The Longaberger Company was formed about 35 years ago, and today, the company still shows those early roots and traditions.  The company’s mission statement is “To Stimulate a Better Quality of Life,” and the company holds true to that goal.

Today, the company provides a variety of handcrafted products, including baskets, pottery, and wrought iron accessories, and offers a chance at self-employment to around 45,000 Home Consultants.

Company History

The Longaberger family moved to Dresden, Ohio in 1896, a bustling village at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.  At the time, baskets were the container of choice, and the Dresden Basket Factory made baskets for carrying pottery ware.  J.W. Longaberger took a job at the factory, becoming a full-time apprentice and learning the art that would become his trademark.  While he was there, he met Bonnie Jean Gist, whom he married in 1927.

The Great Depression closed the doors of the factory, forcing J.W. to take work at the paper mill, although he still made baskets during his free time.  In 1936, he and Bonnie purchased the old basket factory, which he renamed The Ohio Ware Basket Company.  The family eventually grew to include a total of 12 children.  The 5^th was Dave, who was disadvantaged both by his family’s low economic status and the fact that he was afflicted with a bad stutter and epilepsy.  However, Dave was ambitious, and as a young boy, he was continually taking odd jobs for money.

Dave went on to take a job driving a bread truck and served in the Army for two years.  After his daughter Tami was born, Dave and his wife bought the Dairy Bar in Dresden, as well as an old grocery.  They remodeled the building and reopened it as Dresden IGA Foodliner, and the two businesses helped support his growing family.  In the 1970s, he realized that baskets were again becoming popular, and he asked his dad to make baskets for him to sell.  The baskets sold out immediately.  Unfortunately, J.W. passed away just as the baskets started to become popular.

In 1976, Dave opened J.W. Handwoven Baskets.  He expanded the factory to the old woolen mill where his mother had worked when he was a child.  He continued to expand the basket business, attempting to sell them in various locales.  In 1978, he realized that the most effective way to showcase the Longaberger baskets was with a home consultant, and the direct sales organization began.

Dave’s daughter Tami joined the company in 1984 and was appointed president 10 years later.  She helped diversify the company into other home lifestyle areas.  Today, the company is the premier maker of handcrafted baskets and other home and lifestyle products.

Longaberger Products

Today, the Longaberger Company still features a wide line of decorative baskets.  This includes decorative baskets, college and sports team baskets, seasonal baskets and pottery, as well as other items like pottery, candles, tableware, and wrought iron accessories.  There is even a Collector’s Club for enthusiasts.

Joining the Company

If you are looking for a way to turn your love of handcrafted baskets and other items into a self-employment career, then becoming a Home Consultant for Longaberger may be a good option for you.

Home consultants generate a 25% commission off of their sales, can earn free products, will have access to their own free website, and have the opportunity to be part of a truly American company.  You can choose when and where you want to work, and the company offers four different business kits to get you started.  The kits start at just $49 and feature a 100% Money Back Guarantee, so you can be well on your way to a successful career for very little money down and no risk.