Page 2 / News, Trends, Gossip and Stuff To Do : Lifestyle : Welcome to Her Tupperworld

Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Gloria Steinem. Earl S. Tupper?

Yes, Earl S. Tupper. If you’re naming the driving forces behind women’s economic freedom in this century, you’d have to include the inventor of that polyethylene wonder known as Tupperware. Ever since Brownie Wise, a divorced mom in Detroit, held the first Tupperware party in 1948, women have been making money while holding down the fort at home. The aptly named Wise started the parties because the innovative plastic containers weren’t doing well in stores and needed to be demonstrated. Today, as many as 80,000 Tupperware “consultants� still party on nationwide, bringing in $166 million in sales each year.

Kay Pereira, 37, of Aliso Viejo, is one of Tupperware’s shining stars in Southern California. A married mother of two, Pereira made her mark as one of the country’s top sellers by embracing the Tupperware lifestyle. We chatted with her about her Tupperworld.

Question: You’re one of Tupperware’s top-ranking salespeople. How did you climb the ladder?

Answer: When I came into Tupperware, I decided I wanted to be a manager, because you can make more money and get a company car. You can get a Dodge Caravan, which is obviously very handy when you’re a mom. To get that, you have to bring three people in as consultants and have a good party schedule going.

Q: How did you first get into Tupperware?

A: I did it so I could stay at home with my kids. I was an office manager and controller for an architectural company, which was problematic. I only had one child then, but I didn’t like taking him to day care.

Q: Do you ever take your kids to Tupperware parties?

A: We don’t take young children because we like to be professional.

Q: Do you have any Tupperware goals you haven’t met?

A: I have one goal--to become a diamond crown manager. Your unit has to sell $216,000 worth of Tupperware in a year, and you have to promote four people to manager. Then you can get a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Tupperware offers all sorts of incentives.

Q: Such as?

A: I just got a Coach purse for being manager of the unit that ranked 37th in the nation for the second quarter. I got a nice portfolio, an umbrella and a scarf, which sounds strange, but it’s really nice. I also got a $400 gift certificate from Sears for being one of the top 300 managers.

And I just got back from Las Vegas, where I stayed at the Venetian Hotel. Last year I went to Hawaii for a week. Both were Tupperware trips. When we went to the Venetian, we all got a Swarovski crystal cactus. When we went to Hawaii, we got a crystal pineapple. Tupperware also gives you crystal wineglasses engraved with the name of the trip so you can have a memento.

This weekend, I go to Temecula for wine tasting and a Tupperware scavenger hunt. Tupperware is so much fun.

Q: Sounds like you need to pack your bags.

A: Yes, pack my Tupperware bags, because I just won some free suitcases.

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Back to the Future

1946: With the refrigerator becoming commonplace in American homes, Earl Tupper transforms his invention of sturdy, lightweight and flexible plastic into a line of “miracle� products, including the Wonderlier Bowl--the first Tupperware item.

1947: Tupper introduces the “airtight seal,� patterned after the inverted rim of a paint can, which helps to prevent foods from drying out or losing flavor while stored in the refrigerator.

1948: In reaction to consumers’ poor response to Tupperware (women did not understand how the products worked), the first Tupperware home party takes place, with product demonstrations in a domestic environment.

1951: Tupperware is removed from store shelves and sold exclusively through home demonstrations. Tupperware introduces products including the Party Bowl, Pie Taker and Dip ‘N’ Serve throughout the ‘50s as more Americans entertain friends and family at home.

1960s: World’s Fairs and the popularity of French chef Julia Child introduce Americans to foreign cuisine. Tupperware responds with products like the Mix ‘N Stor and Tortilla Keeper for serving ethnic foods.

1970s: As the population that grew up with Tupperware begins to age, the company introduces Instant Seal, a variation of its airtight seal intended to be easier for senior citizens with less-than-nimble fingers to use.

1980s: The microwave oven becomes a standard appliance in many American kitchens. Tupperware introduces Reheatables and TupperWave--products that can go directly from the refrigerator or freezer to microwave.

1990s: As “nesting� becomes the preferred lifestyle and more Americans stay home to cook, Tupperware goes high-tech with dual-purpose kitchenware like the Double Colander.