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Plexus Worldwide Hires Louis Ross as VP of Customer Service

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Plexus Worldwide, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based health and wellness company, has hired Louis Ross as the Vice President of Customer Service.

According to Plexus Worldwide CEO Tarl Robinson, the company has achieved substantial growth in the number of Ambassadors and customers, necessitating continuous improvement in the ways Plexus supports them.

“We are confident that the knowledge and experience Louis brings to Plexus will help us continue to improve customer experiences as we seek to become a world-class service organization,” said Robinson.

Ross will oversee the Plexus customer service department and two outsourced centers. He brings more than 20 years of customer service experience with him to the new role, including responsibility for 1,500 call center agents and management of centers in the United States and abroad. He holds both an MBA and Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota, and is fluent in Spanish.

“I was attracted to joining the Plexus team because of its reputation in the direct selling industry for its commitment to putting its independent sales representatives and customers first,” said Ross. “I’m excited to join such a dynamic team working with both Plexus executives, and its call center teams, to seamlessly respond to and assist more than 600,000 Ambassadors and customers.”

New Direct Selling Company: Gracewear Collection

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Gracewear Collection, a Cashiers, North Carolina-based lifestyle company, founded by sisters Wendy Strong Lupas and Mary Strong Blackburn, recently launched its purposeful jewelry and accessories brand in the direct selling channel.

Gracewear’s purpose is to inspire “Women for Victorious Living through the Shield of Faith Collection.” The signature trademarked Shield of Faith design of Gracewear is meant to be a subtle yet powerful reminder to be “covered in God’s Protection, Mercy and Grace.”

Lupas and Blackburn are on a mission to create a powerful Christian lifestyle brand that encourage women daily. After seven years of building the Shield of Faith Collection in the wholesale marketplace, they are looking forward to transitioning the brand to a more intentional personal direct sales model, where they believe it will have meaningful impact on the women who represent the mission and the women in crisis they feel called to serve.

“We look so forward to joining the new social selling revolution and creating a team of strong, courageous women called ‘Gracewear Warriors’ to represent our mission and vision,” says, co-founder Wendy Lupas. Our Warriors have the opportunity to build a powerful business while sharing their own personal journey and story of grace in personal social settings called ‘Gracewear Gatherings.’ ”

Gracewear Collection has applied for membership in the Direct Selling Association.

Amway Partners with Chinese Institute to Map Chrysanthemum Genome

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Amway, the largest direct selling company in the world, has successfully mapped the Chrysanthemum genome through its global research facilities, the Amway Botanical Research Center (ABRC), in collaboration with the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMM).

Earlier this month, Amway, based in Ada, Michigan, announced the completion of the first-ever genome sequencing of the Chrysanthemum, a genetically complex flowering plant thought to have several benefits in the areas of beauty and nutrition. The team at the ABRC in Wuxi, China, announced the mapping breakthrough on Dec. 18, with help from the ICMM as well as nanopore technology, one of the most advanced technologies available.

“It was a bit of a race because we knew that several groups were trying to solve this sequence and we really wanted to be the first in the world to figure it out,” said Amway Vice President of Research and Development Catherine Ehrenberger. “Being the first to have the sequencing of the genome of Chrysanthemum is important for us from a business point of view, but it’s also really important for the scientific credibility story of Amway.”

The Chrysanthemum genome, considered by scientists to be the most complicated genome in the plant kingdom, will lead to new Amway health and wellness products featuring key ingredients from the plant. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), potential benefits are believed to range from bone health to improved blood circulation.

“The more we can learn from the genome the better we can cultivate the plant, choose which species to study, under what condition to grow it, and so forth,” said Jia Chen, vice president of the Amway Botanical Research Center. “Once we have this knowledge it can really help us in the future a great deal.”

When deciding which TCM plant to study, Amway scientists looked at bringing Eastern philosophies of traditional Chinese medicine together with Western analytics.

“The analytics drove us to Chrysanthemum,” said Chen. “There was bioactivity there that aligned with products we wanted to develop, so that’s how we decided on this particular plant.”

The discovery is one of several milestones for the ABRC, a global research center established in 2015 and dedicated to discovering the benefits of TCM plants for use in Nutrilite™ and Artistry™ products.

Plexus Worldwide Donates More Than $64k to Our Military Kids

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Picture: Plexus Worldwide CEO Tarl Robinson (far left) and President Alec Clark (far right) present Our Military Kids Director of Development Matthew Lockwood with Plexus’s $64,104.75 donation to the organization.

Plexus Worldwide, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based health and wellness company, has made a donation of $64,104.75 to Our Military Kids.

