How many times did I say that? I can't even remember or attempt to count. Said it out loud, at "parties", workshops, in my head...all the places.
But they weren't. They aren't. None of them.
Did they all have great products? YES. I still think Stampin' Up!, Homemade Gourmet and Young Living have great products. Even the companies from which I simply purchased over the years...Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Creative Memories, Close to My Heart, Younique...so many. They all have wonderful products. But they aren't the only ones. And quite honestly, they are all more expensive than non MLM companies in the long run...and many times in the short run.
Do I still use the products? I use what I have on hand, absolutely.
I have many items from Pampered Chef I will use until they break or I no longer have need of them. They are great products.
I will use my Tupperware until I don't need it. Which let's face it, that stuff lasts forever so it'll outlive me lol!
I no longer use the scrapbook products as I've moved to digital and just plain photo albums again.
Oils? I still have a drawer of Young Living and will use them till they are gone. But I am not purchasing any new products. Even as simply a customer. I just can't right now, I don't feel good about it. It's like I see myself climbing on my best friends back to just get ahead and that's not who I am.
I don't feel good about using others to succeed. Not just from their purchases like a normal business, but knowing they are usually just as strapped for cash I am and really can't afford to keep ordering. So that's why you sign up to be a distributor right? Because then it's cheaper? Well...no. Yes, it's cheaper for YOU in the way you get your own personal products...but only because you're asking another strapped for cash friend to spend money on the products so you can get something cheaper or for free.
This is how it goes...
Sally signs up under me for Young Living...I get a commission on her signing up and she gets a fabulous kit of oils to start on her own health and natural journey. I know she wants to learn all there is, so I start sharing all the benefits. (And honestly, I believe in these products so much at the time that I am completely transparent. I never tried to hide my intentions, I TRULY wanted to see everyone learn what I was learning and use these incredible products).
Back to Sally...I invite her to my Facebook education group. I invite her to ask a few friends over so we can share with them. They need to know how to be healthy in a more natural way also! Even with the best of intentions, I'm coaxing her to spend more every month so we both get freebies. I mean...if you just spend $100 a month, you get a free oil AND you get a check on anyone's orders under you. Win win! Except it isn't at all.
Then she naturally has a friend or two sign up under her and bam...we both get a cut. The friends get the fabulous kits and are on their way to healthy lifestyles. The more we have in our downlines, the more we each make...but we are truly so sold out on our products and their benefits we seriously think we are making the world a better place.
And maybe we are in our own small ways. I am not saying any of us are bad people AT ALL. I believe God can and does work through us in the best and worst paths of our lives. I know He used me many times during my MLM days to share Him with others who may not have known Him. BUT I now believe He wouldn't want me going into debt all the while claiming I was doing His work. I don't think most people who start these companies have bad intentions...it's just the way the system works. But it's not a good system. It's all about you, me, doing the work, hustling...by asking our close friends and family to spend money so we can make money.
Here's where it breaks down...Sally's husband doesn't realize she's using a credit card for most of her expenses and products, even though they are tax deductible because it's a business now. She keeps records but still has a loss at the end of the year once she adds up every penny she has spent on gas, conventions, trips, workshops, mailouts, products to share, products to gift, stock on hand for the compaines that require it, etc... that $50 to $200 commission check doesn't cover the truth of what's been spent overall. Credit card hits the limit...but Sally loves her company and the friends she has made in it...heck more than friends, sisters and family. So she keeps going. She's making money right? Checks to prove it. Free products to prove it. "Free" trips to prove it. But she's really not. They aren't really free.
This is not everyone's story, but it was mine. It did not make for a happy marriage for awhile. Hiding things wasn't good. Spending money to make money wasn't good.
Yes, I know it has to happen in most businesses, especially if you strike out on your own and become a regular small business owner, but not off the backs of your friends and family, leaching from them what they didn't have to spend.
Again...yes, ALL companies will be supported by friends and family members, but in an MLM business, the only way you can truly succeed and reach the higher levels is on the backs of your friends and family members. You rarely, if ever, get strangers to sign up under you so you can make money off of their orders.
Hear that again...the only way you can truly succeed in an MLM is ON the backs of your family and friends.
Why is that Platinum leader reaching out to you? Because she needs you to hustle more people under you so she can get paid more.
Why is that Gold leader you've never met texting "Hey Girl...we have a new product you might like"...after you stopped using the product 6 months ago? Because she needs you to buy more product so she can get paid more.
It's that simple. And it's unhealthy. Or it was for me.
So...this is where I am right now. I currently steer away from even buying any products that I know are MLM based. It just feels icky. And honestly, I'm tired of the guilt from "not supporting my friend's girl boss business...she's only trying to support her family...". I get it, I truly do, because I've done it.
But ladies...not many succeed. And in the end, the ones who do, are left with friendships only in the company. Which aren't true in the long run because if you leave the company...guess where those friends go if they weren't friends before you started? And many of your normal life friends have grown tired of the "hustle".
That Silver leader you think has your back? She griped out a long time friend of hers for signing up under you instead of her. But because you're in her "group", you will never know that from the wonderful supportive way she treats you. I mean she's higher in the company than you so she's to be followed, right?
I'll stop here for tonight. It's a lot for me to process, apologize for, step on toes but not step on toes...it's a lot. So bear with me as I slowly work through these posts.