“I’m having a party!”

As my sister uttered those words, my immediate response was “What are you selling?”

My sister a perpetual “hostess”, is the ultimate party plan diva.  Although she does it primarily to make a little extra money and get terrific “hostess-only” gifts, secretly she loves the whole social aspect.  It’s a great way to spend an afternoon with friends and learn about a product together.  Of course, this is very, very advantageous for the hostess. Because if you feel good, you spend more!

For all you “hostess party” virgins, here’s a brief breakdown.  You get an invitation to the product party from the hostess.  You arrive at the “party” house, view the product’s demonstration, hear the sales pitch and then pull out your checkbook/credit card and begin shopping!  After the sales are taken, the next pitch is thrown.  You too can have the “hostess only” gifts and make oodles of money by hosting your own party and/or become a sales associate.  Since selling, pitching and buying are all very hard work,  food and refreshments are now served.  You can all now gush about your new treasures over appetizers, cake and coffee.

This direct marketing was made famous by Brownie Wise (1913-1992), a former sales representative of Stanley Home Products.  She was a legendary saleswoman largely responsible for the success of Tupperware by perfecting  the home party sales system.

Ms. Wise was eventually  made VP & General Manager of Tupperware. She developed the incentive & rewards program for sales and provided self-employment opportunities for the participating women.  Her sales force grew from 200 women in the program in 1951, to an astonishing 9000 in 1954.  This is quite the accomplished feat considering the post-war, male-driven, pre-feminist social culture of the 1950s.  In 1954, she became the first woman to appear on the cover of Business Week.

Unfortunately she and Earl Tupper (founder of Tupperware) had a tumultuous business relationship which eventually resulted in her dismissal in 1958.  Not only was every reference to Ms Wise removed from company literature, but she was fired without stock options and the usual executive’s parting benefits.  Her total severance package amounted to one year's severance pay (approx $30K).

Ms Wise attempted many business ventures afterwards but did not accomplish the success of her Tupperware tenure.  She died in Kissimmee, Florida in 1992.

I give props to Brownie Wise for becoming a self-made woman and a genius in the marketing field.  She is a true inspiration and role model for the business woman today.

So, my dear sister, I raise my glass of Pinot Noir and salute your dedicated preservation of this business legend and put in my order for the laundry detergent!

Following is the Sunflower Cake Recipe, sis served at this weekend's party:

Sunflower Cake Centerpiece

Serves 20 -25

Ingredients

1 (8 inch)  one layer chocolate cake

1 (16 ounce) can chocolate frosting

1/2 cup chocolate chips (freeze for 1 hour to prevent melting while arranging)

15 individual Little Debbie Boston Cream Cake rolls or Strawberry Cake rolls

Directions

Make a chocolate layer cake from your favorite mix or recipe according to directions. Use 8" round pans. Cool layer cakes on wire rack.

Place one layer of cooled chocolate cake in center of 16" pizza pan or platter. (freeze other layer for future use)

Frost layer cake with chocolate frosting.

Arrange chocolate chips (put on a latex glove to minimize messy fingers) on top portion only of cake to resemble sunflower seeds. 

Unwrap Boston Cream and/or Strawberry cakes and arrange pinwheel-style around the chocolate cake.