QI Group is a multinational conglomerate founded in 1998 by Vijay Eswaran, executive chairman, and Joseph Bismark, deputy chairman, during the Asian financial crisis. The company has grown into a global enterprise with operations spanning various sectors, including education, luxury goods, retail, and hospitality. This diversification strategy has allowed QI Group to mitigate risks associated with any single market or business model.
Eswaran said, “We believed in what we were doing and in each other. And we believe in our mission called RYTHM — Raise Yourself To Help Mankind. And that is the foundation on which we chose to build what is today the QI Group.”
Understanding QI Group requires recognizing its complex structure, which combines elements of traditional business models with innovative approaches to global commerce and social impact.
But one question often arises:
Is Qi a MLM Company?
No, QI is not an MLM. It’s a multifaceted company that started with a simple idea and grew into a global enterprise by focusing on innovation, social responsibility, and sustainability. Its journey from a small-scale operation to a major player in the international business landscape has been marked by strategic diversification, innovative approaches to market challenges, and a consistent focus on integrating social and environmental considerations into its business model.
While QI Group operates a direct selling business that’s grown into a wellness and lifestyle company with thousands of distributors worldwide, this represents just one aspect of its diverse business portfolio. This aspect of its business, the foundation of its initial success, is a significant revenue generator, with millions of customers and distributors in over 100 countries. The company’s e-commerce platform facilitates the sale of wellness, home and living, health, personal care, and beauty products through this model.
In addition to wellness and lifestyle, the QI Group makes strategic investments in education, travel and leisure, luxury goods, and retail.
Global Reach
QI Group started as a modest e-commerce venture. Eswaran and Bismark’s vision was to create a business that would support thousands of livelihoods.
“Internet was changing the game for businesses and turning the world into a global village. I had found some success in the area of direct selling and was fascinated by its potential to develop micro-entrepreneurs,” Eswaran said in an interview with Leaders magazine. “My partners and I decided to marry the concept of direct selling with the then newly emerging concept of e-commerce.”
Eswaran continued, “The idea of being able to deliver products across the world to one’s doorstep was being revolutionized by Amazon at the same time. We just added the direct selling business component to it.”
QI Group’s influence extends across more than 30 nations, with a global workforce exceeding 2,000 individuals. The company’s expansion trajectory began in the Far East, establishing a strong presence in key Asian cities, including its registered headquarters in Hong Kong; Bangkok; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Manila, the Philippines.
From there, it strategically extended its reach across the Indian subcontinent, entering markets in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The organization then pushed westward, establishing footholds in the Middle East and Central Asia before venturing into the diverse markets of sub-Saharan Africa. QI Group has expanded its European presence with new offices in Frankfurt, Germany, and Dublin.
Social Impact
RYTHM Foundation, the social impact arm of QI Group, has made significant strides in community development and empowerment across the planet and touched the lives of more than 80,000 individuals across more than 20 countries through its diverse range of community projects. The foundation’s work is supported by an impressive 114,000-plus volunteer hours contributed since 2013, demonstrating a strong culture of employee engagement and social consciousness.
RYTHM’s global reach is evident in its collaboration with over 135 partners worldwide, which has resulted in the successful implementation of approximately 75 strategic projects. The foundation’s focus on gender empowerment is reflected in its impact on 63,000 women and young females through specialized programs.
Additionally, RYTHM has extended its support to over 17,000 youth and children through various initiatives. Guided by the philosophy of “Raise Yourself To Help Mankind,” the foundation aligns its activities with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing community transformation, volunteerism, and sustainable development practices.
A standout project is the Taarana School, an award-winning center for children with special educational needs. The school addresses the critical need for resources and support for children and their families.
In April 2024, Taarana School significantly promoted autism awareness by orchestrating its Walk for Autism event in Malaysia. This initiative coincided with World Autism Awareness Month. The event saw enthusiastic participation from Taarana’s students, their family members, employees of the QI Group, and numerous local community members.
The Safer Cities initiative, implemented in South Delhi’s Gautampuri resettlement district, is a comprehensive program to ensure the safety and well-being of girls and young women in urban environments. Spearheaded by the nongovernmental organization Plan India with support from the RYTHM Foundation, the initiative focuses on creating safe spaces for girls to move freely without fear of harassment or violence. The program encompasses various components, including educational workshops, self-defense training, and community outreach efforts to raise awareness about women’s safety.
Launched in 2022, the 36-month project seeks to reach a minimum of 12,000 individuals, primarily focusing on adolescents aged 13 to 18, along with their families and government representatives. Since its inception, the initiative has empowered over 750 girls and boys to actively prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Specific activities include digital safety walks, online and offline safety education, and self-defense training.
The Safer Cities program aims to nurture resilience, empower girls to pursue education and personal development, and challenge societal norms that limit girls’ opportunities. Participants are motivated to share their knowledge and skills with peers, creating a ripple effect that extends the program’s impact throughout the community. This holistic approach combines practical skills, education, and community engagement to create lasting change in attitudes and behaviors regarding gender-based violence and women’s rights in urban spaces.
QI Group exemplifies the potential of a business to achieve commercial success and drive meaningful social impact on a global scale. By intertwining business innovation with a commitment to social responsibility, the company has positioned itself as a corporate and philanthropic leader. This unique approach underscores the company’s dedication to fostering positive change, challenging traditional business models, and setting a new standard for corporate citizenship.
