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Regal Ware CEO Jeffrey Reigle Joins Strouds Board of Directors

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Strouds Luxury Linens, the California-based linens e-tailer, recently announced that Jeffrey Reigle, CEO of Regal Ware, Inc. and recent inductee into the Direct Selling Association Hall of Fame, has joined its board of directors.

Reigle will begin his duties in mid-September.

“I’ve known Jeff Reigle and his family for years and couldn’t be more pleased to have him join the board,” said Jeff Stroud, CEO of Strouds Luxury Linens. “He has distinguished himself in the direct sales industry, which is one of several selling platforms we are pursuing. He’s also shown great enthusiasm for our brand and I have no doubt he will enhance our business.”

Stroud began the company in late 2016, offering products in 2017 under a controlled-growth strategy. Currently, Strouds has an e-commerce website and social media platforms focused on affinity groups, with a larger public marketing launch slated for 2019. Recruiting board of advisors and board members with category and vertical industry experience has been a startup strategy and a key factor in Reigle joining the board.

“I see tremendous opportunity for Strouds today and in the future,” said Reigle. “Given the Strouds pedigree and its strategic plans for the future, I believe I can contribute in a way that is synergistic and will breed success.”

Red Aspen Takes Center Stage at Miss America Pageant

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Red Aspen, the Boise, Idaho-based beauty and cosmetics startup that offers false eyelashes for women, was center stage at the recent Miss America pageant held September 9 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Twenty-six of the pageant contestants took up the company’s offer to try its signature lashes. Seven of the final Top 10 contestants were recipients of Red Aspen’s gifts, including Miss New York Nia Franklin, who was crowned Miss America.

“The Red Aspen team gathered together to watch the competition on Sunday night and we were ecstatic when Nia Franklin won!” said Co-owner Amanda Moore. “Nia was one of the women we had the opportunity to talk with multiple times on Instagram. We were quickly won over by her charm and personality. We loved being tagged in her Instagram stories and following along as she prepared for the competition. Nia’s favorite lashes—and the ones she wore on ABC Sunday night—were the Red Aspen Reese Lashes!”

Red Aspen’s sudden rise can be attributed to the wave of interest among millennial women in wearing false eyelashes—which Pinterest predicted last December would be the top beauty trend of 2018—as well as the growth of women-owned businesses. According to data in American Express’s “2017 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report,” the number of women-owned businesses has increased 114 percent since 1997 and now accounts for 39 percent of all U.S. firms.

Red Aspen does not use traditional at-home product parties to sell its lashes and growing line of cosmetic products. Instead, sales reps produce Facebook Live pop-up parties that include eyelash images and application demonstrations. Brand ambassadors can choose a traditional direct selling model, bringing people on to their sales teams and advancing through the ranks by hitting monthly sales targets, or they can just sell the products, skipping the advancement and targets while earning sales commissions and free product.

“We wanted to take the idea of social sales and ‘millennialize’ it for a younger market,” Moore said.

The aspen in the Red Aspen refers to the Pando, a quaking aspen grove in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest that is thought to be the largest living organism in the world. “They look like they’re growing individually, but they share one root system,” Moore said. “We thought that was a great analogy for how we support each other.”

Sid Liu Named ARIIX Executive Vice President of Sales for China

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Bountiful, Utah-based ARIIX recently announced that Sid Liu has been named executive vice president of Sales for China. Liu will lead the sales team and work directly with top leaders in ARIIX’s biggest market.

“Sid is an impressive individual,” said ARIIX CEO and Founder Fred Cooper. “Not only does he have his Ph.D., but his native language is Mandarin Chinese; he’s fluent in English and conversant in Cantonese. His energy and drive are exactly what we need for the leader of ARIIX China and we’re confident he will accomplish many great things. ARIIX China will only continue to flourish under his strong leadership style.”

Liu has over 20 years of management experience in the direct selling industry as well as experience in the field of biotechnology. He received his bachelor’s degree in Taipei, Taiwan and both his master’s degree and Ph.D. in the United States. He currently resides in Shanghai, China.

