FRONT AND SCENTRE
WHEN her teenage daughter was in hospital for seven months following brain surgery, Karen Golder realised she needed maximum work flexibility in order to boost her part-time teaching job. So she decided to try direct sales for The Body Shop and since that day, nine months ago, Karen, 48, from Penzance in Cornwall, has not looked back.
When did you realise you needed to earn more money?
Following a seven-month stay in hospital after Imogen’s surgery, and
ongoing hospital appointments and physio, I realised I would not be able to commit to regular work outside the home.
I have been a teacher for over 25 years and work two days a week as a school SENCo – a Special Needs Coordinator – but I needed something else that was flexible that would fit around our needs as a family.
I had known about The Body Shop products from when I was a teen, but it wasn’t until our long stay in hospital with Imogen during Covid – with no visitors
– that a friend started sending me The Body Shop products.
I was reminded of them and realised that using them – their fragrances and textures – became quite important in selfcare and maintaining my mental health during our hospital stay.
Was it easy to set up?
Absolutely! I simply filled in a form online (I didn’t know any other consultants at that point).
I bought my starter kit for £30, which included many of The Body Shop’s best-selling products that I could use to demonstrate and give away as samples – in total it was worth over £220.
My first event was with two friends in my home and others on Zoom. We played games, tried products and generally had fun!
I sold some of the bestsellers that I love and went on to hold more events both online and in person.
What do you do day to day?
My time now is split between my customer base, communicating in my customer group on social media, chatting to customers, advising them, getting orders ready to send out, and also supporting my team – training, answering queries and any other support they need, plus some admin.
If I added my time all together, I probably spend two days a week on my business, and a lot of that fits around whatever I am doing at the time. I might take an order while unloading the dishwasher or do a live video on social media while using the products to get ready to go to work and do my other job.
Does the family help with the business?
Imogen, who is 18, still needs a lot of care and help on a daily basis, so she is unable to support much with the business.
But my husband Murray is a massive support in looking after her while I do events or parties (I only book in two a month as I couldn’t manage more at this point), and he looked after her solely while I went on a recent incentive trip with The Body Shop – a five-star, all-expenses paid trip to Tenerife.
How much do you earn monthly?
My earnings vary. My biggest month earned me over £1,000, but I average about £500 per month.
This month I had a massive dentist bill, but I didn’t need to worry about the cost as I knew I had it covered.
Direct selling for The Body Shop At Home has become so much more than a side hustle. Aside from the financial help, it’s been lifesaving in other ways.
That sounds quite dramatic, I realise! But, after spending so much time focused on my daughter this has given me something for me, and given me my confidence back.
I can honestly say that it’s saved my mental health. It’s given me something else to focus on and talk about which has been helpful for me and the whole family.
I needed something flexible that fitted around our needs as a family