Archive for the ‘DSA’ Category

Would The Real “Pyramid Scheme” Please Stand Up…

Thursday, July 14th, 2011
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By now, just about everyone has caught wind of the current Administrations “faux pas” surrounding the a once thought of guarantee of Social Security checks and the possible delay for current benefactors in August.

While the White House is doing some major damage control right now due to the way the media reported it and how the American public perceived the “warning” – it should be noted that the days of Social Security checks are numbered regardless of what Congress can accomplish with the budget and our debt ceiling.

To this day, it’s still odd to me how we find an abundance of pin heads out there that proclaim that Network Marketing is an unsustainable model. Yet, when push comes to shove, nobody has ever been able to provide a single solitary example of one MLM or Network Marketing company that has ever exhausted the world’s population. Heck, you can combine all Direct Sales and MLM companies in the industry and still couldn’t find that last person who didn’t have at least someone to talk to or sell product to.

Idiots who throw this “pyramid scheme” lingo around simply to place the fear of God into others aren’t smart enough to realize that this theory is just that – a theory. The reality of MLM and it’s real world applications are vastly different from their false and very limiting beliefs.

On the contrary, the model has proven its stability and longevity for over a century now. You have the Direct Selling Association (DSA) that was founded in 1910 to protect and serve this industry over the last 100 years. You also have companies like AVON who has been doing business since 1889 still selling and still recruiting women all around the world. Tupperware, Amway, Mary Kay all founded before I was born and just blasting this “fear” about sustainability right out of the water by selling billions of dollars a year.

To add insult to injury, these same pin heads will tell you to go out and get yourself a “real job” – exchanging 40 hours a week of your time for a fixed amount of income.

I don’t know how or why so many in this country became so complacent, lazy and stupid.

The debt ceiling appears to be covering up the real issue of our Social Security system. Nobody seems to be asking the real question of why the money isn’t there for these benefactors. I mean, you hand over 12.4% of your income to be placed in reserve for when you retire – so where is it? Very few understand that this system we’ve all taken for face value (because the Government is supposed to “protect” us) is doing nothing more than paying for the benefactors who retire before you.

In other words: If you want to take a look at a real – practical – and legitimate “pyramid scheme” you need to look no further than our Social Security system.

Back when I first got involved with YTB, Social Security reform had been place at center stage. The Bush administration saw there was a problem and was searching for ideas to address it. We all have short memories, and there are those who want to forget the Bush years. This USA Today piece however pretty much sums up what was going on in that day and age – just six short years ago.

The idea at the time was personal accounts as a way to fix the cash crunch. Money invest in would be reserved for those individuals only. The USA editorial explained perfectly why the current Social Security system is your classic pyramid scheme.

“Given low birth rates and rising life expectancies, in time, Social Security won’t be able to sustain our elderly population without punitively taxing workers.”

It goes on to state:

“For Gen X, though, this program sounds awful. No matter how poor you are, you pay 12.4% of your income, every year, to maintain Mossman’s cash flow.

Sure, Mossman paid in, funding other retirees. Their taxes funded original recipients who didn’t pay a dime. This is the classic definition of a pyramid scheme, which eventually has too many folks to pay off with too few suckers paying in. Thanks to the 1946-64 baby boom, Gen X is firmly in the “too few suckers” bin.”

And we’re right at the cusp of this dreadful reality. For the next 20 years there will be more than 10,000 baby boomers per day looking to retire for the next 20 years. Some 78 million people all “worthy of” a Social Security check because they’ve been “buying in” all these years.

Knowing what you know now – including the current economic climate – what do you think your chances are of seeing even a penny of your “buy in” when you’re ready to retire?

Are you beginning to understand just how silly and irrational this idea of pointing the finger at MLM’s and Network Marketing when a real – practical example like our Social Security system looms over every tax payers head?

That being said – I’m not going to tell you that MLM or Network Marketing is the only answer in solving your issue of Social Security not being there for you when you retire. There are plenty of options to protect you and actually provide a very comfortable retirement. But if you think you can count on Social Security being there for you – dammit – you need to wake up and see the writing on the wall.

