Purse parties normally involve three sets of participants – the host, the consultant and the guests. If you are planning to host a purse party, you’ll want to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that all involved have a great time. Although the purse party consultant can provide guidance and suggestions to you on the hosting aspects, the following suggestions will help ensure that your purse party is expertly hosted and lots of fun.

The first step, of course, is choosing the right purse party consultant to work with. Many companies will offer specific incentives for you to host a purse party (such as a free purse or other merchandise if certain sales targets are met) and you will want to confirm what incentives your potential consultant can provide before you book them.

The reason for these incentives is threefold: 1. to encourage people to open up their homes to host a purse party; 2. to incentivize the host to ensure the attendance of as many guests as possible; and 3. to a lesser extent, to entice the host into becoming a purse party consultant herself.

For more on consultants, read our article on choosing a purse party consultant.

To ensure your success as purse party host, here are some “do’s and dont’s”:

* Don’t Over-Complicate Things. As purse party host, your ultimate goals are to ensure that your guests have a great experience and that the event is a financial success. Spending too much time on cleaning, decorating and food preparation, won’t allow you enough time for visiting with guests and ensuring that the social and sales aspects of the event are running smoothly. So, make things easy on yourself by keeping it simple, allowing you lots of time to chat with your guests and to facilitate interaction between them and the purse party consultant.

* Do Over-invite. You can expect that a fair number of guests will cancel at the last minute or not show up due to other pressures and commitments Many invitees will not show up. For this reason, you should get commitments from 30% more people than you actually need in attendance. This will ensure that enough guests show up which is important not only to create a great and fun atmosphere but also to sell enough merchandise, particularly if you are dealing with a purse party consultant who represents a company that expects a minimum number of guests to attend the party.

* Do Allow Enough Time.   make sure that you allow enough time at the party for everyone to get a good look at the merchandise. If you are bringing in a good selection of purses as well as an array of accessories, you want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to spend time with the consultant and hear everything that she has to offer. Naturally, the better the sales, the better your incentives or rewards will be as the host.

For more great information, check out our main article on how to host a purse party.

One of the questions that comes up most often is whether purse parties are illegal. Well, the short answer to that question is “no”. The longer answer is that it all depends on just what you are doing at that little purse party of yours!

Of course, purse parties themselves are perfectly legal. After all, what could be more wholesome than a group of girlfriends getting together to drink a little wine and do some shopping from the comfort of home?

Having said that, what CAN get you on the wrong side of the law is selling counterfeit purses at a purse party (assuming of course, that you get caught).

Why is selling counterfeit purses illegal? To put it simply, the brand names of big designers like “Prada”, “Coach” and “Gucci” are protected by international Trademark law. What this means is that they have the exclusive right to use their brand name and their logo. Use of those names and logos by anyone else is a violation of Federal law and, therefore, punishable.

Although in most jurisdictions it is not illegal for a consumer to purchase a counterfeit purse, it IS illegal for someone to knowingly sell one.

So, the bottom line is this. If you are a purse party consultant and you sell counterfeit purses, you run the risk of getting in trouble with the law if you get caught. And, if you are the host of a purse party and knowingly participate/assist in the selling of those counterfeit purses, you are probably at some risk as well.

In the end, it’s your call and we aren’t here to judge you one way or another. But if breaking the law and the potential consequences to you as a consultant or host makes your stomach a little queasy, consider the following options:

1. Going with real designer brands (the most expensive option, obviously).

2. Choosing “knock-offs” that LOOK like the real thing but don’t use the actual designers name or logo. (Copying the design isn’t a problem – only using the designer’s name and logo is.)

3. Going with less expensive but  cool and funky brand name purses that are still hip and trendy but won’t cost your guests an arm and a leg.

While none of these options have the same sex appeal as offering fake designer brands, all of them will still keep your friends in style and, more importantly, you out of the penitentiary.

Thinking about hosting a purse party?  A purse party consultant can handle all of the dealings with merchandise distributors and provide professional planning advice so that you can focus on the more social aspects of the evening like planning the menu and decor and coordinating invitations.  Working together, you can ensure a successful and entertaining event for your family and friends.

When looking for a purse party consultant, do a little research and see if you can get any recommendations or referrals from family or friends who have hosted a purse party or know someone else who has.  If you aren’t able to find a purse party consultant in your immediate area, try contacting one in a nearby city or town and asking whether they are willing to travel to your location to help you host your party.

Once you are in touch with a consultant, here are a few things that you will want to discuss:

* Ask them what kinds of merchandise they work with and whether they have an online catalog or some other materials showcasing the purses and handbags that they have available.  Because merchandise can vary greatly between different consultants, you will want to make sure that they carry styles that are suitable for your guests as well as your purse party theme if you have one.

* Discuss with the consultant what you expect your respective roles to be at the event.  Is it your plan to handle the actual sales at the purse party or do you want the consultant to take care of all the selling while you look after your guests and the social aspects of the party?  In either case, it’s a good idea to define your roles in advance so that everyone is on the same page.

