Organizing My Life & Running A Home Based Business

By: Amanda Formaro

http://www.thefamilycorner.com

I had tried a couple of different things and looked into many at home businesses. I considered selling Dorling Kindersley books, which are very beautiful and informative, but book parties (like Tupperware and Pampered Chef) just aren't for me. I have also put up many of the business opportunities on my website, but those require lots of traffic, which my site just doesn't have yet. There are so many different work at home opportunities these days. I really hadn't considered being serious about one.

It was out of necessity, basically, that I decided to start selling Avon. I love Avon products and have used them for many years. I had a representative but she stopped coming and giving me books. So I thought, what the heck? Why not sell it myself. I am so glad I decided to do just that!

I love my job! I set my own hours, get to be with my children and can work at my leisure, in my pajamas if I want! I get to take advantage of my creative side by printing my own business cards, labels, flyers, newsletters, etc. Avon allows you to earn up to 50% commission on your sales. I am currently in the 40-45% range depending on how good the week is. Sales are so easy to get because Avon is a household name and the company has been established for 110 years.

Many people think of Avon as just cosmetics and skin care, but in fact, it is so much more! Avon offers beautiful jewelry, children's toys, books, video's, gifts, clothing, fragrances for both men and women and so much more. The best part is their 100% satisfaction guarantee. Your customers never have to worry about not liking something or an incorrect fit.

I have found it to be quite a challenge to be able to get out and market my business having three children to take care of. I think I have it down to a science now, though. One thing that has really helped is having a neighbor that is willing to swap babysitting with me. She takes my youngest twice a week in the morning and I take her's twice a week in the afternoon.

This works out really well! My daughter will often come with me to help me pass out books. It's also a great way for us to spend a little time together. I give her a lip balm of a few lipstick samples as *payment* and she is tickled. My son helps me on days that he has off of school. He put books on doors and pick up ones that have been left out for me to pick up. I give him a quarter for every five books he hangs he loves it!

Then it's back home so baby can take a well deserved nap. That's my time for making dinner....yep that's right! I make dinner in the morning. Got this wonderful tip from a dear friend of mine. I prepare everything and put it in the refrigerator to be heated in the microwave at 5:15, just in time for 5:30 p.m. dinner. After I make dinner I clean up the house, make beds, pick up toys, put away laundry...you know the drill!

The afternoon is pretty uneventful as my daughter generally goes to play at her little friend's house for a couple of hours. So this is when I can hop on the computer and get some work done or stuff and label some books. Whatever needs to be done. Then the girls will come over to my house and play here for a while.

After the children have been laid down for the night is when I really get a lot of work done. I belong to several email discussion groups that involve Avon and this site's discussion list the Parenting Issues Digest. I also maintain this site at night and reconcile paperwork for my Avon business. I have so much fun with this business that I decided to go into leadership. I have currently have 13 recruits and am working on making this much larger! This is a FUN business to be in. It lets me take advantage of my creative side and the accountant that still lives and breathes inside me!

I no longer miss working outside the home and am so happy to be home with my children and watching them grow. What could be better?

Author Bio: Amanda Formaro is the mother of four children. She and her husband live in Henderson, Nevada. She is also the owner of The Family Corner website at http://www.thefamilycorner.com