Lincoln MKX Presents BUSINESS: Cassandra Johnson

Wealthy Sistas host Deborah Hardnett welcomes brand strategist Cassandra R. Johnson, vice president at direct-marketing firm Compass, who explains the recent boom in her biz. "People are starting to grasp the value of having another stream of income. And as they really start to understand how the industry works, they're shifting their thinking about direct sales and network marketing. It's one of the few industries that's recession-proof. When the economy is struggling, this sector actually goes up as people look for ways to supplement their income," she says, adding, "I got the entrepreneruial spirit from my grandfather. He had his own carpet business. And he always paid cash for everything. Not a fancy man. But he worked very hard and always said, 'Get as much education as you can, Cassandra, because no one will ever be able to take that away from you.'"