Republican American:
Blair Critch tried to go back to work as a teacher after her two boys were old enough for day care, but she didn’t earn enough to make it worth the cost.
Shortly after, she stumbled on a cute necklace from Stella & Dot in a magazine. She became a stylist for the 7-year-old company last March, selling the trendy jewelry through trunk shows in people’s homes.
“It’s been amazing,” Critch said. “I get to choose when I want to work.”
Direct sales companies have been marketing to women around the world for decades, but they often attract extra interest during recessions as people look for new ways to earn income. They range from newer options like Stella & Dot to Avon, one of the largest (and turning 125 this year).
Logo form Stella & Dot
Boston.com:
After driving their signature pink Cadillacs to the Statehouse this week to advocate for domestic violence victims, representatives from Mary Kay cosmetics headed to Cambridge Friday to help the Transition House plant its garden.
The Texas-based skin care and cosmetic company has recently partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to provide a grant to fund a garden for nature classes to be taken by domestic violence victims at the Transition House as they recover and work to get back on their feet.
Anne Crews, the vice president of government relations for Mary Kay, said Friday that the garden is just one of the grants the company is supplying to domestic abuse shelters in Cambridge and around the country.
Crews along with other Mary Kay representatives visited the Statehouse in Boston Thursday to advocate for sexual and domestic violence survivors, and to emphasize the need to fund programs for the victims.
Logo from Mary Kay
IdahoStatesman.com:
Scentsy Inc. received four silver awards at the recent 2011 Rockies Award Show recognizing excellence in advertising.
The Meridian home fragrance manufacturer earned awards for its Scentsy County Fair campaign, its Scentsy Buddy interactive Web site, its Scentsy Buddy packaging program and the corporate core value murals on the walls of its administrative offices in the Portico Office Tower.
The Rockies Award Show is hosted by the Idaho Advertising Federation and the Boise Advertising Federation.
Logo from Scentsy
EON:
Arbonne International, LLC (Arbonne), today announced that its parent company, Natural Products Group (NPG or the Company), has been named the winner of the top “Corporate Turnaround of the Year” award in the Upper Middle Market category from M&A Advisor magazine, based on nominations provided by leading restructuring and turnaround professionals. M&A Advisor announced the winners of the 2011 Turnaround Awards at the 5th Annual Turnaround Awards Gala in March.
In early 2010, NPG successfully implemented a “pre-packaged” debt restructuring plan in 37 days, from start to finish. The Company emerged from that process with 80 percent less debt, a stronger balance sheet and the financial flexibility to invest in growth and continue developing new business-building tools and innovative products for Arbonne and its sister company, Levlad. The Company also emerged with the backing of a new set of owners who believe strongly in its value and growth potential.
Kay Napier, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased that the many contributions of our employees and Arbonne Independent Consultants in helping us achieve our successful financial restructuring have been recognized by the business community. As this prestigious award indicates, there is so much for us to be proud of as we look back at our recent past – and so much more for us to be excited about as we build on our recent momentum and look to the bright future ahead.”
Logo from Arbonne
The Sydney Morning Herald:
Peter Wooldridge’s two sons enjoy the benefits of their father’s job, but baulk at the idea of one day following in his footsteps.
You see, Wooldridge Snr is a Tupperware salesman and can well appreciate his boys’ aversion to joining the family business.
“They’ve grown up with Dad selling tupperware,” the Adelaide man says with a laugh. “They’re fine with it, but it’s not a job for everyone.
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“You could say that it’s not a job for every man but I love what I do, I wouldn’t do anything else.”
Mr Wooldridge was something of a novelty when he became a Tupperware salesman in 1993.
He found himself at a party trying to sell a product he knew very little about, but the fact he was male may have in fact helped him succeed.
“I honestly think some women bought off me because they felt sorry for me,” he says.
It’s a very different story today.
Mr Wooldridge is now a Tupperware manager and is ranked in the top 100 for personal sales in Australia.
“I probably wouldn’t have been able to get there in the ‘old days’ though,” he says. “It’s not just the products that have evolved. The customer, they want different things from the parties, right down to what food you serve.”
Logo from Tupperware
The Chronicle Herald.ca:
It is easy to see Janette Bagabuyo’s tools and that’s exactly how she likes it.
