New Research Indicates 3 in 5 Canadians are Looking for a Side Hustle
Financial instability and work flexibility amongst some of the reasons why respondents are looking for income opportunities outside of their traditional employment
August 25, 2021 (Toronto, ON) —Today, the Direct Sellers Association of Canada (DSA Canada) published research recently completed by Abacus Data, painting an intriguing picture of Canadian’s interest in pursuing additional income opportunities, outside of traditional employment.
The survey found that 31% of Canadians pursued opportunities to make additional income over the COVID-19 pandemic. This significant portion of the population sought out these opportunities for reasons including being laid off and underemployed, or because they were re-evaluating their financial and personal aspirations.
Furthermore, as the economy recovers, 3 in 5 survey respondents intend to pursue opportunities to make additional money to support their income over the next 12 months. Major demographic groups in this figure include young Canadians of 18-29 years old at 75% and students at 83%.
“This research points to the fact that, whether by choice or necessity, Canadians see value in income opportunities that would not be considered part of a traditional employment arrangement”, said Peter Maddox, President of DSA Canada. “This could include participating in the gig economy, becoming an independent representative for a sales-based company or creating their own, small start-up business.”
“The economy is changing, and this has been intensified by the pandemic”, continued Maddox. “As a positive, many people, especially younger Canadians, are looking for flexibility and work-life balance as they earn, and this is being made possible by technology and market-innovation. People are finding ways to participate in entrepreneurial activity, such as direct selling, in a manner that suits them”.
Further outcomes from the research include: data showing that a significant percentage of Canadians find it important for businesses to have a commitment to consumer protection and ethics; as well as measurable year-on-year growth in positive impressions of the direct selling channel.
An executive summary of this research can be viewed here.
$16,000 in Academic Scholarships Awarded to Post-Secondary Students Across Canada
August 23, 2021 (Toronto, ON) —Today, the Direct Sellers Association of Canada (DSA Canada) is proud to announce its 2021 Scholarship Program winners. Every year, the Scholarship Program awards a total of $16,000 to eligible post-secondary students with ties to the direct selling industry, to help them advance their post-secondary education.
The Scholarship Program helps to raise awareness of the direct selling model both with students and academia. It consists of six $2,000 scholarships awarded to eligible children or grandchildren of active independent sales consultants (ISCs) of DSA Canada member companies or ISCs who themselves are students. It also awards one $2,000 scholarship to an eligible child of a DSA Canada member company employee. Additionally, two $1,000 grants are also awarded to the academic institution of the top two scholarship recipients.
“On behalf of the DSA, we are thrilled to present these scholarships to these outstanding students,” said Peter Maddox, DSA President. “We are honoured to have the opportunity to give back through our Scholarship Program and to promote entrepreneurship in Canada.”
The seven recipients of the 2021 DSA Canada Scholarships are:
- Janae Richards, Amway Canada, University of Calgary
- Khrystyna Ostrovsky, Arbonne International Canada, University of Saskatchewan
- Megan O’Donnell, SeneGence, University of Toronto
- Owen Smith, USANA Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Asha Subramaniam, Stampin’ Up!, McMaster University
- Aaron Born, Mary Kay, University of Calgary
- Raveen Appuhamy, Mary Kay, McMaster University
In recognition of their achievements, this year’s top two students, Janae Richards from the University of Calgary and Raveen Appuhamy from McMaster University, will also see a $1,000 grant awarded to each of their schools.
“We are very pleased to announce our 2021 scholarship recipients,” said Vida Achundsada, Direct Selling Education Foundation of Canada (DSEF) Chair. “Each year, we are impressed by the caliber of entries received from individuals across Canada. This year’s recipients are a remarkable group of students with incredible potential. It is our pleasure to help them achieve their educational goals through this scholarship program.”
Operating in it’s tenth year, the Scholarship Program has awarded over $100,000 in academic grants to post-secondary students across Canada and receives support from the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF); a not-for-profit organization established by DSA Canada in 1994. The DSEF promotes public awareness of the direct selling industry in Canada and serves the public interest through educational programs and research into direct sales and micro enterprise.
Applications for the 2022 Scholarship program will open in March 2022.
For more details, visit our Scholarships page.
New Data Reveals Direct Selling is Growing Significantly in Canada
Industry Grows by 26% in 2020, Achieving 4.15B in Retails Sales
June 28, 2021 (Toronto, ON) —The Direct Sellers Association of Canada (DSA Canada) has released its 2020 sales and industry growth data for the direct selling sales channel in Canada. The data, independently audited by Nathan Associates, a third-party international economic consulting firm, revealed that the direct selling industry continues to achieve significant growth. In 2020, retail sales grew 26% over the previous year, to $4.15 billion, and the number of Canadians signed up as independent sales consultants rose to 1.39 million, up 20% over 2019.