A very real and legitimate example of a “Pyramid Scheme” is staring you right in the face – courtesy of the Government that many believe is there to protect them from such evils.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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What-Cha Doin’ For Earth Day?

Friday, April 22nd, 2011
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Happy Earth Day!

Don’t know if you know this or not, but this years theme for Earth Day is a “Billion Acts Of Green“. The idea is to have individuals pledge an act of green to preserve this home we call earth. Knowing Earth Day was coming up, Ronda and I had discussed what we could do to participate. We didn’t want it to be a one and done type thing, and also wanted an opportunity to help others. (It’s just the way we roll.)

While writing for OurSharedEarth.com, our answer came in the form of a fantastic Direct Sales company called Green Irene.

So here is the result. Our pledge for Earth Day that will expand and develop for years to come. It’s a great addition to our business model and lifestyle and are proud to share this with you.

Green Irene LLC, a national consulting firm that promotes eco-friendly homes and offices, has just announced the owners of OurSharedEarth.com, Doug & Ronda Bauknight as its newest Eco-Consultants with the opening of their green consulting practice in Buford, Georgia, a suburb minutes north of Atlanta. Our Shared Earth is an independent, authorized distributor of Green Irene consulting services and products.

According to Our Shared Earth, the husband and wife team is trained to provide eco-friendly consulting services to local homeowners who want to lead healthier, safer and more sustainable lifestyles – while saving money by reducing energy use.

“We’ve always been environmentally minded. But when energy costs started to rise, we began to look into more costs savings around the home. That’s when we found Green Irene.” Bauknight said. “We took a careful look at the Green Irene business model, strong partnerships, training, and national presence and it was a perfect fit.”

“We’re thrilled with this opportunity to educate Atlanta-area residents on what we know about taking care of our environment and conserving energy.” Mr. Bauknight added. “I have prior management experience in both residential lighting control, HVAC, and security, so it’s kind of like coming full circle.”

Eco-Consultants like Our Shared Earth perform 90-minute Green Home Makeovers by walking through the client’s home to develop a set of customized recommendations. The major topics covered in the Green Home Makeover include: energy conservation, water conservation, water purity, indoor air quality, toxic-free living, energy efficient lighting, recycling, waste reduction, and safety and emergency preparedness.

“Within those main topic areas we provide recommendations for immediate, free implementation through a detailed Green Home Makeover Report and Family Action Plan, as well as green home product and service suggestions,” Mr. Bauknight said. “Some of the things we include with our recommendations are water and air filtration products, energy-saving light bulbs in every shape, water conservation products, composters, and other products to live a more sustainable, healthy life.”

With electric, gas and water costs going up, investments to conserve in these areas also make great financial sense, Mrs. Bauknight said.

“Atlanta-area residents can save thousands of dollars by just making a few small adjustments. For example, energy-efficient light bulbs can cut your electric bill significantly, and low-flow shower heads and other items in our water-conservation kit can save thousands in reduced utility costs to heat wasted hot water,” Mrs. Bauknight said, adding that “even in tight economic times, investments that save money and have the added benefit of helping your family ’go green’ make sense.”

Along with the consulting service, local clients receive a three-month membership to Ask Green Irene. This extensive, “green” database allows clients to research green-focused questions that may arise after the initial Green Home Makeover. It also allows clients the ability to submit questions to a Green Irene researcher for an answer to any question not yet covered in the database.

For more information about Green Irene consulting services in Atlanta, please contact Doug or Ronda Bauknight at Our Shared Earth via 678-458-5812 or oursharedearth.buford@greenirene.com. You can also find additional information at www.greenirene.com/oursharedearth.

About Green Irene LLC

Founded in 2007 by the original “Green Irene”, Rosamaria Caballero, Green Irene helps people save energy, water, and money. Backed by the notion that everyone can make a difference with simple changes in lifestyle and habits, Green Irene Eco-Consultants perform Green Home Makeovers and Green Office Makeovers with advice and strategies on how to make your living or working area more eco-friendly. The goal for Green Irene Eco-Consultants is to lead your family members and coworkers to a healthier, safer and more sustainable lifestyle, and save you money, energy, and water with its consulting services and green home and office products. For more information, visit www.greenirene.com.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
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DSA Celebrates 100 Years

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
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The Direct Selling Association celebrates its centennial this year. One of its founding members was The California Perfume Company. If you don’t recognize the company, they changed their name in 1939 to something you may be more familiar with.

