Those roots are working for the rapidly growing direct-seller that will bring a distribution center to Springfield.
The company started in 2003 in the basement of Monroe’s Chattanooga, Tenn., home. It shipped its one-millionth order in November, according to the company.
Just five months later, Thirty-One shipped order No. 2 million.
To meet this growing demand and to support its network of 35,000 independent consultants who sell the company’s purses, totes and other gift accessories nationwide, the company will hire at the center 500 new, full-time employees over the next few years, according to development agreements released this week.
The goal of the new Springfield distribution center is quick turnaround on this personalization and shipment of ordered items, Chief Administrative Officer Scott Cottrill said at Tuesday’s Springfield City Commission meeting.
“The heart and soul of Thirty-One are the people: from home office and distribution center employees to our 35,000 independent consultants, we all work together to create a life-changing opportunity for thousands of women,” Monroe said.
The company is named after the Biblical passage Proverbs 31 which the company interprets to “celebrate hard-working women who are compassionate, giving and inspiring to their families and the people around them.”
Setting Thirty-One apart from other direct selling companies like Avon and Tupperware is the company’s personalization of many of its products, according to Monroe.
The company offers embroidery and laser etching for customers to personalize approximately 330 seasonal products offered in spring/summer and fall/winter catalogs.
Quickly propelled to the top of the most popular list was the large utility tote, introduced in 2010.
Another popular product is the skirt purse, a base purse with options of skirts to change the look and style of the purse. “Skirt purse is iconic to our brand because it’s functional and stylish,” company spokeswoman Nicolle Racey said.
Monroe also credits the company’s “family culture” to its success.
“As a family, we celebrate the milestones together. We encourage each other through the growing pains and we are rewarded everyday with the chance to share all the blessings with others,” Monroe said.
“Our entire team is focused in helping our independent consultants succeed in their businesses,” Monroe said. “When someone joins our family as an independent consultant, we offer training and incentives to keep their business thriving.”
Not only does the company try to maintain that family culture, but it truly is a family business, Monroe said. “My husband, Scott, is the chief brand officer. There are about 20 families that moved up to Columbus from Tennessee with us.”
The company’s products initially came from off-off-the-shelf suppliers.
“But over time, we learned we could design on-trend and stylish products that no only looked fabulous and could be personalized, but they served a function,” Monroe said. “Function is key when it comes to the design of all our products.”
“I would tell a potential Thirty-One consultant to go for it,” Monroe said. “We are here to help them achieve their dreams and cheer them on as they build lifelong friends and experience unparalleled support.”
Staff Writer Samantha Sommer contributed to this report
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