“Direct selling is an important retail channel, which delivers a wide range of products and services to Canadians”, said Peter Maddox, President of the DSA. “Over this past year, direct selling has become a necessary channel for consumers to access goods and services during the pandemic and has played an integral role in helping Canadians find alternate ways to earn extra income.”
“The direct selling opportunity has always been the first step to entrepreneurship. With more people re-thinking their careers or looking for supplemental income, this flexible and inclusive channel has provided a fundamental way for Canadians to grow their entrepreneurial skillset”, said Maddox.
In comparison to other global markets, such as the US, which grew by 13% in 2020 and Australia, which grew by 11%, Canada’s 26% direct selling growth is noteworthy, especially as we move into a post-pandemic economy.
If you would like more information on DSA’s 2020 sales and growth data, please contact us at info@dsa.ca. You may also wish to visit The World of Direct Selling for an exclusive article on Canada’s growth, featuring our President.
2020 DSA Canada Award Winners Announced at Pivot 2020
Recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to the direct selling industry in Canada
December 4, 2020 (Toronto, ON) — The Direct Sellers Association (DSA) of Canada announced the recipients of their 2020 Awards during their Virtual Summit, Pivot 2020, on November 19, 2020.
The Awards, which are normally presented at the DSA’s annual conference, honour and recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the direct selling industry in Canada.
“The recipients of these awards are true champions of Canada’s direct selling industry,” said Peter Maddox, President of the DSA. “Each of them have enriched the lives of many Canadians through their dedication and passion. We are inspired as an industry by their many accomplishments. This year has been especially challenging, so we are very excited to celebrate their achievements, even if we had to commemorate them virtually this year.”
The DSA Canada Award winners for 2020 include:
IVAN P. PHELAN AWARD – Susan Timmermeister, Director, Strategy & Business Services, Mary Kay
As the industry’s highest personal recognition, the Ivan P. Phelan Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the direct selling industry in Canada.
MARK OF DISTINCTION AWARD – Garry Coles and the late Kimberly Coles, Independent Business Owners, Amway Canada
This award recognizes an independent sales consultant (ISC) who makes a profound difference in the community by helping others and positively impacting the community.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD – Jennifer Dekezel, Canadian Associate Market Mentor at MONAT Global Canada
This award honours an ISC whose charitable efforts have made a difference in the lives of others.
INDUSTRY INNOVATION AWARD – Mary Kay for their Skin Analyzer App
This award recognizes the implementation of a program or service unique to the Canadian direct-selling industry by a DSA member company.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD – Mannatech for their Nourishing Hope campaign
This award honours companies whose charitable and/or community service efforts have made a profound difference in the lives of Canadians.
PARTNERSHIP IN PROGRESS AWARD – Millar Kreklewetz
This award recognizes supplier member companies that provide a product or service to an active member company which has made a measurable impact and contribution on the active member company’s business.
Visit dsa.ca/awards for more information on each award winner.
$16,000 in Academic Scholarships Awarded to Post-Secondary Students Across Canada
TORONTO, September 22, 2020 –Today, the Direct Sellers Association of Canada (DSA Canada) is proud to announce its 2020 Scholarship Program winners. Every year, the Scholarship Program awards a total of $16,000 to eligible post-secondary students with ties to the direct selling industry, to help them advance their post-secondary education.
The Scholarship Program helps to raise awareness of the direct selling model both with students and academia. It consists of six $2,000 scholarships awarded to eligible children or grandchildren of active independent sales consultants (ISCs) of DSA Canada member companies or ISCs who themselves are students. It also awards one $2,000 scholarship to an eligible child of a DSA Canada member company employee. Additionally, two $1,000 grants are also awarded to the academic institution of the top two scholarship recipients.
“On behalf of the DSA, we are thrilled to present these scholarships to these outstanding students,” said Peter Maddox, DSA President. “We are honoured to have the opportunity to give back through our Scholarship Program and to promote entrepreneurship in Canada.”
The seven recipients of the 2020 DSA Canada Scholarships are:
- Annie Sahagian, AVON Canada Inc., University of Toronto (Scarborough Campus)
- Manon Garde, Mary Kay, University of Waterloo
- Jazlyn Rohatensky, USANA Health Sciences, University of Winnipeg
- Chong Hern Ling, USANA Health Sciences, University of British Columbia
- Rylen Williamson, Amway Canada, University of Calgary
- Nicole Buzzelli, Arbonne International Canada, Huron College, University of Western
- Mallika Vijayakumar, Mary Kay, McMaster University
In recognition of their achievements, this year’s top two students, Annie Sahagian from the University of Toronto (Scarborough Campus) and Mallika Vijayakumar from McMaster University, will also see a $1,000 grant awarded to each of their schools.
