The Benefits of the Direct Sales Model

I’ve been in business for over seven years now, and during this time I’ve noticed a significant shift in the way women are working from home. More and more women are closing their online businesses and joining up with network marketing opportunities. In fact, three of my mompreneur friends who started online businesses the same time I did, have since closed up shop and joined forces with a direct sales company.

Not only are these moms thriving within the direct sales industry, but they also report less stress and more free time. So, I decided to sit down with these moms and get the inside scoop of the reality and benefits of the direct sales model.

Today we’ll be chatting with former blogger, marketer, and platform builder, Abbey Fatica. Former crafter, writer, and freelancer, Angela Bickford, and shoe designer and seller of Lizzie Lou Shoes, Sheena Edwards.

Abbey Fatica – Isagenix

Tell us a little bit about your entrepreneurial journey and why you decided to close up shop.

In 2008, I was staying at home with my daughter at the time when she was under a year old. I was working part-time as a bartender at PF Changs and hated being away from her. That’s when I decided I needed to find something to do from home so that I didn’t have to miss a minute with her. I actually came across The Work at Home Woman to get ideas, and Holly’s articles helped me a lot to figure out what I wanted to do.

In early 2009, I started my own Marketing and Advertising business for moms who owned small businesses, and I ran this business, had several employees who were also moms till 2011 when I sold my company to a new owner because I was looking for something more. Something where I didn’t have to be tied to my work 24/7. Ironically, I partnered with a friend to build a technology platform where blog influencers and brands could meet to work together. We closed this business as a result of needing angel investors to fund our idea and not receiving the support we needed to take our idea to the next level.

From there, I took a break from entrepreneurship and focused on being a mom to my then three kids while pregnant with our fourth. In 2012, I was introduced to Isagenix but was only interested in the products and wanted nothing to do with the business opportunity since I was knee-deep in building our platform.

How did you find out about Isagenix?

In 2012, I was looking to lose some baby weight from having our third child and a friend told me about a nutritional cleansing system that she was having success with, and I decided to give it a try. In the beginning, like I said, I wanted nothing to do with the business side, I only wanted the products. But when my influencer business closed down and I was weeks away from having our fourth child, I knew I needed something for me to interact with adults and something to provide our family extra income. In late 2013, I started my Isagenix business.

What makes this opportunity unique?

This business gives me the opportunity to provide people with a solution, be it a physical or financial transformation or both. We have solutions for energy, healthy aging, weight loss or wealth creation. The thing I have found is that you can have a healthy body but still be miserable because your finances are a mess, OR you can be wealthy but unhealthy causing you physical distress. The thing that Isagenix can do for people is to provide a means for both.

What are the benefits of the direct sales model versus running your own business?

I love the Networking Marketing model because, in order to grow my business, I have to help others succeed. It’s about relationship building where I can focus on conversations I have with people to meet their goals. This means I can control when we talk, and I am not tied to a deadline that my clients need me to meet. I make my own business goals and help others strive to achieve theirs. I love that I don’t have to have parties, carry inventory, and can run this business in the pockets of my day. When I had my own business, I was constantly tied to my computer and phone with very few breaks. I was trading time for money, and with young children, I couldn’t afford to lose any time with them. This model allows me to work the business into our lives and not the other way around.

What should others look for when they’re considering a direct sales opportunity?

I always tell people to find a product line that they are passionate about because then you don’t have to be a salesperson, but more of a friend who is sharing something they love. I love that Isagenix is a consumable product and is just food because we all eat so everyone can use these products every day! You are eating your overhead which is amazing! Also, look for a good compensation plan, and if you don’t know what you are looking for just ask. Find a company that cares about its associates and is striving to do more for them every day! Find a business that walks in integrity and are continuing to grow their people through self-development and core events.

Any final words?

Network Marketing was something that I was totally against years ago. I thought it wasn’t for me, but since doing research about the industry and really diving in, I see it as a vehicle that will allow me to do the things I love to do every day with the people I want to do them with. In the last three years, I have been in Network Marketing, I have grown so much as a person as well. I focus on becoming a better version of myself every day so that I can be a role model to my kids and my team. Even if you think that this industry isn’t for you, I invite you to at least take an educated look at what it has to offer.

Angela Bickford – LuLaRoe

Tell us a little bit about your entrepreneurial journey and why you decided to close up shop.

I started out as a teacher and left to be a magazine editor. I loved the work but wanted to start my own business. So, I began with an Etsy-type shop crafting things such as stationery and decoupage gifts. I was able to do some writing on the side and keep a blog going during this time. I often did freelancing work such as marketing and virtual assistance and eventually transitioned into doing graphic design and printing. You could say, I’m a jill-of-all-trades in that respect, but nothing kept my attention for any length of time. Between that and having preemies to care for at home, I decided to stop pursuing new clients and focus on my family.

How did you find out about LuLaRoe?

I heard about LuLaRoe when a friend invited me to a pop-up, where I bought my first pair of leggings. It was love. Not only were they super comfortable, I realized I felt confident in them and the worked to conceal my ‘mommy tummy’. This was huge for me!

What makes this opportunity unique?

LuLaRoe has both a selling and a team-building aspect, much like other direct selling companies, but what makes us unique is that our product is so different. We don’t have catalogs or a website to order from. Each consultant carries different inventory and gets different patterns. We aren’t in competition with each other! The prints are so limited, you’re not likely to see the same thing on another person, and the demand is huge for that reason alone. From a money-making standpoint, the profit margin is high, but that also means a bigger upfront investment. This pays off though, and it also weeds out some of the people who might not be as serious about making it a business.

What are the benefits of the direct sales model versus running your own business?

