When the unique little company from Idaho burst onto the direct selling scene in July 2004, who could have predicted that Scentsy’s far-from-spectacular start would almost instantly transform into such a scent-illating story? Certainly not its founders.

The founders of 4Life Research will tell you that through science, they make successful distributors, who are then better able to commit themselves to works of service in this world.

A time to reflect, a time to evaluate and a time to celebrate! This month will be a very special one for us as we announce the results of our research—identifying the top 100 direct selling companies in the world—at our inaugural DSN Global 100 Celebration on April 7. We contracted experienced researchers for this project, and their findings will provide us with, to the best of our knowledge, the first such recognition ever published. We embraced this project to respond to questions that often arise from within the academic and private investment communities who watch our industry and our companies for potential involvement. Every other recognized industry ranks its companies, so we felt it was our responsibility to do the same for direct selling.

The annual Edelman Trust Barometer is always a compelling read for me. This international survey assesses the level of trust in business and government by “informed publics” around the world. Given various high-profile financial scandals and the fragility of global markets over the past few years, there has been a lot to assess in the area of trust—or lack thereof. What I find interesting, though, is the unspoken affirmation of the direct selling business model that the results of the survey seem to indicate each year.

I’ve been saying it for years: Take responsibility for your finances or take orders for the rest of your life. That pretty much sums up your economic choice. Taking responsibility is the difference between being rich and being poor. You’re either a master of money or a slave to money.

Today’s marketplace is tough. It’s competitive, faster than ever and the stakes are high. In today’s ultracompetitive world, getting superior results faster is absolutely critical to success! So many want it! However, this hectic speed of life makes it easy to become sidetracked by things that steal priorities and make leaders less effective. People are hungry for ways to get ahead, to win and to accelerate results, both personally and professionally.

Direct selling companies are realizing that cause marketing can make a big difference in the bottom line.

With its unique product and altruistic business concept, Mandura has people taking notice.

Today, when Tahitian Noni International (TNI) executives talk about the scientific knowledge behind its flagship product, they’re using new language. The 14 years of calling it “Tahitian Noni® Juice” have passed. That’s because scientific research has revealed that Tahitian Noni is much more. It is actually a bioactive beverage.

In this month’s “Executive Connection,” Direct Selling News Publisher and Editor in Chief John Fleming speaks to Tahitian Noni International’s Founder and President John Wadsworth about the company’s accomplishments, its independent product consultants and much more.

Health-and-Wellness Company Enlists in Operation Homefront

As we worked on the cover story for this month’s issue, Top-Performing Global Markets, I found myself taking a mental tour of the various countries that have become billion-dollar markets for direct selling. I was most interested in the stats and facts to see what countries, if any, were experiencing growth. I soon realized that the stats and facts were what we wanted to bring you, but behind those were the stories of people. A billion dollars in sales is a very significant number, and it is the result people saying “yes” to the opportunities provided.