When Your Direct Sales Company Closes: What Now?

If you’ve ever had your direct sales company close—or felt the need to walk away from one that no longer felt like the right fit—you are not alone. It’s disorienting. It’s emotional. And it’s a lot to navigate, especially when it wasn’t your choice.

In this week’s episode of The Other 99%, Susan and I shared from the heart about what it’s like to rebuild after the unexpected. Here’s a deeper look at what we covered, and some practical advice for choosing your next step with intention.

Grieve the Loss, Don’t Rush the Next Step

Let’s be honest: losing your company hurts. Even if you didn’t love everything about it, it was yours. It represented years of effort, growth, relationships, and probably a few (or many) milestones you’re proud of.

Give yourself permission to feel the loss. You didn’t fail. This wasn’t about you not working hard enough or being good enough. The company closing is a business decision made far beyond your control. You’re allowed to be sad. You’re allowed to cry. (I did, unexpectedly, many times.)

**Do You Want to Stay in Direct Sales?**

After a closure, it’s tempting to grab onto the next shiny opportunity—especially if everyone around you seems to be jumping ship in a certain direction. But stop. Breathe. Ask yourself:

Do I want to continue in direct sales?
What parts of my previous experience did I love?
What do I never want to do again?

Some people step back and realize they’re ready for a different kind of business or season of life. Others realize that while the company is gone, the work still lights them up. Either answer is okay. This is your decision—not anyone else’s.

Red Flags to Watch For in a New Company

If you do start looking at new opportunities, here are some things to look out for before saying yes:

High-pressure onboarding: If someone is pushing you to hit fast-start goals or rank right away, that’s a red flag.
Lack of transparency: If you’re not getting clear answers about the comp plan, fees, or expectations—run.
Overpriced products: Moving from $10 spice jars to $200 supplements? That’s a big jump. Ask yourself: Will my current customers follow me? Are these products that I will even use?
Pushy culture: If you like to do business your way (like I do!), find a sponsor or leader who respects that.

Questions to Ask Before You Join

Use these filters when considering a new company:

Are the products useful and a fit for my audience?
Do I feel good about the price point?
Is the compensation plan designed for long-term growth?
Can I earn more next year than I did this year?
Do I feel respected and heard by the person who would be my upline?
Is there a low-barrier or digital join option, so I’m not committing hundreds of dollars right away?

You’ll find all these questions and more in the free PDF guide we mentioned in the episode—linked below.

It’s Okay to Walk Away—Even After You Join

Here’s something I want you to hear loud and clear: if you join a company and later realize it’s not the right fit, you can leave. You haven’t failed. You haven’t let anyone down. You’re just learning and adjusting—which is smart business.

I’ve joined companies just to get a product at a better price. I’ve told sponsors upfront, “I’m doing this my way. No pressure.” And when it didn’t feel like the right place for me anymore, I moved on. You can too.

You Are Not the Same Person Who Started

Whether you stay in direct sales, pivot to something new, or take time to rest—remember this: you’re not starting over. You’re starting from experience.

The skills you’ve gained—sales, leadership, communication, marketing, people skills, and personal growth—are yours forever. No one can take them away. You’ve already come so far. Now it’s time to decide what Lisa’s (or insert your name here) 2.0 looks like.

We Made a Guide to Help You Decide

To help you process and make confident choices about your next steps, we’ve put together a free downloadable guide. It includes:

✅ Reflection questions
✅ Red flags to avoid
✅ Practical filters for choosing the right company (if you want one!)

👉 Click here to download the guide.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in this transition, please know: there’s no right or wrong answer. Only the one that’s right for you. Trust your gut. Give yourself time. And when you’re ready to build again, do it in a way that feels aligned, calm, and exciting.

Thanks for reading—and if you haven’t already, listen to the full episode of The Other 99% for even more support, stories, and perspective from both Susan and me.

We’re with you.

💛 Lisa