Branxton woman Aly Brown embraced direct sales five years ago when she became a representative of Your Inspiration at Home, a range of all natural seasonings, spices and salts.

Ms Brown will attend the Savvy Circles meeting at the Hunter River Hotel later this month, where participants will exchange marketing advice.

“We’re stepping up and challenging a certain perception people might have of [party planning],” Ms Brown said.

“It’s the same as any business, so if you put the effort in it does repay you.”

Savvy Circles networking sessions usually have a ­discussion topic and feature one of the party planners in a casual, friendly ­environment.

The party planners can then take these ideas to the homes of their clients when marketing the products to a group.

“I’ve been to several Savvy Circles meetings and I love the camaraderie,” Ms Brown said.

“We share with each other what works – we’re professionals helping one another.”

The work may seem ­casual in nature but, for those people dedicated to the job, the returns are substantial.

“My husband was a victim of the mining downturn, but my income has kept us afloat,” Ms Brown said.

Savvy Circles host Sharon Swan said people new to party planning had often received only basic

instruction on their products and were keen to learn more about marketing.

“They might fall in love with the products and see it as an income opportunity,” she said.

“Once they’re set up the might think, ‘I really don’t know how to run a business’.”

The Savvy Circles networking session will take place at the Hunter River Hotel on February 26 from 10.30am until midday.

Bookings are essential and details can be found online at www.savvycirclesnetwork.com.