The Body By Vi Community Challenge to feed hungry children was launched in November of 2009. As of April 2010, the Body By Vi Community Challenge has provided over 139,000 meals to children in need across the US, Jamaica and Haiti. Ryan Blair, CEO of ViSalus, was interviewed by Direct Selling News regarding the Community Challenge.
Excerpt from the Direct Selling News:
“We comprise a diverse community of distributors, so for us, one cause doesn’t fit all,” says Ryan Blair, Founder and CEO of ViSalus. “Instead, we help out locally, wherever our distributors are located.” Their Body by Vi Community Challenge launched last November with a goal to purchase 100,000 meals for local food pantries and Boys & Girls Clubs, wherever their distributors see a need. “This project has exceeded my wildest dreams,” Blair says. “It aligns with the absolute core message to our field, so it is one that really resonates with them.”
The truth is, there really is no way to measure the benefits, because there is no proven connection between a company’s philanthropy and their recruitment and retention numbers. However, most executives will admit there is an intangible benefit, nonetheless. “From an entrepreneurial perspective, it raises the profile of our individual distributor within the community—increases their social capital—and spreads the word about ViSalus and all the good we’re doing,” Blair says.
The bottom line is that, innately, people want to belong to something bigger than themselves. “At ViSalus, we do consider it a tool of sorts,” Blair says. “Everyone’s selling something. If you stand for a cause and stand for helping someone, it helps to differentiate you from the crowd.”
Right from the start, the team of founders at ViSalus set out to create a company that was about more than just profits. The spirit of helping others is a thread that has run through the company from Day One. “Our causes help to shape people’s ‘whys,’ ” Blair says. “Above and beyond running their ViSalus business, our distributors host drives and events to help raise money to send our meal-replacement products to children. We have had overwhelming responses from people that their involvement has made a significant impact on their lives.”
With over 139,000 meals served already – it is clear that the Body By Vi Community Challenge is a massive success. If you would like to know how you can participate in the Community Challenge, please contact Community Challenge Leader Melanie Milletics on 727-565-2053.
Excerpt from DirectSellingNews.com : The Greater Good: The Unintentional (Business) Bonus from Cause Marketing
