Direct Selling’s Glass Ceiling Shatterer: QNET CEO’s 25-Year Journey Comes to an End
The direct selling industry is witnessing the end of a remarkable chapter as Malou Caluza, QNET’s pioneering CEO, announces her retirement after 25 years with the company. Her transition from customer service officer to chief executive not only broke industry norms but also redefined leadership in network marketing.
“Everyone is born with a purpose,” Caluza often told her teams. She discovered hers in 1999 when she joined QNET’s customer service department, unaware that she would eventually lead the company through some of its most transformative years. During her tenure, she navigated the company through industry skepticism and market challenges, emerging as a respected voice in direct selling.
Perhaps what sets Caluza’s leadership story apart is her emphasis on authenticity in an industry often criticized for its approach. “Fear is nothing,” she reflects, addressing the challenges QNET faced. “Once you’ve learned and realized that you have everything in you to achieve anything you set your mind and heart to, fear is powerless.”
Her leadership philosophy crystallized during a personal health crisis when she faced cancer. Rather than stepping away completely, she used the experience to reinforce QNET’s community-focused approach. The outpouring of support she received from the global QNET network demonstrated the strength of the relationships she had helped build.
Under her guidance, QNET embraced transparency and regulatory compliance while maintaining its entrepreneurial spirit. “No matter how far we have become as a company,” Caluza emphasizes, “at QNET, we don’t ever forget where we came from and how we got here.” This balance between growth and grounding helped establish QNET’s credibility in key markets.
As she steps into her new role as Deputy Chairperson, Caluza leaves behind a company transformed by her people-first approach. Her legacy includes strengthened corporate governance, enhanced professional development programs, and a corporate culture that emphasizes ethical business practices.
“Being in service to others gives you the best life fulfillment,” she notes, summarizing her leadership philosophy. In an industry where success metrics often focus on sales volumes and network size, Caluza’s emphasis on human connection and authentic leadership offers a fresh perspective on sustainable business growth.
Her story serves as a blueprint for aspiring leaders in direct selling, demonstrating how principled leadership can drive both business success and industry evolution. As QNET begins its next chapter, Caluza’s impact continues to influence how direct selling companies approach leadership, community, and sustainable growth.
The direct selling industry is witnessing the end of a remarkable chapter as Malou Caluza, QNET’s pioneering CEO, announces her retirement after 25 years with the company. Her transition from customer service officer to chief executive not only broke industry norms but also redefined leadership in network marketing. “Everyone is born with a purpose,” Caluza…