Thinking of becoming a slimming world consultant.

[Horsiemummy]

hi all,
just wondering if there were any slimming world consultants on here who would dish the whole truth!!. all i can seem to find on the net are consultants who are deleriously happy and chirp on about how much money they earn. TBH i went to a oppertunities evening and was a bit shocked by how much its costs you to get started and also by the percentage of your takings that goes back to slimming world. i kinda dismissed it but the idea just keeps going round in my head because i think i would be a good consultant - ive lost 2st on SW and am always raving about the plan to anyone who will listen.
just wondered if there was any downside to being a consultant, and tbh how long before you have made back your franchise fee and you start to make any money for yourself.

heres hoping someone can help

[alfielooloo]

Hi Horsiemummy,
I was a SW Consultant up until 8 years ago when I gave up as I was pregnant & also working full time. I, like you lost weight & was always raving on about the plan to anyone who would listen!
To be honest, I didn't make lots of money doing it, it really would vary week to week. If quite a few people bought countdowns on one night, I would come away very happy! From what I can remember I would make on average £30 a night. I know the classes cost more now, they were £2.95 a class back then. You also have to take into account the fact that you will probably have to pay rent for the premises that you use.
I don't think it would take too long to get back you franchise fee. I think I paid about £125 for mine.
I really loved doing my class, the ladies became like friends, some of them wouldn't really lose much weight, they only came for a social evening to have a cup of tea & a chat!
Hope this is of some help to you

[laura032004]

I was a consultant for a year or so 4 years ago. I'd lost over 4 stone, and could rave about the plan to anybody. I still could

However, I don't think I made any money doing it if I'd added up all of the figures. I didn't because I didn't really want to know. I did it as a hobby really, although I did put a lot of effort into it.

There are a lot of costs: you have to travel up to Derby for training and stay in a hotel, there are advertising costs (which can be steep if your area likes to advertise in the papers), and lots of costs surrounding buying your props. You can do the class without them, but it all looks a bit sad.

I probably made about £20-£30 per week, but if I deducted all of my overheads from this, and then the start up costs, I really don't think I'd have broken even in the first year.

Also, you have to register as a business, and start doing a tax return, which is a real faff.

I'm not sorry that I did it, but my circumstances were unique. DH was away at sea with the Navy and I wanted something to keep me occupied which this did. I think you've got to work very hard at it though, and aim to have several classes if you want to actually make money doing it. All the 'long-term' consultants were the ones doing it for the love of the job, or who had lots of classes. If you do it for the fun of it, you end up with lots of 'social' members as ALL describes, which don't do much for your stats as you have to calculate your average weight losses every week.

Good luck if you decide to go ahead.

[doobrey]

hi, just wondered if you decided to become a consultant or not?

[fashionsista]

i was a consultant four two years and finished at christmas. SW expect all consultants to live, eat and breathe SW. I found it ridiculous the way they expected people to tow the line and always be positive and always look for an opportunity to grow their classes. I loved running my class but i could not stand working for them and what they represented. 4hour quarterly meetings on Sundays, like we don't have a life, 3 hour monthly meetings on a friday evening. They want full time people for a part time job. I wouldn't recommend it.

[BashfulSleepyHappy]

Resurrecting this thread as I was wondering the same thing. I'm about to finish paid maternity leave and so need to bring some money in, so I was thinking about becoming a SW consultant. But these posts have got me worried that I won't really make any. My consultant says it's a great job to have with little kids, and she drives a BMW. But maybe her DH's job pays for that! I don't need a hobby, I need a paying job that I can fit in around kids. Would I be better off looking for a job in Sainsburys?

[moonlily]

hi im a slimming world consultant on maternity leave, if its a lot of money you are looking for then I wouldnt become a consultant, I was promised £100+ per night and I have never made even close to that!!
Its a lovely job, you meet lovely people in your groups but its a hell of a lot of hard work and as the groups are at night unless you have childcare it can be awkward.
the start up franchise cost is from £500.
like i said though it is a lovely job and if you are prepared to live eat breathe and sleep slimming world then you can be very successful as it does take over your life (and house).
also I would sayit depends what area you are in and how many other groups are around you because even though they say it doesnt make a difference - it does!!
good luck with it if you go for it
xxx

[talentedsmile]

Hi
I became a SW consultant nearly 4 years ago, within a year I had given up my other term time job to concentrate on my group full time. It was explained really well at the opportunity event the time involved in running a group and I always made sure I treated it like a job rather than a hobby. It was wonderful being treated like a person not a number. I find the people who seem to moan about it don't really want to put in the work in to make it successful - with nearly 70 members I was regulary taking home at least £110 per group - I made my franchise fee back in 10 weeks my friend managed it in 6 weeks! Like any new business - because that's what yours will be - takes time to promote - people wont come if they dont know where you are - so if your hoping they will bring themselves to you then no this isn't the job for you but if you are keen on networking and building a good reputation in the local community then go for it - you get out what you put in.

