In this episode, we’re chatting with three amazing leaders from Academy VIP—Sheri Friederichs, Laura Vandiford, and Lauren Gregory—who are absolutely crushing it in 2024. Sheri, a diamond leader with Tastefully Simple, shares how she balances life on the farm with her successful business. Laura talks about growing her jBloom & PermaLinx business while also working part-time as a pharmacist. And Lauren, a special education teacher by day, walks us through her journey with Color Street and how she’s leveraged Facebook parties to grow her biz. Together, we unpack their go-to strategies for 2024, including a mix of in-person and virtual events, and the innovative tools helping them stay ahead of the game.

You can find Lauren on her website, Laura on Facebook or Instagram, and you can find Sheri on Facebook or call/text her at 701 403 7164.

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Time based notes:

0:51 Meet Sheri, Lauren & Laura
1:42 Sheri’s Story
2:33 Laura’s Story
3:30 Lauren’s Story
4:52 What’s Working Right Now
7:57 Laura’s Current Wins & Goals
9:20 Sheri’s Current Wins & Goals
10:35 Lauren’s Current Wins & Goals
11:28 Favorite Parts of the Modern Direct Seller Academy
15:31 Tips to Keep Going
20:00 Fave Office Supplies & How to Connect
24:13 Sign Up for the FREE 5-Day Challenge
34:55 Sponsor Message

How These Direct Sellers Are Thriving in 2024: Insights from Laura Vandiford, Lauren Gregory, and Sheri Friederichs

In the world of direct sales, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to success. Each person brings their unique story, strengths, and strategies to the table, and today, we’re diving into three inspiring stories from leaders inside the Modern Direct Seller Academy VIP program. Meet Laura Vandiford, Lauren Gregory, and Sheri Friederichs—three women who have not only adapted to the ever-changing direct sales industry but have thrived in it. Let’s take a closer look at their journeys, what’s working for them right now, and what they’re looking forward to accomplishing in 2024.

Meet the Sellers: From Farm Life to Part-Time Hustles
Sheri Friederichs has been with Tastefully Simple for 26 years, living on a farm in rural Minnesota. When she started, she was a busy mom of four daughters, and today, she’s enjoying the flexibility direct sales has given her. Whether it’s playing pickleball three times a week or spending time with her grandkids, Sheri’s direct sales career has allowed her to craft a lifestyle that fits her needs. As a diamond leader at Tastefully Simple, she’s built a top-tier business and relishes the freedom that comes with it.

Laura Vandiford, based in Greenville, North Carolina, has been with jBloom Jewelry for seven years and is part of their newest division, PermaLinx, which focuses on permanent jewelry. Working part-time as a pharmacist, Laura joined direct sales when her youngest child was born. Now, with three kids and a business called Prescription for Style, she’s found a way to balance part-time work and stay-at-home life, all while growing a thriving business.

Lauren Gregory, from Newfoundland, Canada, is a full-time special education teacher who also lives on a farm. She joined Color Street in 2020 purely for the deals, but she quickly fell in love with the business and has since built a strong direct sales presence. Despite working full-time, Lauren has grown her Color Street business while juggling her day job and life on the farm.

What’s Working for These Sellers in 2024
Each of these women has their own approach to growing their businesses. So, what’s working for them right now?

Lauren Gregory: For Lauren, online Facebook parties are still a major driver. While she loves in-person events like home parties and vendor events, she consistently runs weekly online parties. Though some may think Facebook is no longer a viable platform, Lauren is proof that it’s still alive and well in direct sales. She’s even started exploring Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube but finds Facebook to be her primary source of success.
Laura Vandiford: With the introduction of PermaLinx at jBloom Jewelry, Laura has shifted towards more in-person events like pop-ups, vendor shows, and even private gatherings for weddings or birthdays. Though she still leverages social selling through Instagram stories and her VIP group, her focus on in-person events has given her business a fresh boost.
Sheri Friederichs: Sheri does a bit of everything—online parties, in-person tasting events, and even porch deliveries. She loves connecting with people, so she thrives in in-person environments, but she also finds online parties efficient, allowing her to host multiple events in a single week. For Sheri, the key to success is variety, and that keeps her business exciting and adaptable.

What They’re Proud of in 2024—and What’s Next
As we roll into the final months of the year, these direct sellers are not only reflecting on their accomplishments but also setting new goals.

Laura Vandiford: Laura’s team has been growing at a record pace, with new enrollments and skyrocketing sales, especially with PermaLinx. She’s also working on launching her own Oh My, Hi! website, which will help her reach more customers and elevate her business through email marketing and personalized customer outreach.
Sheri Friederichs: Sheri was recently named the top sponsor at Tastefully Simple, an impressive achievement that showcases her ability to grow and support her team. As she looks forward to the rest of the year, Sheri is excited for the fourth quarter—a time she loves for the increased business activity, team victories, and, of course, the holiday sales rush.
Lauren Gregory: Lauren hit a major milestone this year, attending her first in-person Color Street conference and walking the stage as the top seller in Canada. As someone who manages her direct sales business part-time, this accomplishment speaks volumes about her dedication and success. By the end of 2024, Lauren hopes to continue growing her team, adding two new team members each month to finish the year strong.

The Key to Success: Flexibility and Variety
If there’s one takeaway from these stories, it’s that success in direct sales isn’t one-dimensional. Whether it’s leaning into social media, ramping up in-person events, or doing a combination of both, what matters is finding what works for you—and being open to evolving. As Sheri, Laura, and Lauren show, direct sales offers endless flexibility, and it’s all about meeting customers where they are, whether online or in person.

What’s working for you in your direct sales business right now? Whether you’re rocking online parties or thriving at vendor events, remember that variety and adaptability are the keys to long-term success.

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