We have Kirk Jowers in this week’s “Leadership Unplugged”. After working for doTERRA for seven years as first, Executive VP of EMEA and then, as President of North America, Kirk re-joined the company in March 2024 as its Chief Executive Officer.
Could you tell us about your education?
My education has played a crucial role in shaping my career and leadership style. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Utah and obtained my Juris Doctor degree at Harvard Law School. Perhaps more importantly, I have been blessed with several great mentors throughout my life who have helped me learn life’s most important lessons.
What were your past experiences before your current role?
No high school guidance counselor has nor will ever tell a student to follow a career anything like mine. Prior to working with doTERRA, I was working at the University of Utah, a DC law firm, and doing a lot of TV, radio, and media political commentary. Thus, for ten years I served in various capacities at the University of Utah as chief advisor to the Office of Global Engagement, director of federal relations, co-director of the Middle East Institute, and director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
I also spent twenty years in two Washington, DC, law firms and was a partner for most of that time with Caplin & Drysdale, where I provided legal, strategic and political advice to congressional and gubernatorial candidates, Fortune 500 corporations, nonprofit organizations, and five presidential campaigns.
Finally, I had the privilege of serving on more than 25 boards, organizations, and committees and served as a member of multiple gubernatorial, Attorney General, and congressional advisory teams.
I was initially drawn to doTERRA because of its Co-Impact Sourcing model. I believed then and know now that it can change the world for farmers, growers, and distillers in developing world countries. I was with doTERRA from 2015 to 2022 and was fortunate to return as CEO in March of 2024. For that two-year period between 2022 and 2024, I continued to consult for doTERRA and co-founded and was CEO of ADDAX Overland. I remain as Chair of ADDAX.
What do you consider the main factor behind your career success?
Intellectual curiosity, goal setting, hard and consistent work, and the unwavering support of my family. Throughout my career, I have embraced every occasion to expand my knowledge and skills and seized opportunities that did not seem immediately applicable to advancing my career. Many of my most valuable contacts have come from philanthropic and volunteer work.
My family’s and close friends’ encouragement, understanding, and belief in my vision and unorthodox career choices have been my anchor, providing the stability and motivation needed to pursue my ambitions.
Finally, I owe so much to doTERRA’s Wellness Advocates worldwide and especially our leaders in Europe. I didn’t know much about direct selling or essential oils when I started with doTERRA. Fortunately, doTERRA’s founders and these leaders patiently mentored me as I learned as quickly as possible what it takes for our Wellness Advocates to be successful.
Your hobbies?
I love being with my family. My wife Kristen and I have five children, three (going on four) grandchildren and two dogs. We love to hike and bike and take in all of Utah’s natural beauty. We also enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures and histories. Because of my position, Kristen and I can visit and really get to know our Wellness Advocates around the world. In just a few months, I will have been to South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Greece, Egypt, Japan, and Thailand. We love getting to know them and their customs. We are motivated by hearing their passion for doTERRA and their desire to help each other to grow. I also love to play tennis, swim, and play all types of competitive games.
How would you describe being a direct selling executive to an outsider?
It is the best job in the world, perhaps besides being a successful Wellness Advocate or world top ten tennis player! I feel very fortunate to serve our Wellness Advocates as they make amazing strides in their doTERRA businesses, lead their teams with love and dedication, all while supporting their family’s individual wellness needs. It’s an honor and a privilege to work alongside our amazing executive team to take doTERRA into its next phase of growth.
And your biggest challenge in a direct selling company executive role?
Keeping up with our Wellness Advocates. They are dynamic entrepreneurs who have taken us into more than 60 markets. Moreover, we source our essential oils from almost 50 countries and each country has its own unique dynamics. These forces keep us nimble and working hard to reach and then reset our goals. We’re constantly innovating in all aspects of the company and our business, at its core, is to develop stronger and better people and communities.
What would be your best advice to those who are thinking of joining a direct sales company in a corporate position?
If you love helping entrepreneurs succeed, joining a direct
sales company can be the most rewarding experience. You make lifelong friends and participate in almost daily miracles.
My main advice is to never stop learning. You need to understand the industry and the business model because this business is unique compared to traditional direct-to-consumer and retail industries. It is much more personal and peer-to-peer, which I love. I love the incentives for human connection rather than simply having a cardboard box thrown on your doorstep.
It’s also important to understand that all direct sales companies are not created equal. Do your research and ensure that you embrace the company’s products, compensation plan, and mission because you will not be successful if you are not all in.
I had been approached by other direct selling companies, but I was skeptical and was never tempted to leave my law firm and/or university positions. Then, I learned about doTERRA’s conscious sourcing efforts, witnessed doTERRA’s purposeful philanthropy work through the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, and Kristen experienced some life-altering health results using doTERRA’s essential oils. I love doTERRA and hope to serve it and its Wellness Advocates for the remainder of my career.
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Lovely article and inspirational too. Thanks for sharing