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working from home-what exactly can you do?

64 replies

Sheena · 07/09/2001 20:19

Hello! Mumsnet Jobs team here. We've noticed this thread is fairly old now, and some of the information is out of date. We've put together this article of advice, tips and tricks to start working from home. Alternatively, you can look at the work from home opportunities on Mumsnet Jobs. We hope this is helpful!

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Hi,

I'm trying to get typing work that I can do at home. I live in Swansea and used to be a legal secretary. Does anybody know how I can get started.

OP posts:
fairy · 27/04/2002 20:39

Regarding the card selling business and having looked at their site, this is my view on selling greetings cards.

I make and sell my own cards, they are all unique and original made from silk, felt, beads and other little bits. I have sold them through shops and through my own website - www.raspberry.co.uk. The info is out of date but the cards are not.

Well selling through a shop was ok, but I lost half the value of my card in their cut, but thats the way it is, on the website it has gone ok, and I recieved a commission to make 30 wedding invitations which was great.

But, and there had to be one! You need to have something different to offer, not what you find in the shops and looking at the Phoenix site the cards are very similar to ones you would find anywhere else and not that much cheaper, especially from the cheaper end of the market such as shops like Birthdays and Clinton Cards.

If you know lots of people that send lots of cards, (my MIL is the biggest purchaser of my cards!) then you are fine but otherwise you could have problems.

I found the bestsellers were and are still, wedding cards, christenings and valentines, because people are prepared to spend more on a special card.

Hope this helps and I haven't waffled too much!! If you want to ask me anything else, please contact me through my site.

Godd luck with the cards if that is what you choose to do.

winnie1 · 30/04/2002 08:32

Fairy, went to the website & I have to tell you that I think your cards are wonderful... I love them...I will tell all my friends!!! best wishes, Winnie x

fairy · 30/04/2002 12:29

Thank you Winnie1!
It is so nice to know that what you do is appreciated by others, and especially when it is something that you enjoy doing.
Hopefully soon I will update the personal info and put some new cards up, 5 month old ds and his mad 3 and a half brother are rather filling up my time at the moment!
Thanks again

dynamo · 02/07/2002 10:26

I've been working for Brainworks for the last year. I really wanted to stay with education (I was a residential social worker in a school for problem kids) and this was a good option. It is party plan (though there are many other ways of selling) and I have a small team. I earn enough to have some financial independence and have met loads of new friends. And my two children have lots of CD roms, toys and games for a fraction of the cost.

PamT · 02/07/2002 10:44

Dynamo, do you need to buy a load of stock as your sample range and are the goods that you are selling actually cheaper than you can buy in the shops? Is Brainworks the CD Rom catalogue or is it the educational/scientific toys one? I did see the catalogue some time ago but can't remember what put me off, it was either the prices or the high postage costs.

dynamo · 02/07/2002 10:51

PamT, BrainworksatHome is the same as the one you get through your door for the club though we also have toys games and books but we are the other side of the business. The prices are similar to the shops but like all party plan we go to homes, toddler groups etc and provide a service. The commission is good, so even if you buy for yourself you will make great savings. You pay £75 to join for over £200 of products and a business starter pack. You easily get your money back in the first couple of weeks of parties. I think it took me a week!

PamT · 02/07/2002 10:55

dynamo, having looked at the web site I remember now that it was the need to purchase so many titles in a year that put me off joining the club but I did think that the prices and choice was very good, I might look into this as I don't think anyone else is doing it at the moment. Do you have to register as being self employed, keep books and pay NI and tax on your earnings?

dynamo · 02/07/2002 11:03

PamT - Yes you do have to register as self employed but part of the company training (and the training manager is lovely) is to help you with all the practicalities as well. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested and I'll send you some more information.

PamT · 02/07/2002 11:32

dynamo, I have emailed you to find out more, I am certainly interested - it has got to be better than stacking supermarket shelves.

PamT · 02/07/2002 11:33

Carrying on from what Dynamo has said, does anyone have any experience of party plan? Was it worthwhile?

