The advantages to starting a direct sales business are many. For example, you can:

* Work when you want to and be able to create a schedule that's right for you and your family

* Build your business as fast ? or slowly- as you want

* Start your business with only minimal start-up costs, usually for less than a couple of hundred dollars

* Receive free, ongoing training and support from the company and your sponsor or direct Upline director

* Have instant credibility, because of the products you're selling

* Take advantage of all the tax breaks that are available to small business owners

* Have the prestige, respect and admiration of friends and family members as a successful business owner

So how do you decide if a direct sales business is right for you?

Start by thinking of yourself. If you've ever taken a personality quiz for fun, you'll already have an idea of what I mean. Make a list of your best traits ? and the ones that you consider to be weaknesses or attributes that you wish you could change.

Think about the jobs you've held in the past. Make a list of what they were, what your responsibilities were, what you loved about the job and what you didn't like.

Think about the people you've worked with in the past. Who did you get along with? What position did each one hold? Who didn't you get along with? What was it about each person that you liked, and what annoyed you?

If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? Why?

Are you a big picture person or detailed oriented? Do you procrastinate or stay on task and finish what you start before going on to the next thing? What bores you out of your mind? What job would you NEVER want to hold?

As you answer these questions, you'll begin to get a clearer idea of what type of personality you are, and if you have what it takes to be a small business owner.

The owners of home party businesses have to be at least somewhat outgoing and enjoy meeting and talking to new people. They have to enjoy what they do and be enthusiastic. They have to be organized and at least somewhat detail oriented, to stay on top of the tasks and duties of running their own direct sales business. And they have to be able to sell ? themselves, their products, the idea of someone hosting a party in their home or becoming a home party consultant and starting their own business.

If in your heart of hearts you feel like you could succeed ? even if it means spending some time working on picking up new habits that will help you be successful, then go for it!

Find a company whose mission and values aligns with yours. Decide if you want to work for a large company or a smaller one. (Remember, just because a company doesn't have as many home party consultants working for them doesn't mean that they're not a great company to work for. In fact, many of the biggest direct sales companies today were started with an idea and run from someone's kitchen table until they grew so big.

Most successful home party business consultants also recommend that you choose a company that has products that you're excited about and would want to have in your own home will help you to succeed ? your customers will see and believe your excitement and passion and they will model those feelings ? which means that you'll end up with more sales, more bookings and more recruitments.

Whatever company you choose, you have to remember that your home party business is just that ? it's a business and has to be run like one. If you want your business to succeed, you'll have to spend time marketing and promoting it. You'll have to make sales calls, and network and actively search for new clients and new hostesses. Like any business, it takes work to be successful. But you already knew that and are prepared to do what you have to, right?