In late October, more than 100 independent direct selling consultants and industry executives from across the United States came together in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Direct Selling Association’s first-ever Direct Selling Summit on Capitol Hill.
Direct sellers shared their personal success stories during more than 70 individual meetings with Members of the U.S. Congress and their staffs. Summit attendees also renewed their commitment to the highest standards of ethical business practices, innovation and customer service by signing the Direct Selling Proclamation and Compact. The proclamation was displayed throughout the day to remind participants, as well as bystanders and others on Capitol Hill, of the role direct selling plays in the economy and in the lives of millions of men and women across the globe. Those signing the Proclamation pledge to uphold the highest standards of customer service, and affirm they are working to create a better life for themselves, their families and those around them.
“Some of the most impressive people I have ever met are independent direct selling consultants,” said U.S. DSA President Joseph Mariano. “So many people have pulled themselves up from nothing and built businesses to help their families and increase their skills. Many are newly immigrated to our country or have no significant education or prior business experience, and yet they now find themselves with much more affluence and a renewed sense of confidence in their business and leadership capabilities. That is why we thought it important that we, at least indirectly, answer some of the misinformation and myths [about direct selling] that are out there to make sure that they don’t grow or, more importantly, end up a part of legislation that could affect direct selling businesses negatively.”
The U.S. DSA is expanding the scope of the Proclamation to enable all direct sellers to add their signature to the document. Independent consultants, executives, customers and industry advocates who support direct selling and the spirit of entrepreneurship can sign the Direct Selling Proclamation and Compact online at www.dsa.org/proclamation.
“Each of the names affixed to the Direct Selling Proclamation represents a life impacted by the direct selling industry,” said Mariano. “These men and women represent not only a sample of today’s direct sellers, but also family, friends, customers and supporters who recognize what direct selling means to the global economy, to the livelihoods of nearly 90 million people around the world and their families, and to beneficiaries of direct selling’s countless charitable undertakings.”