The Original Gig: Why Direct Selling’s Story is More Relevant Than Ever 

Brett Duncan’s article, “Our Story Is Better Than Their Story. Are You Telling It?” is a necessary and powerful call to action. He asks a critical question: in a world where direct selling gets plenty of negative attention, are we doing enough to tell our own story? 

Brett is right. Direct selling has a good story. But a direct selling story that isn’t told is a story that doesn’t exist. It’s time to change that. I want to build on the points made. 

Proactive Storytelling Versus Reactive Defensiveness

The first point I want to add to is how we think about the “bad news.” Brett correctly points out that we are not unique in dealing with shifts, regulatory pressures, and change. No industry is. What makes direct selling different is how we have historically handled these challenges. We have often been defensive, or worse, silent. That needs to stop. The way to combat bad news is not to ignore it or deny it, but to flood the zone with good news. That’s not about being naive. It’s about being proactive. 

The Blueprint for the Gig Economy

Think about the first two points: direct selling as a first step into entrepreneurship and as the original gig. These two are so closely related. The gig economy is a modern term for what we’ve been doing for over a century. We offered flexible work and a path to business ownership long before apps made it cool. We created the blueprint for how millions of people could start a business on their own terms, with low risk and a built-in support system. 

This is a direct selling story we need to tell without hesitation. Our software and technology at Exigo are designed to empower this exact kind of entrepreneurship. We provide the tools for people to manage their business, connect with their teams, and share their products easily. We remove the technological barriers so they can focus on what matters: the human connection and the product. 

The Power of Personal Transformation

I agree that direct selling is a healthy channel for women. This is a crucial part of our story. I’ve spent my career working with direct selling companies, and I have seen countless examples of women who have found success, community, and personal growth in this industry. The first and most powerful example of this was my mother. She built a large organization and earned life changing income for her and our family while she mentored and elevated her team.  

Women like her became leaders, mentors, and business owners. They built companies that supported their families and gave them a sense of purpose. This isn’t just a business model; it’s a force for empowerment. It is a story that proves direct selling can provide a pathway to financial independence and leadership for anyone, regardless of background or experience. 

And that leads me to my next point. The stories of personal growth and impact are perhaps the most compelling. People who join direct selling companies do more than just sell products. They learn new skills and gain confidence. They step outside their comfort zones and become better versions of themselves. This personal evolution is the real product of direct selling. The income and the products are important, but the change in a person’s life is the true value we offer. 

Capturing and Sharing the Collective Narrative

We need to collect these stories. We need to document them. Not as isolated anecdotes, but as a collective narrative. The world needs to hear how a mother was able to pay for her child’s college tuition, how a recent graduate paid off student loans, or how someone found a community after feeling isolated. These stories are real. They happen every day. 

Our responsibility is to create the platforms that make it easy for people to share these stories. We need to build systems that allow distributors to highlight their successes, their personal journeys, and the positive impact they are having. 

What to Do Next

The article ends with a challenge: A story is only good if you’re telling it. Let’s not let outsiders be the only ones telling our story. 

I couldn’t agree more. Our story is better than theirs. It’s a story of entrepreneurship, community, and personal growth. It’s time to start telling it, not just with words, but with action, with technology, and with the stories of the people who make this industry what it is. 

• Identify and document inspiring stories within your own company. What moves and motivates your people? 
• Create a process for your distributors to share their own stories, whether through a video, blog, social media, or a dedicated media platform. 
• Make it a priority to highlight these stories publicly. Don’t be shy about showing the world the good that comes from direct selling.

If you want to learn more about Exigo and how we empower companies to focus on their products and people, book a personalized demo with our team.