Virgin Vie v Body Shop consultant

[Chinchilla]

I am seeing a VV area manager tomorrow night, as I am thinking of being a party consultant. The products are nice (although a bit too expensive IMHonestO). I suddenly thought that I would probably prefer The Body Shop, as most people are happy with their poducts, and I personally love them, so would be able to praise them adequately.

Has anyone ever done this party plan thingummyjig? And, if so, how much effort is involved in doing it?

Advice please, thank you.

[happymummy1]

Hi chinchilla my friend does it and really enjoys it,she seems to do quite well for money.I thought about doing it for a while but i don't think that i would enjoy going out at nights and do'nt think i would have the confidence to stand up infront of new people but i hav'ent ruled it out for the future.

[Chinchilla]

Thanks HM1. Anyone else? I am meeting the area manager tomorrow night, so some hints and tips would be very much appreciated.

[pepsi]

A friend of mine is I think an area manager, shes worked her way up in VV...........this year for instance her sales have reached such good monthly figures because of all the agents she has they she was awarded a brand new car.........which does get sent back if sales disappear!, she loves it. Personally I prefer the BS stuff as its cheaper and I think you can go to a party without spending loads. On the financial side of things I guess this means you are better of with VV. I think you should pocket for yourself about £40.00 for a nights work.

[sportyspice]

I have a friend who does the body shop party planning and it's only about £50 - £70 to start up but you do have to pre-book 8 parties as part of the conditions. However, that is a good thing because it allows you to gain your confidence by starting out your 'sales talk' on well known guinea pigs. It's probably a good time to start thinking about it what with xmas coming up in the next few months.....apologies if that thought depresses anyone!!

[hana]

a friend of mine is a VV consultant and she's as busy as she wants to be! I think the money she makes is really good for the amount of work that goes into it - I think she sets targets for herself and books parties accordingly that month. I had a party here and my take was 15% of the sales that night (or 20%?) just for being the hostess. I had to spend that on products in the catalogue ( was great for pressies!) So if that's what a hostess gets, it must be pretty good for the consultant. Good luck! she has 2 little kids as well, 2 and 4. Does all the work during naps when her older one is at pre-school.

[Chinchilla]

Had to postpone seeing the manager because I sprained my ankle and had to go to A&E. Am seeing her tomorrow night instead. I have applied to BS, and they are sending the info in the post. Personally, I think that I would prefer BS, because the products are cheaper, and more widely known. Also, I think people would be happier to spend say £20, if they got 3 or 4 items, rather than a VV moisturiser only for the same money.

I am also considering starting card parties, selling my cards. I currently sell them to friends and shops, but would like to get rid of 20-30 at a time, on a regular basis. I am sure that my friends would hold parties for me, and I could buy them a hostess gift (any ideas??) for doing this. What do you all think of this?

[champs]

sounds good chinchilla cards are popular at mo, also you could even get commisions for stationary and stuff. bs may be the way to go as there are a huge variety of products. i'm sure vv is really good and their products look nice but bs are popular with all different types of people.

[crunchie]

Chinchilla, personally I hink both VV and BS are quite difficult to make money from. £40 a night (that someone mentioned) is not a lot of money when you consider the hours. Not only the 3 hrs at the party, but preparation, cleaning up after (someone told me it takes ages to clean up all the used make up), putting in orders and deliveries. Work out how long all that lot would take you and you are on less than £6 an hour.

My MIL does a different kind of clothing one called weekenders, and I think she usually makes about £100 - £200 for a party. Also since it is clothes, the same people do parties at least twice a year (for new colours etc) and she really does make good money.

Look into all of these things carefully, and work out your reasons for wanting to do it first. You wont make much money from most of them

[Chinchilla]

Thanks everyone. I was really excited about the VV after seeing the manager, but now I'm not sure! Has anyone got any personal experience?

[lars]

Chinchilla, I would try something yourself if you can, work as and when you want. Like the cards even could do craft fairs, etc.

I think to do what you enjoy and go from there.
Try to do something that maybe others haven't done. You could ask around for ideas. I used to do dried flowers but to be honest most people like things cheap and it's can be hard to make a real profit, larsxx

[Zoe]

Chinchilla, I did VV for about a year. It is possible to make a lot of money from it, but to do so you need to be quite sales orientated, which I am not. My manager was, and had no qualms about being what I considered to be "pushy" about getting people to book further parties and make further purchases. It wasn't really for me in the long run, and after a spate of cancelled parties and the imminent commencement of my PGCE, I stopped doing it.

On the plus side, the products are lovely, it is great fun doing a party and you can choose what you do in terms of hours and work you put in.

[pepsi]

Last year a friend of mine was telling me about toy parties, nice wooden stuff, etc. Im far to lazy to do it but I thought it was a great idea. I imagine if you have young children you might know lots of other Mums who would host parties......get their free toy for their bit.......especially as Christmas is coming. The cards are a great idea too. I went to a card party and spent about £10.00, had a lovely time.