[jackmattymummy]

I am a slimming world consultant and have been for nearly 5 years. like any business you get out of it what you put in - and talking to people who know slimming world food optimising it works on the same principle - follow the plan you lose weight - follow the methods as laid down to run a successful group and you will be successful. I have been able to not only run groups which has enabled me to pay for my 3 children to go to private school (all from my income) but also found a company who puts its people first. its friendly supportive and everyone is treated as an individual - this is not something I ever experienced working previously for other large national and international companies. with the set up costs - to enter into a successful franchise these are cheap having looked into other franchises I was very pleased with the set up - how many people can set up a nationally recognised business with 1st class training and support for less than £1000 all in???????? My advice go for it if you believe that the best way to lose weight is with slimming world and you passionately want to help people to lose weight.

[Wolfblass]

I too have been contemplating becoming an SW Consultant for quite some time.

I lost nearly 2 stone last year, but fell pg on our holiday and due to work commitments never returned.

Howe many people do you need on average to attend yur group in order to make a decent earning out of it? And would you say with time and effort you really cna make succesful earnings? I really do not want to end up only earning £20-30 a week!

[tipsyloo]

dont do it if you want to earn money great for meeting members, even though it is a frnchise slimming world run it, they get yu constantlly to put money back into it in promotion at least 20% of earnings, some nights earnigns look good, i averaged about £70.for a double session 3 hours, but then ad extra hour for setting up and pputting away, you expected to get out promoting weekends durring week and evenings, still contacting memebrs via phone, txt or / and emails encouraging them or supporting them , along with monthly meetins friday nights and sunday meetins it takes over your life. a few do earn a bit but average groups are 30- 40 memebers , depends where you have it, and they can put a group up next door if they want to.

[tipsyloo]

hi was a slimming world consultant but they kept getting more and more for you to do , all hours for a part time job, it would be a massive company if consultants didnt keep leaving,

[Honey100]

Hey all

This is a really interesting discussion, because I was thinking about getting a SW franchise too.

Is there some sort of comission structure involved - like, how much of each fee do you get? Does the training take for ever?

Does anyone know about the Weight Watchers in comparison.

Love to be able to give up the full time day job!!

[galadriel77]

I'm a Slimming World Consultant and have been for almost 2 years. I do enjoy doing it but would say that I am not a "lifer" and don't obsess over it.

I have 2 children under 4 and another on the way and it is very good to fit around the children. My OH and I had an agreement that as long as it didn't take over my time then it was great to do. My priority is looking after the kids but I needed something for me to stop me going crazy and something to bring in some extra cash.

You don't have to work all the hours God sends to earn a reasonable amount. I would say that those guys earning £20-£30 a group are not really putting any time or effort into their groups or understanding the right way of doing things to ensure best use of their time. It really is a case of you get out what you get in. It's a job at the end of the day and SW are very upfront about the hours you are expected to put in. There is a structure - you take a % depending on number of members.

It can cost approx £1000 to get started depending on the franchise option you go for (and this is cheap in franchise land!)

I took over a group with 15 members and now it sits comfortably at between 55-65 and therefore earns me anywhere between £75-£120 per week depending on countdowns purchased etc. There are quieter times of year that you have to be prepared for - high summer and xmas can be much lower earnings - I probably take £30 a group the week inbetween xmas and new year! If I wanted to work a little bit harder and promote some more then I could get my group up to 100 members probably and run a double session and earn more money. You really need to be looking at having minimum of 50 members to make much money.

You are expected to promote at key times of the year - Xmas, Easter and August and this is usually for 2 weeks at a time. So in theory you are looking at giving up 6 Sundays a year to go leafleting plus an extra few days each time for posters, sending letters, networking, advertising etc. It can be hard work to drag yourself out leafleting on a rainy sunday but if you want to grow your group then you do it.

I probably work about 15 hours per week - including my group. Planning, packing the car, setting up and running group, cashing up and sending support notes/emails/texts etc. But I don't break my back doing it and if I work less one week and more the other then that's fine.

You have district meetings once a quarter - they are not compulsory but you get a lot out of them. If you have a Team developer then you will probably have a monthly meeting as well. These really are good as you get support, can arrange cover for your groups and keep your motivation high.

It does cost to go up to Derby for training (petrol/hotel etc) but the training really is very good and compared to stuff I've done in big companies is great! And the SW canteen is to die for! Training is about 4-5 days. Half day pre-training. 2 days in derby then another 2 days later on after you have started. I first enquired in Feb and was up and running and in group on 10th April.

If you go to an opportunity event then go with an open mind and don't be afraid to ask questions! Speak to your consultant as well.

If you are friendly and outgoing and fancy the thought of working for yourself but with the backing and support of a great company that have the funds to invest in you and improvements and research then go for it. Because you are self-employed you have to pay your national insurance and do a tax return but it's not difficult!

For me it's a no-brainer. I get to be with my kids (not that I always want that!!), not fork out thousands of pounds a year in childcare, work 15 hours per week to fit around me and take home an extra £280 - £500 per month to give me some financial independance. It's not always great but most of the time its fab! I get a lot out of helping people - it's very rewarding.

