Riding the Wave of the Gig Economy: A Front-Row Seat to Opportunity
Published on TalkGigs.news, May 16, 2025
I’ve been in this game a long time—long enough to see the tides shift from dial-up modems to digital empires, from print magazines to podcasts that reach millions. As the Beachside CEO, Editor-in-Chief of TalkGigs.news, and, as of this week, Co-Publisher of Home Business Advertiser (soon to be Income Opportunity magazine), I’m more excited than ever about where we’re headed. The gig economy is booming, and I’m here, pen in hand, to chronicle the stories of everyday people taking their futures into their own hands. Let me take you behind the scenes of my latest news roundup and share why I believe we’re living in a golden age for Main Street entrepreneurs.
For 25 years, I’ve been writing for Bob Schwarz at Home Business Advertiser, a publication that’s now hitting 32,000 subscribers. Back in the day, Bobby and I were friendly rivals—him at Cutting Edge, me running ProStep. Today, we’re teammates, helping people navigate the wild world of network marketing, affiliate programs, and small business ventures. Print may sound old-school in a digital age, but it’s making a comeback. Something about holding a magazine, flipping through stories of real people building legacies, still resonates. And that’s what Income Opportunity will be about when we relaunch its 250th edition—celebrating the backbone of the global economy: middle-income entrepreneurs, no matter where they’re from.
But let’s dive into the news, because the gig economy isn’t slowing down. First up, Blake Malins, a name that carries weight in direct sales. From humble beginnings in network marketing to building Vitalis (which once held 7% of the diet market), Blake’s now the Chief Strategy Officer and President of Protocol at Herbalife—one of the top revenue-generating direct sales companies out there. He and his team are navigating Herbalife’s acquisition of Protocol from LaCore Enterprises, all while rebuilding their personal lives after losing their California home last year. Blake’s also hosting a killer podcast for Direct Selling News called The Shift proves you can lead, inspire, and still find time to talk shop. Hats off to a guy who’s living the hustle.
Then there’s Nature’s Sunshine, which made waves by appointing Heidi Wissmiller as chairman of the board. In an industry where nearly 80% of participants are women but corporate leadership often skews male, this move feels like a big win. It’s a signal that the glass ceiling is cracking, and I’m all for it. Meanwhile, AdvoCare, a veteran in direct sales, just named John Pino as President of Integrated Marketing. After stepping away from network marketing a few years ago—paying off an FTC fine and pivoting to an affiliate model—AdvoCare’s still thriving. Their “clean” products, safe for high school, college, and pro athletes, set a standard others could learn from.
Over at eXp Realty, Felix Bravo’s promotion to Managing Director of International caught my eye. Their Q1 2025 earnings report shows $954 million in sales, up slightly despite an $11 million net loss. The real estate market is flat, with 89,643 transactions (down 2% from last year), but revenues are up 4% thanks to higher home prices. It’s a mixed bag, but eXp’s holding strong. ZenZeno, a European network marketing gem, posted a 54% year-over-year revenue jump, hitting $102 million from January to April 2025. Their acquisition-driven model, led by former field leaders, is a masterclass in scaling smart. (Check out their CEO’s recent interview—I’ll link it on TalkGigs.news.)
LifeVantage, another company I’ve watched since its scrappy startup days, reported a 21% revenue increase in Q3 2025, hitting 58.4% growth. Despite past turbulence—CEO changes, lawsuits—they’ve stayed true to their vision. The Real Brokerage Inc. crushed it with a 76% year-over-year increase, clocking $354 million in Q1. And Super Patch Company’s new Head of Athlete Relations, Stanica Graham, is helping push their unique patch-based wellness products (full disclosure: I’ve tried a few; some worked for me, others didn’t—DNA’s a funny thing).
Not every story’s a win, though. Nu Skin’s $364 million in 2025 revenue marks a 12.7% drop, while Cosway, an international player, bucked the trend with $840 million and a 17% increase. Partner.Co, reborn from the ashes of Tahitian Noni, is a comeback story. After near-bankruptcy, their equity team rebranded, partnered with the field, and launched a 28-day weight-loss challenge that’s got everyone buzzing. It’s a reminder: align corporate and field DNA, and magic happens.
Then there’s Nueva, a brand-new venture by my old friends Brian McMullen and Tim Howsden. These guys, who once bought a million leads a month from me at ProStep, are launching big. Brian, a protégé of MLM watchdog Rod Cook and a fellow board member at the Association of Network Marketing Professionals, is an advocate through and through. Nueva’s pre-launch has already drawn 10,000 reps, with a comp plan finalized last week and products dropping soon. My only hope? That they remember the partnership between reps and corporate—a lesson too many companies forget.
Speaking of lessons, I get asked all the time: “Troy, how do you pick these stories? Are companies paying you?” Here’s the deal: We scour Direct Selling News, MarketWatch, and company press releases—anywhere we can find credible updates. We’re not here to shill; we’re here for wisdom journalism. Whether it’s a startup like Nuvia or a giant like Herbalife, we highlight what you can learn. Success stories? Great—steal their playbook. Legal troubles? Even better—avoid their mistakes. My advice to startups: don’t just copy someone’s comp plan or policies. Hire experts, build a true partnership with your reps, and protect your house.
The industry’s consolidating, no doubt. Privately held companies like Isagenix or Modere (which went from convention highs to shuttering overnight) keep us guessing. Public companies are easier to track, but surprises still lurk. At TalkGigs.news, we’re committed to keeping you in the know—whether it’s a network marketing win, a small business launch (like my friend Jeff Welch’s handmade wooden products or a young lady’s art therapy studio), or a cautionary tale.
Got a story? A tip? A company doing big things? Drop it in the comments, DM me, or send it to our PR team. We can’t cover everything, but we’ll do our best to amplify what matters at TalkGigs.news and in the pages of Income Opportunity. This is about you—Main Street entrepreneurs, the backbone of the economy. Live well, finish strong, and let’s keep building legacies together.
Troy Duly is the Beachside CEO, Editor-in-Chief at TalkGigs.news, and Co-Publisher of Home Business Advertiser. Follow him for weekly insights into the gig economy and beyond.
