For those who are unaware, MLM companies sell products that encapsulate a certain type of lifestyle. The sellers for the company gain commissions based on how many products are sold and the amount of people recruited beneath them. The avenue of communication is typically through word of mouth by friends and family. The end goal for the seller is to recruit as many people as possible to then teach the replication of the business model at a rapid rate. Money is then funneled upwards as everyone does the same thing, replicate.
I was first introduced to Arbonne at age 18, the year before I went to University. Arbonne is roughly a step-up from Avon. The new and improved, Avon Ladies. I went to a friend’s house for a "party" and noticed the white Mercedes Benz parked out front.
After hearing from the presenter speak about the company and talk about how successful she had become… Of course, the car was hers; a physical product of her success; she then went on to tell us why these products are ‘the best out there’. Everyone listened intently. The skin-care and make-up products were brought out and shared around. The skin-care line I tried gave an instant feeling of gratification because it made my skin feel much nicer. It isn’t your typical drug-store cream, it’s different, it’s special.
The product descriptions promise a better everything for the future as long as you continue on their product path. The woman did what she set out to do, as a few people made purchases. She made me want to purchase the products even though at the time I couldn’t afford them, I wished I could.
During my second year of University, I was asked by my roommate to have a one-on-one meeting with them about Arbonne. I still didn’t know much about MLM’s or how they worked at the time. The way it was presented to me was enticing. I was an undergraduate learning Arts and Contemporary Studies at Ryerson University, because I didn’t know what final avenue to take. So, the idea of running a business with guidelines and products all ready to go strongly appealed to my lack of direction. The company offered incentives such as trips and cars (like a Mercedes Benz!) to the top team leaders. Those leaders would have many customers and business associates buying products and running their own businesses just like them, which is why they became successful. Something everyone wants, isn’t it?
They will all tell you why their company isn’t a pyramid scheme, but it’s still a pyramid system, no matter how you slice it. Those advocates follow compliantly because they believe in the system so much they would do whatever they can to support it.
So, after the one-on-one with my roommate, I felt elated and encouraged that something like this may be possible. I was certainly too young and too busy at school to commit the time and energy to building my own business. Doesn’t mean I didn’t try in the beginning. I bought some of the most popular products and I’ll admit they were pretty good. The skin-care did it’s job, though it was multiple steps and different creams both morning and night. The vegan protein powders and other supplements weren’t too bad either. But, the retail price of some of the kits were outrageous; well into hundreds of dollars.
I did end up hosting a couple parties with the help of my uplines (the people who recruited me). They assisted in hosting spa-like parties for my friends to try out some of the most popular skin-care and anti-aging products. This is a traditional personal business start-up gathering, basically; hoping people buy what you’re selling. It was all good and fun, but the prices were a big concern for my friends who all had school debt they had looming over them. There was no real future for me in Arbonne. I decided to move on from the idea and put my focus back on University.
While I was kept busy writing essays and studying for exams at all hours of the night, eating shitty food because you’re basically broke and on a budget, I was dreaming of living a wholly healthy life. It certainly wasn’t possible at the time.
The company that I really took to was doTERRA. Not only had I fallen in love with essential oils and the idea Holistic Health; they painted a dream before my eyes of owning a business and having more freedom.
Going into my fourth year of University, I was asked to attend a party hosted by a friend selling essential oils for doTERRA. I had already known that essential oils existed, but I didn’t know to what extent. I was offered the possibility to reconnect with myself through the use of these oils. I believe that this is a very important step to where I am today in my own journey.
I wasn’t at first interested in doing business, though. I wanted relief for a few health concerns I had. A woman sat down and told me an amazing story about what doTERRA’s essential oils had done for her physically and spiritually. She became my mentor in the company for a period of about a year, sporadically. She taught me a lot and showed me an example of a great mentor for an MLM company.
She did her job well; I walked away with the top 10 oils kit for $180, with tax included of course. That’s a lot for a young 20 something year old woman. Regardless, I spent the money anyways because I wanted an alternative solution to relieve my chronic pain other than over the counter medication.
