Episode 83

Mom Life: The Chapters of a Side Hustle in Direct Sales

Every business journey has its chapters — and for moms in direct sales, those chapters often read like a mash-up of nap schedules, school drop-offs, late-night customer messages, and the occasional “What day is it again?” moment.

In a recent episode of The Other 99% Podcast, we sat down with Jenna Stewart, a 10-year veteran of direct sales, who’s built a thriving business while raising four kids under 10. Her story is proof that success doesn’t always look like non-stop hustle — sometimes it’s about knowing which chapter you’re in and working with it.

From First Facebook Party to 10 Years in Business

Jenna’s journey started with a simple Facebook party invite when her oldest was still in diapers. She fell in love with the products, hosted a party, and joined shortly after — despite her husband’s initial “isn’t this a scam?” skepticism. Ten years later, she’s built a business that fits her life, not the other way around.

Finding Your Rhythm in Different Seasons

From newborn chaos to school-age schedules, Jenna has learned to shift her work hours based on what works best for her energy and her family. Her golden window? Nap time and early mornings — when her brain is fresh and the house is quiet.

Why Maintenance Mode is More Than “Just Coasting”

When her fourth child arrived, Jenna gave herself permission to enter “maintenance mode.” That meant scaling back on big goals, focusing on loyal customers, and keeping the business steady instead of sprinting for every award.

Her takeaway? You don’t have to be at the top of the company to make an impact. Serving your customers well matters just as much as any stage walk.

Systems That Keep the Business Rolling

Jenna’s secret weapons:

Project Broadcast for bulk and one-on-one customer communication
A thriving VIP group
Email marketing to stay in touch without being glued to Facebook
These tools allow her to keep the business visible and running, even in her busiest family seasons.

The Heart Behind the Hustle

At the center of Jenna’s work is her belief that literacy matters. Selling children’s books isn’t just about sales numbers — it’s about putting the right stories into little hands and helping kids fall in love with reading.

Looking Ahead: New Dreams, Same Passion

As her kids grow, Jenna envisions more in-person events like preschool book fairs and home parties — a shift from the online focus of recent years. For now, she’s content knowing she can grow when the timing is right.

Words Every Direct Seller Needs to Hear

Two pieces of wisdom Jenna swears by:

Keep the merry-go-round moving — even a small push keeps momentum going, so you’re not starting from scratch later.
Don’t quit when it’s hard — if you decide to walk away, do it when things are good so you’re leaving from a place of strength, not frustration.

Listen to the Full Conversation on The Other 99% Podcast

This blog only scratches the surface of Jenna’s inspiring story. Tune in to the full episode of The Other 99% Podcast to hear her share candid insights, funny behind-the-scenes moments, and encouragement for anyone navigating direct sales alongside mom life.

Mom Life: The Chapters of a Side Hustle in Direct Sales