Could you make money selling stuff?

Many new mums who decide not to return to work are interested in running a party plan, selling items by setting up parties.

Underwear, cards, beauty products and jewellery are common business opportunities in this field. But what will cost you to set up and how much can you expect to earn?

Baby Expert takes a look at one company selling beauty products to see how it works.

Bath and body company Fresh Deli has a couple of outlets in Hexham and Newcastle, in the North East, and also sells its products through Debenhams and other outlets. It also has a party plan scheme and is setting up a network of agents to sell Fresh Deli products at parties and among friends and colleagues.

Company founder Danielle Dunn won the best newcomer category in the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 awards. She says, ‘This is an ideal job for mums or people with other commitments because it offers flexible working.’

So what will it cost and how much can you expect to earn?

Set-up costs total £25 for a distribution pack and £75 for a party pack, for which you receive products worth more than £300. Then it’s your job to sell it.

Agents are responsible for organizing their own parties, including publicity and administration. You keep 25% of all your sales and 15% of any sales you generate online.

Fresh Deli calculates that you can expect to earn anything from £100 to £500 a month on sales depending on how many parties you hold.

Being a party plan agent is a sales job, so if you’re not happy selling, don’t bother. But people who are willing to work evenings and really promote their products may find it suits family life very well.

Visit www.freshsoapdeli.com for more information. A good place to find out more about mixing motherhood and work is the website motherswhowork.

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