Making money in fashion after retirement

HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN FASHION?

If you're retired, dynamic and communicative, there's more than one way to earn money and top up your retirement pension, in the various fashion sectors, both online and offline.

Here are a few interesting ways to work with your resources:

• You can make a fresh start selling fashion clothing and accessories on websites or platforms by opening your own virtual boutique. These sales and resale activities, known as reselling or dropshipping, can generate a certain amount of income, provided, of course, that you know how to spot high-potential products and, above all, that you are very comfortable using the Internet to manage everything. It's a great way to start a new job and prove yourself, at any age !

• For a start in design, you can also market your own handmade creations on specialist sites, such as a line of chic accessories: jewellery, bags, scarves, hats, etc., or why not cute accessories for children. It's a field that will allow you to express your creativity and style, while offering a way to earn money (even if it's only a few dozen or a few hundred euros!) thanks to your unique know-how. For some, it's a lifelong dream come true, just as they're about to retire !

• You can become a dressmaker or alteration technician, making made-to-measure clothes or modifying or repairing fashion items. You'll be able to provide a service to a wide public and earn money while expressing your creativity, know-how and attention to detail. And you'll be your own employer !

• You could also consider using your address book to engage in affiliate marketing, which consists of promoting fashion products or services on your website, blog, YouTube channel or social networks to a selected audience (friends, acquaintances, specialist files, etc.). You will earn commission every time a consumer clicks on an online link or makes a purchase online. To do this, you need to sign up to the affiliation programmes offered by the brand sites or platforms... and be both inventive and technical to achieve a sufficient rate of return and performance !

• You can also offer your services as a fashion freelancer, for targeted activities such as writing articles for the web, image consultancy, styling, photography or moderation/verification of internet content. You'll be able to put your skills and passion to good use, while working at your own pace and from a distance. You can find an employer who is happy to use a freelance, one-off worker. You can also look for clients on online sites specialising in freelancing. Be careful, though, because senior profiles are not generally the most sought-after. Your age is likely to make your application less attractive in this very specific professional sphere, and the response rate to your advertisements could prove disappointing... unless, of course, you are already an expert in a particular field, and your skills make the difference a priori!

WHAT JOBS CAN YOU DO IN FASHION IF YOU'RE RETIRED ?

Working in fashion is obviously not just for young people. There are many activities that can suit a retired person who has time and energy to spare... and potentially add up to maximum success and money... even if they're not the queen of the internet !

Whether you want to top up your pension or indulge your passion, here are a few concrete examples that are very affordable for someone who hasn't spent their life behind a computer keyboard or acquired unparalleled skills in digital marketing.

If you're looking for a sideline job in fashion, in addition to your pension (or pensions), with a strong human element:

• You can become a fashion blogger or influencer, sharing your advice, favourites and looks online. In the course of these demanding but stimulating activities, you can create an online community of fans (why not senior citizens? who love your empathy and bubbly personality!), collaborate with brands and earn money from home through advertising or partnerships.

• You can become an image coach, helping seniors (and not just seniors...!) to enhance their appearance and choose the right clothes and accessories for their body type, personality and goals. These may have changed over the course of their lives, and they may not even be aware of it. You'll be able to put your experience, sense of style and listening skills to good use.

• You could become a sales assistant or sales consultant, working in a fashion boutique, ready-to-wear shop or department stores'. You'll be able to put your skills to good use, share your passion, advise customers and devote yourself to selling quality products and articles .

Retired people are particularly popular as VDIs (independent door-to-door salespeople) because they have a number of assets that will help them to succeed in this profession. Have you ever thought about it ?

Here are some things to think about:

• Now that you're retired, you're confident and you have unrivalled experience resulting from your professional expertise, know-how and interpersonal skills, which you can put to good use in your sales activity. In this way, you can add value to the products and articles you sell, and differentiate yourself from other salespeople within the company.

• Your retirement gives you free time (even if you have children and grandchildren who rely on you!), which you can devote to your VDI business as you see fit. You can adapt your work schedule to suit your personal life, your financial needs and your constraints.

• When you retire, after a busy life, you have a network of contacts that you can call on to develop your customer base. Your retired friends can also take advantage of their family, friends, associations or professional circles to spread the word about your new choice of activity, your operating methods and your products. They can also tell younger people about it: their children and grandchildren, in a great intergenerational spirit.