Back to the business side of things; every excited, new and potentially successful business owner in a company like doTERRA is encouraged to talk to their friends, families and communities. I think I scared mine away, and tired them out with my multiple attempts of starting up a business like this. So, things kind of fell to the wayside — again.
Things were quiet for a while with doTERRA. A couple people close to me got involved on a small scale and began incorporating essential oils into their lives. That’s the end goal right? Well, in the eyes of an MLM, that’s not enough to achieve any kind of commission. You need to speak to a thousand more people and sell a hell of a lot more.
Seeing as things were slow, another friend of mine who knew someone in a health and wellness company suggested that I get in touch. This is an example of the power of word of mouth and hearing it from someone you trust. It wasn’t a difficult decision in whether or not I should meet this stranger, I said, "Sure, why not?". The company is called Zija International.
Zija opened up a whole new realm for me in the world of alternative health solutions. Zija’s main product is derived from the Moringa Oleifera tree. This plant species is extremely beneficial to the human body. Zija’s main focus was directed towards weight loss. I’ve never had a problem with being over weight, but this company also had essential oils and workout supplements galore (much like Arbonne and doTERRA).
I sat down with the man my friend told me about and his wife to talk about Zija. This couple told me incredible stories about what Moringa Oleifera had done for them, their family and friends. The stories were presented like miracles had truly occurred on Earth. I was again, pulled in to something new, something different, something unique. Third time’s the charm, I thought. My mentors this time were in their 40’s with kids. They had clearly done well for themselves while working for this company. They told me that they quit their not half bad careers to pursue selling for Zija. Sounds like a pretty good possibility to me, don’t you think?
The company was called "elitist" by someone who I invited to a three way call with one of my mentors. That really stuck in my mind. As I spent time attempting to make the Zija business work, I came to find that the company did have more of a vibe that they were elite; material items were of prized possessions like the possibility of owning fancy Tesla cars. That’s not the vibe I want to be around. I have found myself moving towards a life of minimalism.
Every time I went through the motions of newly found motivation with a new company, I had set my expectations higher than the last time, to make it work this time; what a continual downward spiral that got me in.
The products I purchased from Arbonne, doTERRA and Zija were all designed to encourage repeat sales. I would consume the products, then need and want more. More is needed because these companies are so talented at advertising; your life needs to have these products in it.
All three companies have these things in common;
- A membership fee ranging from $30-$40 CAD first time, with a drop down in price by a few dollars for subsequent years. +
- An incentive program to push sellers to make sales. +
- A monthly order program designed for wholesale members with special offers and bonuses the more you order. +
- A discount ranging around 25% for wholesale customers and members. +
- Enrollment kits for ease of being introduced to multiple popular products at a special low price if you sign-up. Also with a little added pressure. +
- A promotional intro video that was meant to inspire, showcasing the company as something unique and incredible. +
- They encourage the idea of community, but also making money, consuming all the products and driving fancy cars. Make it replicable. +
- They offered natural health solutions to the most pressing health concerns. +
- Their followers are all devoted to the company and the products, they all have amazing stories to share about how resilient the body can be. +
- The products all cost a fortune.
What turned people off;
- Price
- Signing up / commitment
- Generally no interest in MLM’s.
- Generally no interest at all.
- Maybe my approach was all wrong; or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.
I believe good health shouldn’t be expensive to achieve.
It should be available to all demographics.
In truth, these companies offer something great if you follow their given blueprints step-by-step. But first, you must be a part of the demographic that can afford the massive mark up in price, and also, not care about it.
What I think turned a lot of people off is having another monthly product purchase. Most people I know are already paying a variety of monthly bills and the last thing they need is one more! For people that can afford to buy into the kinds of lifestyles that MLM’s offer, that’s great. For the rest of us, there are other ways to live a life free of toxins that doesn’t break your bank account.
An argument can be made for the amount of money that women, in particular, spend on themselves to make them more beautiful, or to make them feel better. I was one of them. I’ve come to realize now that it’s truly not worth it and I could save my money through using more natural, simple products that I make myself at home.
I’m striving to live a good healthy life now, even if that means cutting some costs and finding better, less expensive, natural solutions.
