How to Start a Home Party Business?

Tips on How to Start a Home Party Business That Makes You Money.

One of the major issues facing women today is how can they find a way to stay home with their kids and make money.

Be it to contribute to the household bills or to simply have some pocket change to splurge on whatever they want to splurge it on. Many are probably seeking to know how to start a home party business.

The good news is that to start a home party business is one of cheapest, easiest, and fastest way of making the dream of making money while staying home with your children a reality. You can become a direct sales consultant for one of the major direct selling companies.

Here are some statistics on home party business reps: Did you know that there are over 43 million direct sales consultants around the world, and approximately 12 million just in the United States alone?

Most of the direct sales reps happen to be women, who eagerly embrace the business in order to work part time, set their own hours, and empower themselves to make as much money as they want or need, according to the number of hours they decide to put into their business.

Does this sound like something you'd be interested in learning more about? Would you like to learn how to start a home party business? If so, there are some things that you will need to be informed of:

There exist a variety of direct sales companies and home party businesses as there are direct sales representatives. You will learn that most sales reps encourage that new representatives pick a company based on their interests and products that they would want to buy themselves.

If you are genuinely passionate about your business, this will go a long way towards your ultimate success as a direct sales rep, in particularly during the times when you're having a hard time getting bookings, recruit other reps, or even marketing your business.

Before starting your research on how to start a home party business, sit down somewhere where you're not going to be disturbed for at least 30 minutes, and give some serious thought as to what you want and need from your business.

What are your long term and short term goals? How much money do you want to make a month? How many hours do you want to work per day? Week? Month?

Don't forget to factor in your personality - if starting a home party business going to be right for you? Do you enjoy meeting and talking to new people? Do you look forward to going out or going to parties?

Are you motivated person? Are you able to stay focused and on task? Do you find yourself procrastinating a lot? Although anyone can learn how to become a successful entrepreneur, it will be quite a challenge for you if you have to learn new habits at the same time you're trying to learn how to start a home party business of your own.

Once you have a crystal clear picture of what you want and need from your business, then it's time to start doing your research about the different companies that are out there.

Make sure to thoroughly research any home party company that you're strongly considering becoming a representative/consultant for. You'll want to make sure that they have a good reputation, that they guarantee their products, and that other reps are satisfied.

The amount of commissions you will be earning, the cost of the initial sales kit, even the rate and schedule of pay should all be taken into account when making your final decision.

The sales literature is not enough to go by - you want to figure out how much money you need or want to make a month. Then look at the amount of money you can make per party, and how many parties and how much in total sales you'll have to make in order to reach that goal.

If reaching your goal is going to require you to work longer hours or more than you're willing or able to commit to, then choose another company.

You'll want to be a little careful of any company that charges a really high amount for a sales kit, or asks you to pay for training.

Furthermore, your commissions ought to be based on the products or services you sell, and not on recruiting more people in under you.

In fact, any time you're told that your largest commissions are based on the number of people you recruit or the memberships you sell, tread slowly. Often times these types of companies turn out to be pyramid schemes or scam companies.

Don't forget to check into the company's return policy. You should be able to return any unused or unsold merchandise with no questions asked.

If the company fails to list a clear and open buy-back policy, make a request to get it in writing before committing or signing a contract.

Be careful about falling for the promise of easy money in your quest to learn how to start a home party business. There is no such thing as easy money without serious consequences.

Instead, search for a company whose products will help you to build a real, growing home party business of your own, a company that you'll be proud to be affiliated with, and that will help you to reach your goals.

Reference:
Jane Boss

Small Business is Worth It.

When you decide that you are tired of working in an office and you are looking for a change, you should look at the fact that small business is worth it. You will find that you will have a plethora of options when it comes to a small business, and this is what is going to make the entire transition exciting and fun. If you already know what it is that you want to do, then you merely have to get it up and going. If you are not sure on what it is that you want to do, then the fun is actually the journey of discovery.

