The Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM UnFranchise Business Model

Providing Entrepreneurs Many Franchise Benefits Without All The Drawbacks
Written by: Rakesh
Building a Business Model Like No Other Before It

For more than three decades, Market America | SHOP.COM has led the way in the pursuit of innovation. What began as a small, home-based business has now flourished into a powerhouse operating in eight market countries, including United States, Taiwan, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom as well as Australia. Market America is an award-winning, global e-commerce and digital marketing company specializing in one-to-one marketing. With a mission to empower entrepreneurs around the globe to generate supplemental income, the company’s founding family designed the UnFranchise® Business based on retailing and everyday spending.
“Our intention was to create a means for any individual to convert their spending into earning and build a supplemental income through entrepreneurship. We developed a revolutionary tracking system and its capabilities evolved as technology progressed, creating an entrepreneurial business unlike any other,” said Loren Ridinger, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM

As Market America expanded into new territories, it ventured to grow its online presence. The result was the natural blending of SHOP.COM — a unique combination of talent, technology and marketability — with Market America. Savvy shoppers have access to millions of products on SHOP.COM, the company’s global, award-winning e-commerce site, including Market America’s exclusive products. In the time since Market America acquired SHOP.COM, over $50 million has been earned in Cashback for consumers.

“I think one of the keys to progress is having a proactive, forward-thinking executive team with a vision for the future and a plan to sculpt it into shape. But leadership can only take you so far: we also understand the importance of hiring the best and brightest minds in the industry who are committed to innovative thinking,” said Marc Ashley, President & COO of Market America Worldwide.

To make informed decisions which position the company for lasting success and continued innovation, Market America | SHOP.COM strives to be data-driven. In supplying entrepreneurs with the means to create a supplemental income built around everyday purchases, Market America keeps a pulse on the trends and changes that impact the global e-commerce industry and within each product category the company makes available through its Market America-exclusive brands – all critical to secure the UnFranchise Owners’ progression as well. These factors, among many others, ensure that the company is in high demand.

“The fact that our business was built on a revolutionary concept means we’ve been innovators since our inception. We started Market America because we felt the average consumer was at a disadvantage in the old marketing paradigms. So we created a new economic system that empowered consumers and entrepreneurs alike,” Loren said.

Despite their lofty aspirations and adaptations, the management team understands the importance of balancing growth and remaining true to their vision.

“You must have an eye on the future if you want to thrive, but you must do so in a way that allows you to remain true to the core principles and original mission of your business,” Marc said.

The Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM Portfolio

Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM’s Management Performance Compensation Plan (MPCP), which has been refined and improved for more than 30 years, is a lucrative and realistic business plan for entrepreneurs to generate a supplemental income. The MPCP balances profitability and stability, and makes success a reality for UnFranchise Owners.

One of the components that attracts new partners is the company’s valuable product offerings, including its superior Isotonix® brand, which has changed how people take their supplements, overall. The name, Isotonix refers to the unique isotonic delivery system that the full line of health and wellness products offers. Unlike pills and capsules, Isotonix products deliver nutrient dense solutions which move from the stomach into the intestine in a fast, controlled way. They’re also buffered to resist nutrient degradation and to be gentle on your system. Even more, best-selling Isotonix OPC-3® is the most powerful antioxidant supplement on the market today, and it’s also a product that has significantly contributed to the growth of the UnFranchise® Owners’ businesses — a win-win scenario!

“The UnFranchise Business model is itself perhaps the greatest creation of our company because it incorporates all the strengths and advantages of franchising, while eliminating all the weaknesses and disadvantages. We make it simple for people to become successful entrepreneurs, and we do that through the systemized methodology and systems of the UnFranchise Business model,” Loren said.

To continually empower UnFranchise Owners, the company has harnessed the power of technology and developed the UnFranchise Marketing App: a convenient resource and digital marketing hub for modern entrepreneurs. The app makes on-the-go business building simple and fun, especially with exciting new developments and features, such as SHOP LIVE. SHOP LIVE helps drive growth for UnFranchise Owners by turning online shopping parties into business-building opportunities.

