For many mums, going back to work following months of maternity leave with their new little bundle is something that fills them with dread (I know it did for me!).
I thought it would be good to look at different ways that parents can earn either a few extra pennies or start a whole new journey into the world of self employment.
To get things going, I've invited people to tell us all about their party plan and franchise businesses. Businesses that have often (but not always) been tried and tested and work well for other people, and that already have a strong support network.
I hope you find the guest blog posts interesting over the next few weeks.
Please do leave your comments and feel free to contact them to ask questions.
A handy resource for parents to help them find out about the money matters which affect them once little people come along.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Ice Jewellery - Clare Mutch
In 2006 I started to do jewellery parties in the evenings after the birth of my first child, whilst my husband ran our jewellery shop in North Devon.
Really it started out as just a hobby; I was at home all day with my newborn son whilst my husband was at work and I missed not having any customer contact. I had an idea that I could bring the store to those customers that, for whatever reason, couldn’t or didn’t want to go into the busy town centre. A very good friend of mine offered to host my first party at her house, so I took a sample of the jewellery ranges we held in the shop, displayed it all on her dining room table and from the guests that she invited, took orders to the tune of just over £600! Not bad for 2 hours work. From there I got 2 more bookings, then at those parties I gained further bookings until by Christmas of 2006 I had a party booked for almost every evening. October and November were pretty busy months and I had to turn potential hostesses away as I just couldn’t fit them in!
I really started to see the potential of Party Plan from then on but didn’t have the resources to make it as professional as I would have liked, at that time.
With this in mind, over the next 4 years my husband and I slowly built up the Party Plan business (and managed to have another baby!) by introducing others to join our team and offering incentives for people to host their own party. As a party hostess they would received a free gift and 10% commission in goods, so most hostesses tended to get their order for free! When money is tight that’s a really great incentive to host a party!
We are now one of the UK’s fastest growing jewellery party plan companies and are offering our opportunity to anyone who wants become a consultant with us. Consultants purchase a kit that contains all the essentials they will need to get partying straight away. They then have the potential to earn 25-30% commission on everything they sell. The www.icejewellery.com website has a fully interactive Party Plan area for all our consultants so they can even earn full commission if their customers place orders online.
We now have over 50 consultants nationwide and are constantly on the look out for likeminded people who love our jewellery and want to earn a great income too. Being a family run company we understand the constraints of day to day family life so set no targets or hassle for bookings. In fact we have just been shortlisted for ‘Flexible Company of the year’ by www.mumandworking.co.uk which we are very proud of.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/icejewellery
Twitter: @icejewellery
Ice Jewellery
22a Green Lanes Shopping Centre
Barnstaple
EX31 1UH
22a Green Lanes Shopping Centre
Barnstaple
EX31 1UH
T 01271 327788
T 07951 738890
We also run a networking site www.partyplanunited.com for anyone in or thinking of joining party plan. We have had over 250 members join since launch in May 2011 representing over 40 different Direct Sales companies. Our aim is to offer a one stop shop for anyone thinking of joining a company for them to get honest answers all in one place. And also to provide a great source of helpful training, list of events and networking opportunities for those already with a direct sales company.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Other Help for Pregnant Mums and Parents
There is other help available to pregnant mums and parents with young children that you may not have heard about. Have a look through and see if you qualify for a few more pennies or help with everyday necessities. (I've shortened some of the links.)
For families on benefits, help with the cost of school uniform may also be available.
More on this can be found on the DirectGov website: http://bit.ly/og0GWl
Free prescriptions and dental care
All mums-to-be qualify for a prescription exemption certificate once their pregnancy has been certified by a doctor or midwife. You need to complete form FW8 and they will need to sign it. You’ll be sent a handy little credit card type certificate that you can keep in your wallet.
Just remember to mention it at the chemist or dentist when you visit!
It entitles you to free prescritions and dental care so get one as soon as possible. They last until a year after the day your baby is expected.
For more info visit:
Sure Start Maternity Grant
A grant of £500 is available to parents-to-be on low incomes to help with preparing all those baby essentials.
To see if you qualify for the grant, please visit: http://bit.ly/8nHu7E
From there you can also download an application form or you can contact your local job centre.
From there you can also download an application form or you can contact your local job centre.
Healthy Start Scheme
Healthy Start is a government scheme that provides vouchers for free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, infant formula and vitamins to certain pregnant women and children in families on low incomes.
Visit: http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/ to find out if you are eligible.
You can get an application form from your midwife or health visitor or complete it online.
Lots of shops except the vouchers – look out for the Healthy Start sticker in shop windows or ask in store.
Free School Meals, Milk and More
When you little one starts school they could be entitled to free school meals if you are on a low income.
Visit: http://bit.ly/doxrPK to find out more.
Children who are entitled to free school meals also qualify for free school milk, although all children at school under 5 are eligible for this anyway.
Visit the coolmilk website for more info:
Lots of schools take part in the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.
Children aged 4-6 qualify for a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day.
See this leaflet for more information: http://bit.ly/naq4wZ
Children who are entitled to free school meals also qualify for free school milk, although all children at school under 5 are eligible for this anyway.
Visit the coolmilk website for more info:
Lots of schools take part in the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.
Children aged 4-6 qualify for a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day.
See this leaflet for more information: http://bit.ly/naq4wZ
For families on benefits, help with the cost of school uniform may also be available.
More on this can be found on the DirectGov website: http://bit.ly/og0GWl
I hope I've just about covered everything, but if there is something you know about that I've missed, please leave a comment - I'd love to cover it!
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