THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP by John Parker, Amway Chief Sales Officer and Regional President West
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or more than six decades, the Amway business has been growing in our hometown of Ada, Michigan, and throughout the 100 countries and territories where we operate around the world. While the business has succeeded across cultures and consumer tastes, we have spent a significant amount of time learning how to do a better job at meeting the distinct needs of our customers. One of the most important parts of this journey has been our continued partnership with Independent Business Owners (IBOs) and our efforts to help them be successful. Spirit of Entrepreneurship The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well despite so much uncertainty facing the direct selling channel and economies worldwide. Across the channel, we have seen leaders figure out new ways to reach customers, create value, and support their teams. The one element that ties it all together is entrepreneurship. We are surrounded by entrepreneurs who are gritty, resilient, and able to see past obstacles quickly. They are motivated by being in an environment with like-minded people. These core qualities of entrepreneurs have allowed direct selling companies to move through difficult times—and both the customers and the communities they are supporting have taken notice. Not only have we seen great ideas come from the entrepreneurs within our channel, but we have
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witnessed our own employees come forward with ideas to help within our community. I saw this firsthand last spring when the COVID-19 pandemic first began. Many selfless members of the Amway family wasted no time in thinking of creative solutions to lend a hand. It started with Project Light Speed, where a cross-functional team of approximately forty Ada-based employees worked quickly to respond to our local health care system’s urgent need for hand sanitizer. Within one week of the project’s kick-off meeting, 145,000 units of hand sanitizer were donated to hospitals, public service organizations, and non-profits. It is truly incredible to have an organization full of people who are thinking about how to always help the community, and to live our vision of helping people live better, healthier lives. Making It Easy What is so special about the direct selling channel is that it provides opportunities for people to build their own businesses, and it provides an experience that customers cannot get anywhere else. It is a high-touch industry that allows for direct contact and personal relationships. That is one important reason direct selling has a greater advantage over many other industries. While the channel does have its challenges, creating an opportunity for people to make extra income should not be one of them. It is our goal to solidify Amway as a magnet for the next generation of entrepreneurs, and we are working to make it
