The Direct Selling Association hosted its annual Direct Selling Day on Capitol Hill in 2026. The event brought together 105 participants from 15 companies across 26 states and 59 congressional districts. Of these, 87 were independent direct sellers. They shared real stories about choosing entrepreneurial freedom over traditional employment.
Delegates urged lawmakers to support HR 3495, known as the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act. The bill would align the treatment of direct sellers under the Fair Labor Standards Act with their existing classification in the federal tax code. It has already cleared the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and sellers asked for a full House floor vote.
Participants invited members of Congress to join the bipartisan Congressional Direct Selling Caucus. This group helps lawmakers meet local sellers and better understand the challenges
and opportunities of independent work. The 2026 DSEF Growth & Outlook Study shows 5.2 million full- and part-time direct sellers driving $34.2 billion in U.S. retail sales.
Dave Grimaldi, CEO of the Direct Selling Association, stressed the importance of personal stories. “Across the country, decisions about independent work are already moving forward,” he said. “What’s being decided right now is whether people will continue to have the right to choose independence.”
Grimaldi became DSA President and CEO in January 2025. He previously worked as an ACN seller in college, then served on Capitol Hill for Rep. Jim Clyburn, as Chief of Staff at the FCC, and in senior roles at Pandora, the Interactive Advertising Bureau, and the Blockchain Association. His experience shapes DSA’s strong advocacy efforts.
Founded in 1910 as the Agents Credit Association, the DSA is a nonprofit trade group representing member companies that sell wellness, beauty, and home products through independent sellers. It continues to encourage direct sellers nationwide to share their independence stories with local representatives and protect the right to work freely.
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