Make Money by Selling at Home Parties: Not Just Tupperware Anymore

Selling products through home parties has come a long way since Tupperware. If it's a revenue stream you're considering, make sure you do your homework on the company you are interested in working for. Compare costs of start-up kits and potential commission. Make sure you are realistic in how many parties you can do in a month. If it takes two parties a week to make a reasonable profit, then remember you are committing to be out of the house at least 8 nights a month. Most importantly pick something you and your friends love. You'll need lots of support, especially in the beginning when you need to have people book parties. Being able to sustain enthusiasm for a product will help you get repeat business. If you've ever considered being a home party consultant, take a look at these unique opportunities that are hitting the home party circuit.

If you want to be successful in a home party business you need to sell something you know people will always want. That's what makes Dove Chocolate Discoveries a great opportunity. Owned by renowned candy-maker Mars, the Dove Chocolatiers program sets you up to sell everything from chocolate mousse to gourmet brownie mixes to Chocolate Martini Mix. The initial investment is the purchase of a party kit. The Standard at $149 and the Master Chocolatier at $449. The kits give you product to start hosting shows as well as training for 90 days. You'll also be assigned a local mentor who can answer questions about the program and products.

If wine's your thing, then Wine Shop at Home could be the perfect home party company. Consultants take guests through the whole wine tasting experience, from sniffing the cork to knowing the difference between a Chardonnay and a Pinot Grigio. Start up kits are $100 or $140 and include sample wines, which are the company's own label made in Napa Valley, CA. You'll sell wine or memberships in a wine club. Joining their team also gives you a dedicated website of your own where your customers can access the company's products and you make the commission, which starts at 15 percent and can go as high as 44 percent.

Pampered Chef has been around for a while and for good reason. Hosting a Pampered Chef party is like having a catered affair (almost). The consultant brings in food for your guests to try while they demonstrate the products used in preparing the dishes. Pampered Chef products include bakeware, kitchen gadgets and food mixes. The start-up kit is $155 and includes products with a retail value of more than $550. The company specializes in making sure potential customers know how to use the products, so they supply great recipes that show-off just how good their products are.