The number of direct selling companies providing opportunities for parents – particularly mums – is rapidly increasing. In today’s financial climate, the number of people needing to earn extra money and be able to work around family commitments is on the rise. Family-friendly jobs can be hard to find. However, the Mum and Working website specifically looks for family-friendly companies with genuine opportunities in direct selling.

Direct selling is nothing new: Usborne Books have sold their beautifully illustrated books since the 1970’s, Avon – the leading direct seller of beauty products – started trading in 1939, and Betterware have been a direct seller of home wares since 1928. These companies – and many more – can be found advertising on Mum and Working.

If you have young children, then perhaps a company such as Mini IQ may be suitable for you. Mini IQ’s associates sell children’s books, toys and games, all carefully selected to stimulate children’s development. Alternatively, there is Child’s Play, the international publisher of a range of books and resources. There is also a new company – Poppy’s Books – who sell an excellent range of books from a variety of publishers, including Walker Books and MacMillan.

If books are not for you, there are also toy companies and sellers of children’s fashion. As well as Tish Tash Toys, there is also When I was a Kid, which was set up by Linda Warner to sell a range of traditional toys. If you are more interested in fashion, then Arabella Miller might be for you. It is one of a number of new direct sellers who sell children’s clothes. It was set up by a mother who was struggling to find organic cotton clothing for her daughter in order to reduce the skin irritation she was experiencing. For those looking for something different in children’s wear there is the funky Stardust Kids with clothing inspired by punk, rock and urban culture. There is also Knitti, with its beautiful range of knitted clothes. To sell a wider range of children’s products, such as toys and nursery furniture, you could try Magic Fairy Wings. Alternatively, there is Little Green Tots, whose baby and children’s products are all ethically sourced.

If you fancy a break from thinking about children, then why not work for a company selling products aimed at adults? For people with a chocolate passion, there is Coco Moyo, whose demonstrators do chocolate tasting and making events, or Chocolates for Chocoholics, whose distributors do parties in the run-up to Christmas and Easter. If your talents lie in the kitchen, then perhaps being a Pampered Chef or My Secret Kitchen consultant would suit you. Pampered Chef consultants sell a wide range of kitchen equipment, whereas My Secret Kitchen sell food products such as their beer bread mixes.

If you prefer to stay out of the kitchen, and DIY or gardening are your hobby, why not consider becoming an agent for Girlie Gardening or Tomboy Tools, selling a fantastic range of products to brighten up any gardening or DIY activity.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are the jewellery and beauty product companies such as Virgin Vie and Body Shop at Home. Virgin Vie – was set up in 1997 as part of the Virgin group – the consultants sell beauty products, jewellery and homewares. The Body Shop at Home consultants sell the familiar products that we all know, together with products not available through any other Body Shop outlets.

Whatever you are interested in selling, Mum and Working has found a number of exciting opportunities to earn some extra income, meet new people, and have fun.

Article by Bridgette Barrett – recuitment consultant & agent for Tish Tash Toys. Click here to find out more about working from home with Tish Tash Toys.