Carlsbad
library worker turning the page with home-based book business
By Valerie Cranston
For the Current-Argus
For the Current-Argus
Posted: 09/03/2012
10:58:08 PM MDT
Laura Hughes, 36, recently became an independent consultant for Usborne Books and More, a company that applies a tried-and-true marketing method - think Avon, Mary Kay Cosmetics and Tupperware - to sell its literary products.
She offers a number of books for sale through home party bookings or from her Web site.
Books have always been a large part of Hughes' life. She works part time as a library page at the Carlsbad Public Library, where her duties include checking in returned books, organizing them on a cart, returning them to the shelves and straightening up messes around the library.
"I pretty much do all the fun stuff," Hughes said.
"I've been around books pretty much all the time and my love of books has always been there," she said, noting that she was surrounded by bookcases full of books while growing up. She also worked in the book department at Hastings for four years.
Hughes and her family moved to Carlsbad in 1990 from Mesa, Ariz. She graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1995. She earned an associate's degree in library science online and is currently working toward obtaining her children's literature certificate. She is also involved in Children's ministry at Oasis Christian Fellowship.
Selling books is something that crossed her mind before. However, it was a classmate,
Paula Ferguson, who has
been an Usborne consultant for two years, that encouraged her to join the
Usborne team.
"I loved the idea of earning extra money while doing something I loved," she said.
Hughes hopes to become an education consultant with Usborne, a position that would give her an opportunity to work closely with schools and libraries. "My hope for the future is to be an education consultant with the company," she said, explaining that position would give her the opportunity to sell books to area schools and other libraries.
The Usborne company originated in Great Britain and later partnered with another company in Australia. Today the company's home office is in Oklahoma. Books can be purchased through a home party, or online through Hughes' website, or from a catalog provided by a host. If a host sells more than $250 worth of books, she'll get $40 in free books and another $50 of books at half price.
The catalog, which is updated every six months, offers something for babies to teenagers to young adults. There are even learning books and palettes for extra study for home school parents. Many of the books also have Internet links to search for additional information online.
"Starter collections would make great Christmas presents," Hughes.
Throughout the catalog are holiday books, activity books, a few board games, puzzle books, flashcards, AR (Accelerated Reader) point books, audio books to read along and adventure kid kits including books and activity supplies.
"Books are my thing and I do want the business to grow," she said. "It's fun and it's not really work," she said.
For more information, view Laura Hughes' Web site at www.booksrforever.com.
Anyone interested in booking a party or looking at a catalog can call her at 575-640-5334. To learn more about Usborne Books & More log onto: www.usbornebooksandmore.com
"I loved the idea of earning extra money while doing something I loved," she said.
Hughes hopes to become an education consultant with Usborne, a position that would give her an opportunity to work closely with schools and libraries. "My hope for the future is to be an education consultant with the company," she said, explaining that position would give her the opportunity to sell books to area schools and other libraries.
The Usborne company originated in Great Britain and later partnered with another company in Australia. Today the company's home office is in Oklahoma. Books can be purchased through a home party, or online through Hughes' website, or from a catalog provided by a host. If a host sells more than $250 worth of books, she'll get $40 in free books and another $50 of books at half price.
The catalog, which is updated every six months, offers something for babies to teenagers to young adults. There are even learning books and palettes for extra study for home school parents. Many of the books also have Internet links to search for additional information online.
"Starter collections would make great Christmas presents," Hughes.
Throughout the catalog are holiday books, activity books, a few board games, puzzle books, flashcards, AR (Accelerated Reader) point books, audio books to read along and adventure kid kits including books and activity supplies.
"Books are my thing and I do want the business to grow," she said. "It's fun and it's not really work," she said.
For more information, view Laura Hughes' Web site at www.booksrforever.com.
Anyone interested in booking a party or looking at a catalog can call her at 575-640-5334. To learn more about Usborne Books & More log onto: www.usbornebooksandmore.com
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