DSA – The Direct Selling Association
Just as attorneys have the American Bar Association and physicians have the American Medical Association, the direct selling industry has its own trade organization for upholding professional standards and best practices. Scentsy is proud to be an active member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA), whose mission 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."
The DSA Code of Ethics – a Reason to Believe
For direct selling companies, DSA membership is a sign of integrity and commitment. Before being accepted, new applicants must complete a year-long screening process to make sure every aspect of their business operations complies with the DSA Code of Ethics. And, member companies must agree to be re-evaluated for continued compliance every five years to remain in good standing.
Why is DSA membership so important to us at Scentsy? Because it means that Scentsy consultants, customers and associates can be confident about doing business with a company they can trust.
- Truth in Advertising: We make no promises or statements that could mislead existing or prospective customers or consultants.
- Ethical Recruiting Practices: All recruiting practices at every level must be transparent, ethical and lawful.
- Factual Financials: Compensation plans, representations or projections of potential revenue must be based on documented fact—and absolutely no pyramid schemes.
- Support and Accountability: DSA member companies are held accountable for the actions of our representatives and therefore we are proactive and thorough in our training, support, and communication with our consultants and associates.
- Consumer Protection: The DSA assigns an independent third-party code administrator to investigate and resolve any reported complaints or violations. DSA member companies must abide by the administrator’s decision.
DSA – One More Way to Give Back
The Scentsy definition of value is “contributing more than you take” and our active participation in DSA is just one more way of practicing that philosophy. Members of Scentsy’s leadership team serve on a variety of DSA committees.
Orville Thompson, President and CEO, is currently Chairman of the DSA’s Member Services Committee and is a member of the Party Plan Council. Orville is frequently quoted in Direct Selling News, and is well-known for his willingness to share information and ideas with other DSA members. He was also a presenter at the DSA’s 2008 Direct Selling 101 Program.
Mark Stastny, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, is a member of the DSA Communications Committee and the DSA Party Plan Council.
Cory Pugh, Vice President of Strategy, is a member of the DSA International Council.
Scentsy – DSA’s Rising Star
Clearly, we at Scentsy have great respect and regard for the DSA’s commitment to doing things right. So we were especially honored to learn that the feeling was mutual. At this year’s annual meeting in Washington, DC the DSA presented its industry awards for outstanding achievement and honored Scentsy, Inc. with the organization’s first-ever Rising Star Award.
In order to qualify for the award, nominees had to meet very specific criteria:
- At least one year of active DSA membership
- Less than five years of doing business as a direct selling company
- Exemplary commitment to the DSA Code of Ethics
- A consistent and continued pattern of growth
- A well-rounded business strategy including projections for growth in sales, sales force and tangential community activities (such as a corporate responsibility program, for example)
The Rising Star Award is presented annually to an up-and-coming direct selling company that has dedicated itself to achieving a high standard of excellence in business operations. Scensty, Inc. became the award’s first recipient in June, 2009.
