Food & Drink

Investment required: Business kit is £190, this is everything you will need, including samples, brochures, apron, bags etc. This payment should be easily recouped within the first three tastings. There is also an optional £25 to complete a simple on-line health and safety certificate.

Average number hours a week: Current consultants are out on average once a week, which equates to roughly three hours, but there are absolutely no requirements. Some consultants enjoy "working" most nights, a couple are once a month. It is totally up to you!

Contact details: Please call Clare or Phil Moran - 0845 0945319 or visit www.mysecretkitchen.co.uk

Car required: Preferable, but not essential

Earning Potential: There is no such thing as a get rich scheme, however the more you put in, the more you get out. We have a generous career plan and we're in the fortunate position of being a young company with a very interesting range of products (let's face it, pretty much everyone likes food!) that appeal to men and women, so lots of interest and no "stepping on toes" of other consultants. We also get plenty of repeat purchases online that the consultant receives commission on too.

Best suited to: The only requirements are that our consultants enjoy food!

Name: Lyndsay

Location: Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire

Family: Freya 7 1/2yrs and Amber 5yrs, and husband Mike

How often do you work?
In truth I work as often as I like, but for the most part it is once or twice a week going out in the evenings doing tasting events. I have a feeling nearer to Christmas and as the company becomes better known I could be out a lot more, if I wanted to.

How does the job fit around your family life?
Very easily!! I cook and make up all my products during the day, while the girls are at school. Although even that doesn't take long as the products are so simple to use. When I go to do a tasting in the evening I leave after we have eaten out dinner and the girls are ready for bed, so in all honesty it doesn't interfere with our family routine at all.

How much time do you commit?
? I would say that if I have an event coming up I will spend and hour during that day cooking and doing prep for the evening. The evening is usually from 7pm until about 11pm, although if you are doing it for friends and family the chatting can go on for hours!! I will then spend an hour or so the next day sorting out the orders and putting them through, and clearing all my stuff away, oh and of course that includes banking the money made on the night! I do keep a diary and will call people maybe once or twice before the events to see if they need anything and to answer questions. All in all not very much of my time is committed, and it does fit in very well with the family. Obviously if you do more, you earn more

Where do you carry out your work?
? I do my cooking and food preparation at home, and the same with the paperwork, but the tasting events are held mostly at people's own homes. Sometimes there are charity events or fairs which you can attend.

Do you need a car?
This depends on how far away your tasting event is, you could stay within your local area and easily walk as there isn't a huge amount to carry with you. But obviously as your reputation grows you may be asked to travel further a field.

Do you advertise?
I haven't needed to so far as I have started within my comfort zone of family and friends, and have got further business through their contacts. I may advertise special events or offers when they arise, but so far I haven't needed to as word of mouth is doing the job for me.

How did you hear about the job?
I was told about it by a friend, who thought it was just the thing for me. I have gone on to tell other people about it who may join the company too.

Do you get support/training?
Yes to both, Phil and Clare are at the other end of the phone and will happily answer any questions you may have. Also when you start there are other consultants who you can shadow and who will also come out with you until you are confident. The website is full of help full information and is also very easy to use.

Are there any downsides to the role?
The only one I can see,is that the products are so good I keep eating them, and I can't stop talking about them!!! When you have so much confidence in the company it is very hard to find anything wrong with the role.

Would you recommend this opportunity to other Mums?
Very much so as it does fit in so well around family life. It can also improve your social life, as well as making some money at the same time.