News & Analysis

Is It Time to Work for Yourself?

(Family Features) The tight job market has a growing number of people looking to become their own boss. In a September 2010 Citibank small business survey, 81 percent of small business owners still like or love what they do, and 75 percent said they would start their businesses again, even knowing about the challenges they would face.

But starting a business in a recession isn't always easy. Getting a bank loan is tough and credit card companies are reducing lines of credit. One way to feed your entrepreneurial drive in this economy is to consider a career in direct selling.

Direct sales is a dynamic industry -- one that many entrepreneurs and stay-at-home parents are diving into. According to the Direct Selling Association, more than 15 million people sold about $30 billion in products and services in the US in 2008. Nearly one-third of those sales were for personal items such as cosmetics, jewelry, and skin care.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Direct Selling Association Education Foundation (DSAEF) have partnered to help educate those interested in pursuing direct sales for themselves.