'Pink Collar' jobs allow moms to make money at home

CINCINNATI - When the economy collapsed, the finances for a majority of families were affected. And in a lot of cases, women were asked to find a way to help provide. Some people are calling these women “pink collar” workers.

Often, these women are leaving their homes to enter yours to make a living and if you’ve ever participated in an in-home shopping party, you have experienced this big wave of employment. From Mary Kay to Pampered Chef to Pure Romance , these types of businesses seem to be catching fire.

Andrea Benedic became a Jewelry Stylist for Stella & Dot , last year. By trade, she is an artist and interior designer, both things she calls, “luxury items.” "I started looking and researching things that were kinda recession proof,” she says. “And jewelry was one of them," she said.

Pure Romance is an in-home party company that sells what they call “relationship aids”.

At the company’s recent “evening of opportunity”, nearly 1,000 women piled into the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati to listen to the CEO of Pure Romance, Chris Ciccinelli and the event was beamed around the world to thousands more women. These are all women who are or want to be Pure Romance in-home Sales Representatives.

"The best thing at Pure Romance?”, said Ciccinelli. “It's also recession-proof. Last year we grew at 37 percent. We had 42 percent of new consultants over 2010."

So why are these types of in-home party businesses gaining popularity now?

Amanda Roy came to the Pure Romance event because she needs a job. "Couldnt' find a job anywhere,” she said. “Wanted to set my own hours. I have two kids at home and a husband who wanted me home in the evening times."

Andrea Benedic, who has two young children, agrees. The flexibility of the work and the ability to make money were key factors for her. "My work and my passion are my children, and I don't want to miss out on their childhood," said Benedic. "Everybody is downsizing and cutting peoples pay and this is a great way to fill in."

But Cicchinelli’s view of the issue is broader. He believes these types of businesses are bringing real social and economic change.

"It's about women business owners and those women business owners are going to get our economy and our country back on the track we need to be," said Cicchinelli.

In many cases, the sales representatives are considered owners, however, seed money is often required. In some cases, that investment can range from $250 to $1,000.

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