Nancy Carter,
owner,
Threads of Distinction
medical malpractice claims but finds direct-sale clothing shows much more fun.
Why are clothing parties so popular?
I think women are really tired of fighting the crowds at the mall and also the lack of personal attention from the salespeople in the stores. I show by appointment only, and that way I can give each customer the undivided attention she deserves. We build her wardrobe by adding pieces that go with others she already has. That way she
doesnÂ’t have to buy an entire new outfit. I get to know the customerÂ’s likes and dislikes, what colors look best on her and the right style for her body type. I become her personal shopper.
How does a trunk show work?
I have four shows a year for two weeks at a time. I send out invitations to friends and acquaintances two weeks before my show and then call or e-mail to schedule appointments. I also have an open house where customers can drop by without an appointment. I receive about 300 sample pieces each season for you to try on. We then place your order. I charge 50 percent down, and collect the remaining 50 percent when the clothes arrive approximately 7-10 days later. I deliver them to your house and make sure the fit is right; otherwise, we order another size.
What are the pros and cons of running a home-based business?
The pros are being able to work out of my home and being flexible in setting my own hours. During the two weeks of my show, if I have a school program or a volleyball game to attend with my children, I don’t book appointments during that time. I can work as hard or as little as I want. The more effort I put into getting clients in the door, the better the business is, but it is entirely up to me how hard I want to work to make it a success. The cons are that I am easily distracted to do normal everyday chores, since I am at home and must continually remind myself that I am “at work” and need to focus on business.
Contact Dillard at bdillard@bizpress.net