As a retired person, you have motivation and an aura that you can pass on to your customers and all your contacts. You can use your enthusiasm, passion and conviction to sell products, build long-term customer loyalty and create a genuine and unique bond within your company and/or partner brand.

If this has shown you why retired people are popular as VDIs (independent door-to-door salespeople), and made you want to find out more, go for it !

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BECOME A VDI AND RETIRE AT THE SAME TIME ?

Clearly, it's possible ... and even very simple to become a VDI (Vendeur à Domicile Indépendant - self-employed home seller), while enjoying a pension. The status of VDI allows you to sell products or services from home, with complete autonomy and flexibility. You can supplement your retirement income or simply enjoy your passion for selling.

If you want to succeed in this business, particularly in fashion, you will need not only to train in products and sales techniques, but also to ensure that you comply with the rules on combining work and retirement. Don't hesitate to contact your local pension fund for all the information you need.

As a VDI, you contribute to the general social security pension scheme, depending on your income. You can also combine the various options and take out an optional supplementary scheme, such as an individual retirement savings plan or a Madelin contract, to boost your pension rights.

That said, the mechanism is really easy to understand! To become a VDI, all you have to do is register with the social security system and keep accounts of your sales, so that you can file your income tax return correctly each year and declare the amount you have received in this way, at the same time as your retirement pension.

If you are starting out on a freewheel, it may be useful to consult a financial adviser to help you plan your retirement as a VDI, but you can also simply rely on the advice of the partner company you are working for. They know what they're talking about, and it's in their interest to keep you loyal by giving you a good start-up coaching package.

SUPPLEMENTING YOUR INCOME THROUGH INDEPENDENT SELLING, WHILE STILL RETIRED: AN IDEAL PROFESSION !

Self-employed home sales is an activity that can allow you to supplement your income over the months, while still being retired, provided you enjoy sales, contact with the public and flexibility.

Discover with ELORA the incredible advantages of this profession:

You can choose the brand that motivates you and matches your lifestyle choices. So you can sell products and items that you like, and that match your lifestyle, ethics and practical skills.

You organise your timetable as you wish, according to your availability and motivation, in the time slots that suit you. You don't have to answer to an employer, nor are you bound by fixed working hours or geographical constraints. You can rest assured that you will be able to work at your own pace, in line with your personal goals and the money you want to earn.

You can benefit from an attractive remuneration package, based on a percentage of your sales. This is not a fixed salary with a ceiling... The more you sell, the more you earn!

Fashion sales is an area where you can also take advantage of bonuses, gifts or trips offered by the brands you work with.

You can combine your VDI status with your retirement pension, without losing your rights. All you have to do is declare your income as a VDI to the social security and tax authorities, and pay pension contributions under the general scheme. You can also take out an optional supplementary scheme to increase your retirement savings.

You'll have the opportunity to meet new people, expand your network and share your passion. So you can break the isolation, feel useful and fulfil yourself in your activity.

However, like any other business, VDI also has a few requirements:

You need to be self-reliant, dynamic and persistent to succeed in this job. You'll be prospecting for customers, organising home meetings, running workshops, building customer loyalty and so on. You'll also have to manage your accounts, stock and logistics.

You have to face up to the competition, which is increasingly strong in the home shopping sector. Once you've chosen a strong partner brand that's popular with consumers, you'll need to stand out for your professionalism, originality and sense of service. This will mean regular training in products, sales techniques and market trends.

In conclusion, VDI can be an ideal career for you if you're looking to supplement your income when you retire, as long as you enjoy selling, are motivated and have good interpersonal skills. It's an activity that offers you freedom, diversity and conviviality. If you're interested, you can read the testimonials of many VDIs on ELORA.

Huge advantage! You won't have to invest any money to start up your business. In a partnership with certain brands, you have to buy a starter kit, which contains samples, catalogues, order forms, etc. The price of the kit varies according to the brand, although it is often refunded if you reach a certain turnover. The price of the kit varies from brand to brand, although it is often refunded if you reach a certain turnover.

With ELORA, on the other hand, it's crystal clear... no personal money to invest!

The start-up kit is free, with a first collection on loan to get you off to a flying start. And training is also free for everyone who joins the team, so you can really build up your skills.

Would you like to change your life and join the ELORA team of over 1,300 passionate women who enthusiastically manage their work as sales consultants ?

It couldn't be easier: just fill in the contact form and your profile will be taken into account. We'll call you back as soon as possible !