HELPING ENTREPRENEURS GET STARTED IN DIRECT SELLING
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ore than 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs in 2021. For those hoping to start a business venture, direct selling offers a variety of opportunities—from hundreds of well-known and respected companies—and much-needed assistance on the crucial elements of business ownership from the Direct Selling Association (DSA) and its Supplier Partners. People familiar with direct selling know that its benefits compare quite favorably with gig work. Direct selling’s advantages include the ability to work from home, the flexibility in work hours, and the earning potential based on the effort put into the work. What sets the industry apart from other gig work is the opportunity for anyone to join and be successful. Direct selling is appealing—and welcoming—to all age groups. For young entrepreneurs who want to start a business, direct selling offers the opportunity to work full-time selling a wide variety of products such as cosmetics, energy services, and items for improved health and wellness. Direct selling has varying levels of engagement for older Americans who may need part-time work to supplement their income and for retirees who want to keep busy with a side hustle. With its focus on personal development, direct selling embraces the spectrum of age groups in teaching newcomers the essential skills needed to run a business, including sales and selling, developing leadership qualities, and setting up digital networks. Many gig opportunities do not offer assistance in two key areas of concern for first-time business owners: finding health insurance to replace their previous employer plan and navigating the various tax responsibilities required with a business operation. In contrast, the direct selling industry excels in offering guidance to entrepreneurs in both areas.
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Spring 2022
“The scariest thought in leaving a job is the loss of health insurance. We all need it, especially in these days of COVID. Sadly, about 10 percent of the US population goes without it—and that can lead to financial ruin if an emergency arises. What holds people back is replacing the employer plan.” — Richard Fuchs, President & CEO, PRO Insurance Managers Inc. Healthcare Insurance The leading reason an unhappy or unfulfilled worker will not leave a job is fear of losing health benefits. Even those who want to start a business stay put if they believe entrepreneurs face difficulties finding healthcare insurance. Richard Fuchs, President and CEO of PRO Insurance Managers Inc., understands the fear, as he has seen it often. “The scariest thought in leaving a job is the loss of health insurance,” he says. “We all need it, especially in these days of COVID. Sadly, about 10 percent of the US population goes without it—and that can lead to financial ruin if an emergency arises. Replacing the employer plan holds people back.” For those entrepreneurs looking to start a career in the direct selling industry, there is good news in obtaining healthcare solutions. The Direct Selling Association (DSA) has teamed with Fuchs and his company to
