Faculty
Compensation Plan Design
Jay Leisner, President of Sylvina Consulting
Jay Leisner brings over 25 years of unparalleled business experience and success to the direct selling industry. His company, Sylvina Consulting, has provided business consulting and software consulting services to home party plan and network marketing companies since 1999.
Compensation plan design and evaluation, development of marketing and training materials, and direct selling coaching are three most frequently requested services.
Previous to launching Sylvina Consulting, Jay worked for 13 years with a major direct selling software provider as a software developer, project leader and business analyst to provide both startups and existing companies, in the USA and abroad, with customized software solutions to meet the requirements of their businesses. Along the way while helping them, Jay learned the secrets of successful direct selling companies.
In true entrepreneurial spirit, Jay’s decision to start Sylvina Consulting was driven by what he saw as a need in the marketplace for answers, advice, and solutions. His in-depth experience working with major companies and new enterprises, his broad knowledge of this marketing channel and his understanding of many types of businesses, have earned Jay the respect and admiration of direct selling companies, peers, and employees alike.
Branding and Social Media
Jonathan Gilliam, President of Momentum Factor
Jonathan Gilliam is President of Momentum Factor LLC, a renowned marketing & management consulting firm working exclusively with direct selling companies. His firm maximizes performance for clients by increasing revenue, inspiring brands, engaging field & customers, and multiplying Momentum. The mission? To build credibility, loyalty and authenticity to create environments for rapid, sustainable growth.
Jonathan’s core expertise surrounds all aspects of growth company management and marketing, including marketing, brand, technology and social media, with a primary objective of building a culture that resonates with distributors and “keep wind in the sails” of growth.
Most importantly, Jonathan believes in the direct selling industry and its power to help millions of people. With a unique combination of Fortune 500 marketing expertise and direct selling corporate experience, Jonathan has led marketing both inside and outside the industry, giving him a valuable perspective like few others.
Jonathan was Co-Founder of a successful direct selling company where he also served as Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to that he founded and served as CEO of a leading Internet security company, Marketing Strategy Partner with a national marketing consulting firm, and as a Senior Manager in marketing one of the world’s largest corporate consultancies.
Momentum Factor’s top direct selling clients include a billion-dollar services company, a major consumer products marketer, and a fast-growth nutritional, as well as several start-up direct sellers to whom he provides management and growth consulting advice along with marketing strategy and execution.
Jonathan lives in Austin, Texas with his lovely wife and three beautiful daughters.
Operations and Customer Support
Terrel Transtrum, Co-Founder of MLM Consulting Firm, Launch Smart
A respected advisor to MLM and Party Plan companies, Terrel’s career began with Melaleuca where he served for five years in charge of distributor service and operations during the company’s fast-growth curve to annual sales exceeding $250 million. Since then, he has launched, advised, and developed more than 300 companies, with an intense focus on achieving profits and growth through distributor service and retention. Terrel will be speaking about Operations and Customer Service, two important components to ensure distributor growth and retention.
Terrel holds degrees in accounting (Bachelor of Science from BYU), law (Juris Doctor from University of Idaho), and tax law (LL.M. Masters of Law in Taxation from University of Miami).
Sales Force Growth and Retention
David Taylor, Co-Founder of MLM Consulting Firm, Launch Smart
David has started, grown, and operated 6 private businesses ranging from national training to local retail. He also served for seven years as the strategic planning director of a 12,000-person engineering and technology firm. His passion and focus is in sales and marketing systems, growth and retention strategies, and distributor fast start success systems. He has served as an advisor to notable companies including: Herbalife, Creative Memories, USANA, Mona Vie, Avon, Nature’s Sunshine, and Pre-Paid Legal. David will be speaking about the top 10 growth and retention strategies when developing a sales force.
David earned an undergraduate degree in training and development and an MBA with an emphasis in marketing.
MLM Legal
Kevin Thompson, MLM Attorney
Kevin is one of the most sought after MLM attorneys in the country. He owns and operates The Law Office of Kevin Thompson and specializes in providing legal services for startup direct sales organizations. Named as one of the top 25 most influential people in direct sales, Kevin Thompson has extensive experience and helps entrepreneurs launch their businesses on secure legal footing.
Kevin is a leader and prolific contributor in the direct sales community. He has published multiple ebooks accruing over 65,000 reads and 2,500 downloads. He has served as a keynote speaker at the international direct sales conference in Amsterdam.
