sales-party-hostess
How to Become a

Sales Party Hostess

The complete career guide to be a Sales Party Hostess: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.

Why We Love It

  • $29,720
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 8.9%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Flexible Hours
    Career Attribute

Sales party hostesses throw parties at their own homes or at the homes of clients with the purpose of selling a variety of products. Commissions are earned on all products sold at parties, so the goal of a sales party hostess is to find individuals with a robust network of friends to invite to parties.

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What is a Sales Party Hostess?

The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in sales party hostess roles:

  • Host sales parties with the goal of selling products to attendees
  • Setup product displays before parties and demonstrate products during parties
  • Socialize with party attendees and grow networks to increase hosting opportunities and create a network of secondary sales hostesses
  • Sell wine, makeup, kitchen tools, storage containers, food items, purses, intimacy items, and various other products

A Day in the Life of a Sales Party Hostess

Sales party hostesses have three major responsibilities: host sales parties, recruit individuals to throw parties, and recruit other sales hostesses. While some sales hostesses host parties at their own homes, most of them host parties at the homes of clients. Often the individual organizer will provide food and refreshments. In these circumstances, the sales party hostess simply shows up at the location of the party, sets up displays, and socializes and demonstrates products during the party.

While selling products at parties is how the sales party hostess earns an income—commissions are earned on all products sold—another critical aspect of the role of the sales party hostess is finding individuals with a large group of friends who are willing to organize parties. The more frequently a sales party hostess throws parties, the more money she’ll make, so networking during parties is critical for finding new clients who are willing to allow sales party get-togethers at their homes.

Finally, while some women work as individual sales party hostesses, others make additional incomes by recruiting and training other sales party hostesses. When recruiting and training other hostesses, the recruiting hostess may earn a referral bonus or may even earn a commission on all products sold by recruited hostesses. As such, the most successful sales party hostesses are women who love talking to people, aren’t afraid to sell things, and have a constant desire to grow their networks.

Typical Work Schedule for Sales Party Hostesses

Sales party hostesses make their own schedules, so they can work as much or little as they want and whatever hours they prefer. Their time is spent hosting actual parties, entering sales into company databases to earn commissions, and recruiting new party-throwers and sales party hostesses.

Sales Party Hostess Specializations

Sales party hostesses can sell products from one or multiple product lines. The list below is not exhaustive—hundreds of opportunities are available—but here are some of the most popular product lines sold by sales party hostesses.

  • The Pampered Chef: Sales party hostesses who sell The Pampered Chef items prepare food for parties and demonstrate recipes, cooking tools, and spices used to make the food.
  • Stella & Dot: Sales party hostesses that sell Stella & Dot jewelry organize trunk shows where jewelry is put on display, tried on, and purchased by party attendees.
  • Avon and Mary Kay: Sales party hostesses that sell Avon and Mary Kay cosmetic and personal care items generally throw makeover parties where women can try new makeup and products.
  • Tupperware: Tupperware was one of the first companies to have major success with sales parties, and sales party hostesses still thrive today selling storage containers at sales parties.

Typical Employers

The top ten home party product lines include Avon, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Amway, Tupperware, Scentsy, Thirty-One, Arbonne International, Stampin’ Up, and Younique.

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How To Become a Sales Party Hostess

Every product line that offers independent sales will have its own requirements for how to become a sales party hostess. However, the requirements typically include attending a training session and paying a start-up fee. In some cases, sales hostess positions require an upfront investment to purchase products at a discounted price, and when products are sold, the hostess keeps the money. In other cases, products are ordered by the hostess using client money, and the hostess earns a commission.

No formal degree is required for becoming a sales party hostess, though postsecondary education in marketing, networking, and sales could be beneficial for women interested in the career field. In order to make money, you’ll be required to make sales, network to increase selling opportunities, and market your services to women interested in throwing parties. Associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in marketing or business can teach the skills needed to succeed in running your own business as a sales party hostess.


Sales Party Hostess Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$21,300

Average

$29,720

High Range

$47,140

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$10/hr

Average

$14/hr

High Range

$23/hr

How do Sales Party Hostess salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Sales Party Hostess's can make an average annual salary of $29,720, or $14 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $21,300 or $10 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #707 Nationally for All Careers


Highest Education Among Sales Party Hostesss

  • 0.4%   Doctorate
  • 2.4%   Masters
  • 18.4%   Bachelors
  • 8.8%   Associates
  • 27.6%   College
  • 30.7%   High School
  • 11.7%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

93,000

2024 Est. Jobs

101,300

Job Growth Rate

8.9%

Est. New Jobs

8,300

How does Sales Party Hostess job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 8,300 jobs for a total of 101,300 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 8.9% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #246 Nationally for All Careers


What Companies Employ The Most Sales Party Hostesss

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Advertising, public relations, and related services 29,000 1,000 1%
Wholesale electronic markets and agents and brokers 14,900 3,800 4%
Self-employed workers 8,500 100 0%

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