In response questions/comments about the company’s priorities regarding markets, the following points may help to clarify why international markets are attractive:
- The company’s Ambassadors operate on a commission basis, not salary.
- The importer pays for shipping.
- The importer pays for advertising in their market.
- The international markets have not required travel to establish.
- Samples provided to foreign markets have been proportionately less than for domestic markets.
- Stores in several countries have freight forwarding arrangements with agencies in Miami (for Caribbean markets) and Long Beach (Pacific) to receive goods by consolidation with other merchandise through shared wholesalers.
In summary, international business development has so far cost the company very little, yet opens the company up to the 95% of the world’s population that lives outside of North America. Determining whether their response to 1000+ is similar to domestic markets is both easy and helpful for long term planning purposes. Many companies do not have a legitimate international dimension. For these practical and cultural reasons, there is no reason to waste naturally occuring opportunities internationally.