Influencers Expose a 70-Year US Labor Problem: Kathryn Edwards

The holidays are upon us, and more than ever the burgeoning influencer economy is having an impact on what consumers buy. Few reliable statistics can be found concerning the influencer profession, but several studies suggest the industry is dominated by women in their homes selling products related to the personal brand each has cultivated. Think of the home baker who hocks cookware between recipe videos or the amateur gardener pushing products as she weeds.

Look beyond the slick production and you’ll notice see a 70-year-old hole in the labor market. That influencer selling skin cream is just another in ...