[mummy2georgie]

Hi,
really interested in reading the comments below. I am in the process of starting a SW franchise but must admit am getting a little bit cold feet!! I really want to do it and am prepared for the hard work but can't help feeling a bit jittery [hmmm]! What if no-one turns up on my first night I'd be gutted!!!
I was planning the double franchise to give me a good chance of supporting my part time salary without having to leave my 2 year old son all day every day.
Has anyone else taken this option? How long would you expect it to take (approx)to make back the franchise fee before I might start to see some profit?????

[tipsyloo]

hi another consultant friend of mine has just left after 7 yrs apparently they are now pushing you buy 3000 leaflets at £35, a time per grp 5 X a yr plus grp ads so this has to be taken into account of your earnings, on the new express weigh system layout on lap top , insureance and buisiness account needed, she payed higher tax as it was her 2nd job? but does miss the members

[tipsyloo]

your earnings are based on how many members you get through the door, after rent comes off, vary's 25%, 40% and 50% i think you had to have 70 members to get 50%, if your numbers dropped sw put you under pressure to get out and get more members in by promoting,buying more leaflets or putting in more ads

[globetrotterjo]

Hi,

I know this thread has been dormant a while but I am researching becoming an SW consultant. Having recently attended an Opportunities Event and read the comments above I am under no illusion it will be hard work but I'm wondering how many people out there have experience of running a group as a second income stream? I currently work 30 hours a week, term time only. Also can anybody give me an idea of how long it would take to leaflet 3000 houses? That is the only part that puts me off. I don't mind doing paperwork or attending meetings on a Sunday but thet thought of doing all that leafletting leaves me cold. Lastly, how easy is it to get cover for holidays. I go away for at least four weeks a year.

Hope someone can help.

[CyprusCalling]

My Slimming World consultant got us to do her leafleting for her to earn extra body magic so it didn't take her very long at all. xx

[claracluckcluck]

Hi Ladies,
I have been a Slimming World consultant twice.
The first time I didn't always do as Slimming World advised and I certainly didn't put in a real push at the start of taking over the group I took over. I rose through the earnings slowly and took home between £30 - £50 per group. I did love helping members and seeing the change in people. I left for personal reasons and nothing to do with Slimming World.

After a year out I returned and decided to follow the handbook (just like a member following the Food Optimising Book) I gave it a real hard push on my very first promotion and then topped it up over the coming weeks. I reached full earning potential in 5 weeks and due to the sharp rise in numbers opened a second session (which still counts as 1 group). I currently earn between £150-£250 per week for my group.It is my only income but hubby also works. I am home for my children and I love it.
Slimming World aim for groups of 50 -70 members. Why? Because a group with that many members is great for members, lots of people to share, lots of members to support and encourage each other, great atmosphere and always someone to talk to. The bonus in that? You earn well!! Its a win win situation.

I LOVE the 4 quarterly meeting's I get idea's from the other consultants, take them back to my group :) I also get company update, a chance to chat and a raffle just like at group :)

Being a consultant is like being a member follow the plan you lose weight. Follow the steps and you get success.

Good luck :)

[Geanette]

Hi

I am thinking of becoming a Slimming World consultant and this is a really interesting thread for me.

Just a couple of questions:

How and when do consultants get paid? I presume we collect the money from the classes and do we then send it back to SW and wait for our commission?

How does this whole process happen??

Thanks
Geanette

[Haleana]

Again, I know that this thread has been dorment a while but I am also interested in becoming a consultant and to be honest, am feeling a little scared of the setup fee compared to the money earned. Has anyone become a consultant recently? I'd like to talk to someone who isn't oozing Slimming World adoration. I'm pretty certain it isn't all sweetness and light!

[Munksmum]

Treat it as your own business and you'll need to put the work in. I started my group at the beginning of Jan and it's bloomin' hard. But I will have made my money back in around 10 weeks I'd say. Of course you have to re-invest some - how can you possibly grow YOUR BUSINESS without doing that - you get out what you put in. Hard work will reap rewards. I'm considering it as a replacement career for the day job eventually - and I earn an ok salary so the potential is there!

[NewPatchesForOld]

Hi Munksmum

As a very recent consultant, can you tell us how much the franchise/training etc cost you? And is it payable upfront or can it be spread over time/taken out of weekly earnings?

[ddcrazymoo]

I would love to know the set up costs etc too, as I'm to thinking about becoming a consultant. I have 4 children and would love to start my own day time, child friendly session. Can't rely on hub's due to long hours but need something to do due to my youngest starting f/t school in sept and quite frankly I'm bored lol. but don't want to fork out for childcare costs as with 4 children are rediculous. I have been sw member for just short of 9mths and lost 2 1/2lbs so know the plan works and can as others said raveon about it to anyone who'll listern. My consultant is fabulous and she is so positive. Would love to find out more. few of the above comments have scared me slightly but willing to put in the time to make it work and know there isn't a session in my village or conecting villages so would possibly be a great set up.