The 2009 DirectSellingLive.com POWER 50

Ranked #4 in 2008

Women on Top! Andrea Jung captures the No. 1 spot on this year’s POWER 50. Recognized as one of the most powerful people in all of business worldwide, Andrea Jung is a true leader in every sense of the word exuding power and grace in motion.

In a direct selling corporate environment dominated by men, Andrea Jung crosses gender and racial lines unlike any other in direct selling. With close to 80% of distributors in direct selling being women the true power in the industry belongs to them. Andrea Jung made sure we didn’t forget that in 2009.


AVON

Ranked #1 in 2008

Neil Offen heads the most powerful association in direct selling – the Direct Selling Association (DSA). As the most powerful political figure in direct selling, Neil Offen makes sure the voice of the industry is heard in Washington, DC through its lobbying and education efforts. After 35 years as president of the DSA, 2010 will be Neil Offen’s last year at the helm. 2010 also marks the 100th anniversary of the DSA.



Direct Selling Association

Ranked #3 in 2008

As direct selling’s media mogul, Bob Proctor oversees the most powerful and far reaching self development and training empire in the industry. From books, to websites, to coaching, to audio and video programs and live events that are designed to empower the world, Bob Proctor’s influence has no bounds.


Bob Proctor

Ranked #7 in 2008

By shear force of her will Nicki Keohohou is quickly moving her way to the top of the POWER 50. This year she moves up three spots to #4. Nicki Keohohou leads the second most powerful association in direct selling, the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA).

The DSWA is putting a lot of pressure on the DSA and may become the preeminent industry association by spreading the message all over the world that women are indeed a force to be reckoned with in direct selling.



Direct Selling Women's Alliance

Ranked #10 in 2008

Even as their membership is shrinking the DSA is still the top association in direct selling and works closely with direct selling corporate to make sure their *202 members needs are met. Acting as direct selling’s political lobbying arm in the 2008 elections, the DSA flexed its political muscle in an effort to keep direct selling voices heard in Washington, DC. In 2010 the DSA celebrates its 100th anniversary.

*numbers at the time of this posting.



Direct Selling Association

Ranked #11 in 2008

Moving up five spots this year the DSWA has shown they are here to stay. In 2009 they grew to over 100 companies and saw significant distributor growth as well.

The main focus of the DSWA is empowering female distributors, and a few “enlightened” men. Behind the non-stop efforts of co-founders Nicki Keohohou and Grace Keohohou the DSWA has become the leading voice for women in direct selling worldwide.



Direct Selling Women's Alliance

Technology.Technology. Technology. No one does it better than Xango.

Aaron Garitty has created the most technologically advanced company in direct selling. Using all the multi-media and social media tools is what puts Aaron Garrity onto this year’s POWER 50 top 10.



XANGO

Ranked #13 in 2008

It has been a tough few years for print media around the world. The impact has been felt in direct selling as distributors and corporate executives began moving online to get their news. Stuart Johnson and Video Plus have been able to remain relevant by creating marketing tools that a large portion of the industry uses. However, they must figure out a way to fully embrace technology or the next couple of years will be very rough on them.



Video Plus

The Van Andel & DeVos families are synonymous with the words network marketing. In 2009 Amway created one of the best TV advertising campaigns for a direct selling company in recent memory.


Alticor

If you’re familiar with "The Secret" (and who in direct selling isn't?) then you know who Michael Beckwith is. In an industry that prides itself on altruistic values, Michael Beckwith is becoming the defacto spiritual voice.

Millions of distributors, trainers and speakers worldwide pay attention to what Michael Beckwith has to say. As the founder of Agape International Spiritual Center located in Los Angeles, CA Michael Beckwith’s influence inside network marketing/direct selling is vast. If you’ve watched Oprah you know his influence outside network marketing is just as vast.



Agape Live

Ranked #15 in 2008

Voted the #1 Trainer in direct selling on the DirectSellingLive.com “Who Is The Top Male Trainer In Direct Selling?” poll, Randy Gage has created the #1 selling recruiting tool and the #1 selling training CD in the history of network marketing.


Randy Gage

Ranked #12 in 2008

As Executive Vice President and Legal Counsel of the Direct Selling Association Joe Marino is second in command at the DSA.



DSA

Ranked #9 in 2008

As we mentioned earlier, print media in general has taken a beating the last couple of years and it’s no different in network marketing. By offering more than just print, Chris Gross has stayed an influential player in the industry.

Chris Gross offers the online course Networking Times University, and stocks possibly the best online store for recruiting and training materials in the industry.


Networking Times

As editor-in-chief Josephine Gross is responsible for creating all the content for Networking Times, the industry's most popular and most read education and training publication.

