco last spring, longtime stay-at-home mom Londa Harpster decided it was time to find a part-time job.
She found three within six weeks, but also no longer had much time to spend with her seven children.
Then another opportunity came along: becoming an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay, a cosmetics company.
“I thought ‘If what they say is true, this is an answer to my prayers,’ ” said Harpster, who was initially skeptical.
But more than a year later, Harpster said owning her Mary Kay business has transformed her family’s lifestyle.
“We’re preparing to purchase a home, which wouldn’t have happened without Mary Kay,” she said.
Harpster’s story exemplifies the swell in the number of people working in direct sales as the national economy continues to struggle, said Neil Offen, president of the Direct Selling Association.
Logo from Mary Kay