Women in MLM

When Cindy Trent of Portland, Oregon started with PartyLite, she intended to participate for only two weeks—just long enough to earn the money to pay for some bridesmaids’ dresses. Now it’s 18 years later and she’s still going strong with PartyLite, a home fragrance company that markets candle products and accessories.

Fresh out of college and seeking to meet an immediate short-term need, Trent’s cousin suggested she hold a PartyLite party. That party was just the start of things for her.

“I really had planned to hold a party or two then just walk away but I just had too much fun and it was pretty easy money so I kept going. I started because I just loved the product, but I stayed because I love the company, the fantastic hostess program, and I especially love interacting with people,” she said. Research has shown that a high level of social interaction combined with women’s natural people skills are a magic combination that often results in tremendous success in network marketing.

Though Trent didn’t have children when she first started, she found that as she did, the MLM lifestyle was quite conducive to her changing situation and she earned her way through four levels of management. That success gave her great self-confidence, a confidence she feels is important for women.

“I think it’s incredibly empowering for women to have something of their own; especially a lot of people who are moms. Multi-level marketing is the perfect way to have the best of both worlds because it provides a means to earn a little income while still allowing those women to exercise family-first priorities,” she said.

Another MLM veteran is Debbie Costello of Spanish Fork, Utah. She didn’t intend to start a career, she just wanted to order some Avon products. She called a number in the phone book and the company dispatched a representative. However, this “Avon lady,” as they were called in those days, didn’t want Costello to just buy the product, she wanted her take over that territory as a sales representative herself. Costello was apprehensive, but with her husband’s added encouragement, she decided to give it a try.

“I planned to do it only a year but I found I was good at it. I liked the products and the friends I made marketing them, so I stayed,” she said.

Both Trent and Costello found work in direct sales provided them the flexible schedule necessary to meet the demands of growing families and afforded both an outlet from the busy demands of home.

Trent said she’s appreciated the option PartyLite offers of versatile levels of involvement chosen at each consultant’s discretion.

“I was a leader but stepped down when I had kids. The great thing about PartyLite is that I can keep going or just stick with the basics. I always tell people that how much money they want is all tied to them. The more you do, the more money you earn, and it’s all up to you,” she said.

The ability to multi-task is another talent women offer MLMs. In a typical nuclear family, there are a wide variety of demands on a woman’s time and attention. She can feel pulled in many directions from the demands of home, work, church, family, friends, and from the community.

Costello agrees that the MLM world can be demanding. “Whether it’s taking orders, hosting parties, distributing catalogs, or sharing information, there are ways to do well in this business. To be successful as an Avon representative, you really have to be reliable about many things but especially about getting your orders in and out on time. You also have to be dependable and responsible. Even more than that, you have to be motivated. With Avon, there isn’t anyone cracking the whip to get you to follow-through,” she said.

That independence coupled with a love of her products and customers kept Costello involved for more than 25 years. She only recently retired, having given up the career she loved only when the recession, a more complicated compensation structure, and more demands at home diminished the appeal of participation.

“I had a great experience with Avon and in direct sales. It’s a job that’s attractive to both working women and working mothers because they can earn a little bit of extra money for themselves and their families,” Costello said.

When asked for advice for other women about pursuing direct sales opportunity, Costello said to make certain that first, there is a love of the product one is selling. “With that as the number one motivator, it’s easier to enjoy what you do. I know I’ll miss so much about it, but with a solid 25 years of success, I had a good run.”

To contact Cindy Trent for more information about PartyLite, check out her website.