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Thirty-One Gifts Launches New Latina Initiative, Expands Cultural Outreach

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Columbus, Ohio-based Thirty-One Gifts recently announced that it has expanded its business presence and accompanying charitable outreach with a new multicultural initiative targeted toward Hispanics.

On Saturday, September 8, the company launched its Latina Initiative designed for both Spanish- and English-speaking Latinas in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“We are opening our doors to the Latina market and we’re very excited to increase our presence in Puerto Rico, where we already have 55 independent sales consultants,” said Claudia Barceló, director of Multicultural Business Development, Hispanic Initiative, for Thirty-One Gifts.

The company also donated 500 welcome bags for families lodging at the local Ronald McDonald House. The bags included items such as blankets, coloring books, stuffed animals and toiletries, that will be used by families lodging at the Ronald McDonald House while their children are receiving medical treatment in the area. Several San Juan-area Thirty-One Gifts consultants also signed up to volunteer at the house during the coming year, in keeping with the company’s emphasis on giving back to the community.

“We thank Thirty-One Gifts for this donation and for encouraging their consultants to donate their time and talents to the Ronald McDonald House,” said Mariela Jorge, executive director, fundación infantile, Ronald McDonald Puerto Rico. “These gifts and support show the families who stay with us that someone cares about them and what they are going through. Our purpose is to help the parents worry less about day-to-day concerns so they can focus on the health and well-being of their children.”

At its annual convention in July, the company also introduced a new product line designed to appeal to a multicultural market and unveiled a redesigned fall catalog featuring increased Latina and African American presence in models and themes. The Thirty-One Gifts entire website is now available in Spanish, and the company is offering starter kits with business collateral in Spanish.

“Having diversity within our company is just one part of the story; how well that diversity works together is key,” Barceló said. “We believe diversity is a fact; inclusion is a choice we make as individuals and leaders.”

MONAT Canada, Jackie McClements Recognized by DSA of Canada

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MONAT® Global Canada, a multinational distributor of hair care products, was awarded the Direct Sellers Association (DSA) of Canada’s Making a Difference Award as well as the Code of Ethics Certificate for conducting ethical business. MONAT Canada Vice President and General Manager Jackie McClements received the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) Circle of Distinction Award.

MONAT® Global was honored with DSA’s Making a Difference Award for the corporation’s charitable impact on communities across Canada. Through MONAT Gratitude, the corporation’s global philanthropic initiative, MONAT Canada donated $5,000 to Wounded Warriors in 2017 and invested more than $14,000 in monetary donations and goods to the Salvation Army Community Centers and Disaster Relief in Fort McMurray, Alberta. MONAT Canada’s corporate staff also participated in more than 50 hours of volunteer service at nonprofits like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Yellow Brick House, providing help and hope for Canadian families and youth.

“When we started MONAT Global, our goals were to create excellent products, a corporate governance structure of the highest ethics, and make sure we give back not just locally, but globally,” said Ray Urdaneta, CEO of MONAT Global. “Our Canada office, our employees and our Market Partners are all incredible people. I am so proud of our team; these awards and distinctions are richly deserved!”

The DSEF Circle of Distinction Award recognizes individuals who have devoted significant years of service and have made considerable contributions to the DSEF and the direct selling industry. McClements has been an advocate for the network industry for more than 17 years, serving previously as the vice chair and currently as the chair of the board for the DSEF. She also headed the DSEF fundraising efforts for several years while using her platform to educate people about the direct selling industry.

“Jackie is an amazing leader,” Stuart MacMillan, president of MONAT Global. “She motivates not just MONAT Global employees, but our Canadian Market Partners. Her certificate of distinction reflects not only her abilities, but her drive to give back and invest in the community. I congratulate Jackie and our entire Canada team.”

Tupperware Releases 2016-2017 Sustainability Report

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Orlando, Fla.-based Tupperware Brands Corporation released its 2016–2017 corporate social responsibility (CSR) report detailing its latest efforts to make a lasting effect on the lives of women globally and to reduce environmental impact.

“At Tupperware Brands, we recognize our responsibility as a global leader to play an active role in the lives of our 3 million Sales Force and nearly 12,300 corporate Associates across the globe,” said Tricia Stitzel, president and chief executive officer of Tupperware Brands. “Therefore, we consistently evaluate how best we can make a societal and environmental impact through our design, production and distribution. As we look ahead, Tupperware will continue to maximize shareholder value and consumer interest by delivering more opportunities for women, reducing waste and pollution, enhancing our position as a responsible corporate citizen and elevating our purpose of cultivating confidence.”