Josephine Gross is also one of the best writers in the industry. She’s also the Head of Faculty for Networking University. Working along side her husband Chris Gross (ranked #13) and Bob Proctor (ranked #3), Josephine Gross is the most powerful female media figure in all direct selling.



Networking Times

Ranked #22 in 2008

As co-founder of the second most powerful association in direct selling, DSWA, Grace Keohohou’s official title is “Partner in Charge of Member Relations”. Fantastic at developing relationships Grace Keohohou is able to create partnerships that benefit the DSWA and its members with companies inside and outside the direct selling arena. Grace has not only been a top distributor for a party plan company, she has also written training manuals and been a consultant and trainer for the industry.



Direct Selling Women's Alliance

Ranked #27 in 2008

Working hard behind the scenes Amy Robinson jumps up eleven spots this year. Her efforts to bring the DSA in line with technology did not go unnoticed. She created the online presence “Direct Selling 411” for the DSA. Working for the organization that is the voice of some of the largest direct selling companies is no small task. Amy Robinson makes sure that the media gets the facts about the DSA and its association members.



Direct Selling Associaton

Women continue to make inroads into this year’s DirectSellingLive.com POWER 50. The brains behind the Cutco college program, Sarah Baker Andrus makes sure the college market is served at Cutco to great benefit for the students and Cutco. Her programs should be studied by all in direct selling who are interested in attracting the college market.



CUTCO

Ranked #2 in 2008

Michael Johnson is at the helm of one the most innovative company’s in direct selling. Combining entertainment and global branding he continues to show direct selling how to connect with the world.

Last year Michael Johnson and Herbalife really made a statement with the relationship with entertainment giant AEG®/Anshutz Entertainment Group. More of the impact was felt by Herbalife as opposed to impacting the industry as a whole.


Herbalife

Ranked #25 in 2008

If you paid any attention to the 2008 presidential campaigns than you may have seen Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin wearing Cookie Lee jewelry. How’s that for making a splash in a big pond?

As one of only two minority female company owners on this year’s POWER 50, Cookie Lee’s influence crosses ethnic and gender lines. As an Asian woman in an industry dominated by white men, Cookie Lee’s influence stands out globally.



Cookie Lee Jewelry

Ranked #26 in 2008

Having been around direct selling for what seems like forever, Tom “Big Al” Schreiter is STILL one of the most beloved trainers in direct selling history.

Traveling the world spreading his direct selling knowledge and affection for the industry to anyone who will listen, “Big Al’s” training style is very easy going, and the key to the success of many of the industry's most successful distributors.



Fortune Now

In 2009 the United Arab Emirates fully embraced direct selling as a viable distribution and income channel. During a speech at the Inaugural Direct Selling Awards for The Middle East on April 9, 2009 Mr. Al Shehi signaled a new era for direct selling in the region. His support is key to growth in the region.



Direct Selling Education Institiute

Ranked #31in 2008

Nadine Thompson makes a big leap up the POWER 50. Nadine Thompson runs one of the few female and black owned direct selling companies.

After departing from Warm Spirit (which has since folded) Nadine Thompson regrouped and put together what is shaping up to be one of the best direct selling companies. She is a modern Madam C.J. Walker (ranked #37).



Soul Purpose Lifestyle Company

Renowned speaker, writer & syndicated columnist Marcia Wieder brings her message to an appreciative audience in direct selling. She’s written four books about making your dreams come true and is one of the most sought after guest speakers at direct selling industry events.


Drean Coach

Ranked #32 in 2008

Jack Canfield has made tremendous inroads in the direct selling arena in 2009. Now viewed as one of the best speakers and coaches in direct selling, Jack Canfield continues to inspire millions inside and out of direct selling with his friend Mark Victor Hansen (#25) and their highly successful "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series of books.



Jack Canfield

Ranked #18 in 2008

In 2009 Mark Victor Hansen seemed to really make a push into life coaching markets in direct selling. He’s the man behind the highly successful Mark Victor Hansen Mega Book Marketing University Tour and The Mark Victor Hansen Foundation to End Illiteracy. Along with his friend Jack Canfield (#24) and their highly successful "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series of books, Mark Victor Hansen has touched the lives of millions.



Mark Victor Hansen

Ranked #33 in 2008

John Maxwell is a best-selling author, speaker, and leadership expert whose organizations have trained over 2 million leaders around the world. In his latest book "Put Your Dream to the Test: 10 Questions that Will Help You See It and Seize It," John Maxwell asks 10 questions all direct sellers should ask themselves. His books can be found on the bookshelves of millions of distributors in the direct selling industry.



