Personal attention has long been a big piece of the retailer tool box, and it’s become even more critical in an era when customers demand what they want when they want it and where they want it. It’s something that Columbus-based Thirty-One Gifts believes is its competitive edge.
“I actually think we have the advantage here over Amazon or e-commerce,” said Cindy Monroe, founder, president and CEO of Thirty-One.
“We have understood the customer experience for a really long time.”
“We already understand how to connect with customers. Our biggest risk is going to far the other way into digital. The problem in online is it’s hard to create that personal experience. For us, if we do online, it’s still an online party where (sales) consultants are personalizing the product, helping (customers) create a gift.”
Thirty-One Gifts uses an army of sales consultants selling personalized boutique items in house parties as the backbone of its direct-sales business. The business recently went through a cycle of growth, decline and resurgence that Monroe spoke of during the company’s recent annual sales conference at Nationwide Arena.
A decade after its founding in 2003, company revenue peaked at $763 million.
In 2014, revenue dropped to $643 million, then fell again in 2015
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Thirty-One Gifts Appoints Jeff Dahl As President
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
Thirty-One Gifts has announced that Jeff Dahl has joined the company as president. At the same time, company’s founder, Cindy Monroe, will continue in her role as CEO.
“Our (former) president retired in June of 2014 … so our CEO took on that role and her title was founder, president and CEO,” said Sara West, spokeswoman for Thirty-One Gifts.
“She has developed some pretty significant, aggressive growth plans for the next three years, and so we brought (Dahl) in to help achieve those plans.”
Dahl has spent the past 12 years in the direct-selling industry, but has more than 35 years of experience working for companies including Amway, Coca-Cola and Lufthansa, according to Thirty-One Gifts.
“We’ve worked hard over the past few years to set Thirty-One on a path of long-term growth,” Monroe said in a press release.
“Jeff’s background, skill set and international experience will complement the strengths of others on our leadership team.
“With Jeff on board, I am confident we can take Thirty-One to the next level.”
Dahl was raised in Dayton and received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and his MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
About Thirty-One Gifts
Founder, President & CEO Cindy Monroe started Thirty-One in her basement
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Thirty-One Gifts CEO Cindy Munroe Inducted Into Enterprising Women Hall Of Fame
by Nicole Dunkley • • 0 Comments
Enterprising Women magazine has recognized Cindy Monroe, President and CEO of Thirty-One Gifts, with induction into the Enterprising Women Hall of Fame, an honor extended to one woman entrepreneur each year.
“We are honored to induct Cindy Monroe into our Hall of Fame for the important work she is doing to advance women’s entrepreneurship and create a lasting legacy in the women’s business community,” said Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women.
Monroe founded Thirty-One Gifts in 2003, aiming to create a business opportunity for women with families. Today, about 85,000 Consultants across the U.S. and Canada sell Thirty-One bags, jewelry and home organization products, supported by a corporate staff of more than 1,000.
The Columbus, Ohio-based company generated revenue of $643 million in 2014, earning the No. 28 spot on the DSN Global
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Thirty-One Gifts Plans Mega Product Premiere
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
Tens of thousands of guests are expected to flock to theaters across the U.S. and Canada December 5 for a product premiere presentation by Thirty-One Gifts. Guests will discover new prints and products Thirty-One will introduce in the coming spring/summer season, being unveiled publicly January 2.
The premiere will occur in 275 auditoriums and will provide sales training for Thirty-One Gifts’ independent sales consultant field of more than 85,000 people and their guests. The mass product premiere event is unique in the direct sales industry.
Thirty-One specializes in stylish and functional purses and totes, home organization solutions, travel bags, a line of artisan jewelry and much more, most of which can be personalized. They are the 28th-largest direct-selling company in the world, and 14th-largest in the U.S.
Thirty-One Gifts’ products are sold by more than
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Cindy Monroe: CEO Of $650 Million Thirty One Gifts
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Creating a new business outlet for busy moms while also appealing to working women who can’t shop during the day eventually landed Monroe on Forbes’ list of “8 Self-Made Women To Watch In 2015,” alongside Sandra Bullock and Jessica Alba, where her worth was estimated at $200 million.
The founder, president and CEO of Thirty-One Gifts has built her personalized purse-and-bag empire by understanding and appreciating what women want and need. As noted on the company’s website, “Thirty-One was founded on the simple premise of empowering women by giving them the opportunity to own their own business.”
Monroe’s success has been enhanced by also being able to tap into others’ expertise to help her develop as a woman business owner.
As Thirty-One Gifts looks to grow well past the billion-dollar revenue mark, Monroe put together
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Thirty-One Gifts Continues Rapid Growth – Fills Nationwide Arena
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
More than 10,000 women will turn Downtown pink this weekend as Columbus-based direct-sales powerhouse Thirty-One Gifts holds its annual sales conference at Nationwide Arena.
It’s a big deal for Columbus. City officials estimate that the convention visitors will spend $6.3 million by the time the conference ends on Monday. It’s so big that Mayor Michael B. Coleman has renamed Nationwide Boulevard Thirty-One Way, the street now sporting a new, bright pink sign.
But it’s also a big deal for the company, said Cindy Monroe, founder, president and CEO, during a break from rehearsals for the huge opening show that will kick off the convention on Sunday.
“We’re super proud of how the city has embraced the conference,” Monroe said. “The last couple of years, there’s been more and more awareness that Thirty-One is in town. Our
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Forbes Recognizes Cindy Monroe, Thirty-One Gifts, As One Of 8 Women To Watch
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Among mega names like Jessica Alba, Natalie Massenet, and Sandra Bullock, Forbes recognized Cindy Monroe, Thirty-One Gifts CEO, as one of 8 women to watch — giving the company even further credibility for their position in the marketplace. The article, which can be found on Forbes.com, states:
Here are more details on all eight women entrepreneurs and executives to keep an eye on:
Jessica Alba
$200 million
Age: 34. Residence: Los Angeles, Calif.
The actress has found surprising success in an unrelated industry: household products. In 2011, she cofounded The Honest Company, which makes non-toxic baby gear, cleaning supplies and bath and body products. She owns up to 20% of the company, which saw revenues grow from $10 million 2012 to $150 million in 2014. The company was recently valued at $1 billion.
Sandra Bullock
$200 million
Age: 50. Residence: Austin,
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Thirty-One Gifts Expands To Alberta
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Thirty-One Gifts expanded to Alberta, making the announcement on their website earlier with the following message:
Thirty-One Gifts was founded on the belief in celebrating, encouraging and rewarding others for who they are, and that mission is at the center of everything we do as a company.
Our Consultants are encouraged to empower themselves by building strong relationships that help create successful businesses, and friendships that last a lifetime.
We originally brought Thirty-One Gifts and all our values to Ontario, Canada, just over two years ago. Now, with the expansion into Alberta, we’re excited to extend the opportunity to even more women in Canada. Anyone who lives in Alberta is welcome to join our family beginning February 10, 2015.
Our entire product line, including Jewell by Thirty-One and JK by Thirty-One (coming this spring!) will be available to Customers and Consultants in Alberta.
This marks their continued growth and journey to the $1billion mark. A plan that they announced they had in 2014.
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Jewel Kade Joins Industry Giant, Thirty-One Gifts
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Rather, Jewel Kade will be joining the Thirty-One Gifts family.
“We’re thrilled to announce that JK has joined Thirty-One Gifts, the nation’s 10th largest direct-selling company.
Our Stylists now have the opportunity to become Thirty-One consultants, and share the company’s stylish and functional purses, totes, home organization solutions, and more.
Much to JK customers’ delight, Janet Kinkade will continue her passion for jewelry design with Thirty-One, and you can watch for Jewel Kade’s artisan style to debut in the JK by Thirty-One Collection in spring 2015.”
With the merge, Jewel Kade is featuring most items at 31% Off for a limited time, while supplies last. Jewel Kade’s custom items – Custom Charms, Poetry Custom Canvases, and stamped Magnolia Metals charms – will be available to order through December 17, after which they will no longer be available.
Thirty-One Gifts aim is to simplify life with a product line featuring utility, purses, totes, accessories, monogramming, personalization, women’s accessories, men’s accessories and more.
Look at what we’re bringing to the party from Thirty-One on Vimeo.
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Thirty-One Gifts Donates 250,000 Gifts To Today Show Toy Drive
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Cindy Monroe, Founder, President and CEO of Thirty-One Gifts, appearance on “The TODAY Show” announced their donation to the 21st annual TODAY Show Toy Drive.
The donation of 250,000* products is one of the largest TODAY Show Toy Drive donations in the country. With this year’s give, they’ve donated more than 1 million items, totaling $24 million in product. Thirty-One Leaders are helping distribute products to select organizations throughout the country.
Partnering with the TODAY Show Toy Drive has become a holiday tradition for Thirty-One Gives, the charitable initiative of Thirty-One Gifts.
*Thirty-One Gifts LLC’s maximum donation will be 250,000 products.
About Thirty-One Gifts
“Just over 10 years ago, Thirty-One was formed with a simple goal of helping women by giving them an opportunity to own their own business. Through God’s strength, we’ve built a family of individuals who feel women deserve to treat themselves and those around them to something special. That mission is at the center of everything we do as a company.”