Work at Home Moms

Have you ever considered starting a home business at some point or another? Those of us that have tried may have been a consultant with Mary Kay or Tupperware and after investing in our kits and forcing our friends and families to buy from us, we've realized it was not the business for us. Affiliate programs like these are very common and come in several different levels.

On the higher cost level you have quality jewelry and/or home & garden type parties. These offer nice stuff, but it typically costs more to join and you need a certain income level customer to support yourself. The mid level would be the $40-$100 affiliate programs, some candle companies, gourmet foods, bath & body, make-up... Then you have the Free or under $40 programs. These are typically programs by people like you and I, that are just trying to make a living. They make their own products, or know someone who does and although you don't get a "kit" you can still make money and learn from the others in your group.

Personally I prefer to "layer" my businesses. I have noticed it is very common for a work at home mom to offer more than one product - it makes sense, don't put all your eggs in one basket. The important thing is not to represent more than one company that specializes in the same type of product. The goal here is to sell your products, not to compete with yourself.

My first step was to get myself a website. I found a wonderful lady (*Bonnie at http://www.cartandsoul.com*) that set me up with the website I wanted for a price I could handle. She helped me get a shopping cart and a web design that I could afford and has taught me how to manipulate my site to do what I want it to do. She even helped me decide on my business name!

Once I had the store set up, I needed something to put in it. I wanted something well know and respectable, so I joined Watkins products. It was $40 to join and I thought that was a reasonable investment because they have been around for 140 years and are very well known. Many of the large name companies don't allow us to put their products in our websites, so I needed more. I began searching the web, joining various groups in Yahoo, MySpace, Cafe Mom, Yearbook and researching the different businesses that have come my way. I diligently watch for criticism, complaints and feedback. I have sent e-mails to company reps asking thoughtful questions to see how long it took them to respond, and how well thought out the answer would be. These people are my potential up-lines and I wanted to work with people that knew what they are doing!

Several of the business I have in my site today (http://www.hometownemarket.com) are free to join, all are under $150. Everyone but Watkins comes with a mini-website which played directly into my plan. I build my store showing a "sampling" of items from each affiliate program. The "click here to order" button redirects the customer to that affiliates mini website so they may place an order under me. I have gained permission from each of the companies to post their products, pictures and prices and I make a point of explaining up front to my customers exactly what it is I am doing, and why they are being redirected.

My goal was to create a warm and personable shopping experience and for a 6 month old business it does pretty well for itself. It's creation have been an educational experience and I could not have done it if I hadn't continually encountered fellow WAHM's that were generous in their advice. One of the main reasons I have enjoyed this experience is that the people I have met are so helpful and supportive - always willing to advise or assist each other. Compared to the cold "real business" world, it is a warm friendly place and my preference for shopping now.