A few years ago I had the priveldge of interviewing Melissa Johnson and she offered some wonderful insight on choosing a home business and working with home party plan businesses. The information is still relevant today. Enjoy...

Before you started home party sales, what did you do?

I stayed at home with my kids and off and on worked part time jobs around my husbands schedule. I did go to school and complete my Associate of Paralegal degree. I just wasn't ready to give up being a full time mom.

How long were you contemplating a home business and what were you looking for in a home biz?

I wasn't actually looking. A friend of mine invited me to a Tupperware meeting to get me out of the house for a few hours. I had a blast and everyone was so warm and welcoming. I think the best thing was that NO ONE pushed me to sign up! They just

accepted me as a friend and included me. I signed up because it was a regular night out (With adults!) I could plan on, and I could get a discount on some great products. I started and continue with Tupperware and added BBGG after searching for something to compliment my Tupperware Business.

While searching for your dream biz, I'm sure that you ran across a few scams. What types of scams are there out there? Those mailing ads are scams. I tried one or two spent money for a lot of nothing. Everyone wants to earn something for nothing, or close to it, and thats what those ads imply. Some of the assemble crafts at home ones are also, you send in your work and they deny it for 'workmanship'

or whatever. I never tried one of those personally, but you hear from people who have. I'm sure that there are some things like that where real companies pay people to work at home. But, I doubt that there are enough positions for all the people looking.

What do you feel discredits a business?

Bad customer service, faulty or cheap merchandise, and unfounded claims.

How did you find out about the company you are now with?

I had heard about Brown Bag Gourmet Goodies from other consultants that were on some of the same email lists I belong to. One day I was looking for something and ran across an online party hosting website and a consultant was advertising an online party for BBGG. I had missed the party but all the links were still good so I was looking around and decided to ask for more information.

What was it that attracted you to the company that you are now with?

A fairly small company where the owner is directly involved with her consultants and of course yummy products!

What about the company intrigued you enough to join?

The fact that I can actually speak to the owner. I can email her and get a response in a matter of hours. She also asks our opinion on decisions, about what product to carry, how to advertise it and how to use it. She's excited about her business and that rubs off.

What were your concerns about joining a party plan business?

I had never sold anything in my life, and didn't think I could.

How did you overcome these concerns?

I just go out and advertise, tell everyone I now and I'm seeing that I can do it! I can put the product in front of people show them how I use it and they buy it!

Often, consultants are told to start with family and friends first. For those who do not have supportive friends and family, where do you suggest they start?

With everyone that comes within 3 feet of them. The cashier at the grocery store, the customers in line in front and behind. The waitress or waiter when you eat at a restaurant. Tell EVERYONE and show your excitement!

What do you feel is the key to a successful home party?

Working closely with, listening to the hostess and having a common goal to make the party a success!

When planning the home party, what do you suggest your hostess do to prepare?

Write down a list of people to invite. Personally call and invite the guests and then personally call and remind them. Keep it simple, we don't want it to look like a lot of work! Choose what they are working for so they have a goal.

What tips do you have to share as far as advertising your business?

Talk,Talk, Talk about your product, about your business, about your goals. Leave flyers, business cards, any kind of information about your business everywhere!

What tips do you have to share when interacting with your downline?

Praise them on their accomplishments, encourage them, reward them! Keep them updated on company information and guide them.

When one signs up with your company, what does it cost and what do they get?

First, a very affordable business kit. This kit contains both product and your 'paper goods' to get you started. At $49.95, the business kit is the only purchase required of new consultants.The exact contents may vary a bit, depending on availability, but the basics are 2 8oz bags of coffee (ground unless they contact the owner to request whole bean), 3 perfect pot/coffee greetings size packets, half dozen individual tea bags, 1 box of teabags, 1 50ml syrup, 1 box biscotti, 4-5 individual cookies, and of course the consultant manual, catalogs, flyers, forms There's a second kit option available for new consultants. For only $25.95, you may purchase a 'paperwork only' it. This kit contains your consultant manual, catalogs, and the other assorted paperwork you would need to get started, but does not contain product samples.

What types of meetings does your company hold, how often, and does it cost to attend?

With Brown Bag Gourmet Goodies we don't have meetings. We have an email list that Angie is on also. This way we can get updates and

questions answered quicker than a yearly, monthly or weekly meeting.

How does your company structure payment? i.e. Do you have to meet a certain quota in order to be paid?

As a consultant, you will purchase from the company at wholesale and make your sales at retail. Your profit is approximately 25%. This profit stays in your pocket -- no waiting for a commission check.

When did you sign up and how long did it take before you started seeing a steady $200 a month cash flow?

I started with BBGG a month ago. There hasn't been enough time yet to have a 'steady' cash flow.

Does the company offer a website and if so, how much does this cost you a month?

The company doesn't offer a website we are allowed to create and maintain our own if we choose to do so. At present I am creating mine on a free webhosting site.

Often, new sign ups will go overboard purchasing products and ending up in

debt that they cannot afford. What do you suggest here?

Only spend a portion of what you make say 10% each month, also put a percentage away for tax purposes.

When someone shows interest in your company via the web and leaves a phone number, how do you respond?

Call them back A.S.A.P. Ask them what their questions and concerns are and LISTEN. Offer more information if necessary either by mail or set up a meeting in person if possible. Follow up email thanking them for

their time and offering to answer any questions again.

When do you decide a lead is no longer a lead?

When they say they are not interested, don't return phone calls after 3 tries.

Some people give up way too soon, how long do you think someone should stay a consultant before walking away from the company?

At least a year of goal making and effort to reach that goal.

Anything you would like to add that I have not addressed?

A quote from Brown Bag Gourmet Goodies owner Angie Rayfield

'Can I really make money' and 'How much are people making' are two questions that really can't be answered. I wouldn't even begin to guess that 'average' income -- we have a lot of consultants that buy just for themselves, or family and friends, we have consultants that work this business part-time or as a second business for some extra business, and a few people that are working to make this a full-time business. None of them are average, and they're all average. So one of the beauties of direct sales and/or network marketing is that the potential is unlimited. No one's going to say, 'Your work is great, I'm really impressed, but you're at the top of your pay range, so you're not getting any more money. But keep up the good work!' At the same time, no one's going to come up every Friday and hand you a paycheck -- there's no magic money machine here to make you rich without working. (And personally, I think you should run screaming into the night if someone tells you any such thing!) If you decide you don't want to do any parties this month, no one will make you -- and no one will pay you, either.

Visit the company's main website at: http://www.brownbaggourmet.com

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