Jobless? Expo offers direct sales option

Monica Williams worked as an administrator at a California nuclear power plant, but she decided to try something different when she and her husband moved to Las Vegas.

Williams, 39, became self-employed as an Avon saleswoman and works out of her home.

It's more enjoyable than administrative work and she likes the freedom of setting her own hours. In addition, she can't get fired.

"There's no pressure, because the money you make depends on how hard you work," Williams said.

Nevada Microenterprise Initiative and the Women's Business Center think direct sales work will appeal to a lot of workers today, including some who were laid off by recession-slammed employers.

The nonprofit groups will hold the Direct Selling Opportunity Expo from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Dr. William U. Pearson Community Center on Carey Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The expo will give workers the opportunity to meet 25 direct sales companies.

The program starts with registration followed by sessions in English and Spanish on marketing and sales, financing and "realizing your dream."

Direct sales is an attractive work option for people struggling to find jobs as well as workers who want to go out on their own, said Anna Siefert, operations manager of the Microenterprise Initiative.

"It's a business in a box. They already have products. They are already branded. They are tried and true," Siefert said.

Microenterprise Initiative provides training for individuals who want to go into direct sales and even can provide small loans to help workers get started in direct sales.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.