John Maxwell

Ranked #28 in 2008

Dr. Charles King is considered the industry’s leading academic on the subject of direct selling. As a professor of marketing at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. King started the only major university course on network marketing called “The UIC Seminar in Network Marketing.”

Ranked #21 in 2008

Founded in 1985 by several industry professionals, the Multi-level Marketing International Association (MLMIA) is the not-for-profit, professional trade organization of the industry. According to the MLMIA it is the only organization in direct selling whose members serve all areas of the network marketing/direct selling/multi-level marketing industry.

With the DSA well in trenched and the DSWA rising quickly as an association power the MLMIA is beginning to lose ground in the fight to remain relevant in direct selling.



MLMIA Multi-Level Marketing International Association

Ranked #20 in 2008

Doris Wood just celebrated her 50th year in direct selling. She is one of the original founders of the Multi-Level Marketing International Association, and has piloted the organization since its inception in 1985. Doris Wood has achieved success in network marketing as an author, speaker, trainer, consultant, and founder of several network marketing companies. She is also known as the “consultants’ consultant.”

In 1989, out of more than 30 million network marketers worldwide, Doris Wood was one of only eight inducted into the International Network Marketing Hall of Fame.



MLMIA Multi-Level Marketing International Association

Ranked #24 in 2008

John Fleming has over four decades of experience as a direct seller and company executive having worked many years for AVON.

Print publishers have had a rough go the last couple of years which is reflected in their rankings on this year’s POWER 50. However, as the publisher of a publication geared towards direct selling executives, his influence among executives is still felt.



Direct Selling News

Ranked #8 in 2008

Keith Laggos has been in direct selling for over 35 years. He is the owner and publisher of Network Marketing Business Journal (NMBJ), which has suffered a similar fate as other print publications around the world – dwindling readership due to people going online for news and information.

Dr. Laggos He has written numerous direct selling books including the industries only college level text book called “Direct Sales – An Overview”. Along with his wife Linda Bruno (ranked #43), Keith Laggos is an icon in the industry.



Network Marketing Business Journal

The Direct Selling Education Institute, United Arab Emirates, is one of the newest and most dynamic organizations in direct selling. The only organization of its kind in the entire region, Direct Selling Education Institute is working to create awareness of direct selling in the region and to help more people build a successful career as a direct selling professional. Based in Dubai, DSEI is continually working with the UAE regarding the legislation of the direct selling industry in the region.



Direct Seeling Education Institute, Dubai UAE

An industry icon, D. Jack Smith has handled over 3,500 different network marketing legal matters. He is without question one of the most powerful attorney’s in all of direct selling. His practice only handles network marketing and direct selling companies and he’s published over 97 articles on network marketing law. D. Jack Smith is the author of the book "MLM Law in the 50 States."



MLM Law

Another powerhouse attorney who only handles direct selling clients, Gerry Nerha has 34 years of legal experience. For 9 years he worked at Amway Corporation as the Director of the Legal Division and was instrumental in the direct selling landmark case the FTC v. Amway. Gerry Nerha has written numerous books and articles on direct selling law.



MLMI Attorney

The recent announcement of Brazil being awarded the 2016 Summer Olympic Games throws the spotlight on Antonio Luiz da Curha Seabra, founder of Natura Cosméticos Brazil S.A.

As founder of the most powerful direct selling company in Brazil with over 700, 000 distributors who’ve generated over $1.9 billion in sales, Antonio Luiz da Curha Seabra will have the whole world of direct selling looking at Natura Cosméticos SA, Brazil and South America as a major region for expansion on the direct selling stage.



Natrura Cosmeticos Brazil

Ranked #34 in 2008

Hilton Johnson is a trainer and coach par excellence, with over 40 years experience in the marketing industry, He has given more than 500 sales workshops in the U.S. alone. He is co-founder of MLM University, the organization for those in network marketing “who hate selling.” Hilton Johnson is also the co-creator of the popular Start Right Now audio training system.



MLMUk

Founder of Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Co.

Ranked #40 in 2008

Rita Davenport is the epitome of walking the talk. Years before becoming the President of Arbonne, she produced and hosted her own TV show “Strategies for Success,” winning awards along the way.

Using the methods she taught on TV for 15 years, Rita Davenport started as an Independent Consultant with Arbonne and became Regional Vice President within a year. She is an inductee of the Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame, and continues to help others achieve success using the very same techniques that she used herself.



Rita Davenport

Ranked #47 in 2008

Over the past year Lisa Wilber has been everywhere. Besides still being one of the top money earners at AVON, Lisa has branched out and launched a worldwide speaking career. She uses some of the most innovative street marketing tactics that the industry has ever seen.