Tupperware’s report, entitled “Cultivating Confidence,” divides the company’s efforts into three strategic pillars: Changing Lives, Living Smart and Acting Responsibly. Within each pillar, the company reports on progress and impact made in the past two years and the potential opportunities for growth.

Changing Lives describes Tupperware’s ability and findings around cultivating confidence in women around the globe, the company’s commitment to providing inclusive access to meaningful work, and its ability to help communities thrive. Living Smart details how Tupperware helps consumers live smart by delivering products designed to reduce environmental impact and minimize waste. Acting Responsibly outlines how the company creates positive and productive employment, takes a precautionary outlook to climate change and minimizes consumption and waste.

To view the full report, click here.

Ambit Cares Named Supporting Partner of Feeding America

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Dallas-based Ambit Energy recently announced that Ambit Cares, the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative, has been named an official supporting partner of Feeding America®, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger through a network of food banks.

“We are proud of the work we’ve done over the past three years and are excited to enter into a new phase of our relationship with Feeding America as a supporting partner,” said Laurie Rodriguez, chief financial officer of Ambit Energy and board chairman of Ambit Cares. “By partnering with this outstanding organization, our customers, Consultants and employees can be sure their contributions are benefiting the communities where they live and work.”

Ambit Cares has worked with Feeding America since 2016, and in 2017, donated more than $220,000 to support hunger relief efforts across the United States.

“Feeding America is thankful to Ambit Cares for making a difference in the lives of families in need and for their efforts to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in America,” said Nancy Curby, senior vice president of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America. “We look forward to building on this momentum as they become a supporting partner of Feeding America and continue in the fight to end hunger.”

Business, Political Leaders Praise Amway Co-founder Rich DeVos

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Tributes continue to pour in for Rich DeVos, the Amway co-founder and direct selling legend who died last Thursday at the age of 92.

The U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA) issued a statement on his passing of DeVos, who was a DSA Hall of Fame Member, DSEF Circle of Honor Recipient and former DSA and DSEF Board Chairman: “Rich is a direct selling giant, and his influence on direct selling has been felt for decades and will be realized for years to come. . . . He served as a standard-bearer of integrity, a steward to his business, employees and all of direct selling. . . . Throughout the years, Rich served as a mentor and friend to countless direct selling executives and his larger-than-life presence will be sorely missed, and we remember him by his inspirational words.”

DeVos co-founded Amway in 1959 with his good friend Jay Van Andel, whom he had met in high school. The two men shared a similar goal and ambition: to achieve more out of life for themselves, their families and their friends. Today, with a rich history of entrepreneurship and helping others succeed, Amway is the No. 1  direct selling company in the world.

“We can continue to move forward using what we have learned from him and the example he gave us all with the way he lived his life,” said Doug DeVos, Rich’s son and the current president of Amway. “He didn’t just say it, he lived it too! He enriched our lives in so many ways and has challenged us to positively enrich the lives of others.”

DeVos and his wife, Helen, who passed away last year, were passionately involved in philanthropy in their hometown. Through the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, they typically granted more than $50 million a year to hundreds of charities. Their generosity helped create many institutions, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, the DeVos Communications Center at Calvin College, the DeVos Campus of Grand Valley State University and the DeVos Place Convention Center and Concert Hall. In 2016, the DeVos family gave $111 million in total to charities, which earned them a spot-on Forbes‘ list of top givers. The DeVoses passed their generosity on to their children, whose charitable donations continue to help improve life in West Michigan, advance Christian causes, and support patriotism and medical research.

DeVos was also a passionate contributor to the Republican Party. Former U.S. President George W. Bush said in a statement that DeVos was both a great entrepreneur and a “great American.”

“He used his business to empower others and advance the universal values of freedom, opportunity, compassion and personal responsibility,” said Bush. “Rich made his country and his community better, and he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. I know his family will miss him dearly. Laura and I send all the DeVoses our sincere sympathies, and we hope they take comfort in knowing that Rich and Helen are united again.”