Achievements & Awards

• SHOP.COM ranked No. 19 in Newsweek magazine’s 2021 Best Online Shops.
• SHOP.COM ranked No. 55 in Digital Commerce 360’s 2022 Top 100 Online Marketplaces.
• SHOP.COM ranked No. 80 in Digital Commerce 360’s 2022 Top 500 & 1,000 Online Retailers.
• SHOP.COM ranked No. 10 in Digital Commerce 360’s 2022 Top 500 Online Retailers Primary Merchandise Category.
• Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM is a two-time winner of the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.
• Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM became a BBB National Partner in 2022.
• Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM was ranked No. 13 in the Business North Carolina Top 125 Private Companies for 2022.

The Innovative Leadership Team

Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM is led by Loren Ridinger, the Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO. She is assisted by Marc Ashley, President & COO of Market America Worldwide, Steve Ashley, President & COO of SHOP.COM and the corporate team (most who have been with the company for 20 plus years).

Loren Ridinger was named one of the Most Inspiring Women Leaders of 2022 by Industry Era. She was bestowed the Global Gift Philantropreneur Award in 2019 and awarded the Women of Substance and Style Award from Fashion Group International for her continued contributions to the fashion and beauty industries.

Loren’s iconic style has established her as one of the leading fashion influencers of today. She has been named one of Vogue’s Top 100 influential women and Haute Living magazine’s most influential people in New York and Miami.

Additionally, her outstanding business accomplishments earned her the honor of being named Woman Extraordinaire and a Top 50 Entrepreneur by Business Leader magazine. Forbes featured Loren in an article recognizing her for her entrepreneurial and inspirational prowess, naming Loren’s blog, Loren’s World, a Top 100 website for women.

A humanitarian at heart, Loren loves supporting her family and friends’ interests and empowering people worldwide to achieve their personal and financial goals.

“Being innovative means helping people experience the future faster than expected, in ways they never imagined. To be an innovative business, you need a strong grasp of present capabilities and the foresight and vision to evolve their usage and leverage the adaptations that follow. Being innovative involves cultivating a corporate culture that encourages forward thinking and ideas until we ultimately forge a better way of doing something,” Loren said.

The People’s Company

Built on Product. Powered by People. This simple concept has guided Market America for more than three decades. The company sees people as the core of its business and the driving force behind everything they stand for.

“We strive to make decisions which benefit our customers and UnFranchise Owners alike, always putting people before the bottom line,” Loren said.

Their culture is one of friendship, mutual respect and admiration among team members. The company is like a big family or community of men and women with diverse backgrounds and expertise that come together to work toward a common goal. They collaborate with one another on a daily basis — focusing on encouraging each other to find the best solutions to positively impact an UnFranchise Owner’s business success.

“This is a big reason why we’re so successful. People sense it and naturally want to be part of something special,” added said Steve Ashley, President & COO of SHOP.COM.

The Company’s Growth and Challenges Along Their 30 Plus Year Journey

The company’s initial challenge was that it didn’t have a single physical product to sell — only a revolutionary business concept and the belief that this concept could be life-changing for entrepreneurs around the world. Their unwavering determination to manifest it into reality was so strong that they overcame a number of challenges and ultimately began to introduce products and services.

As a young business they underwent many phases and quickly learned the importance of developing diverse product lines that allow for flexibility and adaptability — something critical in a market with ever-changing consumer demand.

“Initially, our focus was on refining our systems and business model, but by 2010, we were ready to take the next step in the evolution of our business with the purchase of SHOP.COM,” Loren said.

The company has since been in the news as an online retail leader and hasn’t looked back. The key that unlocked the company’s potential was its steady pace of growth and perspective for the long term. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Loren noted.

“We look at every consumer interaction as an opportunity to learn, grow and improve. It is with this mindset that has led to a responsive, thriving business which has truly tapped into the pulse of consumer demand,” said a visibly proud Loren.