“We are very pleased to announce our 2020 scholarship recipients,” said Jackie McClements, Direct Selling Education Foundation of Canada (DSEF) Chair. “Each year, we are impressed by the caliber of entries received from individuals across Canada. This year’s recipients are a remarkable group of students with incredible potential. It is our pleasure to help them achieve their educational goals through this scholarship program.”
Operating in it’s ninth year, the Scholarship Program has awarded over $100,000 in academic grants to post-secondary students across Canada and receives support from the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF); a not-for-profit organization established by DSA Canada in 1994. The DSEF promotes public awareness of the direct selling industry in Canada and serves the public interest through educational programs and research into direct sales and micro enterprise.
Applications for the 2021 Scholarship program will open in March 2021. For more details, visit: www.dsa.ca/scholarships/
Direct Sellers Day 2020 – Celebrating Empowerment and Opportunity
Raising awareness of the social and economic benefits of direct selling in Canada
TORONTO, September 14, 2020 — To help raise awareness of the direct selling opportunity, and the social and economic benefits that it provides, the Direct Sellers Association (DSA) of Canada is launching the first annual Direct Sellers Day on September 16, 2020.
This year’s Direct Sellers Day theme: Direct. Social. Influential., highlights the impact independent sales consultants (ISCs) from DSA member companies have on Canadians and the economy as a whole. The virtual campaign will feature personal stories from nine ISCs, detailing why they chose direct sales and how their lives have been empowered as a result.
Direct sellers, such as well-known brands Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Cutco, Arbonne and USANA Health Sciences, contribute $7.3 billion to the Canadian economy annually. Their nearly 1.2 million ISCs across Canada sell a variety of products and services, such as cosmetics, homewares, nutritional products, jewelry and utilities, helping them to achieve personal goals and objectives in a flexible and entrepreneurial manner.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to re-evaluate their lives and personal situations, with DSA research showing that nearly 4 in 10 Canadians are looking for alternative ways to supplement their earnings in the coming year”, says Peter Maddox, DSA Canada President. “This educational event will tell the positive and realistic story of how the often unsung direct selling channel helps Canadians improve their lives, and provides a vital and trusted retail service for friends, family, colleagues and broader social networks.”
On September 16, 2020, all Canadians are invited to join in the virtual Direct Sellers Day celebration by posting their inspiring direct selling stories on social media. Events include an official kick-off on Facebook Live at 11am, as well as community story sharing, contests, fundraising for DSA Canada’s Scholarship Program and more.
Visit dsa.ca/direct-sellers-day for more information and to download a Direct Sellers Day toolkit.
Direct Sellers Unfairly Excluded from the CERB
TORONTO, April 9, 2020 –Today, the Direct Sellers Association of Canada (DSA), responded to the restrictive eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
“Over 1.2 million Canadians, 82% of which are women, work in the direct selling industry and they have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, like so many other industries in Canada“, said DSA President, Peter Maddox. “They deserve the same support that millions of Canadians will be receiving through the CERB.”
Independent sales consultants (ISCs) rely on direct selling either to supplement other income or help make ends meet for their families. Many of them use direct selling as a more flexible way to make money than a 9-to-5 job, which better fits their lifestyle. Canada’s direct sellers help millions of Canadians access goods that they may otherwise not be able to at this time, and they contribute to the health of the local economy.
“Many ISCs have lost the majority of their income, but continue to make a small portion of it through e-commerce and commissions. These commissions are preventing them from accessing the CERB, even though they may have lost a large majority of overall income”, continued Maddox.
The CERB eligibility is clear that it only allows applicants to access the benefit if they are receiving no income. This is unlike employment insurance (EI), which allows for other sources of income and encourages Canadians to remain part of the active workforce. The CERB should be adjusted to ensure millions of ISCs don’t have to give up a flexible earning opportunity in order to access support.
“We are asking that the government amend eligibility criteria to allow Canadians who have lost the majority, but not all, of their income to have to access the CERB,” concluded Maddox.
Since 1954, the Direct Sellers Association of Canada has established and upheld rigorous standards, ethics and good business practices, as the recognized voice of our industry. We are a family of competitors, using our combined strength to ensure fairness in regulations and to gain credibility and respect with Canadians. As an industry that connects 1.2 million Canadians to entrepreneurial opportunity and enrichment, we provide assurance of member company integrity and a foundation of trust for independent sales consultants (ISCs) and consumers.
