Rancho Santa Fe Women Battle Recession By Building Businesses in Direct Sales Fashion
Lisa McVay brings fashion to some of the busiest women in Rancho Santa Fe, CA and beyond. Four separate weeks a year (one for each season), Lisa converts her home into an upscale boutique and takes appointments to help women enjoy the art of dressing. Lisa is one of the top Etcetera sellers, and she will be taking appointments to show the holiday collection from Sept. 30 to Oct. 14. The following week Kathryn Keller will have her show in Del Mar, and there will be even more shows to come in the San Diego area.
With the economy still in decline, some women are thinking outside the box by starting home-based businesses in industries such as fashion, cosmetics and home products. Indeed, the direct sales business model is proving to be more popular than ever during these financial hard times. In the past 20 years, the number of direct sellers in America has nearly quadrupled- from 4 million to 15 million, according to the Direct Selling Association (DSA).
I represent one such direct sales option for women. I work with Etcetera, (www.etcetera.com), a contemporary women's clothing line which is sold via one-on-one, appointment-only, home-based 'trunks shows' in the Rancho Santa Fe area.
Etcetera appeals to highly networked, entrepreneurial women looking for a recession-proof career with unlimited earning potential. In recent weeks, the company has appointed women as wardrobe consultants from the real estate, interior design, and banking industries. These women have been wooed away from their respective industries due to the greater flexibility and work/life balance working with Etcetera affords them...not to mention the possibility of a six figure income!
These women are finding that the right combination of brains, contacts and entrepreneurial spirit can translate to big bucks, either to supplement their family's income (the DSA says nearly 6 in 10 people working in direct sales take it on as a second job) or to replace their existing job (whether they've been downsized or are simply looking to "off ramp" into a more rewarding industry).
What's more, by turning their living room into a boutique four weeks a year (one for each season), veteran Etcetera sellers are continuing to thrive whereas traditional brick-and-mortar boutiques are feeling the pinch.
Etcetera's clients are increasingly loyal due to the highly personalized service they receive. Consultants for the line keep files of everything that clients buy so they can build wardrobes each season by adding pieces to what they already have in their closets. Not to mention the clothes: chic, everyday wear available at extremely competitive prices not possible in stores or boutiques (up to 50% less, in some cases!).
For a time commitment of only one hour a season, Etcetera clients save time, money and brain space by working with their consultant. The service is ideal for professional women who need to look "put together" every day, but either hate to shop or don't have the time.
Source: Etcetera, www.etcetera.com
