On its second quarter Investor Call, held July 31, Herbalife announced its record-breaking quarter of $1 billion and spoke of the expectation of strong increases over the back quarters of the year as well.

Avon Products Inc., Blyth Inc., Herbalife Ltd., Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., Tupperware Brands Corp., USANA Health Sciences Inc., Primerica Inc.

During my 20+ years as an analyst covering branded consumer products companies, I have had the opportunity to witness the direct selling business model close up.

Job creation, skills development and social upliftment are vital elements of much needed economic growth in our country, and it is these keywords that are synonymous with direct selling worldwide.

This week we saw the release of three major economic reports—overall economic growth, unemployment, and personal income and consumer spending. The results of these reports point to the need for some major changes in the way we live.

Inc. magazine has announced its 31st annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent entrepreneurs.

Direct sellers Avon, Mary Kay, Oriflame, Natura and Nu Skin are among the companies noted in a new report that suggests direct selling could be the key to riding out the recession in Europe.

Natura Cosmeticos SA, Latin America's largest cosmetics company and the No. 4 direct seller in the world according to the DSN 2011 Global 100, was one of several retailers in Brazil to see increases in retail sales during an unexpected jump in June.

In early May, Herbalife, the No. 3 direct seller in the world according to DSN's 2011 Global 100 list, saw its share price plunge over 35 percent (to as low as $45.55 from high volume trading) when hedge fund manager David Einhorn posed questions regarding reporting of the purchase and use of products and services by salespeople.

With the school year about to begin, Plano, Texas-based AdvoCare is stepping up its support of Operation Homefront, an organization that provides emergency financial and other assistance to families of service members and wounded warriors.

A recent interview with Australia-based ANZ Bank Chief Economist Paul Gruenwald signaled good news for direct selling companies doing business in The Philippines: the country's economy is in a sweet spot, and the future outlook is favorable.

Shares of Greenwich, Conn.-based Blyth Inc. soared more than 20 percent to a four-year high today after the company announced plans to spin off ViSalus, its weight-loss, energy drink and nutritional supplements business through an initial public offering of stock worth up to $175 million.