When Nanette Lawson decided to leave her 20 year practice as a well-respected CPA in Alexandria, VA, she did something unusual—she started her own business representing the Etcetera clothing line. She made this decision with all of the precision and due diligence you’d expect from an accountant.
As Lawson and many other professional women like her yearn for different work challenges and more flexible schedules, many are transitioning into the unknown terrain of direct sales.
“These are women who have had successful careers in other fields but always knew they had the potential to use their skills in other ways,” says Mary Alice Heape, president of Etcetera, who started out as a direct sales wardrobe consultant herself. “As they look at direct sales, they look at the money they can make; the prestige, quality and professionalism of the brand and those associated with it; the support infrastructure and the time commitment that comes with a season-driven business. Our best sellers have been with us for over 5 years largely because Etcetera continues to meet and exceed their high standards.”
While direct sales is often viewed as a hobby or fast way to make extra income, Etcetera sellers see it as a sophisticated business that gives women the opportunity to own their own businesses. Top sellers earn up to six-figure incomes based on selling the line seasonally and cultivating a loyal client following.
Logo from Etcetera