Home sales: a path to personal fulfilment

Among the options available, the VDI (independent home seller) contract stands out. Unlike a traditional salaried job in a company, or a franchise contract, it offers :

• flexible working hours and the possibility of working from home or very close to home. You may also be able to combine this with another job (which is reassuring in terms of the security and stability of your income when you start out!)

• the freedom to choose the products offered in each sale, from among those offered by the company that uses your services

• autonomy in work and related decisions, the ability to work from any location

• and, above all, the potential for increased revenue based on remuneration that is proportional to the sales performance of trendy products,

• a type of sales adapted to the profile of today's buyer, who is tired of mass retailing and has become demanding in terms of product and service quality.

The status of VDI is therefore worth considering, especially as the activity is rewarding and has a promising future:

• Flexible working hours: Your contract as an independent agent with the partner company, at the service of the brand but with no hierarchical constraints, allows you to work according to your own schedule, promoting a better work-life balance.

• Choice of products: You have the freedom to choose the products you want to sell, according to your interests, your expertise and the profile of the type of buyer you are targeting. Another advantage is that you have the status of an agent, rather than a reseller (who is obliged to build up a stock and therefore advance funds).

• Strategic decisions: You have control over your choices regarding sales objectives, marketing strategies and customer selection. Your sales arguments must, of course, fit in with the marketing deployment strategy of your partner company, which supports its salespeople and which, in return, you are obliged to support.

• Income potential: Your commission-based remuneration is directly linked to your sales volume, reflecting your sales efforts and performance without any restrictions or income caps. This contractual provision is explicit and promises real opportunities, allowing you to supplement your income in the short term.

• Personal development: By taking on the role of ambassador for the company's products, while operating on a self-employed basis, you will acquire and strengthen entrepreneurial skills and business management abilities.

• Professional network: You will have the opportunity to develop and extend your professional network, which will help you create social links and open up new opportunities.

All these advantages of autonomy and personal enhancement, which are a direct result of the status of VDI (Vendeur à Domicile Indépendant), contribute to a rewarding professional experience and reinforce the feeling of personal accomplishment.

You won't have to worry about social security contributions or tax either... because everything (or almost everything!) is covered and explained on the Urssaf website... As for the VAT declaration, under the status of micro-business (i.e. self-employed entrepreneur), it benefits from a significant reduction, i.e. it is only required above a significant amount of turnover.

Would you like more information? ELORA, a caring and humanistic company, uses this blog to answer any questions you may have about the status of home-based self-employed worker (VDI), the terms of the proposed contract and the resulting income.

Flexibility and autonomy as an independent salesperson

By working as a self-employed home salesperson, or VDI, you will enjoy remarkable flexibility and a significant degree of autonomy, unlike what most companies offer under a conventional employment contract.

You will be independent in your work, with the freedom to set your own hours, select the products or services you want to market, and determine the best strategies for targeting your customers.

The correlative of this very favourable status is that your contract puts you in charge of your personal marketing, the selection of articles and products to present, as an agent, during each home sale (always within the framework of the collections or catalogue of the partner company or brand), as well as the choice of the location of your workspace and your presentation meetings.

It's crucial, however, even if the working conditions offer enormous advantages, to understand that the freedom granted in the commercial field also entails increased responsibility. You'll have to take charge of all aspects of your business, from administration, tax and marketing to establishing your own type of social relationship with customers... not forgetting sales targets and distribution logistics, among other things.

Creating social links

As an Independent Home Salesperson (IHSS), building social relationships is not only possible, it's the foundation of your business and a crucial aspect of your success.

Here are a few key points about the VDI (independent door-to-door salesperson) scheme:

• Meetings with customers: Every customer is unique! Every new buyer is a great person to meet, and very often the relationship of trust established with a nice person turns into a real friendship.

• Networking events: Taking part in networking events allows you to meet other professionals and widen your social circle.

• Solidarity: You can establish efficient relationships with other self-employed people like yourself, or join the active network of certain customers, which helps to strengthen your professional ties.

• Online community: Social networks and online forums are invaluable ways not only of developing your business, but also of creating social links with other salespeople or colleagues, as well as with customers who share similar interests.

These interactions are not limited to professional benefits, but can also enrich your social life.