Prior to starting his law practice, Kevin gained valuable experience while serving as Chief Counsel for Signature Management Team, LLC, also known as Team. Team is one of the largest providers of sales aids for distributors in the network marketing industry. While at Team, Kevin worked closely with Amway and MonaVie’s compliance departments to ensure Team’s marketing materials passed regulatory review. He has the experience and tools necessary to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses on solid legal footing.
MLM Software
Mel Atwood, President of YourSolutions
Having succeeded at the corporate level and as a field leader, Mel brings a unique perspective developed over 29 years in the Direct Selling and MLM space.
At a very young age, Mel started selling door-to-door. He became a corporate trainer at 20 years of age, leading a regional direct sales franchise to the top franchise in the country. Mel led the development of several large multi-level sales organizations that each generated millions in monthly sales.
In the late 1990’s, Mel helped pioneer website replication technology and online marketing tools for MLM. In 1997, he founded YourSolutions.net, a Utah based MLM software and consulting company. Over the last 15 years, YourSolutions.net has become an industry leader in MLM software and technology solutions. Mel’s unique journey as a native within the Direct Sales and MLM world allows him to help others, at all experiance level, understand and make competent decisions regarding technology. His been-there-done-that experience make Mel a highly sought after consultant and technology expert.
Always a passionate contributor to the industry, Mel also serves as the Vice President of the Association of Network Marketing Professionals.
Consulting Services
Victoria Dohr, Sylvina Consulting
Before joining Sylvina Consulting in 2005, Victoria Dohr had an impressive 30 year career in sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, and telecommunications.
Victoria also had 5 years of direct selling experience as an Independent Mary Kay Consultant. Victoria helps direct selling owners and executives to stay focused on what matters most. She has been commended by many on her consistent follow-up that helps clients to stay on course.
Direct selling is a perfect fit for Victoria. She enjoys sharing her perspectives and suggestions with new and established companies. Her desire to help companies overcome issues and obstacles is not just a job; it’s a passion.
Accounting and Banking
Joe Craft, CPA, Craft Financial Solutions
Joe Craft, CPA/PFS, CFP, is a highly-regarded expert and trusted advisor in all areas of accounting and tax services. His specialties include tax resolution and representation, home-based business and entrepreneur taxes, direct-selling business taxes, and accounting advisory and consultation services.
Mr. Craft’s professional experience spans decades and includes high level positions in both large corporate and privately-held firms. That list includes Deloitte Haskins & Sells CPAs , Price Waterhouse CPAs, a large, regional CPA firm and serving as CFO for Financial Destination, Inc. His years of high-end corporate experience in tax planning and reporting led him to create Craft Financial Solutions, LLC, a full-service tax and accounting firm headquartered in Indiana. He is uniquely qualified to assist individuals and businesses of all sizes across every US jurisdiction with their tax planning and reporting needs.
Seeing a great need on the part of smaller businesses, entrepreneurs and MLM/Direct Selling firms, Mr. Craft’s firm has developed a devoted following by delivering responsive, high-quality services at competitive rates. His expertise also extends into estate and gift tax planning, and comprehensive and segmented personal financial services. Priding itself on building relationships that create trust, Craft Financial Services, LLC’s professional tax and financial services bring welcome stability and confidence to individuals and companies facing the challenges and opportunities of a recovering economy.
When Joe is not assisting clients or speaking for companies and organizations, he enjoys reading, traveling, watching movies, going to church, and spending time with his wife of 23 years and their three children. He is also active in raising money and awareness for several charities and non-profit organizations.
Independent Representative
Dixie Thompson, SFC, Ret
Born and raised in Mason City, Iowa, Dixie Thompson attended the University of Northern Iowa on an academic scholarship.
Dixie retired after 20 years in the US Army starting as one of the first women Military Police. She was stationed in Frankfurt am Main, Germany for four years and worked as a liaison officer with the German Police. Dixie later moved into Military Intelligence as a Traffic Analyst, Linguist and Cryptanalyst.
In addition to her distinguished military service, Dixie Thompson has over 25 years of experience in direct sales including Executive Manager with a large Party Plan company. Dixie is a Certified Trainer with her current MLM company. She is a member of the Association of Network Marketing Professionals and a Past President of the Las Vegas Chapter of the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance.