“Plexus is proud to once again support Our Military Kids by donating a portion of our total sales from Veterans Day,” said Alec Clark, president of Plexus Worldwide. “When a parent’s deployment or battle injury brings stress to a child, it’s amazing what simple activities—like ballet or baseball—can do. We hope this donation will help those families who are struggling to deal with financial and emotional hardships.”

Our Military Kids, headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a nonprofit organization that supports children of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as the children of wounded warriors from all service branches, by helping families to pay for youth participation in sports leagues, fine arts programs and academic tutoring programs. The grants fund activities to help children cope with stress and anxiety while their parents are recovering or deployed.

“Since 2004, Our Military Kids has positively impacted the lives of more than 50,000 children of military members throughout the United States by providing them with grants to stay active and participate in extracurricular activities,” said Linda Davidson, co-founder and president of Our Military Kids. “We’re thankful for the partnership we have with Plexus Worldwide and their continuous donations, bringing hope for these children and their families year after year.”

For more information on Our Military Kids, click here.

Avon Foundation Recognized for Global Efforts to End Violence Against Women

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The Avon Foundation for Women was recently globally recognized for its work to end violence against women by non-governmental organization Together For Girls. In partnership with national governments, civil society and the private sector, Together for Girls brings attention to the issue of violence against girls in support of country-driven efforts for change. Every year, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Together for Girls celebrates 16 heroes from 16 very different walks of life with 16 different identities and 16 unique stories.

The foundation was chosen as one of the 16 for its work to end violence against women, with special recognition of Christine Jaworsky, who is director of the Avon Foundation. The foundation and Jaworsky were featured alongside former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, activist/influencer celebrities and global change-makers.

The 16 Days Campaign is an annual global movement emphasizing all forms of violence against women as a human rights issue. It was started in 1991 by the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute, held by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University. The campaign uses the 16 days between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Nov. 25) and International Human Rights Day (Dec. 10) to reinforce that eliminating all forms of violence against women is a human rights issue and that the act of perpetrating violence against women is a human rights violation.

Worldwide, almost one-third of women who have been in a relationship experience physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner. In the United States domestic violence hotlines receive more than 20,000 calls per day.

As director of the Avon Foundation for Women, Jaworsky partnered with the National Domestic Violence Hotline on its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Initiative. By awarding 25 direct service domestic violence shelters with $20,000 grants, the Avon Foundation is committed to addressing the financial strain many of these grassroots organizations face.

Jaworsky is further expanding the foundation’s work through its Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women, a public–private collaboration between the Avon Foundation, Vital Voices and the U.S. Department of State. Through the partnership, they have hosted Justice Institutes in the Philippines, Colombia, India, South Africa and Argentina, assembling first responders, police officers, health professionals, prosecutors and judges who work with and protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“Each Institute participant cares about preventing and responding appropriately to violence against women, but the reality is, even people with common goals approach situations differently,” Jaworsky says. “Avon’s main goal in funding The Justice Institutes is to convene participants to be resources for each other and to discuss how, at all stages of a victim’s experience, we remain laser-focused on his or her needs at the center of all that we do.”

Direct Sellers Donate to NBC’s TODAY Show Toy Drive

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The TODAY Show Toy Drive, a project of the TODAY Show Charitable Foundation Inc., worked to make its 24th Holiday Toy Drive its most successful ever—and several direct selling companies helped to aid that effort.

According to The TODAY Show, every 29 seconds a child in the United States is born into poverty. These children have limited access to food, medical care and basic human services. The toy drive is designed to provide gifts and essentials for impoverished children and teenagers up to age 18 nationwide, as well as gifts that children are able to give their parents.

This year, a number of direct selling companies supported the toy drive campaign. While there may be more, we are aware of these companies:

  • Amway, which made a contribution of $25,000;
  • Arbonne, which made a $250,000 charitable product donation;
  • Mary Kay Inc., which made a $3 million donation;
  • New Avon, which donated $331,00;
  • Stampin’ Up!, which made a $1.3 million product donation;
  • Thirty-One Gifts, which made a $4.5 million product contribution; and
  • USANA, which made a $25,000 million product donation.

Since it began in 1994, The TODAY Show Toy Drive has helped more than 4 million underprivileged children, distributing about $450 million in donations to more than 180 organizations across America and to U.S. military bases abroad. Donated items go to millions of children, including those in homeless shelters, children’s group homes, schools, foster family services, domestic abuse shelters, Native American missions, military bases, hospitals, preschools, after-school programs, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Celebrity “elves” have been collecting toys since Nov. 30 and will continue through Dec. 22. Celebrities who have helped in past years include George Clooney, Kerry Washington, Usher, Jon Hamm, Ian McKellan, Maya Rudolph, Matt Damon, Claire Danes, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Michael Buble and Paul Rudd.

For more information on The TODAY Show Toy Drive, click here.

