Saturday / May 28. 2022
menu-logo menu-logo
brand-logo
Subscribe
Subscribe
Saturday / May 28. 2022
  • Read
    • Daily News
      • Financial
      • Insights
      • U.S.
      • International
    • Cover Stories
    • Feature Articles
    • Company Spotlights
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Executive Announcements
    • Forward Thinking
    • New Perspectives
    • Working Smart
    • From the Publisher
    • Digital Issue
  • Listen & Watch
    • Direct Approach
    • Iconic Insights
    • The DSN Podcast
  • Attend
    • Direct Selling University
    • Global Celebration
  • Achieve
    • Global 100 List
    • CCR Program
    • Best Places to Work
    • Bravo Awards
    • Legends
  • Join
    • Membership
    • VIP Community
  • Research
    • Digital Momentum Index
    • Stock Watch
    • Stock Ticker
    • Supplier Directory
    • Resources
  • About
    • About DSN
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Store
    • Connect
  • Search
Subscribe

Letter from John Fleming, April 2011

BY DSN Staff | April 02, 2011 | read / From the Publisher

John Fleming

As we prepared to go to press with this issue, I received news of the loss of Leslie Campbell, President of TARRAH Cosmetics. A car accident took her from us far too soon. Leslie was a former colleague at Avon and friend throughout the years who gave much of her time to Direct Selling Association activities and committees. I know that TARRAH Cosmetics had many loyal and faithful consultants, and I hope they will be able to continue their journey, for that is what Leslie would have wanted. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to her husband, family and many friends.

Our cover story this month was one that caught our attention quite some time ago. As always, we search for stories we deem valuable to you, stories that meet your desire for intel on what is happening within the industry. I have always been amazed at what products emerge in response to very innovative approaches to trends. Every so often a product category that has been with us for some time is re-energized by new entrepreneurial thinking and raised to new levels of consciousness by a new vision. It’s amazing to watch an existing product or service transform into a success story utilizing the direct selling channel of distribution, yet we have seen this time and time again.

One could certainly say that Art Williams did this when he founded what is known today as Primerica Services. Insurance as a product had existed for many years. Kitchen utensils had certainly been in existence for many years, but Doris Christopher, Founder of Pampered Chef, saw them differently. Mary Kay Ash saw cosmetics differently. Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel of Amway saw ordinary cleaning products and food supplements differently. Shelli Gardner, Co-Founder of Stampin’ Up!, saw rubber stamping differently. Orville and Heidi Thompson saw candles differently. Jessica Herrin, Founder of Stella & Dot, saw fashion differently, as did Teresa Walsh and Bonnie and Jerry Kelly of Silpada.

For those who see things differently, direct selling offers ease of entry through a channel of distribution that continues to mystify some, yet gives so much to those who see its potential. Such is the case described in this month’s cover story about energy companies. For so long, we’ve been flipping switches to turn on the electricity and turning knobs to turn on the gas. Who would have thought just a few short years ago that energy companies would be buying and selling a commodity like electricity or gas through the direct selling channel? Who would have thought that brand-new energy companies would be able to compete against Goliaths like the Edison companies and account for billions of dollars in revenue from just a few states?

What this month’s cover story shows us is that the power of ideas and the quest for solutions have every chance of winning when a channel of distribution composed of people from all walks of life is suddenly unleashed! As I watched this story unfold, I found myself becoming more and more confident in the possibilities associated with the future of direct selling. While, overall, the industry is challenged (like many others), and growth in a more competitive environment has been elusive and challenging for many, the winners have seemingly found ways to increase value when new definitions for value continue to emerge … almost weekly.

I was reminded of that recently when I purchased a $16.99 DVD from Best Buy and I received a thank-you note! To me, this was simply amazing, and yet it was just another example of the new standards of expectations and excellence that are constantly being set by those who compete not only for consumer market share, but also for consumer mind share. Personalized service is truly being redefined.

Some of us will attempt to predict the new standards of excellence that will determine how current direct sellers will be judged in a more competitive marketplace. What appears to always be most difficult to predict is what type of product or service might be next for this amazing channel of distribution, and how current direct sellers will redefine their own services and value propositions to satisfy sophisticated consumers. What new products will direct sellers invent that will shock the competition and raise the direct selling channel to even greater levels of acceptance and respect? Such questions fuel our enthusiasm for what the future might hold. Just as the visionaries behind the energy companies in this month’s issue fueled our enthusiasm, we hope their story does the same for you.

One last note: We are pleased to announce that Direct Selling News is now a free iPad application and can be easily downloaded for your reading pleasure.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our DSN Global 100 banquet on the evening of April 27. (Please go to www.aprilevents2011.com for more details.)

Until next month!

John Fleming
Publisher and Editor in Chief

Posted in From the Publisher
Related Articles
More coverage, new methods February 27, 2022

More coverage, new methods

Read more
The Future’s So Bright… January 30, 2022

The Future’s So Bright…

Read more
A Season to Celebrate December 29, 2021

A Season to Celebrate

Read more
brand-logo
The News You Need.
The Name You Trust.
Subscribe

Breaking global news, emerging trends and powerful stories conveniently curated to help direct selling executives stay informed, engaged and a step ahead.

  • Read
  • Listen & Watch
  • Attend
  • Achieve
  • Research
  • About
  • Connect
5800 Democracy Drive
Suite 100
Plano, Texas 75024
info@directsellingnews.com
Copyright 2022 Direct Selling News | All Rights Reserved
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT