Highly regarded as a direct sales industry expert, Sue Rusch serves as a corporate advisor and frequent conference guest speaker. A successful entrepreneur for three decades, Sue is known for her business acumen and inspiring leadership style. As an active member of the National Speakers Association since 1998, she has served on the NSA-Minnesota Chapter’s Board of Directors and led the Minnesota Association as 2004-2005 President.
Sue has a strong belief in the positive impact direct selling success can make on a company’s brand, as well as the lives of field achievers and their families. Her award-winning book, SELLING IT SOFTLY, offers a compelling look at the business of direct selling. Sue introduces readers to a soft-selling style that delivers hard business results, drawing on personal experience and through working with leaders.
Sue’s sharp insights are drawn from a depth of experience on both the field and corporate sides of the direct selling industry. Sue lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband of 35 years, and they have three grown sons.
Career highlights include:
Consultant and speaker:
- Frequent speaker at National and Regional conferences, earning top evaluations from both corporate staff and field attendees.
- Workshop presenter at Direct Selling Association National Conference and DSA 101.
- Thought leader contributing strategic insights to DSA-affiliated companies
- Serving on corporate interview teams
- Supporting prospective,startup, and existing direct selling companies
- Partnering with Executive Team to restructure field training program architecture
Former award-winning independent sales leader:
- Known for building a field team of 1,500 in fifteen years with The Pampered Chef®
- Generated $19 million in team sales in last year in the field
- Consistent award achiever in Recruiting, Leader Development, and Organization Leadership
- Legacy Award of Excellence recipient. One of two charter inductees, celebrated for developing and implementing a business model for leadership success.
Former Vice President of Big Yellow Box by Crayola®, a Hallmark Company
- VP/General Mamager with full responsibility for the direct selling division’s performance
- Initiated programs to establish consistency in training philosophy and support core values
- Developed Corporate staff
- Created measurable improvements in startup success and retention
- Modified Career Plan to be in sync with company training principles
Author:
- SELLING IT SOFTLY, Hardcover book
- SELLING IT SOFTLY, Audio book
- Remarkable Recruiter Audio Program
- Intentional Leadership Audio Program
- Organized for Home-Based Success Co-authored Audio Program
Affiliations:
- Member of National Speakers Association
- Member of NSA-MN,
- NSA-MN Board of Director for five years
- Past President of NSA-MN (2004-2005)
“Quite simply, no one is more passionate about direct selling and Party Plan and can communicate the message better than Sue.”
- Gary Wright, Senior Management
Southern Living at HOME (2001-2009)