Avon.

The Direct Selling Association was first formed in 1910 in Binghamton, New York as Agents Credit Association. Over the years the Association changed its name a few times, but became what we know today as the DSA in 1968 when it moved to Washington, DC where it’s made its home for the last 41 years.

Some 200 Direct Sales and Network Marketing companies are members of the Direct Selling Association today. YTB International applied for membership more than three years ago, and was granted membership to this prestigious organization in September, 2007. The company remains a member to this day.

So why has an Association like the DSA and companies like Avon been able to withstand the test of time?

Simple – it’s one of the purest forms of distribution there is.

Period.

Manufactures who choose a Direct Sales company to distribute their products or services have major advantages over traditional channels. Both advertising and distribution costs are controlled – unlike “traditional” models. A manufacture only pays for product that’s actually sold instead of forking over hundreds of thousands (often times millions) in advertising to get the word out. Distribution costs are also controlled going “direct” and don’t pass through an elaborate maze of middle men who each take a cut along the way. Middle men only increase the cost to the end user. The variance between a manufacture and the end user can be so substantial that often the commissions earned in a Direct Sales company can be substantial, while being less expensive than other similar brands found on store shelves to consumers.

Tupperware is probably the best example I can think of – because it’s been done both ways. Invented in 1946, Earl Tupper took a gamble (or so he thought) by taking Tupperware off store shelves in the 1950′s and followed the “party plan” of Direct Sales. The line exploded and it’s a big reason why Tupperware is a house hold name today. It’s now sold in 100 Countries worldwide and has more than $1 billion in sales annually.

So if Avon has been around for 120 years, Tupperware started its Direct Sales program more than 50 years ago, and dozens of other companies like Mary Kay and Amway have been able to not only survive but thrive in the Direct Sales model call MLM for multiple decades – why even entertain the ignorant dolts who claim that MLM is a house of cards that can’t be sustained?

True the theory of exceeding the world’s population they all point to looks logical – but when has it EVER happened? This theory they all yammer about is nothing more than myth in an attempt to evoke fear into the one reading it. The hope is the reader just might think they’d be the one person left on this earth without anyone to recruit into their business of choice.

I use to enjoy going round and round with Zealots who use examples like the one found on SEC website to prove their point. It was great fun asking for a real life example. Quite often the silence was defining. Other times they just dug themselves deeper when they brought up examples that didn’t even come close with less than one hundred thousand participants. Even better – I’d bring up examples like Avon and Mary Kay that cater to a particular demographic – and ask how two similar companies couldn’t even capture half of the world’s population.

Ultimately frustrated and completely void of options – I’d end up being called every name in the book and chastised for being stupid.

Sucks being right. ;-P

Being a member of the DSA doesn’t protect you from being spit at as one of these “gigantic pyramid schemes”. Ironically, another government entity, Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General spit at YTB the day before our 2008 National Convention with those exact words. Concerned about YTB’s dramatic growth and rise, like all the others who buy into myths and theories, slapped a $25 million lawsuit on the company to protect consumers from the evils of fraudulent pyramid schemes.

As it turned out, the $25 million was settled out of court for a mere $1 million and while there was plenty of fanfare a year ago about putting an end to our company, I’m reminded of his words to this day every time commissions are loaded onto my YTB pay card. Hard to believe that it’s been a year since we “lost” that argument. (That’s the claim anyway.)

And yes, May 15th marks the one year anniversary since he spouted off that he ended everything. Gone but not forgotten, I just look at the commissions I continue to produce and earn, think about Jerry’s rhetoric and self-absorbed hype and say “Thanks for sharing”.

California is happy too. Of the $1 million YTB paid – $875 thousand went directly to California – not the “victims” they were intending to “protect”.

