With so many direct sales companies, products and services to choose from, black woman may find it challenging when choosing the "right" company. One of the questions I found myself pondering lately is:
How important is it for a black woman to choose a company that targets African American people with their vision, products and/or services?
I've worked in the field as an independent consultant for many years and the two direct sales companies I've worked with were 99% caucasian in their independent sales team and customer base. Although these companies offer excellent products, superb marketing plans and are respected in the industry, my biggest frustration has been the obvious lack of diversity in all areas...the sales teams, the customer base, the marketing materials and even in the color options offered in the cosmetic line. What has your experience been as it pertains to diversity in your company? Does it really matter in the long run?
There are several direct sales and network marketing companies out there, that promote and cater to the African American community. This is reflected in the overall image, vision and product line offered to potential representatives and customers of these "Black" direct sales companies. The success stories are growing everyday and several new African American oriented network marketing companies have emerged in this year alone. All you need to do is take a look at the membership on our social network, I Love MLMBlackwoman.com, and you will find many black women that proudly represent these companies. I've met some amazing sistas in companies like, Warm Spirit, Chocolate Box and Soul Purpose, just name a few.
So I would like to start a good blog discussion with a few questions to you,
"Is a black direct sales company better for a black woman to join as a representative?"
"Do you feel a black woman has a better chance of success in network marketing if she offers products and a business opportunity more oriented to African Americans, but appealing to all?"
OR..."Does it really matter, is it more about her desire to succeed no matter what her company looks like?"
What do you think? Share your comments...I can't wait to "hear" your voice on this"-)
To your success, (no matter what company you are with!!)
I think it all depends in you, Look at Gloria Mayfield Banks and what she has done in that company I'm with The Body Shop at home and what got me involed was the story of the founder and what she stood for , not color . I wont to help all women suceed anyone that's trying to help themselves have a better life , family or whatever You have to make it happen and love the products and what you do, So for me it depends on you and what you belive in You could be with an All Black Company and still want have sucess so then what (are you going to say , oh no one brought from me becasue I was Black?) Come on laides you heard Hillary Clinton Speach If you want freedom you have to fight for it and don't give up!!!
Much love to all the beautiful women on this site , lets help another mother come home and help raise our next group of young ladies.
Kathy Billionaire Brown
Thank you for your candid and heart felt comments Kathy! I appreciate you sharing your views on this "hot" subject. I look forward to hearing what other readers have to say about this topic. Good stuff!!
Thanks again for your awesome contribution"-)
British Hill
I agree with Kathy, it all depends on if you see yourself successful in that company. If you believe in their ethics, if they have a good comp plan, and the products are top notch, it doesn't matter which company you're with. The whole purpose is to use the company as a vehicle to change your life as well as others.
It is very important for me to represent and be represented by a company that recognizes who I am as a black woman and the needs that I have. It's important for me to have access to the products that address my needs as a woman of color and to see the images of beauty that I see daily in my mother; my grandmother; and within my community. I did seek out a company that was black owned. I sought out a company that not only embraced the beauty that lies within my community, but whose mission is to help uplift and empower our people. Does it mean that chances of success are greater if you join a black owned company? No, I don't think so. Hard work and dedication is what will make you successful. But I do believe that we must support each other and uplift each other so that no one will be left out. Others races continually build up their communities by starting and supporting their own business. I think we as a race of people should also do that. It was important for me to see a leader that looks like me. It is so important for me to connect and see other sistahs doing their thang and doing it well. We aren't represented in that light enough and to be part of a company that sees that and makes an effort to change that is a morale booster and drives my passion at succeeding even more.
God Bless,
Daphne Porter
Soul Purpose Lifestyle Entrepreneur
Great, great feedback ladies!! Thank you so much for your honest comments. I love the differerent prospectives being voiced here.
Thank you Daphne Porter for sharing your views and reasons for joining a black owned company.
Keep the comments coming ladies, we are all learning from you!!
British Hill
Creator. MLMBlackwoman.com
Hi! I think that it depends how you feel about the company and the products. I do believe that black women should support and empower each other. I think that black women should be represented in all of these companies. I have been a consultant for companies with very few blacks as well as a company with 99-100% black consultants. I recently thought that belonging to a black owned direct sales company was most important . But I have found that for me it is the quality of the products well as the ethics of the company and the compensation plan. I must say that I have so much admiration when I see black women at the top of their compensation plan. I also know that when a black women is at the top of a majority white company, she will then have the power to make many positive changes for all of us. I think that we can be successful as long as we are passionate about the product, achieving our goals and working hard.
I agree with Kathy and the other blog posts, but for me the lack of diversity is what drove me to the company that I currently represent. It bothered me that I saw no African American women and I wanted to know why. While trying out another company, I started to study the industry and I fell deeply in love with the industry. It has taken us a long time to embrace network marketing as a viable profession. This is the only profession that I know of that can offer you the lifestyle that you've always dreamed of with a little hard work and determination. So, I believe it really depends on the person and that person's desire to succeed and change their lives for the better. Zashnetta
I think the company representation is all a matter of preference. Personally, I like diversity while I will support a black owned MLM because of the product line. I say this because I am active in Warm Spirit -- love the products but I'm not building a team in that organization -- The travel industry is what's in my heart and I had to choose. An frankly, I love the diversity in this organization. We are all one team, one dream -- that's what it's ultimately about when choosing a MLM to represent right? De'Janiera
I think as long as I use the products I would like to sell/promote them to african am. women too. It would be difficult for me to sell my products (cosmetics) to black women if the product benefits did not suit us, such as makeup colors, and product features & benefits. I also would not feel sincere when selling and offering the opportunity to others. On the other hand, take a direct selling business such as candles, etc. That doesn't have to be related to black women or be an "african am" business. As long as people like it, and I am able to sell it, I will. And who knows a black woman in that position could become top saleswoman in her company.
With so many direct sales companies, products and services to choose from, black woman may find it challenging when choosing the "right" company. One of the questions I found myself pondering lately is: 