Youngevity CEO Steve Wallach Named to DSA Board of Directors

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Youngevity, a leading omni-direct lifestyle company, recently announced that Chief Executive Officer Steve Wallach has been appointed to the Direct Selling Association (DSA) Board of Directors.

“I’m especially pleased that Steve Wallach has been elected to serve on the Direct Selling Association’s Board of Directors,” said DSA President Joseph Mariano. “We believe direct selling will play an increasingly dynamic role in the future of retailing, and the entrepreneurial spirit that enables Steve to empower Youngevity’s independent contractors in exciting new ways will be an asset to our board.”

The DSA represents the direct selling industry and advocates on behalf of its 200-plus member companies. Its board consists of 22 industry leaders who serve as officers and directors, as nominated and elected by their peers. In addition to leading and directing the affairs of the association, board members are charged specifically with promoting the DSA code of ethics. Board leadership also carries government relations, education, and research responsibilities.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve on the DSA Board of Directors,” said Wallach. “I look forward to helping advance the association’s global membership initiatives and being at the forefront of positive change in our industry.”

Herbalife Study Reveals Time-Starved Consumers Skip Breakfast

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Los Angeles-based Herbalife Nutrition, in conjunction with National Breakfast Month, announced the results of its Healthy Breakfast Survey of more than 8,000 global consumers.

The survey about breakfast attitudes and consumption habits, which can have serious health implications for consumers, revealed that while 95 percent of respondents acknowledge the importance of eating breakfast, nearly 50 percent don’t consume it regularly, citing lack of time as a primary reason.

“Whether you’re pressed for time or you’re simply not hungry in the morning, missing breakfast is a big mistake,” said Dr. John Agwunobi, co-president and chief health and nutrition officer of Herbalife Nutrition. “Having a balanced breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up will help boost mood, provide adequate nutrients to the brain to aid in mental alertness and energy, and stave off hunger throughout the day.”

Of the 8,600 respondents surveyed from the U.S., China and 11 Asia Pacific (APAC) countries, more than 90 percent agreed there are significant benefits to eating breakfast daily. More than 30 percent of respondents felt they would be encouraged to eat breakfast daily if it were “ready-made” and contained necessary nutrients. Weight management was seen as a key consideration in the U.S., with weight loss named among the top three reasons for not eating a daily breakfast.

Breakfast Habits, Times and Frequency 

More than half of all survey respondents are eating breakfast seven days a week, but the percentage by region varies significantly: 55 percent in the U.S., 63 percent in APAC and 81 percent in China. In the U.S. and APAC, males consume breakfast seven days a week more often than females—57 percent compared to 53 percent, and 65 percent compared to 61 percent, respectively. Females in China eat breakfast seven days a week more consistently than males – 84 percent compared to 77 percent.

Eating breakfast seven days a week also increases with age in all three regions:

  • U.S. — 50 percent of Millennials (18-34 years old) vs. 66 percent of Baby Boomers (55+ years old)
  • APAC — 56 percent of Millennials vs. 74 percent of Baby Boomers
  • China — 79 percent of Millennials (22-37 years old) vs. 86 percent of Baby Boomers

 Obstacles to Consuming Breakfast Daily

Findings indicate lack of time as the number one reason preventing respondents from eating breakfast daily, as claimed by more than half of APAC respondents (52 percent), which is higher than both the U.S. (38 percent) and China (44 percent). The second leading factor is a lack of appetite (34 percent in the U.S. and –32 percent in both APAC and China), followed by the perception that eating breakfast is too much work in APAC (16 percent) and China (27 percent). In the U.S., 19 percent of respondents source their desire to lose weight, making it the third most popular reason not to eat breakfast daily.

Respondents in all three regions said the top factors that would encourage them to eat breakfast daily would be more time and options that are readily accessible and convenient.

The survey was conducted between February and March of 2018 in the U.S., China, and APAC countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. More than 8,600 general population respondents participated—1,000 in the U.S.; 2,100 in China; and more than 5,500 in APAC. The results of this survey are accurate at the 95 percent confidence level plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

For results of the Herbalife Nutrition studies, click here.

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.