Laying Out The Groundwork

The first thing you are going to do when you decide on what you want to do, is lay out the groundwork for the start of the company. This will bring you to the point where you know what is going to be common practice, and what the purpose of the company really is. Small business is worth it, when you decide that you want to do something that is both challenging and fun at the same time. You will find that starting a small business is something that will give you strength in areas you otherwise did not know you had. This is great for your spirit, and it is great for your wallet if you can manage to succeed. Find what you like and get it running, and then manage to make it work it's that simple.

Invest Your Time

One of the best ways to ensure that the small business that you start is going to be what you want it to be, is to invest your time into it. There are many things that you are going to have to pay attention too, as you are now the boss. This means that basically every aspect of the company is under your control. The fun part is actually making decisions and seeing that they do make sense and they do work. This will give you a sense that small business is worth it, and that you can see success down the road from your endeavor. Good business is prepared for the dips in work, and this is where you will learn to manage your time. This is when you will learn that you need to invest the time to make the company better for the next round of business rush.

Learn From Your Mistakes

It is said that if you do not make mistakes, you do not learn in life. Nothing could be closer to the truth, than with a home business. You will quickly see that small business is worth it, when you actually remind yourself not to do the same thing twice if it failed the first time. This will steer you in a different direction, and this will actually allow you to grow as a business. This could be the most enlightening and fun time of your life, and it is time to take full control.

Reference:
Roger Barnes writes home business, work from home and related articles for the Home Business Selection website at Small Business Selection

Starting an Independent Contracting Home Based Business.

Major cable and satellite dish companies will outsource what amounts to a majority of their installation and / or service work to large contract companies that in turn employ the services of independent contractors. The work is seemingly endless and the demand for quality work and workers is high.

Starting an independent contracting home based business is relatively easy, offers a good working wage, and allows for certain entitlements afforded every business owner. Anyone interested in becoming an independent contractor needs to be in overall good health in order to handle the physical demands of the job and own a reliable "work" truck, van, or SUV that will accomodate materials and supplies, tools and equipment, and the rigors of everyday use.

There are several ways to find a contract company and here are a few to get started:

• Look in the classified ad section of the local or city newspaper.
• Ask a technician that is already working in the industry for the name and number of their contract company. Look for trucks or vans that have magnetic signs identifying them as independent contractors for a particlular company.
• Do a search online using appropriate keywords such as independent or subcontractor, jobs or work, and for the closest major city.

Once a contract company is found, make an appointment for an interview with a supervisor. The supervisor will issue a folder and explain the various handouts included which will list necessary paperwork, installation tool and equipment requirements, pay ( billing sheets ) and benefits, and training agenda.

Necessary paperwork is ( and may not be limited to ):

• Commercial Auto or Business Rated Insurance Certificate listing the contract company as additional insured and certificate holder.
• General Liability Insurance Certificate listing the contract company as certificate holder. This covers damage to a customers home which may occur during installation.
• Occupational License
• Valid Driver's License

In order to insure that all installation and safety requirements are met on the job it is required that each independent contractor be responsible for obtaining and maintaining a minimum complement of tools and equipment. Relatively inexpensive handtools needed include hammers, hand saws, nut drivers, pliers, razor knives, screwdrivers, tape rules, wrenches and job specific tools. Equipment needed includes a cell phone, cordless drills, drill bits, flashlights, ladders, shovels, tool belts, and safety and test equipment. Job specific tools, cell phones, extension ladders, and safety and test equipment can often be issued by the contract company and payroll deducted. Having the "right tools and equipment" ensures the job will be completed safely, relatively quickly and efficiently, and to the customers satisfaction.

Pay is accrued on a per job basis ( with billing sheets - jobs / tasks are assigned a billing code and the amount paid for completion ) that is added daily over a weekly or bi-weekly billing cycle with checks being dispersed the following week. Paychecks are , in turn, a direct reflection of the independent contractors' experience, efficiency, days worked, and total number of jobs completed.

Benefits may or may not be available depending on the contract company. If not offered, health insurance can be obtained at a relatively reasonable rate from a number of reputable companies according to the situational needs of the individual who may or may not have a dependent (s) and need a "family" plan. The supervisor giving the initial interview may have the names of some of these companies to follow up with. Occasionally representatives from different companies may set up a display at the contract company office and offer information and handouts describing the plans available.

