Bossier City, LA, January 9,2007 -- Because of the fast growing direct selling industry, there is a developing need for education and resources to assist direct selling and multi level marketing companies and their independent sales representatives. With the strict code of ethics and expense involved in joining major direct selling organizations such as the Direct Selling Association and the Direct Selling Women's Alliance, there was a need for an organization that caters to women and minority owned direct sales companies. According to the Direct Selling Association, more than 82% of direct sellers are women. And, Black Enterprise reports that 12.5 % of direct sellers are African Americans. This is evidence that there is a need for an organization to place greater emphasis on women and African American owned direct sellers and their companies.

With the complexities and expense involved with starting a direct sales company, there has not been an opportunity for individuals to receive professional coaching, resources, and education on a shoestring budget...until now.

"I started The Multicultural Direct Selling Alliance because I wanted to elevate and diversify the business of direct selling. I became aware of a great number of African American owned and smaller direct sales companies that offered wonderful products and opportunities, yet no one had ever heard of them, " said Veronica Easterling-Thomas, founder and CEO of the alliance network.

As a direct seller for 14 years and a leader in the industry, Thomas started coaching women who had their own brand of product and wanted to create a direct sales model or distribution program for their companies. With clients such as Indigofera, Inky Loves Nature, Nirini Candles, and more recently the Black Enterprise nominated Teenpreneur, Eden Body Works, Thomas is developing a large portfolio of clients contributing to the economic development of women, African Americans, and other minority groups.

"’The word "multicultural" denotes the practice of giving equal attention or representation to the cultural needs and contributions to all in a group- special emphasis may be given to minority groups under represented in the past.’ So, the MDSA (Multicultural Direct Selling Alliance) is for everyone, but greater emphasis will be place on minority companies and their sales representatives," says Thomas.

Labeled as a direct selling marketing consultant, Thomas offers memberships, project development, consulting and coaching services, and a host of resources to assist direct sales, multi level marketing, and distribution companies. The MDSA also offers advertising, personal coaching, resources, and soon books and CDs for direct sellers. "Having been a direct seller for a number of years, I recognize the importance of training and motivating independent sales representatives," Thomas says, "the owners of these companies can turn to the MDSA and locate training resources, including myself, to assist their sales reps. And the direct sellers can take advantage of the resources and advertising that's included in the membership. I realized that it is unnecessary to repeat what's already been said, so I'd rather share these resources and knowledge with others to help them achieve success in their direct sales business."

About Veronica Thomas Veronica Thomas is a direct seller of 14 years and has represented companies such as Home Interiors and Gifts, Jafra Cosmetics International, and was a Unit Leader in Avon during her direct selling career. Disappointed in the lack of products catering to African Americans, she decided to look for an African American owned direct sales company. Fascinated in the number of such companies, she quickly became disappointed in the lack of exposure that these companies were given. She decided to start a consulting practice when a company that she felt was the "next Warm Spirit" failed because of the owner's lack of experience in the direct selling industry. Thus, in February 2006, Multicultural Direct Selling Alliance was formed. Utilizing her experience as a direct seller, Veronica decided to name her consulting CASE Coaching which means Confidence Achieves Success and Excellence. Veronica is also a member of the International Association of Coaches, the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce, and serves as an editor for the Bella Online community. She has been a guest speaker on company conference calls as well as held her own teleclass, The Secrets of Direct Selling. She is also the author of the Ebook Direct Sales Makes Cents, due for a May 2007 launch. January 2007 will be the release of her weblog, Speak On It- Direct Selling Product Review. It is the first product review blog for products of direct selling companies.