OPINION | By Ryan D. Chamberlin, Member of the Florida House of Representatives and 30-Year Direct Sales Industry Veteran
In 1993, at the ripe old age of 19, I attended my first network marketing meeting. Like many people walking into their first presentation, I expected one of two things: either I’d discover the greatest business model ever created—or I’d learn how to politely escape a living room without making eye contact.
What I didn’t expect was that it would make perfect sense.
There was no lightning bolt. No choir singing in the background. No dramatic slow-motion handshake. Just a simple realization: this model worked. It empowered ordinary people to do extraordinary things, and it did so through relationships, initiative, and leadership—not corner offices or corporate titles.
That meeting didn’t just change my career. It changed my trajectory.
Over the next 25 years, I built teams across the country, served on corporate boards, and had the privilege of helping grow companies at the highest levels of the industry. I saw firsthand the life-changing impact direct sales could have—not just financially, but personally. Confidence was built. Leaders were formed. Families were strengthened.
But somewhere along the way, I realized something else.
Growth alone wasn’t enough.
Success without protection is like
Tag Archive for Florida Direct Sellers Coalition
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Florida Direct Sellers & Consumers Coalition Welcomes Aspen and Brent Emry to Board of Directors
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Sarasota, Florida – The Florida Direct Sellers & Consumers Coalition (FLDSCC) has announced the appointment of Aspen Emry and Brent Emry, co-founders of Florida-based Bravenly Global, to its Board of Directors.
The appointments follow the Coalition’s formal launch at the Florida State Capitol last week, where industry leaders, policymakers, and advocates convened to establish a coordinated framework focused on education, consumer protection, and legislative engagement for Florida’s direct selling community.
Aspen and Brent Emry are the founders of one of the emerging rapidly growing direct-selling companies in the United States. Their company, Bravenly Global, doubled in size last year, growing from approximately $50 million to over $100 million in 2025 annual revenue.
Based in Tampa, Florida, the Emrys bring more than two decades of experience across direct selling, executive leadership, and strategic growth. Their combined expertise represents a perfect balance of visionary culture-building, field development and operational excellence.
Their participation reflects the Coalition’s intent to include active company founders who bring firsthand experience navigating both field-level realities and executive-level responsibilities.
“As founders, Brent and I have seen the impact of direct selling when it’s built the right way.
“We’ve proudly supported the Florida Coalition since the beginning and are honored to now serve on the
Hot Business News Today
Florida Direct Sellers & Consumers Coalition (FLDSCC) Launches at Florida Capitol: A New Model for Advocacy
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The Florida Direct Sellers & Consumers Coalition (FLDSCC) officially launched last week with a two-day kickoff event at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, bringing together Florida lawmakers, industry leaders, company partners, and advocacy organizations for a coordinated effort focused on protecting consumers and preserving opportunity within the direct selling channel.
Founded and led by Gordon Hester and Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R) FL, the Coalition was formed to create a proactive, educational bridge between policymakers and the direct selling profession — one rooted in transparency, ethical standards, and an accurate understanding of how modern direct selling operates.
Direct Engagement With State Executive and Legislative Leaders
Throughout the event, Coalition leadership and participating members held in-depth discussions with Florida’s executive branch and legislative leaders, emphasizing fair regulation, consumer protection, and policies that preserve entrepreneurial opportunity without undermining legitimate business models.
Click to Watch Video (1 minute)
Legislators and VIPs in attendance included:
James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General
Jay Collins, Florida Lieutenant Governor
Blaise Ingoglia, Florida Chief Financial Officer
Sam Garrison, Speaker of the House Designate (2026–2028)
Mike Redondo, Speaker of the House Designate (2030–2032)
Rep. Fiona McFarland, Chair, Information Technology and Budget & Policy Subcommittee (Sarasota)
Rep. Danny Alvarez, Chair, Criminal Justice Subcommittee (Hillsborough)
Rep. Will Robinson, Chair, State Affairs Committee (Manatee)
Rep. Traci Koster, Chair, Civil