Java Momma is proud to be a member of the Direct Selling Association!!!
Exciting news! As of June 2019, Java Momma is an official member of the Direct Selling Association and we are so excited!
What does this mean, you say? Well, let me tell you all about it and what this means for our Independent Baristas and customers. When Momma, a coffee enthusiast, wanted to start her own direct sales coffee company, she identified 2 priorities:
- To create a company that was unlike any other direct sales company. She was determined to take the things she loved about direct sales and include them in Java Momma. Momma also wanted to leave out all the crap that she didn’t like about direct sales.
- Momma was determined to craft and run a company that ran on the highest of moral and ethical standards.
She achieved both!
In this digital age, it is sometimes hard to determine what, on the big ‘ole web, is legit and what is not. In the past, many MLM companies have left a bad taste in the mouth of consumers and consultants. This is challenging for the “good folks” that are working hard to develop great products, companies, and cultures; like Momma. Early on, Momma knew that she wanted to be a part of the Direct Selling Association so that baristas and consumers could rest assured that Java Momma is legit.
But what is the Direct Selling Association?
Well, let’s check out the definition found on their website:
“Direct Selling Association (DSA) is the national trade association for companies that market products and services directly to consumers through an independent, entrepreneurial sales force. DSA serves to promote, protect and police the direct selling industry while helping direct selling companies and their independent salesforce become more successful.
We started in 1910 as the Agents Credit Association by a group of representatives in Binghamton, New York hoping to resolve issues with agents unable to collect payments. Today we provide members various services from educational materials, access to industry research, networking opportunities, professional development, and other support programs. We work with Congress, government agencies, consumer protection organizations, and others on behalf of our nearly 130 member companies. One of the most pivotal roles we play is through our commitment to self-regulation and our Code of Ethics.”
In the direct sales world, the Direct Selling Association is the bee’s knees. Their mission is “To protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure member companies’ products and the direct selling opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics.”
Cool, huh?
Well, let me tell you that becoming a member and proving that a company is living up to these standards is no cup of tea, which is great! Applying to the Direct Selling Association is not a guarantee that you will become a member. In fact, less than 50% of applications each year become members.
To become a member, Java Momma had to submit tons of information about the company including and not limited to the Policies and Procedures, compensation plan, operational information, business plans, marketing plans, and adhere to a high standard Code of Ethics. And let me tell you about the Code of Ethics. “DSA’s Code of Ethics is more than a series of guidelines on a page. It’s our standard for membership and an important way that companies using the direct selling channel are held accountable to regulators, consumers, members of their salesforce and the public.” (Source: DSA website/Code Review Process).
Source: dsa.org (Code Review Process)
Java Momma submitted all the required information at the end of 2017. It takes a year to be evaluated and potentially become a member. A year after you submit, a Board of Directors reviews the company and determines if membership is approved.
And we are excited to say that we are a DSA member! Momma is thrilled to see her vision come alive and for baristas and consumers to know that Java Momma runs on the highest ethical and moral standards! Our baristas and customers can be confident in our company and this makes Momma and all of us at Java Momma proud!
Interested in becoming a barista or customer? Contact the Independent Barista that referred you to this article or check out Java Momma. We would love to have you!
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*Java Momma is also an accredited business of the Better Business Bureau and a proud member of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce.
