Joe L. Dudley, Sr. passed away this week. Dudley was a Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame member known for his personal mantra of “I am, I can and I will.”
Dudley launched his direct selling career in 1957, when he invested $10 in Fuller Products to become a door-to-door salesman. Three years later, along with wife Dr. Eunice M. Dudley, the two began manufacturing and selling their own line of consumer goods under the Dudley Products label.
Dudley Beauty Corp, LLC distributed more than 400 professional and retail textured hair care and personal care cosmetics directly to cosmetologists, barbers and beauty schools across the US and internationally. Dudley Products saw significant sales and the company was listed in the top 50 in Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top 100 Black-Owned Businesses. Dudley Hair Products was even featured in Chris Rock’s documentary called “Good Hair.”
Dudley received a number of honors in his lifetime, including the Maya Angelou Tribute to Achievement Award; Inc. Magazine’s North Caroline Master Entrepreneur Award; President George Bush’s 467th Point of Light Award; and election to The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.
