“In the long history of humankind,” Charles Darwin observed, “those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” Change and disruption are the story of our times. The direct selling channel isn’t merely adapting by collaborating and improvising, but finding new opportunities to grow. While ill-informed critics sometimes will question the values of […]

AVEDISCO, Italy’s direct sales and consumer service association, recently announced that 2017 was a profitable year for direct sales. Results show that the direct selling sector achieved excellent results in terms of turnover and employment value in Italy last year: the 38 member companies of AVEDISCO recorded growth of more than 9 percent for a total of over €703 million, and almost […]

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” —Benjamin Franklin Mr. Franklin’s words can be applied to any of his roles: newspaper publisher, inventor, postmaster, statesman and humorist. But his words have an especially keen meaning for DSA’s ethics and self-regulation program that has been a guiding force […]

Arbonne International, LLC, an Irvine, California-based seller of premium botanical personal care and nutrition, has become an official participant in the UN Global Compact (UNGC), joining the growing movement of nearly 10,000 companies around the globe committed to sustainable and socially responsible policies and practices. Founded in 1999, the UNGC is the largest global signatory […]

In their first seven years, Heidi and Orville Thompson built home- and personal-fragrance company Scentsy into one of direct selling’s top-line players. What began in a 40-foot metal shipping container on a Meridian, Idaho, sheep farm in 2004 led to meteoric growth by 2011 when they hit $535 million in revenue. The next year Scentsy […]

In Washington, D.C. and across the country, there is an association for everything. Each industry, product or interest group has its own agenda. And there is an association to advocate for each one of those agendas on all levels of government. For Americans, it seems only natural to stand together and advocate for a point […]

Youngevity International, a Chula Vista, California-based omni-direct lifestyle company, has hired Sharmila Chatterjee, Ph.D., as managing director for Russia and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Chatterjee join our team,” said Vice President of International Sales & Operations Luke Taffuri. “Her previous successes and experience should help us address more […]

Modere, a Springville, Utah-based seller of beauty and personal care, health and wellness and household products, recently announced that Asma Ishaq, president of the company’s Collagen Sciences division and its chief industry relations officer, will become CEO effective immediately. She succeeds Robert S. Conlee, who will become the company’s chairman. Ishaq co-founded Jusuru International Inc. […]

Ambit Energy was a data processor before being a data processor was cool. In 2006, based on their experience in the telecom industry, founders Jere Thompson and Chris Chambless decided that Ambit had to become a data processing company first, to keep up with the anticipated growth from their direct sales in marketing electricity and […]

Click here to order the December 2017 issue in which this article appeared. I look back over 2017 with great pride at what the DSA team accomplished on behalf of our industry. We brought member company executives together to share their advice and concerns, to support our vital advocacy efforts, and to commit to ever-higher ethical standards […]

Click here to order the December 2017 issue in which this article appeared. In This Issue: The Most Influential Women in Direct Selling Bringing Gender Parity to Direct Selling  Advocating for the Direct Selling Community  Navigating the Millennial-Driven World Sticking to a Winning Business Model Leading with Passion and Commitment Launching New Products and Segments Recruiting and […]

Taunton, Massachusetts-based Princess House, a direct seller of housewares and home décor, has been recognized as one of the top 100 women-led businesses in the state of Massachusetts. The annual list compiled by the Commonwealth Institute, in partnership with The Boston Globe, ranked Princess House No. 27 for its leadership in diversity and innovation. “We are […]