Online Jewelry Business Attracts Customers From All Over

Des Moines Register:

Ankeny resident Karen Bender takes her handmade, home-based jewelry business one step further than similar ventures. Not only can she customize pieces, but she also creates personal designs. Her products are available at home parties as well as online. Bender talks with the Ankeny Register about her new business.

Q. How many parties have you held so far?

A. To date, I have had five home parties. That sounds like very few, but many potential hostesses delayed booking a party around the holidays and due to personal obligations, I have not been actively promoting home parties through the winter. I do have several more lined up for this spring.

Q. What is your coverage area for the home parties?

A. I offer home parties in the metro area and also offer catalog parties all over central Iowa. I offer convenient home parties in that I even provide the drinks and snacks. This makes it a little easier for the hostess to get ready for the home parties.

Q. Why did you choose to offer products online?

A. By offering my products online, it allows me the flexibility to balance work and home life and it allows me to offer quality jewelry at a reasonable price available anytime of day or night to potential customers.

Q. Do you have any plans for expansion or new products? Are you always looking for potential products to add?

A. I am always looking for new ideas. At the moment I am the sole creator and sales consultant. I do plan to expand my business selling to local stores and hope to later this year to add more sales consultants.