Business Zone Directory
Request further information
I wasn't even looking for a job, but when I saw the adorable clothes in a magazine, I was hooked! I'm really proud to be representing me&i, and love introducing more people to their soft, colourful and funky range. The ethical stance of the company appeals too. They are committed to great quality clothes, and through working with personally assured small firms in Europe, I can be confident that no-one was exploited to make the garments. It is so nice to find something a little bit different for children's clothes, my kids look wonderful in any setting, and I am always being asked where their clothes came from. This is my cue to hand over my card and offer to bring the rail round to their house!
I've met some lovely people, and work with a great team of women. All of us in the company are mummies, which means that we all understand that sometimes you just have to put the family first. The flexibility really does suit me, with three children between 2 and 8. I can work as much as I like, when I like, and choose my hours. Also, it is great to have something to challenge myself with, after years of being a full-time mum. And after all, going to peoples' houses to drink wine and coffee really is playing to my strengths - I have years of experience!
Home selling really makes sense for these clothes. They have so much feel-appeal, and it is great for my customers to be able to touch them, learn about the company, and shop in comfort with friends. And in difficult times, no-one wants to be wasting money on rubbish, and my customers can trust that me&i clothes will last through the whole family, and still be in great shape to be passed on to friends. The selling format is fun for me to do and really easy to organise. There is so much support available and there is no need to be taking cheques to the bank, or delivering packages to customers as thats all taken care of by me&i. It all leaves me much more time to build my business at my own pace, and spend more time with my family!
Back to search
Request further information
me&i
Swedish design for cool kids
About Us
Swedish Design for Cool Kids
me&i is a Swedish childrens clothes company founded in 2004 by Susan Engvall and Helene Nyrell, working from the kitchen table at their homes in Barsebäck, Sweden.
Our clothes represent Swedish design at its best high quality, funky colours and cool prints. They are designed to be play-friendly delivering comfort and longevity and are all tried and tested by a panel of children for both comfort and looks.
We sell our clothes through home selling. Our shopping concept combines the best of todays popular internet shopping and traditional high street shopping you can touch, feel and try on the clothes and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Its the perfect way for busy mums to shop!
All me&i clothes are produced in Europe. That guarantees fantastic quality for a start, but also that the workers have good working conditions, wages and pension. We can be certain that no child labour is used. And European environmental regulations ensure there is no pollution as a result of manufacturing our clothes. Plus it means low fashion-miles!
Our whole range is Öko-tex labelled Öko-tex is the worlds leading label for textiles tested for harmful substances so our clothes are completely safe to wear.
me&i representatives are self-employed and basically run their own business, selling me&i clothes, but work according to our concept and get full training and on-going support from me&i.
The main tool of a me&i representative is the show collection that includes one of every item from the seasons collection. What the customer can buy, the customer can see, in real life.
Its a very flexible role that you can fit completely around the family. You decide your working hours and dont have to commit to certain times every week.
About You
You need to be outgoing, self-motivated and want to go out there to get the business an entrepreneurial self-starter but no previous experience is necessary.
The better your existing contact network the easier it's going to be to get started. And you need to make sure theres a good fit between our products and your contact network as thats where youll be starting to sell. Then it's very much up to you how you expand. Full training and on-going support is given as you build up your customer base and promote your business.
You do need to love our clothes as its your enthusiasm for the product that is the most important when youre selling. Thats what youll be sharing and whats going to make customers want to buy.
Financial Information
Start-up cost: In your first season you can rent the show collection for £100 + delivery. We ask that all our starters have their first five parties booked before they start and it is very rare not to more than cover the start-up costs of the first season in those five parties.
For subsequent seasons you purchase they show collection for £550 + delivery but you can split your payment and once the season is over the clothes are yours to sell, so you can recover the cost and make a profit on top. (There are two me&i collections a year and they include clothes for babies, children up to 12 and there is a range of ladies clothes too, available in XS-XL.)
Commission: basic commission is 20% but it rises to 25% once you hit certain sales targets. There are also bonuses and competitions that enable you to earn a bit more and a staff discount.
Earning potential: Average earnings per party is £50 but it varies from £20 to £200. Sometimes you have fantastic parties, sometimes not so great ones, but every party is also a way of getting more business, which is why this is such a great way of working. Even if the takings werent that high you might have come away with a booking for another party.
The people who do the best with us start with a medium to good contact network but importantly start building it from day one. And its the people who put the most into it that also reap the biggest rewards and have the highest sales.
Materials: Most marketing material is free of charge to download and print out. This covers all material that is essential to be able to operate, such as order forms and invites. Everything else is available at cost price and you can pick and choose what will be useful for you.
Materials: Most marketing material is free of charge to download and print out. This covers all material that is essential to be able to operate, such as order forms and invites. Everything else is available at cost price and you can pick and choose what will be useful for you.
Training
- Theres full training on the range, the concept and the operations side before you start.
- Theres also regular on-going training and kick-offs at the start of each season.
- Every me&i representative reports to a coach who helps with achieving the goals youve set yourself for the season.
What more do I get?
- You get your own personal e-mail address
- Theres a librarys worth of manuals and support material, including tips on how to do your own PR, and a forum where you can share experiences with your peers too.
- We dont award our representatives specific geographical areas but were not aiming to be as ubiquitous as a high street brand so, unlike many home selling companies, we do make sure there is enough of a market for each representative to build their business.
Case Study
Claire Winchester in Hertfordshire started with me&i spring 2011, when the company had just launched in the UK.
I wasn't even looking for a job, but when I saw the adorable clothes in a magazine, I was hooked! I'm really proud to be representing me&i, and love introducing more people to their soft, colourful and funky range. The ethical stance of the company appeals too. They are committed to great quality clothes, and through working with personally assured small firms in Europe, I can be confident that no-one was exploited to make the garments. It is so nice to find something a little bit different for children's clothes, my kids look wonderful in any setting, and I am always being asked where their clothes came from. This is my cue to hand over my card and offer to bring the rail round to their house!
I've met some lovely people, and work with a great team of women. All of us in the company are mummies, which means that we all understand that sometimes you just have to put the family first. The flexibility really does suit me, with three children between 2 and 8. I can work as much as I like, when I like, and choose my hours. Also, it is great to have something to challenge myself with, after years of being a full-time mum. And after all, going to peoples' houses to drink wine and coffee really is playing to my strengths - I have years of experience!
Home selling really makes sense for these clothes. They have so much feel-appeal, and it is great for my customers to be able to touch them, learn about the company, and shop in comfort with friends. And in difficult times, no-one wants to be wasting money on rubbish, and my customers can trust that me&i clothes will last through the whole family, and still be in great shape to be passed on to friends. The selling format is fun for me to do and really easy to organise. There is so much support available and there is no need to be taking cheques to the bank, or delivering packages to customers as thats all taken care of by me&i. It all leaves me much more time to build my business at my own pace, and spend more time with my family!
Featured Business Zone Articles
Business Zone Topics
- Start Ups (28)
- Working For Yourself (26)
- Finance (29)
- Employment (17)
- Legal (8)
- Sales And Marketing (19)
- Tools (11)
- Mums In Business (46)
- Franchises (9)