I know I really don’t have much of a voice with the DSA, as I’m only one person. But if there was anything I could ask them to help us out with over the next 100 years it’s this:

Could you make a push to help inform the general public between fact and what’s pure myth and hype? It’s not that hard to do. Ask the SEC to either produce an example of a company exceeding the world’s population or request that this bogus theory is taken down – never to implant false and misleading beliefs about Network Marketing and MLM’s again.

Help educate the general public that if you join a company like YTB for free as a Rep – there is no payment required for the opportunity to recruit others. Sounds painfully obvious I know – but there are plenty of examples I can provide where some simply don’t use their thinking caps – but instead wear dunce caps.

Bottom line is that there is still plenty of ignorance and false beliefs out there surrounding a very legitimate, viable, and profitable business model we call Direct Sales.

As an Association that has reached its centennial anniversary and provide tools and boundaries for those of us who uphold your ethics and standards, it’s time to expand our message to the general public and educate them on the difference between fact and fiction.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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YTB Listed In Direct Selling News $100 Million Club

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
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Direct Sales date back thousands of years with roots in Egypt, Syria, Babylonia and India. Traders, merchants and caravans are examples of the early direct seller who formed this ancient tradition and basic need to exchange goods. Fast forward to a century ago here in the U.S. and you’ll find the birth of The Direct Selling Association (DSA) who will celebrate it 100th birthday next year. As a fan of Direct Sales, I wrote an article about one of the oldest Direct Sales Companies still in existence today. Founded in 1886, they’re a real powerhouse today – producing $10.7 BILLION in annual sales. Never heard of The California Perfume Company? They changed their name to Avon in 1939.

0909_coverstory_introWith all the economic news that this country has had to endure over the last year, it’s refreshing to see one business model that’s not only surviving, but thriving in these tough economic times.

Direct Selling News just released a comprehensive list of the the worlds top direct selling companies with wholesale revenue of $100 million or more. On the list we find some very old and prominent companies such as Avon, Mary Kay, Primerica Financial Services, Herbalife, Tupperware, Nu Skin, Shaklee, ACN, Pre-Paid Legal, Market America, Keller Williams, Pampered Chef, Southern Living At Home, and oh…lookie here…YTB International.

If you’ve never heard of this list before – well, it’s never been out before. Think Travel Weekly Power List here, but for the Direct Sales Industry. For the first time, Direct Selling News decided to come up with a list of it’s own for the Direct Sales Industry. I realize that for some, Direct Sales doesn’t amount to much, (in fact, it’s despised by some who just plaster the word “pyramid” on what ever they like) but when you look at these sales by the numbers, and compare them with some of the dates these companies were founded, you have to admit it’s pretty impressive list of “Networkers” who some claim will eventually run out of people.

The purpose of the list in Direct Selling News was to “journal the might of the direct selling industry”. In the report, YTB International ranked #46 overall with $162.5 million in sales. Not too shabby for a company that’s been a very heated topic in the travel industry, had it’s share of legal battles and has been a daily rant for a select few with a false and limiting belief that Direct Sales is a sham. While YTB’s numbers are fairly straight forward, reporting it’s numbers to the SEC as a publicly traded company, like the travel industry, very few Direct Sales companies do the same.

Like Travel Weekly, Direct Selling News made every effort to verify sales in this industry with checks and balances via sources like Hoover’s Company Records and Dun & Bradstreet, SGA Executive Tracker Companies, Standard & Poor’s Descriptions Plus News, Company Briefs–Gale Group, Global Duns Market Identifiers, Market Guide Company Profiles, America’s Corporate Finance Directory and Directory of Corporate Affiliations.

According to Direct Selling News, one thing became clear during their research: A number of Direct Sales companies are still growing despite the economy and despite all the misrepresentations and myths surrounding the industry.

“Almost miraculously, our organization has continued to grow,” says Joe Urso, Aerus Chairman and CEO. “Selling high-end products is not easy, especially in a down economy. Our team has continued to grow by inspiring others to pursue the opportunity for a better life that we offer.”

