The vast majority of direct sellers, 73,8% (according to the World Federation Statistical Database 2017) are women. After all, the channel provided many women with one of the first opportunities to achieve what had previously been difficult to attain—independent working woman status. Especially moms often have to make the difficult choice: stay home with the children and give up any chance of having a career or work a 9-5 position and miss spending most of the day with her kids. Direct selling opened the doors for them to become entrepreneurs – or mompreneurs. It enables them to find a work-life balance, combining the business incentives and time-consuming duties of motherhood.
PM moms can have it all! At PM-International thousands of moms have taken their shot at success. We’re happy to say that most of them have indeed made it. Kerstin Marent from Switzerland is one of them. She is 41 years old, a mother of six, yes six!, and Platinum President’s Team. She answers questions which are sure to be on everybody’s lips right now:
1. Why did you start your business with PM-International?
After 16 years of being a housewife and mother, I felt like the walls were closing in on me at home. I wanted to find myself again and work towards personal fulfillment. First, I thought about going back to being a pre-school teacher to earn my own money again. However, I soon realized that it would not net out. I would have to put my whole salary into the daycare for my two youngest children, who would have to be taken care of while I was at work. I was introduced to the FitLine products 2 months after the birth of my youngest child. After a long period of twisting and turning, I decided to also try my luck with the business. At that point, my kids were 16, 14, 13, 11, 2, and 6 months old.
2. How did you know you were making the right choice?
Actually, I didn’t. I didn’t have any previous experience in sales or network marketing. But I told myself, if the motivation is strong enough everything else will come automatically. So, I went out and did my best. I learned that balancing work and family is a process. Some days are more balanced than others. But I recognize the signs pretty well and can make adjustments accordingly. I had the opportunity to grow into the role of a mompreneur without really knowing how to do it. I am immensely grateful to have taken this step with PM-International!
3. What comes first? Mom or mompreneur?
Obviously, my kids come first, no matter what! They are the reason I started with this business in the first place. I wanted to be able to offer them more. Not just one scoop of ice cream, but three or four if they want to. Personal fulfillment was only the second reason. I wanted to experience what it is like to receive professional recognition. Unfortunately, that is something you don’t usually get as a mom of six. Being a mompreneur became my passion, because I am able to work from home and have my kids around me the whole time. The combination is uniquely brilliant, because I can switch back and forth. Whenever I am not needed as a mom, I can put my energy into the business.
4. Working and being a mom probably isn’t a walk in the park, especially with 6 children. What’s your motivation to keep going?
Sure, it’s exhausting. It takes a lot of energy and demands full attention. Nevertheless, it’s worth all the effort to see my children grow up and to be able to intervene actively, be financially independent, and to be able to take time off whenever needed.
