From cosmetics to financial products, an army of salespeople have been the grassroots force behind companies like Avon and Amway—all members of the Direct Selling Association. And for more than three decades, Neil Offen has been their Washington advocate, lobbying international governments, federal and state legislatures, and even city councils, to remove legal barriers for the industry’s sales force. During a total of 38 years with DSA, he’s seen the industry broaden to communities around the world, and grow its sales ranks to 62 million people. But like most industries in the past year, direct selling companies have seen their revenues drop—attendance at the 2008… Read More