How the Top Direct Sells Marketing Companies Rank

Tired of hearing about the global economics?  Here's   8.   Forever Living Products International Inc. $2.1
the good news.  Among the many industries falling byBillion
the wayside, the direct selling industry is charting aPrivate firm Forever Living Products, based in
strong and steady course around the world.  SoScottsdale, Ariz., sells aloe vera drinks and aloe
strong and steady that we thought it would beverabased aromatherapy products, cosmetics, dietary
interesting to see how the industry's topand nutritional supplements, lotion, soap and tooth gel
companies-those with annual billings of more than USproducts in some 135 markets. 
$1 billion – were faring, despite all the doom and   9.   Oriflame Cosmetics $1.68 Billion
gloom reported by the media.  We decided to call thisSwedish company Oriflame offers high-quality skin
very exclusive group of industry leaders the billioncare, fragrances, color cosmetics, toiletries and
dollar club.  Although each company has a healthyaccessories. Oriflame has grown rapidly, recently
respect for today's global economic challenges, each isopening two markets—Iran and China. 
experiencing continued growth and success.  Most of  10.  Natura Cosmeticos SA $1.52 Billion
the executives we spoke to believe the currentSão Paulo, Brazil-based firm Natura Cosmeticos SA
financial crises are responsible, at least in part, for theis traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange
direct selling industry's current solvency and success.(NATU3). Natura operates in the Chile, Peru, Argentina,
And now, we'd like to invite you to peek inside theMexico, Colombia and Venezuela. It manufactures
companies that comprise the direct selling industry'sdeodorants, sunscreens, lotions, creams, lipsticks and
own billion dollar club.perfumes.  
  1.    Avon Products Inc. $10.9 Billion  11.  Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. $1.23 Billion
Avon markets to women in more than 100 countriesProvo, Utah-based publicly traded company Nu Skin
through 5.5 million independent sales representatives.Enterprises Inc. (NUS—NYSE) markets personal care
   2.    Amway Corporation $8.2 Billionproducts under the Nu Skin® brand; science-based
"Amway's rapid expansion around the world and thenutritional supplements under the Pharmanex® brand;
acceptance of the direct selling business model byand technology-based products and services under
countries such as Russia, India, Ukraine and others, hasthe Big Planet® brand.
blunted the impact of the economic downturn on ourThe Billion Dollar Bonus
company," says Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel.Although we did not include Keller Williams Realty in
   3.   Vorwerk & Co. KG $3.5 Billionthe official Billion Dollar
Founded in 1883 as a carpet company, Wuppertal,Club, the company deserves to be mentioned in this
German-based private firm Vorwerk & Co. KGstory. Though Keller Williams' corporate office reports
has been selling quality products—from householdannual revenue of $119 million in 2007, the company's
appliances to cosmetics—through the direct sales70,000 agents generated $3 billion in transaction
channel since 1930.commissions. The corporate office paid $40 million to
   4.   Herbalife Ltd. $2.4 Billionits agents based on a seven-level profit-sharing plan.
Los Angeles-based public company HerbalifeWith its multilevel compensation and recruitment model,
(HFL—NYSE) sells its products through more than 1.9Keller Williams
million independent distributors who conduct businessRealty may just be the direct selling industry's
worldwide.best-kept secret. It has become one of the largest and
   5.   Mary Kay Inc. $2.4 Billionfastest-growing real estate franchise systems
From its humble beginnings in a 500-square-foot Dallasthroughout North America.
storefront, Mary Kay Inc. has grown into one of theHonorable Mentions
largest direct sellers of skin care and color cosmeticsAlthough these companies did not qualify for
in the world, with a global independent sales forcemembership in the billion-dollar club, their annual sales
exceeding 1.8 million.and dynamic growth indicate they will soon join.
   6.   Primerica Financial Services Inc. $2.3 BillionMelaleuca Inc. $859 Million
Based in Duluth, Ga., private firm Primerica FinancialBased in Idaho Falls, Idaho, private company Melaleuca
Services—a subsidiary of public parent company Citiwas founded in 1985 to market a tea-tree oil
(C—NYSE)—boasts the largest salesforce in theformulation called melaleuca oil. The company sells
financial services industry. There are approximatelypersonal care products,cosmetics, household-cleaning
100,000 licensed, independent Primerica representativessupplies and vitamins. Melaleuca began with seven
across the United States (including Puerto Rico),people; it now employs more than 2,400.
Canada and Spain.Ignite $800+ Million
   7.   Tupperware Brands Corporation $2.21 BillionDallas-based private company Ignite is a subsidiary of
Publicly traded Tupperware Brands Corporationelectricity and natural gas provider Stream Energy.
(TUP—NYSE), based in Orlando, Fla., sells storageWhen Texas's electricity market was deregulated in
and serving products through Tupperware, and beauty2001, Stream Energy saw an opportunity. It chose
and personal care products through Avroy Shlain,direct selling as its marketing method, and Ignite was
BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics, Nuvo andborn in 2005. Already, the company is predicting more
Swissgarde.than $800 million in revenue for 2008.