kit businesses

Another major category of companies which support you with reselling from home are kit-based businesses . These businesses are ideal for people who do not have the time (stay-at-home parents) or comfort to leap into self-employment without a well established business concept and support system. These kits provide everything from products to sell - to marketing material - to business forms - to advice. HOWEVER you need to be comfortable selling and hitting up your friends and family and complete strangers to buy items directly from you. You also need to stage alot of "home parties" in order to make any money with the low margins alot of these companies provide. People who are successful with these businesses earn their money by recruiting alot of other people into their "sales teams". If you are comfortable with this then these businesses can be great.

As with my previous pages - this page focuses mainly on businesses that I have personally knowledge of due to my involvement or the involvement of my friends and family in these business. These items are in no particular order:

Note: please click on blue underlined terms for additional details

1. Epicure Selections
Epicure selections is a Canadian company which sells food (mainly herb and spice blends, dip mixes, teas, baking ingredients) and cookware (mainly stainless steel and silicon baking, cooking and brewing items). It has been in the direct selling arena for around 12 years and has been selling their products for even longer. My good friend has been able to resell products from home (largely through tasting parties and open houses) for a while now. View Sharon's site here. Also check out her owners talk article about her experiences selling Epicure Selections products.

2. Mary Kay
Mary Kay is a US-based company which was started approximately 35 years. With over 1.7 million - yes - MILLION "independent beauty consultants" in over 30 countries around the world, this is one of the most successful direct selling companies ever. Their beauty consultants sell beauty products for men and women ranging from bath and grooming products to make-up and perfume. I have various family and friends who have sold Mary Kay and had varying success. Of the those who have not done well with Mary Kay - 100% of them actually gave up due to the time investment required.

SIDEBAR: This is not an issue that is isolated to Mary Kay. Most kit-based, direct reselling from home businesses required the salesperson to travel and put on/host product parties. It is important that people realize this before spending the money to buy their start-up kit (typically between $0 to $500).

HINT: Start-up kits are periodically changed to include new or different product samples. Many companies also put their kits on sale once or twice a year. If you are not in a rush to get started then check back with the companies website often for these changes.

Some other companies that I have basic knowledge of (ie. I have heard of them and in some cases bought products from them) are listed below:

3. Partylite
Partylite is a US-based company which has been around for approximately 35 years. Their salespeople sell candles and accessories for indoor and outdoor use via home parties.

4. Pampered Chef
Pampered Chef is a US-based company which was founded in 1980. Salespeople sell professional quality kitchen tools via home parties.

5. Fantasia
This is a Canadian-based company which has been in business since 1980. The salespeople sell sensual products and fine lingerie via home parties.

6. Touchstone Crystal
Touchstone Crystal is a young US company. Their salespeople sell jewelry kits and gems via make-our-own-jewelry home parties.

7. AVON
Avon was founded in the US over 120 years ago. Their salespeople currently sell beauty products, home decor and gifts through catalog and door-to-door sales in over 100 countries.

8. Directory of various other businesses
This directory includes many other home based businesses.