Important Information on the Direct Selling Industry

Exploring Direct Selling

What is “Direct Sales”? Direct Sales is a method of getting a product or service to a consumer. This distribution system relies on the services of independent sales representatives, eliminating the need for a retail outlet for the product or services. The sales through this distribution system are growing-rapidly—almost $190 billion globally in 2021. Retail sales in the US achieved record highs in 2021 of almost $43 billion.

When considering a company, check to see if they are a member of the DSA. Member companies must meet the highest ethical standards, and the DSA works with state and federal agencies to ensure that the public is protected from illegal pyramid schemes. The direct sales industry is now studied at prestigious centers of higher learning like Harvard Business School and described favorably in magazines like Fortune and newspapers like USA Today.

The DSA has an excellent website to help you find a company that is a good fit for you. Visit DSA 411, and you’ll discover information on evaluating a company you may be considering.

Here are a couple of other links that will answer many of your questions:

About direct selling
Industry statistics
Myths & facts

Statistics from the Direct Selling Association website

  • 77% of Americans are interested in flexible, entrepreneurial income/earning opportunities, with the highest interest in younger generations:
    • 91% of Gen Zers
    • 88% of Millennials
  • 80% of Consumers remain positive about direct sales. In surveys, they state the following reasons:
  • 69% want to support a small business
  • 67% appreciate the personalized service direct sellers provide.
  • Direct Sales in the U.S. totaled $42.7 billion in 2021.
  • 7.3 million direct sellers built a business full-time (30 or more hours/week) or part-time (less than 30 hours/week).
  • An estimated 16.2 million people in the U.S. are involved in direct selling
  • 82% of sellers report a good, very good, or excellent experience with direct selling.
  • People from all walks of life are successful in Direct Sales. In the United States:
  • 76% are women; 24% are men (estimated)
  • 90% work part-time; 10% work full-time (30 or more hours a week)

The top three reasons someone goes into direct sales:

  1. Additional income
  2. Pride of owning their own business
  3. Being able to earn free products or purchase products at a wholesale/discounted price

Other Interesting Statistics

  • Women make 80% of all purchase decisions in the U.S.
  • There are 10.6 million women-owned businesses in America that bring in more revenue than the gross domestic product of Germany
  • 72% of U.S. women are unhappy in their jobs
  • 91% of women say their most important financial goal is not to outlive their savings.  Only 12% are confident they will be able to do that.

According to a study by the Harvard School of Business:

  • 83% of Americans don’t have clearly defined goals
  • 14% have goals but have not written them down
  • 3% have written goals
  • The cumulative earnings of that 3% are ten times the cumulative earnings of the 83%

As you make your decision, be sure to…

Choose a reputable company. Visit the Direct Selling Association (DSA) website DSA is the national trade association of the leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers.

Prepare yourself! Get a good step-by-step guide to help make a plan and avoid the common pitfalls. Here are some resources:

Use the training system provided by your company. Get connected to successful people in your company and learn from them!

Please bookmark this site and visit us often! A Fresh Perspective has ongoing focus calls, teleclasses, and self-study programs to help you become a “Smarter Direct Sales Professional.”

Recommended Books and Resources

Makeup Optional: Lessons I Learned Working From Home by Lyn Conway. Available in the shop.

What NOT to Do at the Office…44 Annoying, Unproductive and Time-Wasting Habits and How You Can Fix Them! by Kimberly Medlock. Available here.

CDs are also available for every stage of your development in our shop.