Training agendas include two weeks of "riding out" with an independent contractor / trainer during normal working hours and obtaining "on the job" experience watching and performing various tasks and having each one checked ( by the "trainer" ) as completed on the training handout. During this time it is highly recommended to ask questions, take notes, and perform as many tasks as possible. Occasionally, structured classroom training is available to enhance installation and product knowledge. The more that is learned and understood in these first weeks equates to being more efficient and productive in the future and ultimately a higher income.

During the interview, inquire about overall company expectations, days and hours of operation, quality control ( QC ), on-call opportunities, courtesy accounts, filing taxes, and workers' compensation.

Company expectations are normally the same as with any employer and include being on time for scheduled work days, providing good customer service, completing work within scheduled time frames / tables, and working with dispatch, other independent contractors, and supervisors as a team.

Days and hours of operation will vary as many contract companies work a minimum of 6 and sometimes 7 days a week providing appointments to customers for installation and / or repair during all hours of the day from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. Independent contractors are paid on a per job basis so it is not necessary to keep track of hours worked or use a time clock. Work days are agreed upon ( and vary ) when the initial contract is signed. Unpaid time off is available upon request ( usually at least 48 hours in advance ) of the assigned supervisor.

Quality control is maintained for all work and jobs are checked regularly by employees from the cable company or supervisors from the contract company. It is important to remember that any work done is a direct reflection of the independent contractor and contract and cable companies respectively. If jobs are not completed according to specifications or to the customers' satisfaction the independent contractor responsible for the work may have to return ( unpaid ) to complete the job. Worse yet, if the work is completed by another technician, a back-charge may be incurred and pay deducted from the next or subsequent checks. "Doing it right the first time" will ultimately save time and money.

On-call opportunities, for extra pay, may exist at or during many holidays and involves being available to a dispatcher continuously during a designated amount of time and possibly being sent to a customers' home needing repairs of one kind or another. Repairs may be simple and quick or difficult and time consuming. On-call techs may not have any "calls" or may spend the entire day making customer contact and necessary repairs.

Courtesy accounts are sometimes provided by cable companies ( to independent contractors ) through the contract company. If available, courtesy accounts will be set up after 90 days and are for free or discounted cable TV, high-speed internet, and telephone services. Additionally, since a cell phone is required for communication with dispatch, supervisory staff, and other independent contractors and is helpful when dealing with various office personnel and customers, many cell phone companies will often offer a discount to anyone employed directly ( or indirectly ) by a major cable company.

Independent contractors will have to file incorporation papers for their new business. Incorporating is made easy with the help of the contract company and is relatively inexpensive. The registration process involves filing the proper paperwork with the state government and paying an incorporation fee. Once the new business is registered a licensed CPA or reputable accounting firm should be consulted as to when and how often taxes need to be paid and what is tax deductible. There are many "costs of doing business" that are tax deductible and will lower the amount of taxes owed. Work clothes and boots, tools and equipment, cell phone bills, and either gas or mileage are all tax deductible.

Workers' compensation may be accepted or refused depending on the number of employees the business will have. An Independent contractor as the only employee may accept ( resulting in a percentage of pay being deducted weekly or bi-weekly ) or refuse coverage. Workers' compensation is mandatory if the business owner hires any number of employees.

At the end of the initial interview a tour of the facilities will be given. Most contract companies will have general office space, conference and training rooms, a payroll department, a warehouse, and parking areas. General offices include dispatch employees, supervisors, a project manager, owners / partners, and supervisors. Conference and training rooms will have tables and chairs, dry erase boards, and "hands on" training boards and / or displays. The payroll department may or may not be in the same building as the general offices. The warehouse will carry all of the necessary materials and supplies and job specific tools and equipment.

Upon completion of the initial interview, Q&A, and tour, an invitation to return and commence training may be offered and a start date agreed upon. It will take time, a concerted effort, and a willingness to learn, but independent contracting as a home based business can be very rewarding not only professionally but monetarily, may lead to other opportunities, and produce lasting business relationships.

Reference:
Tom Castro - Webmaster/Author
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