As recent events on the global trade front have reinforced for all of us, 2025 is moving fast and bringing high levels of change and uncertainty. To adapt, companies need all the tools at their disposal—especially power tools like mergers and acquisitions. This is particularly true for companies in the global and volatile direct selling industry. But like any power tool, merger and acquisition (M&A) strategies need to be wielded carefully.

Risk is not a binary concept; it’s a spectrum. Some entrepreneurs shy away from it, while others embrace it as part of their journey. In the direct selling industry, risk is inescapable.

Direct selling companies face constantly evolving legal and regulatory challenges. Business practices and methods once viewed as compliant may now invite legal or regulatory risk. Here are some areas where companies may be creating unnecessary and avoidable risk.