The report also states that USANA recorded its sixth consecutive year of record sales, Pampered Chef had a 5 percent increase in recruiting and Tastefully Simple product sales bumped up 5 percent. And like YTB’s Founders are telling their field or TSO’s and Website Sellers right now, Executives from other companies are telling people that despite the economy, their companies are not only larger in regard to revenue, but are coming out of this recession better than ever.

From the report.

And many direct selling executives tell us they believe the industry will emerge from the recession bigger, faster and stronger. “Over the course of the next few years,” says USANA President Fred Cooper, “we anticipate USANA—and the network marketing industry in general—to continue to show patterns of growth.”

Emerging bigger, faster and stronger has special meaning for those of us in YTB. The company wasn’t fighting just the recession and the poor economy. Just over a year ago YTB was in another club, sued for $100 million by a bunch of ambulance chasers who wanted a quick buck. A year later, the class action thrown out for being redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous, YTB is prominently placed in a $100 million club for actual sales with another prestigious group of peers.

My how things have changed for YTB as the debate over pyramid crumbles and legitimate rises from the ashes.

Congratulations to all 65 members of this list. You’re the cream of the crop in the Direct Sales Industry who have collectively produced billions of dollars in revenue – one person – one sale – one day at a time.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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This Guy Rocks!

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
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I read somewhere that someone was a little frustrated over the hiring of James Tackett as YTB’s Chief Marketing Officer. The premise as it’s always been with the analyst who always has an opinion on just about…sorry, make that every move YTB makes is none other than “lack of experience”.

There’s a new twist huh?

Being highly visual and auditory in my kinesthetic learning I’ve always enjoyed quality production work. Being introduced to James work during the 2007 National Convention, I knew instantly that our company would have been wise to cultivate its relationship with what was then Video Plus. All the big dogs in the industry use them and they certainly add a level of professionalism in the Direct Sales Industry you don’t find anywhere else. To attract talent from the Video Plus pool to work full time with our company speaks volumes about what he thinks about the direction of our company.

After seeing what James has just rolled out, maybe the self proclaimed analyst should have held off just a bit to see what our Marketing Officer could produce for our company before he lodged yet another foot the increasingly overweening mouth of his. (It never ceases to amaze me how he does this, poor guy!)

YTB has two new PowerPoint presentations to market; one for our Travel Company selling travel, and a second for those who would like to market the Travel Company. DVD’s of this presentation can be acquired by the end of the week. The look and feel of these two presentations are dead on mark both visually and in content. When I saw them, I had to e-mail James that I wanted to kiss him.

Although he declined the kiss, he was very appreciative of my gratitude.

What’s most impressive about all this is how he actually took the time to listen to those of us out in the field, industry leaders, and key studies to implemented stats and experiences that were “must haves” due to the current conditions of YTB and the industry as a whole. You may notice a key phrase “If you had more time and more money”, and you may also notice key industry stats from a group called PhoCusWright during the presentation.

And yes, the current state of our critics.

While the PowerPoint and DVD doesn’t really drive this home the way our flash presentation does, I find it fitting that we are telling it like it is on the very medium they are, over the internet.

Ours message however, happens to have a lot more class.

You can now enjoy a brand new flash presentation on your own Marketing site. (Found under the blue “View the Company Presentation” button.) Pay particular attention at around the 1:30 mark and again around the 5:00 mark and enjoy.


PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Contrary To What You May Have Heard

Monday, October 6th, 2008
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Have you noticed how everyone appears to be an expert concerning what’s going on with YTB these days? The fear mongering out on the internet and the doom and gloom paints a picture that nobody is giving YTB a shot. Not only does this include vendors and suppliers, but Trade Associations have turned their back and threatening to kick YTB to the curb.

We find that…well…interesting…

On Wednesday’s Monthly Newsletter, we reported that these same Suppliers and Trade Associations are actually working with and helping YTB and as we wipe away all the spaghetti and sauce being thrown at YTB, we begin to see the real story. (Critics like to call this “the truth”)

When one of our Newsletter Subscribers saw that we pointed to the DSA (Direct Selling Association) as someone who is supporting YTB in the perceived adversity from the other side, they sent the following link.