Arbonne Makes $250,000 Product Donation to TODAY Toy and Gift Drive

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Photo: Arbonne’s Courtney Janes, along with two culinary students who benefit from the Arbonne Charitable Foundation, join TODAY co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford on stage.

Arbonne, an Irvine, California-based seller of health and skincare products, recently announced that it has made a $250,000 charitable product donation to the TODAY Toy and Gift Drive.

Arbonne Charitable Foundation Executive Director Courtney Janes, along with two culinary students from C-CAP who benefit from the foundation, announced Arbonne’s charitable donation live on TODAY on Friday, Dec. 8.

Arbonne donated thousands of products—with a retail value of more than $250,000—to the annual gift drive. The donation, including lip and skincare essentials, is being sent to charitable organizations across the country that serve those in need, especially children and teens this holiday.

Click here to view the donation announcement.

Scentsy Partnership Benefits Habitat for Humanity

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Photo: Scentsy founders Orville and Heidi Thompson work on a Habit for Humanity home in Garden City, Idaho.

Meridian, Idaho-based Scentsy, a seller of personal and home fragrances, has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to raise money for the organization that builds homes for families in need.

Scentsy created a scented-wax warmer called Built With Love, which was released in September. The company will donate $9 from the sale of each one to Habitat for Humanity through September 2018.

On Dec. 8, a team of top Scentsy executives spent the morning working on a Habitat for Humanity home that is under construction in Garden City. There were 12 people from Scentsy working on the home, including the company’s owners and founders, Heidi and Orville Thompson. The home is going to a family originally from Eritrea, Africa, that recently became U.S. citizens.

Habitat for Humanity works alongside families to build homes—and the stability that comes with them—from the ground up. More than 9.8 million people around the world have been served by Habitat for Humanity since 1976. Approximately 1.8 million people volunteer annually to help Habitat for Humanity assist families in need, and 70 countries benefit from Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build simple, affordable housing.

SimplyFun Supports Children in Need

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SimplyFun LLC., publisher of educational board games, will Play It Forward this holiday season by supporting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation with a $500,000 product donation. This donation of games will be distributed to children and families in need during the holidays to help fulfill the Toys for Tots commitment to ensuring every child in need receives a Christmas gift.

“Finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience every child deserves,” said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Simply Fun has certainly done more than its fair share to help us bring that joy to children whose families have suffered so much. With their generous support we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of thousands of less fortunate children who otherwise might be forgotten.”

SimplyFun has also donated an additional $160,000 in games to the My Stuff Bags Foundation. This donation will contribute to the mission of the foundation to support children in crisis, including support for foster children in transition.

“We are so grateful for the support of SimplyFun,” said Janeen Holmes, president/CEO of My Stuff Bags Foundation. “Their donations of wonderful games and puzzles have brought so much joy to children receiving them in their My Stuff Bags! This most recent, fabulous holiday donation will help us bring the gift of play to thousands of children who need to know people care.”

By partnering with these charitable organizations, SimplyFun carries out its mission to Play It Forward, a movement that originally began as an effort by SimplyFun Independent Consultants to provide the joy of play to children in need in their local communities. It has since evolved into a bigger commitment to help even more children and families in need this holiday and beyond.

Isagenix Recognized as Best Place to Work

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Gilbert, Arizona-based Isagenix International, a global health and wellness company providing nutrition and lifestyle solutions, has been named one of Phoenix Business Journal’s 2017 Best Places to Work. The Best Places to Work program recognizes companies with excellent morale, engagement and retention. Isagenix ranked 15th on the list for large employers (250–999 employees) based on results of an employee survey by Quantum Workplace, Phoenix Business Journal’s research partner.

“Isagenix is honored to receive this recognition, as we’re committed to providing an exceptional work experience for our employees,” said Jim Coover, Isagenix co-founder and CEO. “Employees are not only an integral part of the company’s success, they’re also family.”

This is the second time this year Isagenix has been recognized for employee engagement. Direct Selling News magazine named the company one of its Best Places to Work in Direct Selling based on an employee survey by Quantum Workplace.

In keeping with the company’s commitment to health, its Gilbert headquarters, which houses more than 700 employees, features an on-site wellness center. The center is staffed by a full-time wellness coach who provides consultations and exercise classes including yoga.

Another way employees can work toward their health and wellness goals is by participating in various health challenges throughout the year, including an employee-only IsaBody Challenge. In the most recent employee Challenge, contestants and winners shared in more than $20,000 in cash and prizes.

“Isagenix is proud to offer such robust compensation and benefits,” Coover said. “By valuing our employees and meeting their needs, we’ve created a world-class workforce that ensures customers receive the best products and services in the health and wellness industry.”

Isagenix also engages its employees through a variety of employee activities. An internal team focused on company culture creates events throughout the year including employee appreciation events, holiday parties, and community volunteer and giving-back activities.

