Professional kitchen equipment
How often do you work?
It depends on what's going on in my life! As I'm my own boss, I work as much or as little as I want to (thankfully there are no scary sales targets to meet). I still have Tyler at home with me and he sleeps for 2 hours in the afternoon, which is generally my office time and I normally do 2 Kitchen shows a week, which tend to be in the evenings. I work less in the school holidays.
How does the job fit around your family life?
Pampered Chef is an incredibly flexible business – I feel really fortunate that I came across it at the right time in my life (Cameron was a year old) it's enabled me to be "A stay at home Mum" whilst growing a really exciting and rewarding business. My boys come first and I don't feel like I've missed out on any of that precious time whilst they’re little, I don't have to ask anyone for time-off when they’re sick and I can go to every school assembly or Harvest Festival - I can’t imagine any other job fitting more perfectly around my young family.
How much time do you commit?
It really is up to the individual (I have ladies in my team who do 2 Kitchen Shows a month and some who do 10!) If you have 4-8 hours spare a week you could consider becoming a consultant.
Where do you carry out your work?
Pampered Chef is a Direct Sales Company selling top quality kitchen tools and equipment by demonstrating a very simple recipe at a "Kitchen Show". Our hosts book a show and this takes place in their own homes. There are no "regions" or "area's" for you to work in so you can travel wherever you want to. Personally, I tend to work within an hours drive of my own home.
How much space do you have for your kit/stock?
As we don't hold any stock (all the products ordered are delivered from Pampered Chef straight to the host who then distributes them to her guests) you really don't need a huge space for your business. Just room for a couple of crates of products (I keep mine in the cupboard under the stairs) and a computer with Internet access for doing the ordering.
Do you need a car?
I would have to say yes as there's an amount of travelling around involved, although I do have one lady in my team who doesn't drive (her husband drops her off at the Kitchen Shows and she normally gets a lift home from one of the guests!)
Do you advertise?
Pampered Chef as a company doesn't advertise, although there's nothing to stop you doing so individually. I've never done it myself as I've always found that my "Host's" are the best advertisement for my business. The company gives so much free product away as a "Thank-you" for hosting a Kitchen Show it's not difficult to get bookings, as there’s such a great incentive and I often have repeat business as well.
How did you hear about the job?
A girlfriend invited me to her Kitchen Show - I fell in love with the products immediately. I had never done any sales before (at the time I was a Managing Art Editor in a Publishing Company!) but because I really loved the products and I realized how well it would fit around the family I thought I'd give it go.... Three and a half years later I can honestly say it's the best thing that ever happened to me!
Do you get support/training?
The training and support we have is fantastic – both corporately and from your own local team there is on-going training, monthly meetings, newsletters and individual business mentoring. It doesn't cost anything and it's up to you how much of it you attend. (Obviously the more you do the more successful your business will be). We also have 2 Conferences a year where you get the most wonderful training and advice. Although Pampered Chef is still in its infancy over here we have the benefit of 25 years of experience from the company in the United States – so it's like having the best of both worlds. We have a freephone number to our UK Support Services at the Chicago Home Office where the staff are amazingly helpful.
Are there any downsides to the role?
I honestly don't think there is because you set your own pace – so there's room for anyone in this business. There are no leaflet drops or catalogues to deliver, no stock to hold (and nothing is ever out of stock) or inventories to manage. All the ordering is done on-line so there isn't a huge amount of paperwork – Pampered Chef have kept it as simple as possible. We even have an incentive trip each year – which I've been on every year since I started with the company (so it's very achievable). It's 5 star luxury all the way – last year it was Venice and this June my husband and I are going to New York! We're so excited (as you can imagine we don't have a huge amount of "quality time" together with a young family so this really is something we're looking forward to). We have such a fabulous time, you just feel so appreciated.
Would you recommend this opportunity to other Mums?
Without hesitation! It works so well around my family. I absolutely love what I do and I have a lot of fun doing it. When I started with the Pampered Chef I needed a job - I had an amount of money that I needed to earn every month to make ends meet, but it's ended up being so much more than that. It has provided a regular income for my family for the past 3 and a half years and now I have this growing business which I can see will provide all those "extras" as my boys are growing-up that otherwise would have been beyond us. (A trip to Euro-Disney is being planned for the end of 2006!). I'm so proud of the company because we produce top quality products, the organisation is phenomenal and the company ethos is all about bringing out the best in people. The confidence this job has given me and so many other ladies has been amazing. I was always very safe in my career but by trying this it's made me realize that I can achieve anything I put mind to – you just have to give it a go – You’ve got nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain!