OpTree

The Direct Selling Association will be on hand this week to help the Today Show kick off their annual Toy Drive. The 15th Annual TODAY Show Holiday Toy Drive will be launched Monday November 24th at 8:30 AM. This will be the fifth year that the DSA has been a part of the annual drive.

The DSA will kick off the drive by presenting the direct selling industry’s donation live in Rockefeller Plaza. Thirty two direct selling companies have come together to donate products to the drive, the total donation coming in at over $9 million dollars in products. Seven of the DSA’s companies will be featured in spots on the TODAY show during the holiday season.

Items donated include books, clothing, toiletries and of course toys for children and families all across the United States. Over the past five years, DSA member companies have donated over $37 million dollars in cash, product and services to the Toy Drive.

This is a a brilliant move on the part of the DSA and the member companies that are a part of this. Given the economic times, network marketing companies are going to continue to thrive as more and more people seek additional forms of income.

The following direct selling companies donated products to this year’s Toy Drive:
4Life
Advocare
Amway
Arbonne
Avon Products, Inc
Blessings Unlimited
Butterfly Worldwide, LLC
Clever Container
Cookie Lee
Creative Memories
CUTCO
DeMarle at Home
DeTech
Essential Bodywear
Fifth Avenue Collection
The Happy Gardener
lia sophia
The Longaberger Company
Mary Kay Inc
National Companies
Nature’s Sunshine
Oxyfresh
The Pampered Chef
PartyLite Gifts
Purse Party, Inc
Shaklee Corporation
Signature HomeStyles
Southern Living at Home
The Southwestern Company
Stampin’ Up!
UDesign Jewelry
Vantel Pearls

Popularity: 13% [?]

Lia Sophia, one of the largest sellers of jewelry through direct sales, is launching West End Two today, part of its Red Carpet Collection, at the Lucky Club, the three-day hospitality suite at the Ritz-Carlton in New York staged for Network Upfront Week.

The West End Two line marks Lia Sophia’s fourth year of doing high-end collections, designed by Nylon magazine style director Dani Stahl and featuring diamond stretch bracelets, oversize hoops and pieces inspired by Sixties London.

The collection retails from $100 for a ring to $2,000 for a crystal and oval-link necklace. Formerly known as Lady Remington, Lia Sophia changed its name and image in 2004. It is still owned and run by the New York-based Kiam family — founders of Lady Remington in 1986 — and has gone from 8,000 sales advisors four years ago to 30,000.

Popularity: 2% [?]

As more and more teenage girls start building their checklist for preparations for Prom season, lia sophia - the fashion jewelry company - is prepared to help.

Attending the prom is possibly the most exciting event for any teenage girl, besides her wedding day. One would think that the dress is the most important part of the outfit, right? Even though the gown is critical, the accessories really complete the look and are equally important, according to Bonni Davis, vice president of sales for lia sophia.

“It is, actually, quite amazing what a difference accessories can make to one’s overall look. Whether it is jewelry or that special purse - accessories definitely add that ‘pizzazz’ we all look for when dressing up, especially at such a formal event like the prom,” Davis said. “As prom season arrives, we want to show teenagers how they can make their appearance perfect for prom night!”

A New York Times article recently cited a survey from Your Prom magazine, which found that the average student spends an estimated $638 on the prom, a $4 billion industry. In addition, 74 percent of girls end up spending a good portion of their money on beauty products like artificial nails and lip gloss during prom season. As the special event becomes a more popular event, students will probably spend even more than that, Davis said, adding that accessories will become increasingly important.

“Whether it is a little bit of sparkle and shine, or a bold color to bring out the tone in the dress a girl wears, jewelry is essential because it makes you have that ultimate edge over others,” Davis said.

Popularity: 2% [?]

1. “Choose a product you would use even if you weren’t selling it,” says Amy Robinson, VP of Communications with the Direct Sales Association. “Very often in direct selling, people are customers before they sign up as consultants, which makes a good fit since they’re already familiar with and impressed by the product.”

2. “Find a product line you’re absolutely passionate about,” agrees Annette Pelliccio of The Happy Gardener “but it’s even more important that you care about he concept behind the product. This passion is what will drive your business.”

3. “The desire to achieve is the most important thing,” says Tory Kiam of Lia Sophia. “I would overlook someone with education degrees or past experience in order to hire someone who impresses me with their willingness to just go for it.”

4. “People need to realize it’s not just going to fall into their laps,” says Donita Dahm of Lia Sophia. “Sales isn’t brain surgery, but you have to put the time into it - arrange shows, follow ip leads, and be professional. In the end it will give you what you want.”

Popularity: 1% [?]