* Discuss how long you expect the party to last, especially if you are planning a lengthier event.  This way the consultant will have a firm understanding as to what your expectations are and for how long her attendance is required.

*  Find out whether the consultant provides any games, coupons, door prizes, decorations or invitations.  Many purse party consultants will have at least some of these items available to help you with your planning.

* Talk to the consultant about the room you are using for the party, how much space she will need for her display and what sized table she will require.  (If you need extra tables, banquet tables or folding card tables work well.)

*  Ask the consultant whether she provides her own table coverings for the display area or she expects you to supply them.   (You may want to supply your own to match the decor of the room or your theme.)
Help the Consultant When She Arrives at Your Home

Having a brief conversation with the consultant about these items will give you a good idea as to whether they are the right consultant for your purse party and will also ensure seamless coordination of the event when the big day arrives.

One of the things that can take a home purse party from good to great is an exciting theme.  While women that attend home purse parties generally don’t need much prompting to get them into the buying mood, some of the best and most successful purse parties are based on a theme or centered around a holiday or special time of year.

When considering a theme for your home purse party, think about your friends, what their interests are and how and where they tend to socialize.  Taking these things into account will help you decide on what type of party will be attractive to them. Usually, you will want to choose a theme that is fun and feminine.  Incorporating the concept of “luxury” or pampering into your theme is always a good idea since most of your party-goers will see the purse party as a special indulgence anyway and embracing that aspect of the event can really make your home purse party exciting and successful.  Having said this, your theme need not be complicated at all.  Something simple and understated will work great.  A few decorations, some inexpensive appetizers and some good wine will go a long way.

Holiday themed purse parties tend to do very well since family and friends are together, festive and already in shopping mode. The holidays are a natural excuse for you and your girlfriends to have a purse party and get out of the house.  When basing your purse party on a seasonal theme, you can really focus all your mailings, emails, newsletters and invitations on the upcoming shopping season, the gift giving aspect of the season and the money that can be saved by shopping for gifts at a home purse party.  Purse parties based on Halloween also work well.  For example, you might consider a traditional Italian costume party theme with simple masks paired with a selection of Italian style designer bags.  Home purse parties centered around spring or summer themes are also easy to host and very effective.

When basing your theme on a particular holiday or season, consider matching your merchandise to your theme.  For example, when centering your theme around the winter holidays, you will want to choose bags that are more formal and elegant.  When theming your party around spring or summer, keep the colors and styles bright and youthful.  In addition, remember to consider the needs of your particular guests when choosing merchandise.  For example, if your party-goers are older, you may wish to include more traditional and formal bags.  If you have young mothers attending, don’t forget to include larger, practical (but still stylish) bags that will suit their hectic lifestyles.

Finally, parties themed around a special occasion or milestone are also very effective.  Purse parties themed around baby and wedding showers or pre-wedding bridal party get-togethers are all excellent ideas.  In these cases, there is already a reason for getting together and incorporating a home purse party into the event can make it that much more exciting and memorable.

When it comes to choosing a home purse party theme, the only limit is your imagination.  Keep things simple, feminine and exciting and, where practical, look to center your party around an upcoming holiday, season or occasion.  Following these guidelines will ensure that your party is well attended and that you and your guests have a great time.

Are you thinking about hosting a designer purse party for friends, colleagues or family and wondering where to start? Hosting a home purse party (also known as a handbag party) can be a fun way to get together and socialize. Using the services of a a purse party consultant is a great way to ensure the success of your party and cut down on the amount of work that you have to do personally.  However, if you want to host it entirely on your own without the help of purse party consultant, here are a few tips that will help ensure that your first designer purse party is a success.

1.  Sourcing Purses and Handbags – The first step toward creating a successful first designer purse party  is finding a good source for the purses, handbags and accessories that you will have on display at your gathering.  Although large purse party companies are the perfect option for those looking to start a designer purse party business, someone wishing to host their first party on a shoestring budget is better off  finding one or two local stores that are willing to loan purses for the  event. You should find that many small businesses are  willing to supply you with a few designer purses on the understanding that you will pay them for any purses that you sell at your party. (Some may require a small deposit.)

2.  Determine a Location and Menu for Your Party – Usually, you will want to host your first purse party in your own home or that of a friend.  Although venues are sometimes rented for larger events, don’t attempt this for your first designer purse party unless you are absolutely sure that you will be able to get enough people to cover the costs.  Instead keep the party setting small and intimate.  A small venue and a simple menu will help you avoid being overwhelmed by planning and will keep your costs down.

3.  Advertise Using Email, Free Media and Social Networks – Use email to invite friends, family and casual acquaintances.  If you want to expand your list of invitees beyond these people, then consider using free media sources and social networking sites.  Free classified ad sites like Craigslist and social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter can be great avenues for getting the word out about your designer purse party.

Keeping your first designer purse party straightforward and simple will help you ensure your success and provide you with a great springboard toward bigger and better future events.  Now get out there and start planning!

