This innate drive and personal belief system is why, when the Federal Trade Commission began pursuing Neora and alleging false claims against the company in 2016, Jeff not only wanted to defend the company name, he wanted to prove with data-backed evidence that Neora was operating with integrity.

Before the internet was widely available to the public, JR Ridinger envisioned a day when people would buy just about everything they needed and wanted online. He and his wife Loren founded Market America in 1992—years before shopping online was anywhere close to mainstream. It was truly a revolutionary concept more than 30 years ago. In 2010, the company acquired SHOP.com, and today is a global online retail giant with annual revenues topping $800 million.

A profound belief in human potential has always driven Rick Goings in his decades-long impact as a direct selling executive. His leadership philosophy is centered on creating an environment where people can thrive and become the best versions of themselves. Combining that approach with a core focus on creating and understanding culture and his efforts that shifted attitudes in social responsibility, his lasting global influence has more than earned him the prestigious DSN Lifetime Achievement Award.

In its largest gathering of direct selling executives to date, Direct Selling University (DSU) offered two days of education and training sessions from the experts and thought leaders behind today’s most successful brands and marketplace movements.

The DSN Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for those whose profound contributions have left an enduring imprint on the channel. This year one of our honorees is Jerry Brassfield. Jerry joined direct selling at the age of 19 and went on to become the founder of NeoLife, mentoring industry legends like Jim Rohn, Rudy Revak and Larry Thompson along the way. Today, at 83, Jerry remains extremely active and rather than accumulating wealth, he’s now focused on giving more away.

This month, we turn our energy to the insights gained on Leadership and Team Building. An interesting set of facts uncovered by the study is that this idea that everyone would want to build a team if only we rewarded it properly, marketed it well and encouraged them enough is simply not true for Gen Z and Younger Millennials.