An interview with our founder from www.iamwahm.co.uk Full Name: Victoria Griffiths Family: I live with my Husband and my two children- Ethan who is 4 and Marisa who is 16 months old. Business Name: The FunkiJunk Jewellery Company  Website URL:  www.funkijunkjewellery.co.uk   Type of Business: A retail website and party-plan business. We have Consultants who work under the umbrella of FJJ Ltd and they act as ’style guru’s’ giving advice to women of all ages, shapes and sizes on the accessories that best suit them. It’s a fantastic way of earning money. Everyone gets involved and it’s always an enjoyable night. How long have you been doing it? Since 2006 What made you choose this direction? My background in IT and marketing along with the constant requirement for jewellery!!!!   How many hours per week do you work  Between 15 and 30. I’m the MD of course, so for Consultants it is usually less depending on the amount of parties there is to do. I have all the back-end administration and website design to add to my quota! I’ll often be found under big piles of paperwork! What are the start-up costs involved with this type of work? For someone joining our company, the start-up cost is £99 for a jewellery kit and catalogues. Are there any ongoing costs? The ongoing costs are minimal. If you want to add extra stock for your display then you can purchase this at 20% off the RRP and this goes towards the commission earn each month. All paperwork is emailed to you so you can just print it off as and when you need it and extra catalogues are available at cost-price from head-office. What is the income potential with a business/job like this? This depends on how much you’re prepared to put into the business and more specifically the amount of parties you do. On average you can earn between £35-£60 per party, and often more in the busy periods. Are there any special skills needed? You need to enjoy being in the company of other people and a penchant for talking helps! What is your favourite part of working in this business? Definitely waiting to see all the new jewellery that is coming out for the next season! I also like it when women I have advised on colours etc for skin tone or body type will stop me in the street and say ‘Wow that colour chart you gave me has made such a difference to my wardrobe - look!’ It makes me very happy to be able to share my knowledge and help other people to feel good about themselves. What do you find the most challenging? Probably trying to fit in all the parties in busy periods such as Christmas! What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learnt about working from home? That you should always try to keep work life and home life separate. If you let them get muddled then your life becomes muddled! What would you say it really takes to succeed as a WAHM? Patience, perseverence and persistence! It’s all to easy to let things slide because you’re at home and the ironing needs doing or the kids have worn you out and you don’t have the energy to do anything of an evening. You really only get out what you put in. Would you recommend this route for others? If you want to work from home and think you have the commitment and drive to do it, then absolutely!!! What would be the first thing you recommend someone do, if they would like to work in this area? Research the industry and make sure you’re selling a product you like. There is no point selling something that you find totally uninspiring. That’s why I chose jewellery and handbags, because I like to use them myself. There would have been no point me going for cleaning products or frilly knickers as I just wouldn’t be able to get excited about them in the same way and my customers would have seen that for themselves. Is there anything else you would like to share with our visitors? I personally regularly mentor other women who are starting out in business, so I’m well versed in dealing with the complex issues of starting a business from home. It can be daunting and challenging at best and lonely at worst. It takes time and often the most successful women are those who see their WAHM role as a labour of love. In a nutshell, it’s not for the faint-hearted but it can be oh so rewarding. Especially if it means you get to spend those precious early years with your children. From Families Magazine, Epsom edition.  www.familiesonline.co.uk The Fairtrade logo is now a familiar sight on the shelves of food shops but what about other ethically traded items? Where do you find clothes and accessories that are sourced fairly?

A new company is attempting to put the record straight by selling lovely jewellery and handbags – essential female apparel – made by artisans who work in good conditions and receive a decent wage for their work. The FunkiJunk Jewellery Company was set up in 2006 by Victoria Griffiths and sells through independent consultants on a party-plan basis, at craft fairs and through its website. Caroline Slade from Hersham, Surrey is available for home-based parties and other events in the South London area

From the Surrey Herald May 9th 07

Name: Caroline Slade.

Age: 30

Home: Hersham

Job: Fair Trade Jewellery Consultant for FunkiJunk Jewellery

What does a Jewellery Consultant do?