They are pink. Bright pink. But more important, they are made for her hands, which means the tools are smaller and lighter and balanced differently.
The accountant, mother and home renovator — she has extensively remodelled her own home — is also the local representative for Tomboy Tools, tools specifically designed for women.
Bagabuyo said she loves her tools. The differences in weight, size and balance make a variety of jobs around the house easier, she said.
She showed the hammer as an example. It has a slimmer handle, a slightly lighter head and more of the weight is balanced toward the head.
The minor variations from a traditional men’s hammer are slight but significant. The slimmer handle is easier for female hands to hold and the weight-forward design makes it easier to swing with accuracy and power, she said.
“It’s easier for a woman to swing a hammer that is weighted this way. We can get better speed and accuracy out of a hammer this way,” Bagabuyo said.
Logo from Tomboy Tools
VatorNews:
Nutrition and weight management company Herbalife International has acquired iChange, a nutrition and health network and former Vator Splash finalist. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are thrilled with the transaction and look forward to rolling out iChange to millions around the world this year,” said iChange CEO Stu MacFarlane.
iChange, which admits to being built on the same principles as AA and Weight Watchers, offers a network of resources and community of users, all toward the end of losing weight and living healthier.
For free, the basic program gives users access to a calorie/exercise tracker, nutritionist articles, recipes, the site’s community (group support) and more. Upgraded users pay $1.65 per week to also receive personalized weekly counseling from a licensed nutritionist. The personalization is nice because, for example, a bride-to-be aiming to fit in a wedding dress has different needs than somebody who eats when they’re emotional iChange claims that those who sign up with a nutritionist lose nearly four times as much weight as users on the basic plan.
As a result of the new acquisition, iChange can better serve Herbalife’s 2.1 million independent distributors, who have much to gain from reaching out to the iChange community. Those distributors will be able to become “wellness coaches” on the site, meaning they’ll provide users with free coaching and nutritional tracking tools.
Logo from Herbalife
PR Web:
Vi-Tel Wireless has completed its launch of its membership rewards program. This program has multiple benefits, including a rewards program that could eliminate your monthly car payments. Vi-Tel Wireless offers online wireless stores to virtually anyone who aspires to own their very own business. The company offers the latest in wireless and cellular products through the Nation’s Top Wireless Providers. In March 2011, they expanded their offerings to include Merchant Services as an authorized nationwide representative of North American Bancard, rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. The company has launched an affordable business solution to current business owners, entrepreneurs, Network Marketers, and others who have the desire to own and operate their own nationwide online business.
The company added the Membership Rewards Program which has many great added benefits, to find out more Click Here. They have formed a strategic partnership with a company to deliver a roadside assistance program along with a tire & wheel road hazard protection plan for the company’s Independent Business Owners. Current and new business owners with Vi-Tel Wireless can opt in to the membership rewards program for $19.95 a month. The company states that a company representative or business owner is required to only enroll and maintain a nominal amount of representatives participating in the membership rewards auto program to qualify to have their car payment paid by the company, up to $750 a month. Anyone can join their business and opt in to take advantage of this innovative program.
The companies CEO, Scott Rogers, said “Enroll and maintain 25 representatives and we’ll make your payment for you!” The statement alludes to what it takes to qualify for your payment to be made by the company. You can read the terms and conditions on their website http://www.vitelwireless.com. Vi-Tel Wireless does not require the additional auto club membership to become a sales representative of Vi-Tel Wireless. However, you do have to be a business owner to join this exclusive program. The company’s website advertises the cost to become a business owner, with the auto club membership is $49.95.
Vi-Tel Wireless built its business model around the affiliate and direct sales community. The company has positioned themselves very well within the industry and gives every potential business owners and direct sales person a solid product with minimal costs. The company’s system was designed to encompass all aspects of running a home based internet business or any type of marketing business so that their network of independent sales representatives can concentrate on selling their products and building their business. Vi-Tel Wireless says that you do not have to have industry experience or any experience running a company in order to take part in their business opportunity.
Business owners and Independent Sales Representatives of Vi-Tel Wireless receive a personal replicated website that allows them to market their business online. Their site gives them an online wireless store that enables customers to buy directly from sales representative’s replicated websites without having to pay membership dues or becoming an authorized independent sales representative of Vi-Tel Wireless. The availability of all products being located on each reps site gives a Sales Representative’s customers more choices in one place. One major goal of Vi-Tel Wireless is to create a one stop shop for all your wireless needs. Vi-Tel Wireless is a Direct Sales business model and focuses primarily on taking the products and services directly to the consumer.
