Since I turned 18 (I’m 25 now) I have been an independent consultant for five different companies (Avon, Pure Romance, Thirty One, Jamberry and For Tails Only). I am currently an Independent Consultant for the last three. In the last seven years I’ve learned a great deal about what it means to be a consultant, when it is the right time to join a company, and when it is the right time to walk away.
There are so many companies out there. The most important thing is to find a company that fits your lifestyle. Before joining a Direct Sales company there are some questions you should ask yourself (and your upline)
- Do I love the Product? All three companies I’m with I can genuinely say, I love their products, I use them in my everyday life and I am happy to share them with anyone I come in contact with.
- Does my lifestyle lend well to the product? Each company has a different target demographic. If you are just out of college, a company with more expensive products, even if you love them, may not be the best fit for you. For me, I love Thirty One, and I have some great customers, but with my life it isn’t always easy to find new customers. Jamberry, however, has been an amazing fit for me, each sheet of wraps is only $15 and they always have a sale.
- HOW would you sell this product? Take a moment and reflect, are you comfortable talking to your family and friends about this, or strangers? Are you willing to do a couple of trade/craft shows each month? Where will you sell and how will you advertise? For me I am always carrying a Thirty One purse (if you sell bags, you should, if you aren’t willing to they may not be for you). I also always carry Jamberry samples in that purse. Every single time someone compliments my nails I make sure they walk away with a card and a free sample.
- What is the compensation plan? Unless you are just selling for the discounts (no shame there) you are probably looking to get paid. Make sure you look at how, when and how much you will get paid. Thirty One pays consultants 25% twice a month through a check or direct deposit. Jamberry pays 30% every Friday on a prepaid card (love that). Of course with both you can earn more through bonuses.
- Are there quotas? Most companies do have a quota, some, especially newer companies don’t have them. With Thirty One you must sell $200 in a rolling three month period. With Jamberry you must sell $200/month to be “active” if you sell under $200 you are still compensated (30%), however, you are not compensated for your downline’s sales in that month. Each company has their own policies.
- How old is the company? Ground Level Companies can be very attractive. There aren’t a lot of consultants and getting in early can make it easier to grow your team, they can also go away quickly and don’t have some of the perks older companies do (fast shipping, e-mail blasts, newsletters, good graphics). Older companies also have great perks, the things I just listed, but it can be hard to find new customers. Personally, I like companies that are above ground level, but aren’t quite old yet. I am currently selling for one of each. For Tails only has around 1,000 consultants, Jamberry has been around for a few years and is growing fast, and Thirty One is very well established. They each have their positives and negatives, do your research and find what fits best for you.
I will do another one of these posts soon, with more information. The most important thing is to find the company that works best for YOU. I went through quite a few before I found what works for me. Currently Jamberry is my main company, it sells very well, it’s not too old or too new. I enjoy the products, and love that they have free samples that I can easily hand out. That being said, my For Tails Only team is growing fast, and I love the products. With Thirty One I have many loyal customers, but there are many consultants out there.
If you have any questions or thoughts please comment below!
Interested in learning more about my companies?
Jamberry
For Tails Only
Thirty One