Why is business booming in the direct sales industry?

Here's another excerpt of an excellent article entitled "Unlocking Your Entrepreneurial Spirit" featured in "Success from Home" magazine written by Todd Eliason and Martha Belden:

Several business-savvy individuals and large, respected companies have taken notice.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways and one of the richest men in the world, owns Virgin Cosmetics Company, one of the leading cosmecitcs firms in the United Kingdom and a direct selling company. Companies such as Lillian Vernon, Time Warner and Citigroup, among many others, have launched direct selling companies.

In addition, [best-selling author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad Robert] Kiyosaki, financial planning expert David Bach, whose appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show have changed the financial fortunes of millions, and Stephen Covey, author of the legendary 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, each have noted the enormous potential of direct selling.

If these respected business owners, companies and authors have taken a closer look at direct selling, why haven't you? For many, direct selling remains an enigma, and despite its resurgence, it's still dogged by misconceptions. "It's a pyramid scheme;" "Only a select few actually make any money;" "You end up with a bunch of products you can't sell." Such antiquated views and general misunderstanding of how the business actually works often rest at the core of the industry's relatively low profile. In truth, direct selling is a decades-old business model that is really quite simple to master.

Here are eight compelling reasons:

1. It is a business built on relationships, and people trust personal recommendations. If you've ever recommended a product to someone else, then you've participated in a form of direct selling. Now imagine getting paid for your recommendation.

2. More and more Americans are forgoing the usual inconveniences of corporate America and creating business opportunities from their hoes, and direct selling is the perfect vehicle for such a start-up. No headquarters, no employees and most of the legwork can be done over the phone or on the computer.

3. A small initial investment and low risk generates high return and high earning potential. And most companies have, and supply access to, a proven marketing plan and strategy for finding and maintaining customers.

4. There are no boundaries to direct selling; no sales territories or restrictions granting the direct seller full access to national and international markets.

5. Recent changes in U.S. tax law have given the home-based businessperson the ability to enjoy the same kind of tax-deferred savings and benefits as corporate employees.

6. Residual income is the key to time and financial freedom. Miss a day of work? No problem - the money continues to roll in.

7. No education? No previous sales experience? No problem! Direct selling is open to absolutely everyone, regardless of age, financial status, education or experience.

8. You don't succeed unless others succeed, promoting a vested interest in helping others, prompting ethical standards for conducting business so as not to harm others counting on your guidance and leadership.