Getting Moms Organized, One Party at a Time
Karen Eschebach, a professional organizer, went to a Pampered Chef party and was inspired. No, not to cook a gourmet meal, but to start her own direct sales company.
So in 2006, she quickly found a business partner and products to sell, and started Clever Container, a company that demonstrates and sells organizing products in clients’ homes while teaching organizing tips and techniques.
Learn how this mom of one precious little girl built her business from practicing what she preaches on the organizing front to finding new and innovative products to sell...
What were your initial goals for Clever Container?
My initial goal was to find someone to work with that believed as strongly in the dream as I did. Enter my business partner Jennifer Weaver. Next was to start a unique company that someone else hadn't tapped into. I then attended a Direct Selling Association (DSA) seminar in Washington, DC, to help get us on the right track. Lastly, we searched high and low for great products that would benefit everyone by saving time, reducing stress, and having multiple functional uses.
How did you finance your business?
My business partner and I started this business with about $5,000 each from our own personal funds.
We feel we made a small investment in something that could really pay off. Our investment now is more in time than money and the company is sustaining itself.
We have two credit cards we need to pay off, but other than that we are able to pay all our Net 30 suppliers, our annual DSA dues, our consultants’ commissions and royalties, and catalog production and printing costs. Since we are growing at a rapid rate, our financial picture is looking better every day and we hope to have all our debts paid by the end of this year.
How long did it take to start your business?
I thought of the idea in July 2006, incorporated in August 2006, attended a DSA seminar in September 2006, participated in vendor fairs beginning October 2006, and brought on our first consultant in March 2007.
How do you find products to sell?
Karen Eschebach and Jennifer Weaver
We search all the time to find unique products. Many of our products were created by other moms such as the Card Cubby, Lily on the Fly, Kitchen Folio, and Optimistic Outcomes. We find them on entrepreneur websites, mom sites, business sites, and just by searching Google for organizing products.
What secrets have you learned in terms of publicity and marketing your product?
Get your consultants excited about the products and business opportunity. I also share out-of-the-box uses for many of our products.
How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?
I work late into the evenings. Also, my daughter goes to school 45 minutes away from home, so I follow-up with all my phone calls on my way to pick her up. My workouts have gone by the wayside, although we have a puppy now which forces me to get out and walk daily. Thankfully I practice a lot of what I preach as far as meal planning and organization goes.
What kind of support system do you have in place personally and professionally?
A Clever Container product to help organize pantries
Personally my husband is very understanding and wants Clever Container to succeed as much as I do. My business partner is also my friend. We're like sisters and we do a good job of keeping each other motivated. We truly balance each other out in terms of roles within the company. Also, I have a great network of friends that constantly provide rays of sunshine and motivation when needed.
Another major influence on our business is our National Sales Director and first Clever Consultant, Tracy Gusmano. She has a direct sales background and has been integral in creating our tele-training and online social groups for consultants, and keeping consultants motivated.
What advice would you offer other moms starting businesses?
Stick with it. Especially if you have a niche that no one else has tapped into. Try not to get in too much over your head financially to where you'll lose your shirt if things don't pan out the way you think they will. Don't think short-term. Most businesses don't make money the first few years, so have patience. And keep plugging away.
Thank you for sharing your story with us! If you have a great story, we'd love to hear it!
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- The Clever Container Company Has Arrived in Carroll County! « In Order for Life
- Clever Customer Service - clevercolleen.com
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I'm sorry I accidentaly High Jacked a post. I didn't realize when I was scanning your site that it is direct sales. I left a comment about the company I work for under someone else's comment. I apologize.
Jessica Lynch
Jessica,
I appreciate your message. I took that post off. You are welcome to tell everyone about what you are doing on the Mom Invented Fan Page if you wish: http://www.facebook.com/mominvented
I'm glad you're enjoying your work!
Warmest wishes,
Tamara
I would love more information about your direct sales opportunity. Thanks!
I am in Miami Florida
I saw your ad on Craiglist this morning . I responded to the ad via craiglist address.I am interested in learning more about the company , possibly hosting a gathering. I live near Dayton Ohio. Is there a Consultant in my area ?
I know this article is a little older, but I had to comment!
I am a Clever Container consultant and I had the pleasure of meeting Karen and Jennifer at our convention in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I can honestly say that their enthusiasm is infectious.
I am so glad that they took a chance on this idea!
Jenny
http://www.clevercontainer.com/GetCleverNow
very nice article, Karen! It is very fun to grow with your company and offer your customers a great meal planner | grocery list organizer for today's busy family -
Great article. I have been to the Clever Container site many times. The products look great.
Hopefully they expand to Canada!
Miranda
Ladies,
To find out more about Clever Container please visit:
http://www.clevercontainer.com, or
http://www.organizingjustgotfun.com
You may also call me at my direct line.
Tracy Gusmano
National Director, Sales
Clever Container
586.615.0907
encourage@comcast.net
Please tell me more about the sales opportunity. I'm an organization junkie, favorite store is The Container Store and just heard a quick blurb on GMA yesterday morning about this company.
Thanks,
Nancy
I would love more information about your direct sales opportunity. Thanks!
Hi Karen,
I am a retired school principal and used to be a Pampered Chef consultant. I would like more information about selling your products. Thanks,
Patti Asmus
pasmus@hotmail.com
Pickett, Wisconsin
Hello.
I'm writing to find out more about Clever Containers. I have searched online to find out information on becoming a consultant and can not find a link or phone number. Can you help me with that?
Thank you,
Amber Cook
Happy Mother's Day to All! I have and am finishing riinasg 5 boys! They range from 23 to 14. Two are married, ones in college, and 2 are still living at home. I always love to read something new that I haven't. Not only for me, but my husband and I reach out to a lot of other Moms and couples and this would be a great tool!Happy Mother's Day!
Dear Karen and Jennifer,
My name is Cindy Winn and I live in Louisa, Virginia. I saw your business, Clever Container, on Good Morning America this morning, and I could hardly wait to go to your website to see what it was all about! I love this idea, as I am a MAJOR ORGANIZER in my home and home office, and am always looking for ideas to organize and simplify my life and my work life!
The reason I writing is to inquire about becoming a consultant for Clever Container. I am a highly successful full-time Pharmaceutical Sales consultant for a major Pharmaceutical Company, and am in contact with hundreds of working women and moms every day in physician offices. This would be a great way to reach a large section of your target market in Virginia and I already have developed relationships with these women.
I have been in Pharmaceutical Sales for 8 years. Prior to this, I worked in Advertising Sales for 10 years. I have a Business degree from the University of Tennessee, with a concentration in Marketing, and I also have a MBA, Masters in Business Administration, from the University of Tennessee. I would be happy to submit my resume and references, upon request.
I would love to talk to you both about helping with your business, and I think I would so enjoy selling your products in Virginia! And who knows, since this is the start up time for your business, maybe down the road I could also help train other women to sell for Clever Container!
Please let me know what steps need to be taken to become a consultant. I will look forward to hearing from you soon. Congratulations on such a GREAT IDEA!
Warm regards,
Cindy Winn
cwinn248c@aol.com
(248) 224-1137 Cell Phone
730 Carter Lane
Louisa, VA 23093