The latest addition to Rapid City’s direct-sales industry has nothing to do with “parties” – Tupperware, candle, purse or otherwise.
Tad Darling of Box Elder has started a home-based business in “meatings,” as in meat – brats and steaks, as well as all the equipment needed to grill it and wash it down with a cold beer.
“It’s the real deal,” Darling said. “It’s just like all the home-based businesses out there for women, except it’s for guys.”
Whether it’s the economy or just a desire to make more money, many people in the area have started party businesses on the side or as a replacement for a full-time job.
Marge Heard of Rapid City, a Mary Kay saleswoman for 24 years, has noticed an increase in the number of direct-sales businesses in the last year.
“With the economy being what it is, people are looking for an opportunity to make extra money,” Heard said.
Darling started the business as a way to support his wife and five children after he gave up driving a truck.
“I just couldn’t drive truck anymore,” he said. He heard about ManCave on Craigslist and thought, “Is this thing for real or is it a scam?”
He checked it out, decided it was for real and made the move, as a way to bring in extra income on top of getting licensed to drive a school bus. He bought a starter kit, booked a few “meatings” and was on his way.
“The only requirement is to sell $100 worth a month,” he said. “As far as how much you can make, it’s all on how ambitious you are.”
Logo from ManCave