Shelf Reliance is built on five core values

The Shelf Reliance Home Parties program is run as a direct sales program. This model is a proven system, and companies have found success with it for decades. The basic difference between a direct sales company and a traditional retail sales company is how funds are used. In direct sales, a large portion is directed to independent consultants, while retail companies must use that money to pay for large retail distribution channels, marketing, and advertising.

Steve and Amy Palmer - Founders

Steve is the marketing mind of Shelf Reliance. His leadership and business savvy have turned this former Inc. 500 company manager into a successful entrepreneur. Under Steve’s wing, with his vision and passion for success, Shelf Reliance has grown from a simple idea into a rapidly expanding company. Amy has been extensively involved in the development of many excellent THRIVE recipes. She holds a Community Health degree from Utah State University and is also a Registered Nurse.

Jason and Lindsay Budge - Founders

Jason is the inventive heart of Shelf Reliance. From the time he and Steve created the first garage-built prototypes of the Shelf Reliance Food Rotation System to perfecting the extensive line of shelving and food storage we have today, Jason has proven his passion for innovation and problem solving. Lindsay’s passion for cooking has helped her develop several successful THRIVE recipes. She holds a Masters Degree from Utah State University.

Rich Fankhauser - Chief Financial Office

Rich brings over 20 years of business experience to Shelf Reliance. With an MBA and a CPA, Rich began his professional career in public accounting, working for one of the Big 5 firms and later for several service, media, and consumer products companies. Rich contributes a strong background in direct sales from his many years of management and leadership as CFO, Vice President, and President of several prominent direct sales companies, where he was instrumental in driving significant business growth.

Jason Norton - Executive Vice President

Jason has over 11 years of experience in the direct sales industry and has a true understanding of what it takes for a business to grow from ground-level into a successful, thriving corporation. As a former International Vice President at a large direct sales company, Jason traveled the globe and learned to make the direct sales model work successfully in many markets.

Jeremy Taeoalii - Chief Operating Officer

Jeremy began his career working in the call center of a large direct sales company. After several years and many promotions in the call center, warehouse, and distribution center Jeremy moved to the IT Department, where he eventually served as Vice President. Jeremy has extensive experience in operations which allows him to build the infrastructure for exponential growth at Shelf Reliance.

People & Projects

Ecuador, Small Scale Agriculture

This project will reach 50 village families in Ibarra, Ecuador. Thriving Nations has partnered with The Institute of Self Reliant Agriculture and local universities to provide support and education to the participants. We teach the families proper farming techniques, so that they can grow their own farms, feed their children, and strengthen the entire community.

Cambodia, Rice Production

This project spans approximately 100 rural villages throughout Cambodia. 3,500 families are currently participating in the project. Participants will receive training about how to increase their annual rice yields. To date, these families have increased rice production by 279%.

Dominican Republic, Food Project

Approximately 1,000 subsistence farm families are participating in this project to increase food production. They have built 2.5 miles of irrigation pipeline to provide water for family farms, so they can grow indigenous crops such as avocados, mangoes, and bananas.

Mexico, Gardening Project

Six communities are participating in this project. They are developing demonstration gardens where poor families can learn to grow vegetables. Families that want to participate, work as volunteers in the community garden and then receive several containers of vegetable seeds to get started on their own.

Colombia, Family Gardening Project

A local university in Popayan, Colombia has provided land for a demonstration garden and classes where families can receive hands-on and classroom gardening instruction.