Alex Martins, CEO of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, says he will remember the boundless generosity, inspirational leadership and infectious enthusiasm of DeVos, who bought the franchise in 1991. “Simply, he was the team’s No. 1 cheerleader and the best owner that a Magic fan could ever want for their team,” said Martins. “When the DeVos family purchased the Magic, his vision was that the team and organization would serve as a platform to improve the central Florida community.”

Mary Kay Partners with MFIT in Celebration of 55th Anniversary

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Dallas-based Mary Kay has partnered with The Museum at FIT (MFIT) for a special exhibition, Pink: The History of a Punk, Pretty, Powerful Color, in celebration of the company’s 55th anniversary and its beauty brand’s iconic color.

The exhibit will be open to the public September 7, 2018, through January 5, 2019 and will culminate in a scholarly panel discussion this fall.

“Mary Kay’s signature pink color is iconic, which makes our partnership a wonderfully organic fit for the debut of Pink,” said Dr. Valerie Steele, Director and Chief Curator of The Museum at FIT. “The exhibition will explore the complex nature of the color pink and its role throughout history.”

From pink makeup palettes to pink Cadillacs, Mary Kay has been associated with the color pink for more than half a decade. Now, after 55 years, the brand joins The Museum at FIT in honoring the complex, multifaceted color. Pink features clothing dating from the 18th century to the present and includes designers and brands such as Christian Dior and Gucci. The meticulous arrangement of approximately 80 ensembles provides a look at the ever-changing connotations of the color, from soft femininity to cool androgyny. As part of this fashion retrospective, the exhibit seeks to question clichés and correct popular misconceptions, such as the idea that the color pink is childish or exclusive to women.

“We’re excited to celebrate Mary Kay’s 55th anniversary by partnering with MFIT to unveil their new exhibition,” said Sheryl Adkins-Green, chief marketing officer for Mary Kay Inc. “Since our inception in 1963, our brand has inspired and empowered millions of aspiring entrepreneurs across the globe. In that time, Mary Kay has become synonymous with the color pink, and this exhibit will show the world what we’ve known for years, that pink is a symbol of power, passion and purpose.”

New Data Shows Women Value Flexibility, Income, Entrepreneurship

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A new survey of more than 1,000 women with side hustles reveals that the top three reasons women choose independent work are flexibility (44%), income (38%) and entrepreneurship (25%).

“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Her Side Hustle: Women in the Gig Economy 2018” provides an in-depth look at a cross-section of women who make income working side jobs either as their sole source of income or as a complement to full-time work. Commissioned by BabyQuip, Ruby Ribbon and UrbanSitter, the whitepaper creates a snapshot of how and why women gig in 2018.

Flexibility First

When asked why they choose to side hustle, “flexibility” was the most frequent answer. More specifically, when rating how important various aspects of their gig economy work was to them, 65 percent of respondents indicated flexibility is “extremely important,” with another 30 percent saying it is “very important.” In all, flexibility is important to 95 percent of respondents. What’s more, women with children under age 5 were more likely to select “more time with children” (54%), another form of flexibility, as the reason they gig.

“Even in an era of historically high employment, women are choosing a side hustle,” said Anna Zornosa, CEO of Ruby Ribbon. “In spite of the growing demand for full-time workers, these findings indicate that women are going to continue with their gig economy jobs, which offer them fulfillment and flexibility, as well as a satisfactory income.”

Income Is Important

While flexibility is the leading reason women report they gig, income is a close second. Overall, 38 percent of women indicated they side hustle to “earn a good income.”  When asked to rate how much importance they place on various aspects of their side hustles, “earning money” was most likely to be rated “extremely important” (66%). The survey found that women who have been doing this work for three or more years enjoy higher earnings, with 59 percent earning $500 or more and over a third (36%) earning over $999 per month.

“The gig economy appeals to women of all ages, and we’re not surprised that the ways they use their side hustle incomes differs by life stage,” said Fran Maier, founder and CEO of BabyQuip. “What excites us is that they enjoy this kind of work and we are looking forward to creating great opportunities for them at any age or life stage.”

Entrepreneurship Is Evolving

Entrepreneurship was the third most popular answer (25%) to the question asking participants why they gig. More than half of the women surveyed (58%) rated “build my own business” as being “very important” or “extremely important.” Additionally, respondents value the skills they are acquiring through their side hustles with 72 percent of women acquiring “customer service” skills and just under half learning various marketing skills, including sales (44%), marketing and advertising (43%), social media marketing (42%) and public relations (41%).