Amy Robinson is VP of Communications at the Direct Selling Association and has done an exceptional job in helping everyone understand what DSA membership really means. She goes into detail what went into becoming a member of the DSA, which YTB became a member of more than a year ago. Based on the DSA’s review of applicable laws at the time of application, company policies were consistent with the law and YTB was approved. Further clarification states that the DSA DOES make inquiries to law enforcement, the Attorney General in the state where the company is located, the Better Business Bureau, and on a case-by-case basis any other entity that may have relevant information to share.

Bottom line is that according to the DSA’s findings, YTB met the standards of both the Code of Ethics and laws applicable to direct selling.

It is also important to note that the mere existence of a complaint with any of these bodies does not preclude membership, but instead what is considered is the way any issues were resolved.

Until information is presented that runs contrary to the information the DSA evaluated as part of the application process, there are no grounds to revoke YTB’s membership.

We realize that our critics have tried and convicted YTB already. Fortunately, it’s not up to them; that’s what the legal process is for. If you do a Google search on “lawsuit” you will find 89,600 links for Amway, 147,000 links for Mary Kay, and 59,600 links for Nu Skin, all still in business, and in good standing with the DSA.

Would you stop using your computer because there are 432,000 links for Microsoft? Stop shopping because there are 3,640,000 links for WalMart? Stop eating because there are 1,160,000 links for McDonalds?

Maybe we should stop cruising because you found 185,000 links for Royal Caribbean? Stop using online booking engines because there are 216,000 links for Expedia? Or stop using traditional agencies with 286,000 links for American Express Travel?

Want to take a stab at how many links there are for YTB? Try 23,700 links which are all lower than any of the above mentioned companies.


In closing, we encourage you to read Amy’s article in its entirety, including the comments section. We find her responses direct, intelligent, articulate, and even witty. It should at the very least give you a much more accurate representation of who the DSA really is, how they are actually working with YTB, and their position concerning the California AG.

PS – If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker

Phone: 678.458.5812


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YTB Travel Network Approved as Member of DSA

Monday, September 24th, 2007
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The Direct Selling Association has just approved the application for YTB as a member of it’s prestigious organization.

DSA is the national trade association representing companies that manufacture and sell products and services sold directly to consumers, primarily through an independent contractor sales force. It is estimated that 14.1 Million Americans participate in a Direct Sales Organization of some type and the numbers are increasing rapidly each year. Currently, membership has been limited to only 216 organizations out of the thousands of companies who participate in Direct Sales.

The mission of the DSA is ‘to protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers.’ Each DSA member company pledges to abide by the Code of Ethics’ standards and procedures as a condition of admission and continuing membership in DSA. This Code of Ethics speaks to both the consumer and the seller, and ensures that member companies will make no statements or promises that might mislead either consumers or prospective sales people.

The DSA Code of Ethics expressly prohibits pyramid schemes, deceptive or unlawful consumer or recruiting practices, misrepresentation of earning or sales potential, inventory loading and unreasonable entrance fees.

All applications take well over a year to complete, and during this time, the marketing and business plans of YTB were reviewed to ensure compliance with all provisions of DSA’s Code of Ethics.

Other companies who were recognized as part of the DSA and are new members with YTB Travel Networkinclude:

  • Agel Enterprises, LLC (Nutritional Supplements)
  • B’s Purses & Accessories (Fashion Accessories)
  • Big Ear, Inc. (Custom Ear Products)
  • Blessings Unlimited (Giftware, Religious Books/Gifts)
  • CyberWize (Nutritional Supplements, Health/Wellness/Fitness)
  • Family and Friends Financial (Financial Services)
  • Genesis Secret (Nutritional Supplements)
  • Jeunique International, Inc. (Nutritional Supplements, Cosmetics, Jewelry, Lingerie/Sleepwear, Skincare)
  • Livinity, Inc. (Health/Fitness/Wellness, Personal Care)
  • Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry, LLC (Fashion Accessories, Jewelry)
  • YTB, Inc. (Travel)

If you are part of this list feel free to give a shout!

Whooo Hoooo!

Congratulations to all who have joined the DSA!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
Share