Findings from the Direct Selling Association (DSA) revealed that 30% of the 400,000 direct sellers in Britain are working mothers, a 20% increase from the previous year.

The trade body said working mums are turning to direct selling to generate an income and reduce the need for childcare costs, which is often cited among the chief reasons why both parents do not go back to work.

The DSA also attributed the increase to rising female unemployment since the recession and the increasing number of women struggling to find jobs.

Lynda Mills, director of the Direct Selling Association said: “Parents are often faced with an impossible choice – return to work, often under difficult conditions and face astronomical childcare costs, or stay at home resulting in no income. Direct selling however is offering many women the opportunity to work around their commitments – giving them the flexibility to work as and when they choose, while still looking after their children.”

Direct selling is where individuals work for themselves and sell goods to consumers outside a fixed retail location. Avon and Herbalife are two examples of direct selling companies.

Read our guide on becoming a direct seller here.