How Amway weathered the storm, one sale at a time

    The company reaches a growing population of young sales reps, Skuba says. "Amway's direct-selling business, their model and the opportunities it provides for a highly-motivated young sales force, really tap into where China is today. China may be the most entrepreneurial country in the world."

    Amway is trying to take successful practices from its business in China and use them in other countries including India, Thailand and Malasia. The model should work, says Skuba, as long as these countries have a growing population of people interested in starting their own business, and trust in the word-of-mouth selling model. It doesn't hurt that people in these countries might need nutritional supplements that come with the stamp of approval of a foreign brand.

    Move over, Mary Kay. In the modern era of direct-selling, protein powder may be the new lipstick.