MLM business owners see surge in online sales amid COVID-19 restrictions

When you think of businesses that have thrived during the COVID-19 Pandemic, big names like Amazon, Walmart and Costco come to mind. But there are business owners that are generating big revenue in their own living rooms, kitchens, and basements.

They’ve been around for decades,  Multi level marketing companies, also known as MLMs.  These companies offer exclusive products and services that cannot be bought from bricks-and-mortar businesses.  Independent consultants would market products and services, usually in social gatherings  to generate sales, earn commissions, and build sales teams.  But COVID-19 restrictions have created both challenges and opportunities.

According to the Direct Sellers Association of Canada (DSA), which represents over 200 member companies, sales grew by 26% in 2020 over the previous year.  And some consultants have seen even bigger growth.

The DSA adds that the number of enrolled independent sales consultants rose 10-15% from 2019 to 2020 and they attribute it to the fact that people had more time available in 2020 and were looking for extra streams of income. According to their website, 82% of independent sales consultants are female.