CBS3.com:
In these tough economic times, some people are turning to direct selling, selling makeup, skin care or other products right out of their homes. But is it right for you?
Karen Pressley of Bensalem left corporate life to go to school. She never expected to open a store in her living room.
“This is something I’ll do to help supplement the income so everything won’t be on my husband,” said Pressley.
She sells Arbonne skin care and other products. Arbonne is just one of hundreds of direct selling businesses, selling from home. Sales of everything from jewelry to cosmetics totaled almost $30 billion in 2008.
On its Web site, a Mary Kay ad says, “Sell products that you love, earn extra money, be your own boss.”
Companies such as Mary Kay are using the recession to recruit, saying women can earn money selling in their own homes.
When they sell, they get a commission. If they recruit new salespeople onto their team, they’ll often earn a slice of those commissions, too.
Direct selling companies say, even in a recession, direct selling has customers.
“A woman may not be able to go out and spend $100 on a new dress or a new leather handbag, but she can certainly afford — and will spend — $13 or $14 on a lipstick that will help brighten her day,” said Rhonda Shasteen of Mary Kay Cosmetics.