“Side hustles aren’t new to women. Many were gigging before the term was ever coined,” said Lynn Perkins, CEO of UrbanSitter. “But with the availability of more robust gig platforms and marketplaces today, it is easier for women to find and succeed at side hustles that offer the flexibility and money they need, while also allowing them to acquire new professional skills and become entrepreneurs at any stage in life. It’s truly a winning proposition.”

For more detail on the survey and its findings, download the full white paper at BabyQuip, Ruby Ribbon or UrbanSitter.

Le-Vel Now Fully Operational in Canada

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Frisco, Texas-based Le-Vel recently announced that it is now fully operational in Canada with a new website, packaging and fulfillment center.

The company launched its new Canadian website—Le-Vel.ca—complete with English and French translations. The site will accommodate Brand Promoters and customers throughout all Canadian provinces and territories.

Le-Vel also introduced new Canadian product packaging in both English and French. All products sold and shipped in Canada will be priced in Canadian dollars, as will all Brand Promoter commissions. Both Brand Promoters and customers will now be able to receive their products faster due to Le-Vel’s warehouse and fulfillment center residing in Canada.

“Our launch in Canada is a huge step forward in our ability to serve and support our Thrivers to the north,” said co-founders and co-CEOs Jason Camper and Paul Gravette. “It’s been our shared goal from the very beginning to create a truly global movement of health and wellness. With our launch now official, Canadian Thrivers will be able to help even more people throughout the country live happier, healthier lives.”

Key Milestones for Avon in Transformation of Supply Chain

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London-based Avon Products, Inc. recently announced key milestones in the transformation of its supply chain, fueling greater flexibility and connectivity throughout its supply chain and delivering marked improvement in service quality as well as satisfaction and retention levels for Avon Representatives.

Transformation efforts thus far have included leadership appointments, digital applications and operational changes. 

Leadership Appointment

Avon announced the appointment of Rob Lowndes to the newly created Sales and Operations Planning role. Lowndes, currently vice president of Global Fashion and Home, will assume the role of vice president of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP). The role will leverage his expertise in commercial operations to drive critical improvements. He will also be responsible for matching objectives to new technologies, adopting an integrated value chain perspective in order to manage sales and more effectively order planning to improve product availability and service levels across Avon’s global markets. He will report to Avon Global President Miguel Fernandez. 

Software Utilization

Avon also announced utilization of exclusive software to provide real-time sales planning visibility for Representatives, enhancing their execution and delivery abilities:

  • Avon’s next generation technologies allow for increased adaptability to demand volatility, a dramatic reduction in delays to service delivery, greater inventory and process efficiency, strategic resource allocation and end-to-end Representative engagement.
  • Avon’s exclusive demand planning software accurately forecasts Representative and customer demand and synchronizes Avon’s ability to meet these demands by right-sizing inventory requirements across its supply chain.
  • The unique new Machine Learning Model has gone live in all three of Avon’s top 10 markets, after successful pilots in the UK, Russia and Mexico.
  • Plans are in place for further rollout to Avon’s top 15 markets by early 2019, beginning with Brazil in November, with a longer term goal of using this advanced technology to achieve a fully automated campaign planning process. 

Operational Changes

The company also noted more consistent and in-depth tracking of growing Representative satisfaction through regular pulse surveys:

  • In early April, Avon committed to speaking to up to 100 Representatives in each of its top 14 markets each day, measuring satisfaction scores across 10 fundamental service KPIs and applying the data to immediate preventative and corrective actions.
  • In just 11 weeks, Avon made 25,000 calls to its Representatives and achieved:
    • 30% reduction in damaged boxes
    • Successful launch of reinforced and compartmentalized boxes in five countries
    • Average representative satisfaction scores up by as much as 30% in some markets.

“We are making significant progress to our service supply chain, and these efforts are beginning to show results across the organization, particularly with regard to Representative satisfaction and overall operational improvements,” said Avon CEO Jan Zijderveld. “Through the application of targeted demand planning software, we are building a smarter supply chain that better understands the immediate needs of our Representatives and responds and reacts to them with greater efficiency and effectiveness. We look forward to benefitting from Rob’s leadership as he advances our positive momentum in this crucial area. We are extremely focused on finding new and better ways for Avon to deliver the level of quality and service our Representatives deserve.”