Skills development

At Elora, skills development is an integral part of the experience and one of the key benefits of the VDI scheme.

Here's how it works:

• Training courses: Elora organises monthly training seminars led by home sales professionals to help you improve your sales and organisational skills.

• Career development: There are career development opportunities, such as becoming a sales group leader or moving up to sales agent or merchant status if your sales exceed a certain threshold.

• Product diversification: You are encouraged to diversify the product ranges you sell, which helps to improve your sales skills and increase your turnover.

• Developing your customer network: Tools are available to help you find your own register, assert your personality, win over new customers and retain existing ones, thanks to blogs, forums, mailings, etc.

These elements contribute to the continuous development of your skills and your professional growth at Elora.

Recognition and enhancement

At Elora, the role of Independent Home Salesperson (IHSS) and sales advisor is recognised and valued. Here are a few examples of this recognition:

• Attractive remuneration: commissions for VDIs vary from 20% to 39% depending on sales and professional development, which shows an appreciation of their contribution.

• Training and coaching: Elora offers training and coaching with experienced salespeople, underlining the importance placed on the professional and personal development of VDIs.

• Digital support: Access to a private web space and a mobile application for business management are proof of Elora's investment in support tools for IDVs.

• Recognition for hostesses: Hostesses receive discounts on orders and gifts for their loyalty, enhancing the value of their role in organising home sales.

• Personal assertion: No stereotypes, no imposed dress codes, no pre-written sales pitches: it's up to you to assert yourself and find your own style !

These aspects demonstrate Elora's commitment to providing a rewarding and stimulating working environment for its VDIs and sales advisors.

In fact, there are many positive testimonials from Elora's independent home sellers (IHVs). Here are a few highlights from these testimonials:

• Support and training: some VDIs say that the company has supported, coached and trained them, even those who were very shy at the start.

• Reality of the job and remuneration: Some people share the view that to earn the equivalent of minimum wage, you have to do an average of two sales meetings a week at ELORA, which represents around 6 hours' work a week.

• Passion for fashion: It's mentioned that it's important to be passionate about fashion and organised, so that being a VDI becomes a daily pleasure.

• Tips for success: The testimonials also include advice on how to succeed as a VDI, such as being sociable, independent, passionate and familiar with the brand and its products.

These testimonials highlight the positive experiences of VDIs at ELORA and can serve as inspiration for those considering joining the company.

Here are some inspiring quotes and extracts from Independent Home Salespeople (IHSS):

• Daily motivation: "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day after day" - R. Collier. This testimonial underlines the importance of perseverance and regular work to succeed as a VDI.

• Determination: "Determination is tomorrow's success". Being determined in your actions is seen as a key factor in future success.

• Overcoming obstacles: "Nothing is easy, but everything is possible". This reminds VDIs that despite the initial challenges, with the support of the brand, they can achieve their goals.

• Job satisfaction: "Laziness may seem attractive, but work brings satisfaction" - Anne Frank. This extract encourages VDIs to stay active and pursue their goals for ultimate satisfaction.

• Self-confidence: "Believe in yourself, and you'll be halfway there" - Theodore Roosevelt. Self-confidence is essential if you are to win the trust of your customers.

These quotes reflect the spirit and values that the VDIs share and which guide them in their professional activity. For more information and testimonials, please visit the company website.

ELORA is recognised as a responsible company that cares for the planet and for people, and has helped to make the VDI profession an integral part of ongoing training and personal development.

Work-life balance

The balance between personal and professional life is one of the advantages highlighted for independent home sellers (IHVs).

Here is a summary of the key points raised in this article:

• Flexibility and autonomy: With VDI status, you benefit from permanent flexibility, allowing you to adapt your schedule to your personal requirements (or to a possible second job), which contributes to optimal harmony between professional and private life.

• Organisational advice: The company offers strategies for improving professional organisation and effective time management, enabling self-employed home sellers to maximise their family and personal time.

• Total freedom:The home-based sales model is designed to give you complete freedom to organise your working hours, which is ideal for people who are looking to reconcile their professional and personal commitments.

These elements indicate that ELORA strives to provide a work environment that supports work/life balance for its IDVs.

As for the substantial commissions offered by the company to its sales agents, these are a mark of respect and recognition of the salespeople's work. They reflect not only the sales results, but also the commitment of each member of the team.