This is one of 10 lists on direct sales featured in the Spring 2015 issue of Utah Valley BusinessQ.
Can we be direct? Network marketing is here to stay.
It’s a popular topic around these parts, where downlines are the uptalk. In fact, Utah County has the highest concentration of direct sales companies in the nation, which gives our county a big piece of the $32 billion pie this industry creates in the United States.
Here are five influential women in Utah Valley’s direct sales industry.
1. Jeanette Lynton
Founder of Close To My Heart
Direct Influence: Thirty years ago, Jeanette Lynton founded Pleasant Grove-based Close To My Heart, a scrapbooking direct seller that’s been an industry innovator. Today, Lynton still helms the multi-million dollar company that has more than 93,000 likes on Facebook.
2. Janet Kinkade
Founder of Jewel Kade
Direct Influence: Her self-funded artisan jewelry business started in 2008 and grew to 100 employees and thousands of stylists. The company just sold to Ohio-based Thirty One (more than $750 million in annual revenue), with Kinkade staying on as principal designer for the new JK by Thirty-One brand.
3. Christy Hepworth, Keri Evans & Lyndsey Ekstrom
Founders of Jamberry Nails
Direct Influence: Three sisters vowed to make manicures less expensive. And they nailed it. Jamberry Nails is now a multi-million dollar direct seller.
4. Kristine Hughes
Co-founder of Nature’s Sunshine
Direct Influence: Founder of Utah Valley’s first direct sales company? It doesn’t get more pioneer than that. Hughes has also served on several civic and community boards.
5. Mary Young
Executive Vice President of Young Living
Direct Influence: Successful distributor turned co-founder, Young was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 finalist.