We need to be more proactive in dealing with our channel’s negative perception. On Aug. 25, SHOWTIME aired the first episode On Becoming a God in Central Florida, starring Kirsten Dunst. The series is set in a small town near Orlando in 1992, and Dunst plays Krystal Stubbs, a minimum-wage water park employee, who lies, […]

VERVE founder Callum Negus-Fancey is building a powerful, transparent brand through word-of-mouth and using rewards-based compensation instead of cash As most in our channel know by now, successful gig companies have sweetened the deal traditionally made by direct selling with ready-made customers, no startup fees and same-day pay. Gig worker numbers keep rising, and by […]

TOCARA Founded: 2008 Headquarters: St. Laurent, Quebec Top Executives: Randall Markus, Founder and President Products: Sterling Silver and Stainless Steel Jewelry A lifetime jewelry manufacturer fell in love with direct sales and put the two together in TOCARA. Old Montreal is where Randall Markus got his start in the jewelry business decades ago. Today, Markus […]

Q&A with John Oates In our July issue, we introduced our DSN Digital 100 of the top companies who have a sound digital strategy. John Oates, Founder of JPO Digital, and the VP of Digital Marketing for SUCCESS Partners, helped us gather the data for that list. I recently sat down with him to get […]

How companies can incentivize basic but critical business-building action. Rewarding and Incentivizing a distributor field isn’t all about recognizing those long-term leaders who stay at the top. In fact, many companies are moving in the direction of rewarding and incentivizing distributors who achieve smaller, more attainable milestones based on the specific action steps companies want […]

When direct selling companies are just starting out, there are countless issues that must be faced, decisions to be made and challenges to overcome. However, during all of this planning, don’t forget the overwhelming importance of recognition for your distributor network. If this is not well thought out and executed from day one, it will […]

How can our channel assist consumers to make the most of their daily lives, versus the old model of selling them a lifestyle? In June, 7-Eleven launched an update to its 7Now delivery app to include thousands of new locations—7Now Pins—so customers can order to public spaces. Items include food and drinks and other home […]

Young Living Founded: 1994 Headquarters: Lehi, UT Top Executives: Jared Turner, President and COO, Mary Young, CEO Products: Essential Oils Young Living has an ambitious plan to elevate the company’s positive impact on the Earth, on communities, and on families around the world. In 1994 when young living lifted off in its essential oil journey […]

Our channel needs to update its recruiting message and practices and concentrate on the real motivations and needs to attract future prospects. Amazon, gig economy competitors and other market forces have taken some wind out of direct selling’s sales. After years of significant growth, our industry’s U.S. revenue was down 1.6 percent in 2016 and […]

While direct sellers have long known the value of try before you buy, technology is creating opportunities to maximize results. In January, news outlets reported that Amazon was quietly piloting a new ad strategy: free samples based on shoppers’ online activity. The pilot is separate from the Prime Sample Program, a paid subscription service available […]

Direct selling faces exciting times: a wider range of businesses have come to recognize our channel’s strategic advantages—its ability to forge unrivaled relationships between consumers and the individual direct sellers who bring the promise of our brands to life. As the channel’s reputation elevates, our companies are steadily attracting executive talent from some of the […]

MONAT Global welcomes Marc Juan Lopez as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A financial executive with 16 years of diverse international experience with Fortune 500 companies, Lopez held positions in corporate finance, financial reporting, accounting, internal controls, risk management and auditing. “I am pleased to add Marc to our team. His talent and expertise further strengthen […]