Unforgettable Milestones

• 1992: JR and Loren Ridinger founded Market America out of their home in Greensboro, North Carolina. This year also saw the introduction of the Management Performance Compensation Plan (MPCP).
• 1993: The first “major” company event was hosted with 46 people in attendance.
• 1994: Market America launched in Canada and hosted its first trade show in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia.
• 1995: The UnFranchise® System was introduced, and the first Preferred Customer incentive program launched.
• 1996: One-to-One Marketing and the company’s first website were introduced.
• 1997: Motives® customized cosmetics line was introduced. By this time, annual convention attendance exceeded 10,000, and retail sales reached $50 million.
• 1998: maCares began its charitable service.
• 1999: $100 million in retail sales reached.
• 2000: Custom websites for UnFranchise Owners launched.
• 2001: The new world headquarters and distribution facility was completed in Greensboro, North Carolina.
• 2002: Market Australia launched, and company retail sales exceeded $250 million.
• 2003: The Isotonix® Custom Cocktail and the nutraMetrix® for Healthcare Professionals were introduced.
• 2004: The UnFranchise Management System was introduced, along with TLS® (Transitions Lifestyle System).
• 2005: Market Taiwan launched.
• 2006: $1 billion in retail sales reached.
• 2007: Market Hong Kong launched.
• 2008: Motives by Loren Ridinger launched.
• 2009: Market America debuted on Internet Retailer’s Top 500 List.
• 2010: Market America acquires SHOP.COM, introduces Cashback program and is ranked as Internet Retailer’s No. 1 Most Improved Top 100 Online Retail Sites.
• 2011: The Shopping Annuity® was introduced.
• 2012: Market United Kingdom and the SHOP.COM mobile app launched.
• 2013: Lumiere de Vie® was introduced, and the company earned its first BBB award as the 2013 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winner.
• 2014: Market Singapore launched, and SHOPGLOBAL.COM was introduced.
• 2015: JR walked the tightrope on stage at the Market America 2015 International Convention, and new SHOP.COM credit cards were introduced.
• 2016: SHOP Local launched, and ONECART products became available on UnFranchise.com.
• 2017: Market Malaysia launched.
• 2018: Lumiere de Vie Hommes and the Shopping Annuity Brand were launched.
• 2019: Amber Ridinger-McLaughlin was featured on Vogue Taiwan’s cover.
• 2020: Amber’s Layered jewelry line was introduced, and the UnFranchise Marketing App launched.
• 2021: SHOP Live was introduced, followed by Pulse. SHOP.COM also added 11 cryptocurrencies as payment options.
• 2022: The Company celebrated its 30th anniversary. World’s Leaders Magazine featured Market

America Worldwide | SHOP.COM as one of the “World’s Most Valuable Brands in 2022.” Market America joined BBB National Programs as a national partner.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Community outreach has always been a big part of the company’s policy. Their business is unique in the entrepreneurial realm because at the heart of their success is the success of other entrepreneurs. It is this ethos that drives their CSR. The company officially launched the service and community outreach program with maCares in 1998 to make a positive impact.

“Giving back is a core part of who we are as UnFranchise Owners. And from the corporate level, we enjoy working with various community outreach groups to help make an impact either through product donations, service and assistance, or monetary donations,” said Loren of the organization’s charitable initiatives.

The company works with many charities, groups and businesses on a global and local scale, such as Family Service of the Piedmont, the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs, Cone Heart Health and Vascular Center, Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Backpack Beginnings, One Step Further, Inc., Northwest Guilford Area Backpack Ministry, Better Business Bureau Educational Foundation, Cone Health’s ConeCorps Program, Taipei City Homeless Shelter, Child Welfare League Foundation, Diaper Bank of North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank, The Servant Center and many more.

Future Outlook for Organization and Industry Growth

Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM’s Corporate Team sees the company as a future trendsetter that will stay ahead of the competition.

Regarding the company’s long-term vision, Loren said, “Moving forward, I see us as a leader in online shopping and an opportunity amplifier for entrepreneurs. We’re unique in that we serve the needs of both consumers and entrepreneurs, and this dynamic will only grow in importance as more people seek new opportunities for growth and development.”

Earnings depicted are atypical, and the success of any UnFranchise Owner will depend upon the amount of hard work, talent and dedication they devote to building their Market America business. For typical earnings, see www.market-america.info/mais.