Joe1 · 02/07/2002 11:46

I do party plan in the evenings, sometimes daytime, for Body Shop at home. I really enjoy it, have met lots of new people, I have just started building my own team (only been doing it for a couple of months) and earning some decent commission (25% of sales). I find it easy selling something I really like and use and now have people booking party after party. You are self employed and they just ask that you do two parties a week. Until this Friday they have a special offer on the kit you need to get to get started so if you want any info let me know.

PamT · 02/07/2002 11:49

We already have someone local doing Body Shop and to be honest I find the prices quite expensive and not the sort of thing that a lot of my friends and neighbours would use. But thanks for your info.

ames · 02/07/2002 21:42

Hi I was just wondering how anyone who does party plan gets people to come. I only have a few friends (who dont live very close to me) and after I've sold them everything they want I seem to come a bit unstuck.

Joe1 · 03/07/2002 09:41

PamT alot of people dont buy body shop as they have to make special trips to the shops. Some things do seem more expensive than other makes but you have the added benefit of not being treated on animals, the community trade etc. They do lots of offers and it is just really lovely stuff and you dont need to use as much as you would perhaps some of the other products available, so lasting longer and really not any more expensive. I have people ordering over and over now to save the trip to the shop. The hostess gifts are really good so she feels pampered with her facial and make over and something really nice for putting herself out to have a party.

dynamo · 03/07/2002 10:07

ames - any good party plan company offers its hosts fantastic deals. You always start with your friends but at your first party you bribe them to have the next one and ask a different set of friends or contacts. working like this you soon move away from your friends. If the company training is no good find another company. IF I ever come to a standstill, I go to village fairs, school fairs or carnivals, do free prize draws and build up a contact list. email me on [email protected] if you need any more ideas.

Cawthorne · 24/01/2003 22:05

I thought I'd reopen this discussion since I've just started selling Usborne books. They're great books so you can sell them hand on heart. My three year old loves the new library in the house. You can do as much/little as you want and their incentive scheme means I've sold £250 of books and have recieve £63 in free books as well as 24% commission. They have an offer for people signing up in january where you pay £36 and receive a starter pack of books worth over £140. So if you're thinking of doing something from home it really is worth considering. Email me if you want some more info, I'd be happy to give you some info.

NikkiD · 27/01/2003 09:31

I'm an Usborne Organiser too and love it. I love the flexibilty and the fact that there's no pressure to meet targets. And my book shelves look great!!!

elainew2003 · 13/03/2003 15:21

I've noticed a few people talking about Phoenix Trading. I'm a phoenix trader and really enjoy it, I sold £320 worth of cards in the first few weeks on 35% commission which is not bad. I think with this type of direct selling you need staying power to build up a customer base who will buy from you repeatedly. Phoenix cards are lovely and are so cheap they are a doddle to sell so I hope to build up the business in the next few months to go part-time in my current job and eventually give it up completley. I know there are plenty of other people who make a living from it, so fingers crossed. Anyone interested can email me for more info.

Elaine

elainew2003 · 13/03/2003 15:37

sorry email address is [email protected] for anyone interested in Phoenix Trading.

Ems · 15/03/2003 16:56

Joe1, are you still doing Body Shop? I remember you were doing it last year. It sounds tempting.

Joe1 · 15/03/2003 23:50

Ems, I have stopped doing Body shop, not because I didnt enjoy it and I love the products but because of my co-ordinator. Not very good at her job and has done a few things I really didnt like while I was pregnant and I had just had my dd. Later on if I can get back onto another team I would be tempted to go back. But very worth having a go, it was really good fun and quite easy really.

Ems · 16/03/2003 09:49

Thanks Joe1, I'm hoping to go to a party soon and see what I think.

booklady · 09/05/2003 01:23

Hi Just to let you all know that Usborne have come up trumps again with a great starter offer for May. £38 to receive 138 books plus stationary. If you want more details go to www.booklady.co.uk

Ghosty · 09/05/2003 02:29

Can you do Usborne books abroad, booklady? I am in New Zealand ...

In terms of other work from home schemes ... I did Herbalife for about a year ... it was a total disaster so DON'T DO IT!!!!

booklady · 09/05/2003 07:25

It is possible to do Usborne books abroad. I'll find out more about New Zealand and let you know.