Truth be told, at-home sales may be the bright spot in today’s dim economy. Labeled “recession resistant,” by the Direct Selling Association (DSA), direct sales grew 4.5 per cent on average during recessionary times from 1987 to 2007. First, there’s an increase in the number of people selling through direct sales, then there’s a surge in sales overall, according to Amy Robinson, vice president of communications and media relations for the DSA in Washington, D.C.
“In this economy, I’m finding many more people interested in hearing about my company’s income opportunity,”
No doubt, with unemployment hovering at just over 8 percent as of February 2009, the labor field is ripe for the picking. “When Great Indoors was closing down, I was there handing out my business card left and right,” states Votre Vu consultant Judy Rollins of Arlington Heights, IL. “It’s a job opportunity – and no one’s going to fire you. If you don’t share the news, you’re just being selfish.”
Today’s novel proclamation that “we’re hiring” has a welcome ring … and must be reaching the ears of the want-to-be employed. “Each month, we add about
10 percent to Votre Vu’s national sales force; it’s a rapidly growing team,” states Ann Brodette, Vice President of Sales Development for Votre Vu, which boldly launched in January 2009 despite the timid economy. “We’ve no doubt this perpetual growth is just the beginning.”
Brodette credits the stable growth in part to Votre Vu’s low start-up cost of only $99, which provides a new consultant with more than $250 worth of products with which to start selling. “Moreover,”
Couple this start-up ease with offering the right product mix for the economic times – and Votre Vu may be cooking up a recipe for business success.
According to a March 2009 report by research firm NPD Group, Inc., of Port Washington, NY, prestige skin care was the only category among the prestige beauty industry that stayed afloat in 2008 -- capturing a 29 percent dollar share, an additional share point over 2007. Moreover, anti-aging face products, premium-priced face products, and natural/spa/
“Votre Vu is all that and more,” states Votre Vu CEO and Founder Harold Zimmerman, “Our French-made products are spa-quality, botanically based, and feature anti-aging benefits. But even better – we offer luxury products at less-than-luxury prices – meaning women don’t need to stress out about their skin care in a stressed economy.”
Historically speaking, this value market niche should bode well for Votre Vu. “During recessionary times, consumers choose differently,”
Moreover, she adds that people are more likely to cocoon during recessions – a venue trend that bodes well for the direct selling industry’s at-home sales strategy. As an exaggerated case in point, Robinson cites the first quarter after 9/11, which marked record sales because people stayed home and looked for ways to reconnect.
For more information about the products or getting involved as a consultant contact:
Heather Wolgamott, Votre Vu Brand Ambassador
vvskincare@gmail.com
www.bestfaceforward-
www.votrevu.com/
