Working as a real estate agent in a housing market hit hard by the economic downturn, Army spouse Melynda Bosch came to the realization it was time for a career change.

"I started researching ways to start working from home," said Bosch, who PCSed with her husband and three children to Joint Base Lewis-McChord from Fort Jackson, S.C., about two months ago.

Bosch found Passion Parties, Inc. on the Web and immediately was drawn to it.

"I didn't know anybody in that line of work, and it was basically recession-proof," said the 31-year-old Milwaukee, Wis., native. "I also had to have something that was transferable, and I needed something that was flexible. It was a perfect fit for me."

Passion Parties is a leader in the party plan industry and calls itself the premier supplier of sensual products in the United States and Canada. The company sells lotions and creams (both edible and non-edible) as well as adult toys. Those who work as independent consultants organize and host in-home parties that allow women to see and test out the company's products in a fun, educational and confidential setting.

"It's a lot of fun," said Bosch, who lives on McChord Field. "The parties can be as mild or as wild as the host wants."

The career change has been a blessing for Bosch in many ways. Currently a full-time student, it allows her to work between 15 to 20 hours a month, adds a nice boost to the family's income and has helped set a course for what Bosch wants to do in the future.

The Army spouse is in the process of earning her bachelor's and master's degree on her way to becoming a sex therapist. She hopes to specialize in helping couples that have been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

Some of the products that Passion Parties sells can help affected couples heighten their level of intimacy, Bosch said.

Adding certain lotions can "open up communication lines between couples," she said.

Bosch has worked as an independent consultant and team leader for a little more than a year, and says the popularity of Passion Parties just continues to grow. Recently while she was at a local beauty salon, Bosch received multiple calls from women driving through the parking lot that had seen her advertisement on her car. She's nearly booked solid on Friday and Saturday nights as it is up until Valentine's Day.

Bosch is however, currently running a special deal for women around Valentine's Day that includes a personal boudoir photo shoot in addition to Passion Party products.

For more information on booking a party, visit melyndayourpassionconsultant.com.