About this group

Would you like to become a member of a very successful and rapidly growing group of Usborne organisers?

My group members are located all over the UK, from the Scottish Highlands to the South coast of England, and we also have members in France, Italy and Germany.

Here are some stories from group members;

Heather Prowse

I joined Kate's team after initially going on line just to buy books for my two boys aged 3 and 5 years!

I had hosted an Usborne books party whilst living in America and earned lots of free books. I was particularly drawn to their 'boy' themed books ... castles, dinosaurs, space, bugs ... things of which I knew little! When we came back to England I wanted to buy some more titles and just started surfing the net.

That was August 2004 and there was a 'too good to miss' offer ... over £100 worth of Usborne titles for a £19 joining fee. I quickly returned the forms and waited for the books to arrive. I arranged my first party and 3 close friends turned up who were similarly excited by the books. After that night I was able to place my first £80 order and had 3 bookings lined up! I've done many events since those 3, and now find that people know who I am, and are coming to me to book a party.

I've achieved what I set out to do ... to get discounted/free books for the boys ... we have a fantastic library! I've met lots of new people and earned quite a lot of money! It's been no problem fitting Usborne in around my family and part-time nursing commitments. One of the special moments for me has been ordering £465 worth of FREE books for my son's school following their World Book Day Fair. I know that their school budget is so tight this year that books are sadly not getting a high priority.

I would certainly recommend Usborne to others and have found Kate very supportive.

Diane Lilley

Being an Usborne organiser is just fantastic. The benefits include discounted prices on fabulous books, choosing your own working hours, the excitement of the regular conferences and training and the support of a network of really lovely people.

Since joining I've been promoted to Team Leader and have also won several excellent prizes, including a day at Silverstone Race Track. Who would have thought having your own business could be so much FUN?!!!

Kate MacKenzie

I joined Usborne in October 2001 purely as a favour to a friend who wanted someone to have a book stall at her toddler group's Christmas shopping evening.

Very quickly it became clear to me that everyone loves the books and that selling them is not only easy, but it's fun and profitable too.

My youngest daughter was nearly two at the time, so she and I visited various toddler groups whilst her big sister was at pre-school nursery in the mornings. I built up a customer base with ease, and many mums that I met at toddler groups went on to have home parties - with this business one contact leads to another.

I started to build a team of other organisers to work with me fairly early on and I now have a large group of organisers in the UK and Europe. This has greatly increased both my enjoyment of the job - I get a real kick out of seeing them succeed - and my income.

Usborne is a great company to work for, and they have super incentives. So far I have earned free trips to Sorrento, the French Alps, Barcelona and a Mediterranean cruise and, most recently, Crete & Santorini.

From small beginnings Usborne has become a large part of my life, but throughout this growth it has remained entirely flexible and I am still able to put my family first.

Being self-employed has given me the flexibility that no other job could. I walk my girls to school every day, and from the moment I pick them up until bed time I spend all my time with them. If one of them is ill I am there for them, and I can always attend school sports days etc.

Christine Lamb

I joined Usborne 3 years ago. I had been to a party at a friend's house where Kate was the organiser. I wasn't looking for a "job" but as Kate stood there showing us and talking about the books, I suddenly thought "I could do that" the books are so good they sell themselves and it would be great to have a bit of extra pocket money.

My children at the time were 5 and 3 years old so I also thought it would be a great way of building up a fantastic library for them.

I didn't plan on doing my flying start (an incentive scheme for new organisers) but quickly realised it was possible and was delighted when I did it. I am now a team leader and enjoy the extra commission.

I don't really view this as a job as I love the books, love "talking" and meeting new people and I have made some great friends through it.

Sam Campbell

After the birth of my 2nd daughter I was desperate to find a job I could do around my family and not pay out lots of money on nursery fees - what a fab job I found!

I have promoted to Team Leader and I'm loving every minute of it. I work mostly in playgroups and nurseries and not only do my daughters come to work with me but they have a great time whilst they are there.

I have no boss, flexible hours, as much holiday as I need, a renewed feeling of self worth and a library that is growing with my family.

Karen Baughan

I enjoy being my own boss and working the hours I want to work with the flexibility to take a day off with no questions asked.

I enjoy sharing books with youngsters and finding out what they like to read or have read to them.

The most important thing for me is being able to pay myself what I'm worth and to enjoy doing what I'm doing.

Sally Ross

I had worked before for a book sales company and have always loved books for myself and my two children so when I met Kate at a church fundraiser we got chatting and soon afterwards I joined Usborne.

I work when I want and it fits around the family and also around a part time job which I was offered shortly after joining. I still just do a little now and then but I know it has the potential when I have more time available