Starting your own purse party business can be a fun and financially rewarding way to get involved in the world of business while enjoying the fun and exciting social aspects that are unique to home based party enterprises.

While there are many types of home party businesses to choose from, a purse party has an advantage over other home based party businesses like Tupperware because there are no catalogs of pre-determined merchandise.  This allows you, as a purse party consultant, to really design your business and be much more creative in choosing what bags and accessories are offered.

If you are thinking about starting your own purse party business, here are some of the basics that you will want to consider:

Understanding Your Clientèle

The purses and handbags offered at your purse parties can include designer purses, imitation designer purses, inexpensive trendy handbags or even a combination of all three. The types of purses, handbags and accessories you offer for sale at any given purse party will depend on the particular guests attending that party. For example, if your expected party-goers are accustomed to shopping exclusively for designer and brand name items, you probably wouldn’t offer inexpensive generic purses and handbags. In cases where you are unsure about exactly what party guests will be interested in, it’s wise to offer a diversity of designer, brand name and popular less expensive purses and handbags that will suit everyone’s tastes.

Reliable Distributors and Drop Shippers

A very important factor in managing a profitable home purse party business is finding trusted suppliers.  In order for you to have a full range of merchandise available, you should find a reliable supplier or drop-shipper in each of the following categories:

* Designer purses and handbags;

* Imitation designer purses;

* Less expensive, trendy handbags; and

* Related fashion accessories.

Product suppliers are the foundation of a home purse party business. Clients pre-pay for their purchases so you’ll want to identify vendors who deliver in a timely manner.

On-Hand Inventory

One of the great things about starting a purse party business is that initial investment can be very low and you can build your inventory gradually as your business expands. When you start out, having  even just a small supply of sample handbags on hand at a party will get attendees engaged and enthusiastic about your merchandise. To keep things interesting, you can easily offer select samples for purchase to be taken home that day. However, you should not sell off  all of your samples.  Secure orders from guests that you will deliver at a later date, thus giving you additional contact with the guests and the potential for hosting another purse party. 

Your First Purse Party

To get your purse party consulting business off the ground, you will need to host a purse party of your own. Invite acquaintances, colleagues, neighbors and family. If you know lots of people, you can even host more than one party since smaller, more intimate purse parties often a better social dynamic and will generate more sales.

Planning Your First Purse Party

Hosting your own purse party is a great way to gain working experience in  effective purse party planning.   To get started with your planning, create a list of things to attend to. This checklist will naturally expand as your home business grows and you gain knowledge of what exactly works most effectively for you. Here’s an example of some of the items that will be included in your checklist:

* Invitations – You will want to send out invitations together with an exciting description of what a purse party involves and the  price range of the merchandise that will be offered.

* Snacks – Plan basic hors d’oeuvres or finger food together with a preferred beverage (wine works nicely!). This gives the gathering much more of a party vibe and helps guests loosen up and relax.

* Gifts and Door/Raffle Prizes – Gifts and raffle prizes are a great way to get people enthusiastic about attending your purse party and also create a festive atmosphere at the party itself.

Product Presentation

A professional and attractive display of the handbags you have to offer will create a good first perception as visitors arrive. It’s a good idea to arrive at the party at least thirty minutes in advance of the guests so that you have time to set up a display of your merchandise together with flyers and catalogs. Set the display table up at one end of the room and take some table linen and perhaps a plant or two for a more pleasing presentation. Don’t forget to incorporate a business card holder together with your business cards so that party-goers can pass your name and reputation on to others who might be interested in holding a purse party.

As part of your display, consider highlighting one purse to be given away by the conclusion of the party. That will bring attendees to the display area and get them excited about the other handbags and accessories you have to offer.

Building a Financially Rewarding Business

An important component in growing  your purse party business is enticing guests at your parties to host a purse party in their own home with you as the consultant. As you build your reputation as a great consultant, this aspect of your business will grow naturally, allowing you to hire additional product demonstrators to work for you.  Since it’s your business, you get to determine what purses and accessories will be offered and the demonstrators can work for you  in exchange for a share of the sales that they are able to generate at the party.

Over the last few years, designer purse parties have become an extremely popular and exciting way for women to get together and socialize, combining great friends, food, drinks and, of course, shopping!  What could be better?

Although designer purse parties themselves are relatively new, the home party concept on which they are based isn’t, dating all the way back to the 1940′s when a DuPont chemist named Earl Tupper, invented a new form of plastic which he eventually incorporated into a product called, you guessed it,” Tupperware”.

Usually, a designer purse party involves not only purses but jewelery, sunglasses, and other women’s fashion accessories as well.   Unlike other home party systems, the purse party provides more of a relaxed social get-together environment without aggressive recruiting or long, boring sales presentations.

The designer purse party model has proven both to be an excellent way for women to get together and have some fun and a great way for an aspiring home entrepreneur to start a new business.

Whatever or your interest in purse parties is, you’ll find some great information on our site.  So please take some time to look around and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.