Kristen Heiman, iBOP member, showcases some books up for bid at the April 28 quarter auction sponsored by the networking group. More than $2,000 was raised to support the Baker Youth Club. (Photo provided)

“Often, direct sales are an amazing way for women to make money and still remain housewives,” said Angela Miller. “But it takes training and networking to make it all work.”

After moving to Warsaw from Iowa in 2011, Miller began a direct sales business conducting home parties to sell the products she offered. It was then she decided to create a non-profit networking group of like-minded ladies in the area. The result was Indiana Business Opportunities Partners, or iBOP.

iBOP is a networking group for small business owners in direct sales or who make their own craft items. The group promotes cross training, inspiring others, sponsoring events to give members a venue to promote their businesses and, most importantly, giving back to the community.

iBOP’s preferred method of raising funds to donate back to local nonprofit groups is by holding several quarters auctions during the year.

“Quarter auctions are a unique, fun way to make money and participants don’t have to spend a lot,” said Miller. Each item up for bid at the quarter auction can be bid on with quarters relating to the item’s actual retail value. For example, a $25 item would require a participant to throw down one quarter to bid.

Angela Miller, iBOP president, holding up a paddle and the next item up for bid while Cari Jo Whitaker, iBOP vice president, spins the balls before choosing a winner. iBOP, a networking group for small business owners in direct sales or who make their own craft items, raises funds to donate to local nonprofit groups by holding several quarters auctions during the year. (Photo provided)

Guests place their bids (quarters) in a bucket at their table, hold up their numbered paddle, and whoever’s paddle number is called out by the auctioneer from random drawing wins that item.

At the group’s last quarter auction April 28, 200 people attended and more than $2,000 was donated back to the Baker Youth Club in Warsaw.

“There’s so much trying to be done in this community, we felt it was important to help spread the wealth,” said Miller. iBOP has also held quarter auctions to benefit The Beaman Home and local food pantries. Their goal is to “empty their bank account” at the end of each year, giving all the money they raise as a group back to charity.

Each month, iBop members meet together to help each other learn more about all aspects of direct sales as well as hear more about each other’s businesses.

“We each have our own strengths, so it’s great to learn from each other. It’s especially helpful for seasoned ladies to help the newer ladies,” said Miller. “We also are constantly promoting each other.”

iBOP meets the first Sunday of the month at Pizza Hut, 3314 Lake City Highway in Warsaw, next to Kmart. Anyone interested in joining the group can call 815-484-3017 or e-mail [email protected].

The next quarter auction will be Monday, July 22, at the Warsaw American Legion. Proceeds will go to The Beaman Home.

“Before starting in direct sales, I was very introverted. But now, I have an excuse to talk. I learned so much from the other girls in this group,” said Miller. “It really fills my heart to give back to the community.”

To access iBOP’s Facebook page, type “IBOP” into the Facebook search field.