Early Life
Frank Leonard VanderSloot was born on August 14, 1948, in Billings, Montana. He grew up on a farm in Cocolalla, Idaho, where he learned the value of hard work at a young age, taking on farm responsibilities from age 12 after his father began working on the railroad. To afford college, he worked various jobs, including selling cream and working on neighboring farms. VanderSloot graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1966.
Rise to Success
VanderSloot earned an associate's degree from Ricks College and a marketing degree from Brigham Young University in 1972. He worked at Automatic Data Processing and Cox Communications before founding Melaleuca, Inc. in September 1985. Melaleuca, a wellness company, sells a wide range of health and wellness products and operates in 20 countries. Under VanderSloot's leadership, Melaleuca reached over $2 billion in annual revenue. VanderSloot also owns Riverbend Ranch, a large cattle operation.
Key Business Strategies
Melaleuca's success is attributed to its direct-to-consumer marketing model and its focus on science-backed products and product innovation. VanderSloot's leadership emphasized debt-free operation and community impact. Melaleuca focuses on high-quality, environmentally friendly ingredients, providing an opportunity for additional income.
Philanthropy
VanderSloot is known for his extensive philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Melaleuca Foundation, which he founded in 2001. The foundation supports various charitable causes, including education, healthcare, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid. The Melaleuca Foundation has been the sole financial supporter of the Santa Lucia Children's Home in Quito, Ecuador, for nearly 20 years.