Rich DeVos, Amway Co-Founder, Dies at 92

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Amway co-founder Richard DeVos has passed way at the age of 92. The billionaire philanthropist died at his home in Ada, Michigan, near Amway’s headquarters. According to DeVos family spokesman Nick Wasmiller, the cause of death was due to complications from an infection.

DeVos and his friend Jay Van Andel got into the network marketing business in 1949 when they invested $49 to become distributors for Nutrilite, a manufacturer and direct seller of vitamins. Ten years later, they founded Amway—short for “American Way.” The company’s first product was an all-purpose cleaner, L.O.C. In 1972, DeVos and Van Andel purchased Nutrilite.

DeVos was president of Amway from its founding in 1959 until his retirement in 1993. His son, Doug DeVos, has served as president of the company since 2002. The DeVos family, which still co-owns Amway with Jay Van Andel’s family, has a combined fortune of $5.5 billion according to Forbes‘ list of richest people.

Devos was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on March 4, 1926. He was a philanthropist along with his late wife, Helen, who passed away last year. He was also the owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team and the father-in-law of Betsy DeVos, the current US Secretary of Education.

The DeVos family statement read: “Dad spread positivity everywhere he went and encouraged everyone he met. He did that for his children and grandchildren, and for countless others around the world. His positivity was a constant, motivating force that inspired many others to make meaningful changes in their own lives and communities. He was a visionary leader, builder, life enricher, motivator and a champion for people from all walks of life. We are deeply grateful and blessed beyond measure to have been loved unconditionally, raised, mentored, and inspired by him. He was a role model unlike any other. While we are saddened by his passing, our hearts are full as we celebrate the extraordinary life he led. We are comforted that he is reunited with Mom, and that together they are experiencing the joy of eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

At this time no funeral or public memorial arrangements have been announced.

www.richdevos.com

 

LifeVantage Launches in Austria

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Sandy, Utah-based LifeVantage announced it has formally expanded into Austria. The new market opened September 1 and is open for both distributor enrollments and orders as well as customer orders.

“This is yet another step forward in expanding our strategic footprint throughout Europe and a key part of the larger European plan,” said Dave Fleming, senior vice president of Global Field Development Americas/Europe. “With experienced market leadership in place, we anticipate great things moving forward in Austria.”

Similar to Germany, LifeVantage will initially offer its flagship Protandim Nrf2 Synergizer®, its complete TrueScience® Beauty System—the company’s popular line of Nrf2-enhanced skin care products—and its probiotic supplement known in Europe as Pro+.

Select LifeVantage products were recently made available in Austria, and six other countries, for the first time in April on a not-for-resale basis as part of LifeVantage’s new Global Customer Acquisition Program. Since that time, Austria has shown promise in a relatively short period of time, and the company anticipates it playing an important role in expansion into other European markets.

With the addition of Austria, LifeVantage now has a formal presence in 13 markets in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

“This latest expansion is emblematic not only of our ongoing commitment to Europe as a whole but to our commitment to make our products available on an increasingly global scale,” said LifeVantage CEO Darren Jensen. “Austria is the latest evidence of that, but there is more to come.”

Scentsy’s “Warm the Heart” Movement to Aid Global Health, Humanitarian Organizations

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International fragrance company Scentsy, Inc. recently announced that as of September 1, it will raise money, support and awareness for the American Heart Association in the U.S., the Heart & Stroke Foundation in Canada and World Vision in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.

“We are launching our ‘Warm the Heart’ movement with approximately 110,000 passionate, giving Scentsy Consultants globally,” said Scentsy President and Co-owner Heidi Thompson.

Each catalog season, Scentsy creates and features a product specifically to benefit charity. This season features the Share Your Heart Mini Warmer, which is decorated with delicate white porcelain hearts. A portion ($7) from the sale of every Share Your Heart Mini Warmer will be donated to help fight heart disease and stroke research in the U.S. and Canada, and to help families in other parts of the world lift themselves out of poverty.

“We also realize that generosity is more than just giving money,” added Thompson. “Our reach is wide and we are challenging Consultants to get out and volunteer to make their neighborhoods and communities a better place. Can you imagine the impact if each of them gives for one day or even one hour?”

Since 2010, Scentsy has donated more than $9.7 million to charities around the world. The Share Your Heart Mini Warmer is currently available through Scentsy Consultants.