Q  What Direct Selling are you currently involved in?  A  The Pampered Chef is a very well known and respected direct sales company in the States. A woman called Doris Christopher started the business 21 years ago from her home. The Pampered Chef designs, develops and sells high quality kitchen tools and gadgets. A large proportion of the Pampered Chef range is exclusive to the Pampered Chef and Pampered Chef products are not sold through retail outlets. The Pampered Chef was launched in the UK in August 2000, so it is an extremely fast growing business in the UK, although in Fortune magazine it is rated as one of the fastest growing privately owned businesses in the States. My Pampered Chef business started 2nd April 2001, I have earned all the bonuses designed to get new consultants off to a flying start and my show average is already matching the company average. Previously I worked as a residential care home manager and I then went on to set up Hounslow's Adult Placement Service for people with learning disabilities, so I'd not been involved with selling at all before this.  Q  How did you find out about it or get involved?  A  I went to the Women Unlimited conference, (set up by the Government Women's Office), in London and went to the small business seminars. One of the speakers was an ex Dorling Kindersley consultant who impressed me greatly. I had never considered direct sales before this. At first I didn't think The Pampered Chef would be appropriate for me as I can't cook but the benefits were very attractive and it compared very favourably to other opportunities I had been considering. After seeing how much fun a kitchen show is, how good the products are (I wanted all of them), I decided to give it a try - I had nothing to lose but my pride. I did begin to worry that it was in fact too good to be true and I spent considerable time trying to find the catch. Homeworking.com certainly helped me consider the opportunity and feel reassured that the opportunity was a good business proposal rather than a scam. Thank you to those who took the time to answer my questions on the Forum!  Q  What negative experiences did you have in the past with Direct Selling or Network Marketing?  A  I didn't have any, but a healthy scepticism about network marketing in general. Homeworking.com and a book about network marketing principles changed that and I then went on to research and find reputable companies. New recruits never pay their sponsor any money, the company reimburse you for supporting and training your team if you want to develop your business this way. As a former manager I am putting some of my previous skills to good use in this way.  Q  What investment (in both time and money) did it take to get started? Do you have to buy in stock, or does it help if you do?  A  The start up products kit which includes all stationery and business materials you need for your first 6 shows costs 90.00. On joining the company and becoming an independent consultant you are only obligated to do 6 shows, after this if and when and how often you work is up to you. There is no pressure at all, only incentives if you do work. It's an American company so you can earn extras regularly, including free products and holidays abroad. There is also a super starter program to help new consultants get their business off to a flying start. After this you only need to pay for catalogues and invitations, there are no other hidden expenses. You do not carry stock, products are delivered to a host straight from Chicago, so you do not do deliveries either. I did spend time initially familiarising myself with product information, pricing, guarantees and some business basics. My initial training was to observe other consultants doing kitchen shows (3). All other training I have received has been excellent and of course free. I usually make a couple of calls to my kitchen show host, I need to replenish my order folders and prepare my kit, the show usually lasts 2 hours, and it takes about 15 minutes to place the order over the net afterwards. I also try to regularly do some customer care calls as its always nice to get feedback from people.  Q  Do you manage to keep your work and home life separate?  A  I need to manage my time, so am quite an organised person. I'm very enthusiastic about my business and now I'm established, my partner is impressed and supportive. The whole family enjoys the testing of new recipes and my new found skills in the kitchen! I don't go to any great lengths to keep work and home life separate - its just a balance. This is relatively easy to manage due to the inherent flexibility of the business.  Q  What are the negative points about working at home and Direct Selling?  A  The occasional low sale show if you get low attendance, cancellations at short notice of a booking and not being able to delegate. I think there is enormous potential for this business and I sometimes get frustrated that my time to grow and develop it is limited at present, especially as I've achieved so much so quickly. Then I remember my children won't be small for long and I should make the most of this time before they go to school.  Q  Does your Direct Selling cover the cost of the time you put into it?  A  I made my original investment back after three shows. I did need to spend extra time preparing and getting to know the business and the products in the first two months, but after this I'm making the same money had I returned to employment after my maternity leave if you deduct the cost of child care involved for me to work full time. I'm part of a great team, the social side of monthly (optional) team meetings and training events is actually a benefit in itself, I have improved both my sales and bookings after attending training too.  Q  Do you do your Direct Selling part time or full time and on average, how many hours per week do you now put into your Direct Selling business?  A  I work around my families activities, this way my partner is able to look after the children while I'm doing a kitchen show. I personally do two shows per week, but sometimes more before we go on holiday, sometimes less in the school holidays. This averages about 7/8 hours a week. I choose to work evenings due to child care arrangements and I avoid working weekends so we can be together as a family. I will definitely do more hours when my youngest starts school.  Q  Where do you do most of your Direct Selling?  A  So far all my kitchen shows have been in someone's home or garden. I am able to do fund raiser shows too and this is an area I'm looking to develop at the moment.  Q  Where do you work at home and do you need to store goods?  A  I have an alcove with a desk and cupboard at home for working and making telephone calls. I use all the products in my demonstration kit in my own kitchen so they are stored there. I do not need to carry stock.  Q  Do you find a car is essential?  A  My car is essential to my business, as I travel to other peoples houses to cook and demonstrate the products. This way people can see and taste the excellent results you get with the exclusive stoneware.  Q  What advice would you suggest to someone considering Direct Selling?  A  You need a bit of determination to get over the beginning as it can be a big learning curve, especially if you've never been involved in selling before. Most people are nervous at first of talking to small groups but this becomes fun eventually. Choose a product you like and are enthusiastic about. Choose a company that provides good support and sound business materials. Take your time to find out as much about the company as you can. Talk to a few other consultants. See a show or party for yourself.

Thank you Nina for sharing!
If you are interested in finding out more about Pampered Chef email nina.butler@talk21.com