Over the past 18 months, direct selling has endured one of the most turbulent periods in its modern history. Closures, pivots and private equity shakeups have fueled unease and speculation about decline. Yet the real story is far more nuanced: direct selling isn’t shrinking—it’s evolving.

Many direct selling leaders have begun to consider integrating or launching an enhanced affiliate model as part of or in addition to their existing brands. In fact, in a recent Direct Selling News survey of 45 direct selling companies, more than two-thirds of participants (67 percent) said they were at least considering how they could adapt and incorporate an enhanced affiliate model into their existing structure.