Melaleuca: The Wellness Company
Private Company
About Melaleuca: The Wellness Company
Melaleuca: The Wellness Company
Melaleuca: The Wellness Company, headquartered in Idaho Falls with facilities in Rexburg, is a leading household goods and wellness company. Founded in 1985, it offers over 400 eco-friendly, affordable, and effective products, including personal care, home care, nutrition, essential oils, baby care, and cosmetics. Melaleuca has grown to become the largest e-commerce company in Idaho, operating in 20 countries and serving millions of customers.
Economic Impact in Idaho
Melaleuca is Idaho’s fifth-largest private employer, sustaining nearly 7% of jobs in Bonneville, Jefferson, and Madison Counties. Most jobs created by Melaleuca are based in East Idaho, showcasing the company’s strong ties to the local community. It has been a vital advocate for Idaho farmers and ranchers, supporting long-term solutions for water rights and addressing agricultural challenges.
Consumer Direct Marketing
Melaleuca is one of the largest consumer packaged goods companies in the US, developing and manufacturing its own wellness products. Additionally, Melaleuca’s business model employs a proprietary concept called Consumer Direct Marketing, whereby customers purchase products directly from the company rather than through retail stores or resellers. This marketing method relies on a customer referral program, which about 18% of shoppers participate in. Anyone can introduce others to Melaleuca and earn commissions based on their referrals’ purchases. This word-of-mouth approach rewards customers for sharing the online shopping club with others. The company has paid out more than $7.5 billion to families for sharing Melaleuca products with their friends and neighbors.
Community Contributions
Through the Melaleuca Foundation, the company partners with nonprofits like the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and local food banks. It has donated over 24,000 pounds of beef to the Idaho Foodbank and funded the construction of the Melaleuca Event Center at the Bonneville County Fairgrounds. Annual events like the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi, honor veterans and service members.
Idaho Policy Advocacy
Melaleuca played a pivotal role in passing the Idaho Patient Act, protecting patients from unfair medical billing practices. The company also supports bipartisan political efforts, hosting events at its headquarters and contributing to various state-level initiatives and candidates.
Recognition and Accolades
Melaleuca has received numerous awards, including Forbes’ “Best Employers in America” and the Idaho Business Review’s Empowering Women Award. It has been inducted into the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame and recognized for innovation and manufacturing excellence.
News Stories
Melaleuca hosts the Freedom Celebration over the Snake River each year for Independence Day. The fireworks show is always accompanied with music and live narration. Last week, the company's former CEO, Frank VanderSloot, used the platform to draw attention to an ever-growing issue in the region — water curtailment.
Gov. Brad Little signed the Idaho Patient Act Monday alongside the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Kelly Anthon (R-Burley) and Rep. Jason Monks (R-Nampa). The Idaho Senate sent the legislation to the governor’s desk with a vote of 32-1 earlier this month after the House approved the bill with a 49-20 vote.
“I am thrilled that these bad actors are going to be stopped from their egregious actions of turning medical debts into attorney bills,” Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot said. “My only regret is that the law doesn’t go into effect until January 1. I fear that these bad actors will step up their unethical activities until they are forced to stop.”
Idaho Billionaire Frank VanderSloot is lobbying legislators to back legislation requiring doctors and medical facilities to make their patient bills timely and clear — and limit how much attorneys can get paid for helping collect medical debt under certain circumstances.
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