I think the biggest bonus of being with a direct sales company is that I don’t have to do all the thinking. It’s not overwhelming work. Don’t get me wrong – it’s work! But because they take care of creating, designing, training, etc. I can focus more on my family’s needs than if I was doing it all by myself.

What should others look for when they’re considering a direct sales opportunity?

I would say find something you love. Don’t just sell something because of the money-making opportunity or because your friend sells it or even because it’s the latest thing. Sell it because you love it – that’s how you’re going to make money at it. Be a product of the product. Make sure to look carefully at any company’s policies and decide if those requirements fit your lifestyle and needs. Do your research on the business and learn about its history. Most direct sales opportunities aren’t a lot of upfront investment, so it doesn’t sting as bad if it doesn’t work out. With LuLaRoe, it’s a real commitment ($5,000 – $6,000 startup), and that scares some people away. If you really want it, you’ll find a way! And one piece of the puzzle that people often forget – make sure there is a good support system in place. You’ll want to have access to a good team, some quality training, a place to go for questions and help. Not all teams have this, and that’s true of any direct sales company.

Any final words?

I think that people forget that direct sales is a job too. It’s work. I hear all the time from others, “If you treat your business like a business, it will reward you like one. If you treat it like a hobby, it will never be a business.” This is so true. Make sure with any opportunity that you’re ready to take it seriously and dive in!

Sheena Edwards – Neora

Tell us a little bit about your entrepreneurial journey and why you decided to close up shop.

My idea for Lizzie Lou Shoes started in 2008. My then-five-year-old daughter Lizzie was obsessed with shoes. I was talking with my cousin Shilpi, who lives in India, about creating a product we could manufacture there and import to the U.S. We loved the idea of making flip-flops in a way that hadn’t been seen before — with the popular colors and styles of India. Lizzie Lou Shoes were a huge hit, with high quality, beautiful designs, and current styling.

There are many amazing benefits to being a small business owner, but it also comes with a lot of financial risks. Every new design was a $3,000 – $5,000 investment by the time the product reached the U.S. I thought the stress might not be worth it after one shipment was held up in Customs and turned out to be damaged. Having found success in designing, making, and selling my line of flip-flops combined with the flexibility of working for myself at home while taking care of three young kids spurred me to consider other opportunities at the same time.

After being introduced to Neora (formerly Nerium) in March 2013, I put Lizzie Lou Shoes on hold and fully committed to the business. By the end of my first year, I had moved up the ranks and earned a free iPad, Lexus, inventory, and a trip to Cancun. It was tough to put the shoes on hold, but it turned out to be a smart move.

How did you find out about Neora?

Believe it or not, Facebook. I had just turned 40 and was looking for a new skincare regimen when I saw a friend of mine posting before-and-after photos that caught my attention. I contacted her and found out that she had left a top position with another beauty company to join Nerium. After researching Neora, I learned its main ingredient, NAE-8 extract, was more or less an accidental discovery by Nerium Biotechnology. Ten years of research and development led to the launch of Neora Skin Care and the exclusive partnership with Neora. The all-natural product gave me the results I was looking for and an opportunity for something big.

What makes this opportunity unique?

Neora’s product line consists of patented, exclusive, first-to-market ingredients that can only be purchased from Neora Brand Partners. You won’t find our ingredients in any other anti-aging products on the market. It was also important to me to find a company that had core values in line with mine. Nerium’s mission is “to make people better,” and CEO Jeff Olsen focuses on personal development of our brand partners and giving back to the community. In 2014, Nerium met its goal of raising $1,000,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), making Neora one of the largest corporate workplace giving donors.

Neora also has several unique programs that I think have made a huge difference in my success and my teams. Our 3URFree program allows Brand partners to remain active with no personal monthly or quarterly investment. If you have three customers ordering from you each month, you can earn not only your own products for free, but you can remain an active paid brand partner. Over the past 3 1/2 years I have only paid for my products one month, and most months I earn a maximum of $270 in free products. Additionally, the Neora Gives Back program rewards you for getting new customers or team members by assigning points you can use to purchase more products. I have earned over $15,000 in free inventory for my own personal use, samples, and to continue to grow my business.

Neora’s exclusive products, lucrative compensation plan and global expansion of our products make Neora’s opportunity only increase annually as our brand becomes a global household name.

What are the benefits of the direct sales model versus running your own business?

Direct sales offers a simple business model that makes running your business very easy. First, there is a low financial barrier to getting started, unlike when I started my flip flops business. The initial start-up cost for Neora cost less than the unwearable flip-flop samples that I first received in 2008. It offers an unlimited revenue stream, flexible schedule, fun and enjoyable business, free and discounted products, and the opportunity to travel.

What should others look for when they’re considering a direct sales opportunity?

The most important thing is to find a product that you want to use and can stand behind. Just like telling your friends about your favorite movie or restaurant, direct sales is no different. We are sharing our love of a product and offering the opportunity for our contacts to try it or purchase it. I use all of Neora’s five products, and so does my family, so it makes sense for me to have an investment in products that we are using daily. I also love the fact that our products are consumable and that anti-aging is a fast and growing segment in the marketplace.

Any final words?

In my experience, the direct sales industry offers incredible flexibility and an opportunity for people to supplement their income by sharing products they love and use. However, before jumping into a new direct sales business, do your research because not all direct sales companies’ compensation plans are the same. Many companies have monthly or quarterly minimums. Also, choose a company that you stand behind and represent because when you have a genuine passion for the products and company, sharing them is easy and fun and can be a rewarding business.

If you’d like to find out more about the direct sales industry, check out this page for information and a HUGE list of companies you can work with.