I'm self-employed and host parties in people's homes, and I also attend markets and craft fairs where FunkiJunk products are sold.  I also organise fairs where I can sell the jewellery.

How long have you been doing it?

About eight weeks, but I've already hosted parties in Walton, Hersham and Hinchley Wood.

Why do it?

It's a cause I really respect.  Because it's Fair Trade I know all the items have been treated well along the way and people making them have been paid fairly.   The hours are very flexible and allow me to work and still spend quality time with my children.

What have you sold most of?

The most popular item is an unusual necklace with leather strands anda jewel in-set in the silver. 

We sell a range of jewellery, from necklaces, earrings and bracelets to silk handbags and purses.

Quite a lot of the items are limited edition and not available for a long time.

Are diamonds a girl's best friend?

I guess they are, but not everyone can afford them, so FunkiJunk jewellery is the next best thing.

Do you get a buzz from selling?

I was a host at a party and there were 12 people.  I sold just under £300, which  was very pleasing and exciting.  It makes you feel what you are doing is worthwhile and people are enjoying the experience of coming to the party.

What job did you want as a child?

I didn't have massive aspirations, just to be a successful person and be happy.  What's important to me now is to spend time with my children while they're young and I'm doing that.

From the Cambridgeshire Evening News 19/04/07

Ethically-traded jewellery is the unusual line of business being followed by a new entrepeneur.

The consultant is turning the work of artisans in Chile and Venezuela into a business through her role as an independent consultant with the FunkiJunk Jewellery Company.

 Anyone interested in FunkiJunk Jewellery can head office on 01621 782489 or email info@funkijunkjewellery.co.uk

From Cambridgeshire Weekly News 19/04/07

Ethically -traded jewellery is the unusual line of business being followed by a new entrepeneur. 

A consultant based in Cambridgeshire is turning the work of artisans in Chile and Venezuela into business in Cambridgeshire through her role as an independent consultant with the FunkiJunk Jewellery Company.

The consultant is bringing the exotic trinkets to local craft fairs and markets.  She said "I saw the jewellery and thought it was gorgeous, and when I realised it was fairly and ethically traded I wanted to be part of the company."

"Most of the jewellery is made by artisans, who work on their own or in small, family-run businesses, so this means that the ranges change frequently and my customers love it.  There is always something new for me to showcase!"

 Anyone interested in FunkiJunk Jewellery can contact the head office on 01621 782489 or email info@funkijunkjewellery.co.uk

From www.waltononline.co.uk 20/04/07

Jewel in the Fairtrade crown

FAIR-trade jewellery has captured the heart of a Hersham mother, giving her the chance to become self-employed.

Caroline Slade is one of the first independent consultants in the South East for FunkiJunk Jewellery (FJJ).

Set up in 2006 by Victoria Griffiths, FunkiJunk Jewellery sells mainly ethically and fairly-traded jewellery and handbags.

“I am now an independent consultant and I’m self-employed, which means I can work the hours I want to and fit them into my life and two sons.

“Most of the jewellery is made by artisans who work on their own or in small family-run businesses, so this means the ranges change frequently, and my customers love it. It means there is always something new for me to showcase.”

Caroline is available for home-based parties. If you are interested in becoming an FJJ independent consultant, visit www.funkijunkjewellery.co.uk or call 01621 782489.

From the Maldon and Burnham Standard November 2006

MOTHERS FUNKI SOLUTION

An enterprising Mum of two has flown in the face of rising childcare costs and a lack of well-paid part-time jobs by launching her own business.

Victoria Griffiths, 28, had struggled to find a part-time job that paid well and fitted in with her commitments as a mother to two young children.

She eventually decided 'enough was enough' and took matters into her own hands by setting up her own internet and party-plan jewellery business.

Mrs Griffiths of Maple Way, already a qualified IT Trainer, added another string to her bow by launching the FunkiJunk Jewellery Company last month.

She said 'It's not easy to find a good part-time job that will cover the cost of putting two pre-school children into nursery.  I can now conduct business around my children and work the hours I want. I get the best of both worlds."