Tag Archives: Direct Selling

Alternative Income Earning Streams

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Last week the Direct Selling News published an article focusing on Canada and how it stacks up to the Direct Selling Industry.  It’s no surprise to anyone that reads this blog that we have our own business that is powered by the Amway Business Opportunity and we choose to utilize the World Wide Dreambuilders training system that helps us build our business. Amway is in what’s called the Direct Selling Industry and this article focus’s on that industry and the impact and going on’s in Canada.  It’s also what’s given my wife the choice of if she wants to work or not (which she chooses not to) and lastly with the help of WWDB given us the insight and mentorship on how to become debt free.

0811_DSNcoverMAG003You can check out the full article here – O Canada! – A Look Inside Our Northern Neighbour’s Direct Selling World

There are some pretty neat facts that I’ll re-purpose here from the site:

  • Over 900,000 Canadians are associated with the direct selling industry.
  • The Canada DSA represents 48 companies with sales revenue of over $1 billion annually. (* Side Note – Amway did $1 billion in sales in the month of June)
  • The direct selling industry accounts for more than 16 percent of non-store retail sales in Canada.
  • 91 percent of Canadian direct sellers are women.
  • Canada’s direct selling organizations donate nearly $8 million to charities annually.

Canada is vastly growing in this industry and has in the last 5 years grown 11.2%.  Alberta and British Columbia continue to lead Canada in this industry and sales and I can say without question that is directly related to the growth of Amway in our area.  That’s unfounded but after hearing what Jeff Johnson from Amway Canada said to our leaders last week, I can put two and two together.

So why is this type of industry taking off?  People are looking for other ways to make money.  With articles like this published today by CTV – CIBC poll finds 72% of Canadians are in debt. people are looking at ways to reduce debt or get ahead just a little bit.  This opportunity and industry allows for that. 

There is another reason why others are looking at this and that’s for an additional hobby out there and maybe not necessarily the money.  That’s quite alright as well, that’s the beauty of this industry as there is a fit for everyone.  We have a lot of friends who are in many different Direct Selling opportunities and that’s great.

business-of-the-21st-cover1There are more and more third party credibility resources now backing Direct Selling and opportunities like ours.  Robert Kiyosaki for one is a big proponent of Network Marketing and if he could start all over again he’d do this type of industry.  Lastly we’ve got Frank Luntz and John Maxwell who came to our Spring Leadership back in April who are big supporters of the Amway Business Opportunity and World Wide Dreambuilders.

While my blog is specifically about my experiences surrounding World Wide Dreambuilders (WWDB) I’m excited to hear news like this that this industry isn’t just a rinky dink one.  It’s growing whether people want to believe it or not.  Lastly if you’ve ever had a bad experience with any Direct Selling company, including Amway, remember you had a bad experience with a person, not the company.  As always make sure you know who your dealing with as not everyone is as honest or trusting as you may think, as sad as that is.

Follow other bloggers for this year’s Summer Blogging Challenge here:

Zita of Ignite Strategic Solutions, Cliff of Peer Pressure Works, Tammy of Tam I Am, Peter of Crazy Wookie Cookies, Chad of The Daily Grind, Vlad of Analog Coast, Robb of Blogging Life, Kim of Nature Baby Bloggings, Liam of ln The Now, Natasha of Natural Urban Mamas, Earl of My Name is Earl (J. Woods), Brad of Kick Me Out Soon

Also follow this on twitter with the “Official” hash tags #SBC #SummerBloggingChallenge

Amway Posts $1 Billion in Sales for the Month of June

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One-Billion-DollarsI don’t often get the whole “Amway, isn’t that a pyramid?” or “your still in that thing?”, In fact I’ve only had the “P” word come up once, and it was clearly by someone who had no idea what a pyramid was and was just using it as an excuse to make themselves look better.  Anyway, despite that, Amway is on track to break more records and in June posted $1 Billion in sales for the month of June.

Sales are up overall, including North America and Amway is on track to break even more records at the end of its fiscal in September.  So why is $1 Billion in sales a big deal for Amway? It’s the first time in 52 years they have broken the $1 Billion in one month.  They continue to be a powerhouse in the Direct Selling market as well as online shopping which they continue to be number one in online beauty and health sales. 

This is great news especially in an economy where most companies are struggling to post numbers like and struggle to grow year after year through recessions.  I know many companies in around the Edmonton area that continue to struggle, let alone the rest of the country.  This is also great news because I know I’m involved with a company that continues to grow which only means positive results for my wife and I.

Again, think Amway is just a rinky dink company?  Better think again.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/june-marks-first-1-billion-sales-month-for-amway-125481033.html

The Ultimate Social Business Model

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Ultimate-Social-Business-Model-Wall-Street-Journal_pdfIf you ever thought that Direct Selling was a joke, a fad, or something that only a few people do, you may want to think again.  In a recent special supplement to the Wall Street Journal by Direct Selling News called “The Ultimate Social Business” you might be surprised at just how long Direct Selling has been around and just how much impact it has on the economy.

“In 2010, direct selling companies generated over $125 billion in revenue in 150 countries through more than 75 million men and women who are changing lives serving others”.  What I love about that statement isn’t the fact Direct Selling has generated $125 billion, but the fact people are serving others.  While I cannot speak for others, that resonates the most with us because that’s exactly what motivates us to build our business.

What’s cool about Direct Selling that I didn’t know is that it’s actually the original social networking business.  This was long before there were computers in every household and well ages before Twitter and Facebook.  Direct Selling has been around for over 150 years and it ain’t going anywhere, in fact it’s picking up steam and here in Alberta it’s booming!

I know quite a few friends and acquaintances that are involved in some kind of Direct Selling opportunity.  Now it doesn’t have to be Amway (which happens to be #2, a private company and one that continued to grow to $9.2 Billion in sales) that we happen to be involved with, there are many other opportunities out there.  Sometimes people are looking at these opportunities to make a few dollars on the side, some are looking for leadership and mentorship, and some are just looking to fill in some extra time with a hobby.  

The stigma about Direct Selling, Amway, and these other opportunities is old and to make fun of, criticize, or put people down that are involved in them just shows true ignorance.  As the article says it’s Prime Time for Direct Selling and if your looking for an opportunity make sure you do your research, figure out who your getting involved in and make they are open and honest with you.

Check out the article here that covers all aspects of the Direct Selling industry and the top 100 companies – The Ultimate Social Business Model

Direct Selling 2009 Figures

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DSA Great article by the Direct Selling Association.  Some key points:

1. Number of direct sales representatives rises by 1 million to a record of 16.1 million

2. Sales at $28.33 billion under pressure from the weakest economy in 70 years

3. Direct selling outperforms the overall retail sector – (that’s pretty powerful)

Yes I know direct selling is not for everyone however this is a pretty good article considering we are in one of the worst economic recessions of our time.

Here is the Press Release

No this is not part of my Summer Blog Posts… that’s coming shortly.

Direct Selling is Thriving

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Fortune-DirectSelling

Here is a great article I came across today on Fortune 500 Magazine’s website in regards to how Amway has continued to grow over time despite the economic downturn.  Currently the direct selling model is just booming in China right now as it has in other places like Korea.  They are looking at taking this successful practice to places like India, Thailand and Malasia.   Check the article out here or click on the picture.