The Phoenix Business Journal’s Best Places to Work lists recognize top companies in a variety of industries and sizes. The publication also recently recognized Isagenix as a top corporate philanthropist, a top family-owned business and a healthiest employer.

Houston Area Domestic Violence Survivors Receive Surprise Mary Kay Makeovers

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As part of Dallas, Texas-based Mary Kay’s Global Day of Beauty, the cosmetics giant joined its independent salesforce to provide pampering sessions for women in need. The recent event at Preston Theater in Houston, Texas, included hair-styling, makeup application and other activities to help the women make a fresh start. From the United States to China, Mary Kay markets worldwide will participate in the global initiative.

The survivors in attendance at the U.S. event are clients from Bay Area Turning Point, a community shelter that provides direct services to children, adults and families experiencing domestic and sexual violence in Houston and the surrounding area. Many of the women are currently living in emergency housing or are in transition while trying to rebuild their lives after fleeing an abusive relationship.

“For women who have overcome unspeakable abuse, a surprise day of beauty is much more than a luxury—it’s a boost of self-confidence, a fresh, new start and a much-needed and well-deserved break from a traumatic time in their lives,” said Brenda Sykes, interim president and CEO at Bay Area Turning Point. “To see the look of pure joy and excitement on the women’s faces was indescribable. We are so thankful for corporate partners like Mary Kay Inc. who remain committed to not only support programs to help prevent and end domestic violence but to also honor survivors of an epidemic that impacts one in four women in our country.”

Bay Area Turning Point is one of 150 domestic violence shelters to receive a 2017 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation. Each year, the Foundation awards $20,000 in unrestricted grants to 150 shelters across the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for a total of $3 million. To date, Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay Foundation have given $57 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs nationwide to end the cycle of abuse.

“In a united effort by Mary Kay and its independent salesforce spanning the globe, we are proud to honor deserving women through our Global Day of Beauty program while also raising awareness of an epidemic that impacts families in every country and culture,” said Anne Crews, board member of The Mary Kay Foundation and vice president of Public Affairs for Mary Kay Inc. “For decades, Mary Kay has been committed to ending domestic violence. This special event in Houston and similar events worldwide not only empower women but also remind them of their beauty and self-worth.”

Deserving women worldwide, including teachers, nurses, military veterans, cancer survivors, caregivers and survivors of domestic abuse, will receive the gift of beauty as part of Global Day of Beauty. The program is a component of Mary Kay’s Don’t Look Away campaign, which works to educate the public on recognizing the signs of an abusive relationship, how to take action and to raise awareness of support services.

New Amway Research Provides Insights into Skin Microbiome

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Recently, Amway Corp., in collaboration with Microbiome Insights Inc., presented results from two independent epidemiology studies at Happi’s Anti-Aging Conference & Tabletop Exhibition, an annual conference that attracts anti-aging industry experts and suppliers. The research team comprised of scientists from both companies has identified two species of Corynebacterium, a genus of bacteria, as potential targets to improve skin appearance.

The first study enrolled 495 normal healthy men and women ranging in age from 9 to 78. The researchers combined their science talents in cosmetics and microbiome—an organism’s microbe community—and discovered two Corynebacterium species, one associated with younger people and the other with older people. The “old skin” Corynebacterium species tended to displace the other during middle age (ages 40–49). Interestingly, the two bacteria were found to be co-exclusive, meaning they did not exist simultaneously at the same skin site.

The researchers then conducted a follow-up study in 155 healthy men and women to see if they could repeat the results of the first study. The second study yielded the same results and confirmed the original observations. Furthermore, in addition to being associated with chronological age, the “old skin” Cornyebacterium was found to be associated with skin redness, wrinkles and age spots, suggesting it could be a target for treatment intervention.

The two companies are working together to better understand the importance of this novel finding. These new insights not only contribute to the scientific community’s general understanding of the microbiome, but will also have implications for consumer products that benefit human health and wellness.

“We are following up on this new, exciting insight into skin aging and the microbiome,” said Dr. Greg Hillebrand, Senior Principal Scientist at Amway Corporation. “While much more work needs to be done, there may be an opportunity to help improve skin appearance in otherwise normal, healthy people based on skin microbiome science.”

Malcolm Kendall, CEO and Co-Founder of Microbiome Insights Inc. said, “Our partnership with Amway has been a perfect example of what a true partnership should be, where both parties bring something to the table. Together, we are leveraging our deep experience in the microbiome to deliver new innovations more quickly and efficiently in skin and cosmetic science. Our team is committed to working with Amway to unravel the role of the microbiome in skin-aging and applying the findings to developing consumer products that benefit human health and wellness.”

Full data from Amway’s Microbiome Initiative research are expected to be published in 2018.