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Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about starting an Independent Candle Business. Additional information is available by speaking with your consultant/sponsor.

Q: How much does it cost to get started?

A: You can start your Independent Candle Business with NO CASH INVESTMENT! Earn your "starter kit" at no cost simply by holding a $300+ show (**$400 starter show required in Canada) in your own home. When you hostesses a "starter show", PartyLite will also help you enhance your kit by matching dollar for dollar in additional product at no cost for every dollar over the minimum $300 show. For example, if your starter show totals $400 in compensatable sales, you would earn the starter kit PLUS an additional $100 in free product that you would select from our catalog. The other option for obtaining the "starter kit" is to purchase it for $150. (If your starter show is less than $300 in sales, you may still earn the kit by
paying half the balance left on the $300 minimum, i.e., if your starter show was $250 in sales, you would have the balance of $50 remaining or a $25 cost to earn your kit).

Q: How much money do I earn? What is the commission?

A: As a consultant, you will earn 25% profit on compensatable sales, which is paid on a weekly basis. In addition, you will earn an extra 7% bonus when your sales reach $1,800 in a calendar month, which is paid at the end of the month. In essence then, if you do a minimum $1,800 in sales per month, your total profit equals 32%. With a $400 show average, $1,800 in sales is attainable with only 1.6 shows per week! As a matter of fact, with a $400 show average, you can anticipate earning $1,000 per month working only 2 nights per week!

Q: How do I get the parties?

A: We have an awesome training period! In your first two weeks of business you can expect to earn between $500 and $1,000 while training! Your sponsor will help you develop a "Who Do You Know" list and coach you on how to obtain your first 6 shows. Booking shows thereafter becomes easy because of our very generous hostess program!

Q: Is there any risk in starting? What's the "catch"?

A: There is NO risk and there is NO catch! We have a great program designed to help you decide early in your business if this is the right choice for you! All you have to do is your first 6 shows in a two-week time frame. If, for any reason, it's not for you after that initial training period, you may keep all the free product you earned as well as all 6 paychecks and WALK AWAY! Not many people walk away after
earning between $500 to $1000 in 2 weeks!

Q: Do you have to have a sales background?

A: No! There is no prior sales experience needed to become a successful consultant. You will receive all the training necessary through your sponsor and various training programs. Our beautiful product sells itself - you just need to have fun at your shows so that others will invite you into their homes to do the same!

Q: What type of training will I receive?

A: Personalized training is available. Your sponsor will work with you in the beginning of your business on an individual basis by having you attend 1 or more shows with her. You will also be provided with a very thorough "Consultant Manual" which includes everything you need to know to develop your own demonstration. In addition, we have training videos available. On-going training is provided
through monthly workshops on a unit and regional basis.

Q: Do I have to keep an inventory or make deliveries?

A: No. All products are shipped directly to your hostess and she will distribute them to each guest. There is no inventory required.

Q: What does someone receive for hostessing a candle show?

A: A hostess receives a FREE Shopping Spree! For a show that is a minimum $200 in sales with 1 or more bookings, a hostess receives 25% of sales in product at no cost! So for an average $400 show with 1 booking, a hostess will receive a $100 Shopping Spree FREE! In addition, for each $200 in sales, a hostess is entitled to any item at ½ price! There are also Monthly Hostess Specials, which are items from the catalog reduced by 60% off or more! Hostesses also receive extra thank you gifts or an additional $25 in free credit for each additional booking
after those shows take place. (For shows less than $200 or shows without a booking, hostesses receive 15% of sales in free product.)

Q: Is there any cost to the Consultant for what the hostess receives?

A: No! All the generous gifts our hostesses receive for holding a show* are compliments of the company and at no cost to the consultant! This is very important. Some direct sales companies will take a percentage of consultants' earnings to pay for the hostesses' gifts.
*additional booking gifts are the responsibility of the consultant, available at LESS than consultant cost.

Q: Is there a minimum requirement for sales or shows per month?

A: As an Independent Consultant you are your own boss and you work as little or as often as you'd like! You set your own schedule and work when it suits you best. You will want to do a minimum of $500 in sales per calendar month to remain an active consultant, which entitles you to your consultant discount, company mailings and different incentives and/or contests.

Q: Is there room for growth?

A: YES! The opportunities and room for growth are limitless! There are various levels of leadership to be obtained. The top paid consultant earned just over $1,000,000 in 1998! Ask your sponsor to provide you with the average and top incomes earned in each level of leadership and how those levels are attained.

Q: Is this a "pyramid scam"?

A: NO. Our structure is not a pyramid. As a consultant you earn money the first show you do! You are never required to move into the leadership ranks if you choose not to. If you desire leadership, however, there is a  "horizontal/vertical" pay structure. The way it is designed, no matter what level of leadership a consultant attains , it is still in his or her best interest to help EACH new consultant to reach his or her fullest potential. There is no competition with other consultants - the only competition you have is yourself! There are programs and incentives designed to help you become the best consultant you can be!

Q: How do I become a "leader"?

A: The first level of leadership is "Team Leader". To become a Team Leader you share the PartyLite opportunity with 2 other people! Once they qualify as consultants with $1200 each in sales in their first month of business and remain active with $500 each in sales monthly, you receive 2% overrides on their sales.

The next level of leadership is "Unit Leader". To become a Unit Leader, you share the opportunity with 6 people total (4 qualified and directly sponsored and the other 2 can be through other members on your team). Once you attain leadership, a minimum of four consultants in your unit must remain active with $500 each in sales monthly in order for you to continue to receive 7% overrides on the units' sales! IN ADDITION, as a Unit Leader, you earn a base profit of 32% (versus 25%) and a bonus of 6% -- for a total monthly profit of 38% as a bonus earner! BECOMING A UNIT LEADER IS A WAY TO INCREASE YOUR INCOME WHILE STILL WORKING THE SAME NUMBER OF EVENINGS!

Helping consultants in your unit to become leaders too attains the other levels of leadership! As you promote out leaders, you promote yourself as well. With each promotion come higher earnings potential.

IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONSULTANT!

References in this example apply to a NJ/NY show average of $400 and the income attainable with that average-you will want to change that to suit your area's actual show average!

Gina Pille

This page last updated  July 06, 2005