Winner In You

Ranked #43 in 2008

Art Jonak is another rags-to-incredible-riches direct selling distributor story. He has expanded his business by becoming one of the industry’s new young trainers and the founder of MastermindEvent.com.



Art Jonak

Ranked #50 in 2008

The Direct Selling industry’s ultimate maverick, Keeper continues to create direct selling’s path to the future. Called an activist by some and a visionary by others, he is the creative force behind DirectSellingLive.com and direct selling’s 100 Million Voices Project 2010. He is creating the only industry specific social communication, media and lifestyle gateway - DirectSellingLive.com.

With his 25 plus years in the music industry and over 15 years in direct selling as a distributor, trainer, author and speaker, Keeper is the only black owner of a media company serving the worldwide direct selling community.



Keeper's DirectSellingLive Profile

The Direct Selling Festival is the Direct Selling industry event of Middle East & North Africa, taking place in one of the fastest growing markets in the World - Dubai. The exhibition brings under one roof market leaders, decision makers and end users from the world’s leading direct selling companies and their suppliers. The core objective of the Direct Selling Festival is to provide the platform for direct selling companies to enter this vibrant market and to introduce available opportunities through direct sales to individuals interested in starting their own business & earning an extra income in this region.




Direct Selling Festival

A force behind the scenes at Network Marketing Business Journal, Linda Bruno is one of the most powerful women in the industry’s media. Married to Keith Laggos (ranked #31); publisher of Network Marketing Business Journal, Linda is one of the industry’s most respected icons.




Network Marketing Business Journal

Ranked #46 in 2008

Shirley is part of the highly successful team of Delmar and Shirley Carmack of Golden Life Neo-Diamite. In her 35 years in network marketing she has had to overcome many racial stereotypes and prejudices to become one of the most successful black distributors ever.

Known for her graciousness and willingness to help others inside and outside of the industry Shirley’s influence transcends the industry on so many levels and truly cuts to the heart of the matter in direct selling - being the ultimate giver both inside and outside of direct selling.



Shirley Carmack

Solomon McCluster and IDSTC have been making a huge push into the software solutions arena in direct selling. IDSTC provides a host of services for direct selling companies including party plan software, software for network marketing and direct selling, e-commerce and back office support. This is certainly an area where you don’t see many minorities and Solomon McCluster is breaking racial barriers as an expert in his field.




International Direct Selling Technology Corporation

Poorya Montaseri is becoming a driving force behind the growth of direct selling in the United Arab Emirates. He is co-founder of the Direct Selling Education Institute and Direct Selling Festival in Dubai, along with Niousha Ehsan (ranked #49), which places him squarely in the center of the action for the development of direct selling in the region.



Direct Selling Education Institute, Dubai UAE

Lisa Nichols took network marketing by storm in 2009 and as she proudly says, as one of the few black female speakers she doesn’t look like, talk like or act like any other speaker in the industry. Lisa Nichols is motivating millions of people around the world and recently published a best selling book titled "No Matter What."

In 2009 Lisa Nichols launched a successful direct selling speaking tour and in 2010 she will launch her new television show called "The Lisa Nichols Show" on the We® Network. Lisa is a featured speaker on "The Secret" DVD and in the book.



Lisa Nichols

Luda in the house! Rapper/actor/entrepreneur Ludacris could very well lead the onslaught of the youth & urban market to direct selling. Ludacris is NOT a paid celebrity endorser - he is a real distributor for XANGO. He loves the products and he loves what the industry has to offer to his fans – a way to make money. Ludacris’s “Team Luda” is attracting thousands of college age people who want to hear his message about network marketing and why he thinks they should check it out. He uses social communication tools to great success to communicate with his fans. Ya’ll better recognize.



The Ludacris Foundation - Helping Youths Help Themselve

As co-founder of the Direct Selling Education Institute and Direct Selling Festival, along with co-founder Poorya Montaseri (ranked #46), Niousha Ehsan is establishing herself as one of the most powerful direct selling female executives in the region.



Direct Selling Festival, Dubai, UAE

Voted the World’s Greatest Direct Selling Leader by the direct selling community in an industry wide poll sponsored by DirectSellingLive.com and the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA).

As an Independent Region Manager with lia sophia Jewelry Nicole Walker is also the top team trainer and success coach for her region.



Nicole Walker

These 12 did not make the final POWER 50, however their contributions in 2009 were too big to ignore.

Pampered Chef

MLM Black Woman

Deb Bixler

Linda Lucas

85% Niche

eWomen Network

Trump Network

Smart Office Soltions

Direct SellingLive.com

The Southwestern Company

Karen Phelps