Direct sellers take note: More than half of the nation's Millennials are looking to break free from the bonds of Corporate America and start their own businesses.

PM-International AG, one of Europe's largest direct selling companies, was recently honored as one of the Top 100 most innovative German mid-sizes companies during the the Innovation Competition held by the Economic University of Vienna. The award marked the 11th year in a row the company has been so honored--a record for a direct selling company.

Direct selling continues to be Europe's largest provider of independent business opportunities.

The cosmetics market, which represented 36 percent of global direct sales in 2010, continues to do well in the United States in spite of the ongoing recession.

A new book by Peter Weddle, the former CEO of Job Bank USA, Inc., opines that the standardized testing amped up in schools after the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act has possibly had more negative impact than good on America's workforce.

A recent segment of The Today Show addressed the idea that with the economy still reeling and job opportunities less available, many stay-at-home moms—as well as working women—are considering starting their own businesses.

Amway, the second largest direct seller in the world, was recently presented with the Best Award for 2011 by the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

A recent article posted on Forbes online by Natalie MacNeil with the above headline asserts that a “quiet revolution is taking shape right now among women,” as they are leaving the workplace to go home—not as homemakers, but as entrepreneurs.

Vorwerk Managing Partners Walter Muyres and Reiner Strecker reported a successful 2011 for the Germany-based direct selling company, which closed the financial year 2011 with a 4.2 percent increase in sales and succeeded in boosting its pre-tax profits.

Dick and Doug DeVos Inducted into DSA Hall of Fame; Amway Co-Founder Rich DeVos Presented with Lifetime Achievement Award

The United States Direct Selling Association (DSA) released the topline results of its Annual Growth & Outlook Survey, which shows U.S. direct sales totaled $29.87 billion in 2011, a 4.6 percent year-over-year increase from $28.56 billion in 2010.

Painting a picture of the global direct selling industry really depends on perspective. From a direct selling point of view, the rules of perspective allow the entrepreneur to be a participant in creating their new reality as an independent business owner. That is true opportunity.