Being Your Own Boss Drives Many to Direct Sales

The mall and the web are still the way most people do their holiday shopping. But the hottest new place to buy clothing, jewelry, make-up and food is at home.

The direct sales industry raked in a whopping $30 billion in sales last year! So it's no surprise that more people are leaving the office behind to earn money by throwing home parties.

More than a dozen of Megan Rego's family and friends have gathered on a recent Wednesday night to eat, drink and be merry.

"It's good to get out of the house and enjoy the company of friends, in someone's home. You just have a great time," Megan explains.

Laurie Muniak is the Market Day Gourmet representative serving up delicious food in the comfort of Megan's own home.

Muniak started selling market day gourmet about a year ago. Her kids were in school and she wanted to make some money but on her own terms.

"You are in control of what you want to make, your own hours, you are your own boss," she explains. "If you want to take two weeks off, if you have a family vacation, no one is going to tell you no. I like that."

While Muniak uses direct selling to earn some extra money, the Gmitter's of Austintown are using it to help build their new 22,000 square foot house.

"When I started in Avon, I was only trying to earn a little extra money," explains Lisa Gmitter.

She didn't want to juggle work with family. So she started selling Avon, when her two older children headed to school.

As she climbed the ranks within the company, husband Mike started working with Lisa in the business.

"We believe that we are building a company that we can pass on to our children, something they could have truly to themselves," Mike says.

The Direct Selling Trade Association claims that there are now more direct sales representatives in America than traditional retail employees. There are an estimated 14 million sales consultants across the country employed by more than 1,500 U.S.-based direct selling companies.

It's an appealing idea to many, but certainly not for everyone.

"You have to have a positive attitude, you have to believe in what you are selling. You have to be secure in who you are," says Cheryll Rose, a Lia Sophia jewelry representative.

Rose uses direct selling as a way to bring in money when she isn't working at her seasonal job in Port Clinton.

For Rose, the key to success isn't how you sell, but what you sell.

"If you believe in the product, it will sell itself," she says.

Media Source - WKYC-TV