Direct Marketing Firm Flourishes Despite Economy

GREENFIELD CENTER - With many sectors of our economy struggling, at least one seems to be flourishing -- direct or home-based marketing.

It's called network marketing, and those who are doing it say it's recession-proof.

"I kind of saw the writing on the wall and knew there was a really good chance I wouldn't have a job starting January 1st," said Libby Howe, who lost her job last week.

Howe, a new mom, was a pharmaceutical sales representative.

"Pounding down doors, trying to talk to doctors everyday," is how she described her job.

When the company downsized, Howe, with 12-week-old Avery at their Ballston Spa home, had to decide what to do next.

"It was either I'm going to have to build my life around my work or I could find a job where I could build my work around my life," she said.

Libby chose Arbonne International. She's a consultant, an independent distributor of health and beauty products. Says she likes the idea of doing it on her time.

She's not alone. Beth Tooker of Greenfield Center, Arbonne's regional vice president, says since the economy's been struggling her company's been taking off.

"Arbonne is exploding and we are so excited to see the growth. One huge reason for that is many people's expenses are rising so much faster than their incomes," Tooker said.

A former school social worker, Tooker's income has risen dramatically since joining Arbonne and becoming regional vice president. She says there are thousands of people in her company making six figures and her husband is planning to retire from teaching at 40 because her business is so successful, especially in a down economy.

"Many people are looking to improve how they look and feel and when all of the other pieces in their life are falling apart, that's one thing they can control," Tooker said.

Tooker says the company had 64 percent more consultants in 2008 than 2007