The Southwestern Company Difference Blog
On May 4, a dozen Direct Selling Association (DSA) member company executives spent time with each Member of the Senate and Assembly in California to share the importance direct selling has to the economy of the state and answer any specific questions they had.
Southwestern Company’s Dr. Ralph Brigham, Global Director of Campus Relations was on hand along with representatives from 11 other direct selling companies including Arbonne, Avon, Mary Kay, Jafra, Herbalife, and Shaklee to name a few.
The team, led by DSA staff attended over 50 scheduled meetings and visited 120 offices. The “DSA road warriors” were also able to build relationships with lawmakers to help them understand direct selling in greater detail, as the lawmakers may be asked to implement tax withholding on independent contractors. This has been one suggestion to lessen the burden of the state’s budget deficit.
If the requirements for tax withholding was passed, it could have a detrimental effect on direct sellers who rely on the extra income to supplement incomes and help their families. With a partial amount of income withheld, it takes away from the basis premise that is direct selling – to improve your financial situation and empower your life. The past bills were defeated each time. The group on the ground in California were very optimistic about how many lawmakers are very knowledgeable about direct selling and the unique characteristics of direct selling.
At a reception that night, over 150 attendees were further educated about the merits of direct selling and industry facts. A video featuring eight direct sellers from California was prominently displayed. One of the video’s stars is Southwestern Company’s own Phi Do, a University of California in Los Angeles student who will be participating in his fourth summer in 2010 to run his own business selling Southwestern Company’s Learning System. Phi was a runner-up for last year’s Student Excellent Award and is highly regarded by his peers and Sales Manager, Omar Iribe.
