In May 2006, the U.S Chamber of Commerce released a report - Work, Entrepreneurship, and Opportunity in the 21st Century America - that chronicles the rise of a new type of entrepreneurial work. U.S chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donahue says these workers of the future have "turned away from traditional employment and work schedules in favor of a broad range of alternatives such as flextime, telecommuting, independent contracting, and home-based business opportunities". He further states "It is clear that millions of Americans are seeking viable business opportunities in order to secure their financial futures, be their own bosses and better balance the responsibilities of career and family".

According to the Chamber of Commerce report, "the reason why millions of Americans are empowered to participate in alternative work arrangements, start small businesses or step out on their own is because our economy is free, flexible, and resilient. It rewards those who work hard, take risks, create innovations, and embrace change". Additionally the report states that entrepreneurship "is an exciting path, and when it thrives it will define successful economies in our current century".

Here's how a recent Fortune magazine cover story put it: "Forget the paycheck; your W-2 days are over. It's a 1099 world now".

A Gallup poll indicates that 61 percent of Americans have a preference to be their own bosses. Recently, Chrysler, Kodak, Pfized, Ford and other companies announced massive layoffs.

Employees no longer count on staying at companies for decades until retirement. the U.S Department of Labor reports that the annual turnover, or separations rate rose to 41 percent in 2005, up from 37 percent in 2003. I can only imagine what it is at this point in our lives. Not only are layoffs occurring more frequently, employees are changing jobs more often now. It seems that we are becoming more and more desperate and creative in our endeavors to make a buck and some people will do whatever they can to provide for their families. Why do you think the crime rates and home based businesses have gone through the roof?

According to world renowned economist Paul Zane Pilzer, "we're in the midst of a boom in Home-based businesses, and it shows no signs of slowing down". People ARE making money in their own businesses and they're coming out of the woodwork. It is suggested that you should not just jump right in to any business. You should look closely for a well established company that will leave you room for advancement. It is also suggested that you get in touch with someone will teach you how to MARKET your new business because you could have the best business in the world and no way to market it and if that's the case your dead in the water. It's very important to partner up with someone who is going to teach you HOW to market you new business or else you'll spend thousands of dollars and get nowhere.

So meanwhile, business is booming for the more than 14 million people across the U.S who have discovered direct selling as a viable alternative to traditional careers. Also known as Networking, Multilevel Marketing, or Referral Marketing, direct selling has grown more than 91 percent in the last 10 years and boasts annual sales of more than $30 BILLION in the U.S and $102 BILLION Worldwide. Those are staggering numbers and they are growing daily.

Robert Kiyosaki, best-selling author of the popular Rich Dad Poor Dad series; financial planning expert David Bach, whose appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show have changed the financial fortunes of millions; and Stephen Covey, author of the legendary best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, have all noted the enormous potential of direct selling as an effective source of supplemental income and a viable alternative to the typical corporate career path.

Distinguished economist and best-selling author Pilzer sees direct selling as the foundation for Americans' next big boom. He predicts 10 MILLION new Millionaires will be created in the United States between 2006 and 2016, and many of them will be from the direct selling industry. I suggest if you want a piece of this to keep on reading.

More and more people are enjoying the freedom of being self-employed. No more long commutes, controlling bosses, rigid schedules, cheesy phone scripts, meager pay raises, no paid holidays, no medical in some cases, office politics, unruly coworkers, etc. Best of all, direct selling distributors do not have to sacrifice time with their families.

The ease of entry into this industry makes direct selling a practical, accessible method for millions to start their own businesses and earn supplemental income. Most direct selling companies provide all the tolls, systems and training needed to earn money immediately for a reasonable entry fee. You are not required to create a business plan, product, or apply for a small business loan. You do not have to come up with large sums of money to get your business off the ground, no employees to pay, no overhead, no desks, computers, office equipment, no lease agreements, no figuring of demographics, printing flyer's, expensive advertising, merchant service accounts. I think you get the idea of what I getting across.

One financial expert impressed by the fortunes made in direct selling is Robert Kiyosaki, financial educator and author says, "direct selling gives people the opportunity, with very low risk and very low financial commitment, to build their own income generating assets and acquire great wealth". He and Donald Trump also say in their book "Why We Want You to be Rich", "Network Marketing has proven itself to be a viable and rewarding source of income, and the challenge could be just right for you."

Unfortunately today most people are living paycheck to paycheck, according to a Consumer Federation of America survey, 53 percent of adults said they sometimes, most of the time, or always "live paycheck to paycheck". this way of life keeps us tethered to a treadmill of debt and uncertainty about the future. It's equally important to protect what you've earned to get ahead. Both the fast-food cashier earning minimum wage and the highest-paid attorney have something in common - their trading their time for money. And the day they stop working is the day they stop getting paid. Identity theft is on the rise so working hard and having some stranger take away your hard work and money can be devastating. Let me mention that again because it's something that motivates me. The day they (and I mean you and I) stop working is the day they stop getting paid. Those are powerful and fearful words that you have to really think about and let it sink in. To earn more money and get ahead, they have to work more hours. It's very difficult to make ends meet with that type of trade-off.

The U.s Department of Labor says that three-fourths of wages and salary workers who did job-related work at home in 2004 did so without a formal arrangement to be paid for this work, and employees doing unpaid job-related activity at home averaged seven hours per week. Forget about 9-5, today's employees are more likely to work from 5-9.

Obviously we need a new way, a way to make a residual income that keeps coming in long after we've completed the work. The genius of the direct selling model is it provides control and makes residual income a real possibility for anyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or education level.

What's more, direct sellers don't have to be slaves to their jobs as they are able to achieve balance in their lives. They now have time for their families and themselves for personal development and for other things. The Direct Selling Association, the industry's national trade association indicates that 85.1 percent of direct sellers work fewer than 30 hours per week and only 7.3 percent work 40 a week or more. That's the flexibility we've all been looking for.

An increased number of Americans are recognizing that, to control their financial futures, they must have a choice in a company's decisions. The most effective way to do that is to own the business. the good news is that direct selling offers the perfect opportunity to turn your dreams of owning a business a reality - and become a part of tomorrows future, today.

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