Most Network marketing and direct sales companies only allow their representatives to sell to members or agents that are signed up through the company. Vi-Tel Wireless made a strategic decision that changes the way network marketers do business. Now products and services can be sold to the public outside of being a member or reseller of Vi-Tel Wireless. The company hopes the decision will pay off in a big way. Scott Rogers, CEO of Vi-Tel Wireless, said “When the industry recognizes this change vs. the old conventional sales model of only selling to members, the industry will take notice and follow suit.”
Vi-Tel Wireless’ income opportunity offers sales representatives the ability to advertise online using customer recognized name brand products – name brands customers recognize from premier wireless companies with reputable customer support and satisfaction credibility behind them.
Vi-Tel Wireless has one of the largest selections of free phones on the web. Vi-Tel Wireless selected 4G WiMAX technology for its internet offering through Clear Wireless. Vi-Tel Vireless wanted to bring a mobile internet offering to their list of providers and felt Clear was the perfect provider to offer 4G for its online wireless stores. Clear partnered with companies like Sprint, Google, Samsung, Motorola, Time Warner, Intel, Cisco and Bright House to develop the first 4G network. Clear 4G has launched in an estimated 77 cities all over the U.S. so far and is currently launching in many other major cities.
What excites most people about buying through Vi-Tel Wireless is that they too can start selling wireless products and make the commissions from not only their own purchase, but as well as others.
Logo from Vi-Tell Wireless
BusinessWire:
Stream Energy, the world’s largest network marketer of energy, has announced pre-registration for a specialty Texas license plate emblazoned with the logo of Ignite, Stream Energy’s network marketing arm. The six-character plates will be available for delivery starting in late May through My Plates in partnership with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. A variety of number/letter combinations are already available using a layaway plan. For more information and to order, call 888-7MY-PLATES (888-769-7528).
A portion of the revenues for each purchased license plate will benefit Stream Energy’s community partner, Captain Hope’s Kids, which provides critical needs to homeless children in the Dallas area. For each Ignite plate purchased, $5.50 to $29.50 will be sent to the non-profit, depending on the plate term selected. (No revenue will be paid to Stream Energy or Ignite.)
“We believe deeply in the cause of Captain Hope’s Kids,” said Stream Energy Chairman Rob Snyder. “This organization helps families when they are most in need, when they find themselves at a deep crossroads. We are very pleased to arrange this innovative program.”
The announcement of the license plate program follows a $15,000 donation made from Stream Energy March 5th, at the conclusion of Ignition, Stream Energy’s annual national convention.
Captain Hope’s Kids touches the lives of more than 30,000 children from homeless families every year. Chairman Rob Snyder added, “Families with children make up 47 percent of the homeless population in the Dallas metropolitan area. Captain Hope’s Kids provides needed goods and services – and Stream Energy is committed to helping this organization.” Captain Hope’s Kids works with 40 service providers to provide critically needed items to homeless children.
Logo from Stream Energy
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
After modeling for print and runway in her teens and early 20′s, Tiffany graduated from college and became a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Physician Assistant. When she began practicing in the industry six years ago, she realized that selling a cosmetic and skincare line out of plastic surgeons office was the perfect platform to launch her own line. Since then, “Fluhme” has evolved to be sold at home beauty events through independent Beauty Artists across the country.
Tiffany decided on an at-home beauty event model to sell her cosmetics and skincare products because it was a fast and efficient way to get her products to women who were the most interested in the beauty line. “At each beauty event, you have a wonderful, captive audience who is there to learn about and sample the product,” says Tiffany.
To differentiate her beauty line amongst so many other beauty products on the market, Tiffany offers glamorous, sexy, cutting edge and affordable products that have similar ingredients to those found in plastic surgeons and dermatologists offices. Unique to the Fluhme cosmetic line are anti-aging skin products that Tiffany has poured her experience and knowledge in the plastic surgery industry to create, and a new form of baked make-up (eyeshadows and blushes) formulated in Milan, Italy. Other products in the line include lip color, eye liner, mascara, foundation, tinted moisturizer, concealer and application brushes.
Logo from Fluhme
