Growing a successful direct selling business usually comes down to a few core principles that stay consistent across companies and industries.

First, focus on building genuine relationships rather than chasing quick sales. Direct selling works best when people trust you and see you as someone who genuinely wants to help them. Customers and team members are much more likely to stay long term when that trust is present.

Second, consistency matters more than bursts of motivation. The people who succeed in direct sales are typically the ones who show up regularly—sharing products, connecting with people, and following up with customers. Small daily actions add up to significant growth over time.

Third, develop a mindset of helping others succeed. The most sustainable growth often comes through leadership and mentorship. When you focus on helping customers get results and supporting others who want to build a business as well, momentum naturally follows.

Having been in the direct selling industry for over 15 years, I’ve seen that the individuals who grow the strongest businesses tend to treat it like a long-term entrepreneurial journey rather than a quick opportunity.

If someone is currently building in direct sales and wants to talk through strategies or challenges they’re navigating, I’m always happy to discuss it further.

Direct sales companies generally don’t identify and target customers the same way traditional companies do. The model is built around independent representatives building relationships and sharing products through their own networks and communities.

Instead of relying heavily on large advertising campaigns, growth often happens through word-of-mouth and personal recommendations. Independent representatives connect with potential customers through conversations, social networks, referrals, and by sharing products they personally use and believe in.

The company’s role is typically to provide the products, training, systems, and marketing resources that representatives can use. The representatives themselves are responsible for building relationships, finding customers, and serving them well.

When the model works well, it’s less about “targeting” people and more about building trust and helping customers find solutions that genuinely benefit them. Over time that trust often leads to repeat customers and referrals, which is why relationships are such an important part of the direct sales model.

If someone is exploring this model or trying to understand how it works in practice, I’m always happy to talk through it further.

If you’re starting with very little money, one option many people overlook is partnering with a business model that already exists rather than trying to build everything from scratch. They offer a low start up and the opportunity to earn as you learn.

For example, models like direct sales or network marketing can be powerful because much of the infrastructure is already in place. It's plug and play. The company typically handles product development, manufacturing, and distribution, which allows someone new to entrepreneurship to focus on learning how to build relationships, serve customers, and grow a business.

This is actually where I started about 15 years ago. I was drawn to the model because it allowed me to begin with very limited resources while learning valuable skills like leadership, communication, and how to build a customer base.

If someone chooses this path, I would encourage them to research carefully and look for a company with strong products, a supportive system, and industries that are already growing...and a company with longevity. Categories like health and wellness, beauty, and personal care continue to expand globally and offer opportunities to serve a wide range of customers.

Another advantage of consumable products is that they naturally lead to repeat customers when people find something they love. That allows entrepreneurs to build momentum over time rather than constantly starting from zero.

No matter what path you choose, the fundamentals are the same: learn the system, stay consistent, focus on helping people, and give yourself time to grow.

If you'd ever like to talk through ideas or explore options for getting started, I'm always happy to have a conversation.

One leadership habit I see frequently—and have experienced myself—is the tendency to carry too much responsibility personally. Many leaders want to support everyone on their team, solve problems quickly, and keep things moving forward. While that can produce results, it can also quietly drain energy over time because the leader becomes the person responsible for everything.

What often helps is shifting from being the problem solver to being the guide. Instead of stepping in to fix every challenge, asking better questions and helping others think through solutions allows the team to grow while freeing the leader from carrying all the weight.

When that shift happens, two things usually change fairly quickly. First, the leader’s energy improves because they are no longer trying to do everything themselves. Second, the team becomes more confident and capable because they are learning to solve problems rather than waiting for direction.

In terms of decision-making slowing down, I often see hesitation come less from lack of data and more from fear of making the wrong choice or disappointing people. When leaders become clear about their values and the bigger goal they are working toward, decisions often become much easier because they have a clear lens for evaluating options.

Leadership becomes far more sustainable when the focus moves from doing everything personally to developing others and trusting the process.

If this is something you're navigating in your own leadership role, I’m always happy to talk through it further.

In my experience after more than 15 years in network marketing, the people who succeed tend to approach it very differently than those who struggle.

First, they treat it like a real business rather than a quick sales opportunity. That means showing up consistently, building relationships, and focusing on helping people rather than just trying to sell products. Be attached to the process, not the outcome.

Second, mindset and persistence matter a lot. Many people start strong but lose momentum when results don’t come immediately. The entrepreneurs who succeed are the ones who stay consistent with daily actions even when progress feels slow at first.

Third, leadership and community are key. The most successful network marketing businesses are built by helping others grow and succeed, not by trying to do everything alone.

Finally, I always encourage people to choose a company with products with value, consumable, and solve problems. 30 day consumables offer fast repeat orders. Look for a compensation plan that allows for long-term leverage through team development where you are compensated in several buckets (you, and your network).

Network marketing can be a very powerful model, and success usually comes from consistency, authentic relationships, and a long-term mindset rather than quick wins.

Having been in direct selling for over 15 years, I’ve seen the industry go through several waves of change. In my opinion, direct selling isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. It's everywhere!

One important aspect is to look for a hybrid models that combine traditional direct sales with modern digital tools and affiliate-style distribution. Many companies are moving away from that, but it's the most powerful way to build asset income.

The most successful entrepreneurs treat direct selling like a real business, not a quick sales opportunity. Focus on building trust, developing leadership, and helping others succeed rather than simply trying to sell products.

If someone is evaluating opportunities in the space, I would encourage them to look for companies that offer strong products, consumable products, following what is booming (health & wellness, beauty, gut health), a supportive community, and a compensation structure that allows for long-term leverage through team development.

The fundamentals of direct selling—relationships, mentorship, and community—are very powerful. The entrepreneurs who succeed going forward will be the ones who combine those fundamentals with adaptability and a long-term mindset.