[Chinchilla]

Pepsi - When you say you went to a card party, were they hand-made or printed? Also, was there a hostess incentive gift? Did the sales person show how to make the cards, or was it just a 'sit and have a look at my cards at your leisure' type of thing? Would love to hear more, as card making is my real love.

[pepsi]

This party was one of the hostess's best friends so dont think there was an incentive as such. She had made all the cards herself and were all wrapped in celophane, she had a sale box as well. They served wine and a few nibbles and it was very nice. The cards were laid out on a table at one end of the room and we were told to look at them at our leisure. No sales pitch or anything and no demonstrations but she was more than happy to answer any questions. The party was last November so she had done some lovely Christmas cards along with usual birthday, some baby arrival and general congratulation cards. I enjoyed it because it was chatting to friends all night and not listening to sale pitch about how wonderfully soft my skin would be if I applied some magic cream to it, plus you could spend what you wanted. You could also set up a website and sell on-line I have seen such sites. Do you completely design your own or are you making them from kits. My SIL makes her own cards but mainly from kits bought on QVC.

[Chinchilla]

I make my own, and I have had very positive feedback from people who have bought them. I was seriously considering doing the sort of party you described, but my sister told me that she didn't think it would have much repeat value. What I might do is have one at my house, and see if any other friends want to host one for me. That way I won't seem pushy.

Thanks Pepsi

[pepsi]

I think thats a good idea, do it at yours first so you can be organised and see what you need/dont need, then get one of your best pals to play house and see if they can invite plenty of people whom you know but a few whom you dont and just keep everything crossed. Card selling may be quite seasonal so if you are going to do it I would get some Christmas stock now and plan it for November. Perhaps get together with a few friends to price up the cards so you dont over/under sell. I think cards need to be under £2.00 but then perhaps a bargain box of cards say for 50p each. Everyone loves to think they are getting a bargain! Good luck.

[pepsi]

Another thought...........Christmas Fairs will be coming up soon, could you get your name down for a stall at a couple and perhaps donate some of the proceeds, might get your name around.

[Chinchilla]

Yup, I'm definitely thinking of pushing my cards in that way. Who can resist a few glasses of vino, some nibbles and good chat? Then, when they're all totally plastered, I get them to buy 10 cards each!

[SueW]

I don't have any experience of them but mini IQ might be worth looking into.

Also I have a few friends I've met through email groups who do Phoenix cards and think that's great.

Depends what sort of thing floats your boat really - happier selling cosmetics or something more child-related?

[JJ]

Chincilla, you should set up a website to supplement the card sales in shops and parties. I don't think it would be very hard-- PayPal has a shopping cart system, so all you'd need is a site. I use icdsoft for hosting a v small PA website and it's worked really well. (I'm sure it would handle larger stuff just as well.)

Please take this with a grain of salt as I know nothing about cards. But, for me, if I bought a card in a shop, it would be easier to order some more online than get back to the shop (esp if it was an impulse purchase and/or I was on holiday).

[champs]

chinchilla--- have you decided what you're gonna do?

[Chinchilla]

Yes, I decided against doing it for the time being, because I agreed with Crunchie's comment about factoring in the time you have to spend setting up the presentation, and doing paperwork. It has to be a moneymaker as well as being fun! However, I am going to keep it in mind for when ds goes to school, as I will need a job then. Had to recontact the BS about their parties, as no-one had responded to my on-line application. When I got a reply, the woman asked for all my details AGAIN, so I didn't bother..would have expected the BS to be a bit more organised TBH!

[Dingle]

Used to be a Party plan consultant for Oriflame, a Swedish Skincare, Make-up company. Worked my way up, to manager had over 60 consultants, working "for me". I did enjoy it at the time,but it does take time, effort and a lot of patience, to build up a customer base. From that I got into Wedding facials- which I loved.
Don't have much time for that now,with kiddies in tow but I am into cardmaking too! At least I can sit and work when it suits me, not relying on anyone else. I am hoping to go into the party aspect of crafts, building up a stock at the moment. DD has Down Syndrome and was thinking about using the parties as a sort of fund raising event. Don't really know at the moment. Perhap some inspiration!!!

[lindat1964]

Hi, someone mentioned Mini-Iq further down - I do this, it does work great with kids 'cos you have such a good contact base and (generally) have an enthusiasm in the products - which is essential for this sort of business.

If anyone wants more info give me a shout, I don't want to put more on here in case it is classed as advertising

Linda

[Sleepyheads]

Hi,

Noticed that you were all chattting about party plan and thought I'd see if anyone was interested in party-planning products from Sleepyheads, a new niche mail order company called that I run. We offer an exclusive (and exciting!) range of childrens nightwear and bedroom furnishings. I want to keep things as straightforward and enjoyable as possible, so flexible hours, no targets, lots of friendly support and I promise no hard sales pitches ! There's lots more info in the classified section !