When the Door Closes

Hey everyone, it is me, Lisa, and welcome back to another episode of The Other 99%. Today, I wanted to come on here and talk about things. As I’m recording this, it’s exactly one month since Epicure slammed the doors in our faces. And it took some time to sift through all the emotions and figure out what I wanted to do next.

I’m just going to take you a little bit on the journey because I think until you actually experience something like this, you don’t really know what to expect. I’ve seen many companies close their doors, and I always felt sorry and sad for the ambassadors dealing with it. But until it actually happened to me, I had no idea all the things that go on behind the scenes.

The “Ick” Factor

I want to start with the ick because there was a lot—A LOT—of ick happening. As soon as we posted about Epicure closing, my inbox filled up with spammy, impersonal messages. There wasn’t even a “Hey Lisa, how are you?” or “Sorry about what happened.” Instead, it was, “Hey, I heard Epicure is closing. Here’s what I’m doing. You should come over here because my company is better.”

It just didn’t sit right. And I’ll be the first to tell you—I was actively looking for another opportunity. I didn’t want to be left without a business. Funny enough, for the last year, I kept asking myself, Do I really want to be in direct sales? I love the training side of things so much more. But when the choice was taken from me, I realized—I do love this industry. I love the community, the connections, and the team-building aspect of it.

So, I started searching. But I didn’t like the ick in my inbox. I actually made a post on social media, and now I shake my head because my inbox exploded even more. But in that post, I was very clear—I asked for specific information (comp plans, policies, requirements), no pitches, just facts. Needless to say, I spent 48 hours sorting through messages. Some people followed the instructions, some didn’t, but I responded to everyone.

Never Again: Putting All My Eggs in One Basket

When Epicure closed, we didn’t get paid. No severance, no final paycheck. It was Friday, and our commissions didn’t hit. I lost my team-building bonus. It was a financial blow, and I know it was even worse for leaders above me who relied on it as their full-time income.

That’s when I decided—I will NEVER put myself in that position again. I jumped into a couple of different companies, but I was intentional. I chose ones that aligned with my values and had products I truly loved. Over the past few weeks, I realized that some of them just weren’t me—I couldn’t genuinely represent them long-term. So, I’m narrowing it down and treating my business more like an affiliate model—sharing what I love and letting people buy if they want to.

The Hardest Part: When the “Ick” Comes from People You Trust

The worst part wasn’t the outside ick. It was from people I knew, liked, and trusted. We were invited on a call, and the opportunity presented sounded too good to be true. And maybe I’m skeptical by nature, but I always take off the rose-colored glasses quickly.

What shocked me was the approach. It felt manipulative, rushed, and just… wrong. And it’s still happening. So here’s my message: You have the right to say NO.

Just because people from your team, or your upline, or someone you trust is moving in one direction doesn’t mean you have to follow. When you started your Epicure business, you did it alone, and you figured it out. You will again. If something doesn’t feel right in your gut, listen to that.

The Changing Landscape of Direct Sales

Epicure isn’t the only one. Color Street recently announced a comp plan change eliminating upper-level leaders and shifting to a first-line affiliate model. Leaders lost their paychecks overnight. And here’s the thing—those leaders kept their teams engaged. They did training, recognition, and incentives. Without them, what happens to the community?

More companies are changing their structures, and I predict we’ll see even more in 2025.

Moving Forward: Finding My Passion Again

One month later, am I sad Epicure closed? Yes. But am I excited about what’s next? Absolutely.

I’m most excited about The Spice Affair. It’s an affiliate model—no team-building, just sharing amazing products I love. My customers get 10% off every order and free shipping over $50. It aligns with what I was offering before, and I know my customers will love it.

Now that I’ve settled on my business direction, I can refocus on my Digitally Direct audience. My ChatGPT for Direct Sales workshop is back on track. I also picked up extra work with Oh My High, and I love it. I’m also considering launching a membership community for direct sellers who need tech and system support.

2025 is going to look very different for direct sales. More changes are coming. But no matter what happens, just remember—you can overcome anything. Don’t let one company’s decision take you out of an industry you love. Find your people, find your passion, and keep moving forward.

I appreciate you listening today. If you’ve been affected by a company closure, I’d love to chat. You can find me on Facebook at Lisa Duck. Thanks for tuning in to The Other 99%. See you next week!