We’re going to talk about money and Network Marketing (MLMs), friend. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a fun ride.
First off, let’s get on the same page about the definition of what network marketing (often called “multi-level marketing” (or MLM) actually is. (note: I’ll use the terms “network marketing” “multi-level marketing” and “MLM” interchangeably.) Just like every other kind of business out there, there are good ones and bad ones. A good MLM sells legitimate products and has a large percentage of its customer base that simply buys those products for their personal use.
The big difference with an MLM is that a customer also has the opportunity to “do the business” by becoming a distributor (seller / business builder). Those distributors act as the company’s sales force and get paid commission based on their results instead of the company having its own internal sales team. Some well-known MLMs include: Avon, Tupperware, and Mary Kay. They’re all set up a bit differently, but that should give you an idea of how MLMs work.
I have big dreams…
Now, let’s get into the point of this post: I’ve always had some big dreams planted in my head – but not enough funds to make them a reality. Can you relate?
This isn’t a post where I wax eloquent about how much I love essential oils – I do, but I’ve already written that post and you can read it any time.
When Barry and I decided we were going to start buying oils from Young Living after publicly saying we weren’t brand loyal, we thought we were going to keep it a secret. It became clear very quickly that we weren’t going to be able to do that. We knew a good thing – and you don’t keep good things a secret, so it only took a few months for us to decide that we wanted to become distributors as well.
Unfortunately, there is a bad stigma to some about Network Marketing.
Some even snarl their nose or look down at you like you’re lesser than. Maybe it’s because they:
- Dealt with someone who did that type of business REALLY BADLY
- Didn’t love the product they were sold
- Have never actually participated in any MLM and simply don’t understand how an MLM works, but have only heard bad things
- Got caught up into something that was actually a pyramid scheme (which is totally different than an MLM)
Network Marketing and Franchises: a little history
Here’s a fun fact. At one point in history, franchises were thought of in the SAME WAY as MLMs – as “lesser than” a traditional business model. Did you ever look at Chick-Fil-A and think, “Man, what losers over there selling their expensive chicken!?” Nope.
Barry and I have fallen head-over-heels in love with the business side of Young Living. It fits lots of our strengths:
- We love to work together
- We love to problem solve
- We love to teach
- We love to create relationships
- We love to brainstorm
- We love to encourage and be cheerleaders
I’m going to tell you 9 reasons why it’s the BEST business we have ever been a part of – and why it’s going to be our family business forever.
Here are our top 9 reasons why it’s amazing to be a Young Living distributor (business builder):
1. No Limit on the Income you can Earn.
See this income disclosure for REAL numbers (you can scroll to page 3 if you want specifics without all the intro info). While this bothers some, and they think it’s, “all the people at the top making all the money,” that’s not true. I make more money than several people who are my “upline” and therefore “at the top.” Your income is dependent on your results. Period.
Barry and I have BIG DREAMS of supporting great ministries. And this is how we are going to do it.
2. Our Business Can be Willed to our Children.
You heard me. We can will our Young Living business to our kids. That means, once Barry and I have a team and group established, our children can earn that money forever, even when we are gone. We are leaving a legacy for them. What other job offers that?
3. Free Vacations
Every rank you achieve, starting at Silver, earns you a free trip to one of the Young Living farms. You can walk the grounds, talk to the workers, see the distilling process, and plant. WOW. And before you make the “that’s crazy expensive” argument – realize that all companies send employees on trips – costing thousands of dollars, a few times a year.
Anyone who goes on a Young Living trip has worked their BOOTY off and earned it. <3 So far, we’ve been to Hawaii, Washington, Idaho, and Utah, and will be going to Ecuador later this year.
4. Free Oils
Occasionally Young Living runs contests, allowing you to earn free oils and other products. I got my first bottle of Rose essential oil this way. I also get freebies and a percent back each month if I order at least $100 in products on Essential Rewards (Young Living’s optional monthly wellness box program). Boom.
5. Freedom from “Work”
I am my own boss. I work when I want. If I have something come up, I can do my work later. I can take my work with me on the road. I can spend the day away from home if I need to. I can be there when folks need me.
I am not held to a schedule. I am not held to vacation days. I. Am. The. Boss.
6. Training and Personal Growth
Young Living invests in their distributors. Weekly, I get free personal and business training from Young Living’s Corporate Team. It’s personal growth with a paycheck.
I can look back and see how much I have grown on a personal level and I am ASTOUNDED…and thankful.
You aren’t left high and dry, trying to figure this gig out. The training is there.
7. Community
I never knew this was a perk. But the friends I have made? Priceless. God knew – He knew I needed this community.
I have support like I’ve never had. I get to take trips with my friends. I get to talk to them daily. We get to work and live life together. We pray for each other. It’s a community like I’ve never been a part of. I love it so much.
8. Amazing Products
This is a given, but I wouldn’t be doing this business if I didn’t CRAZY LOVE the products. I love the oils and the makeup. I’m a huge fan of the kids’ line, the baby line the massage oils, and the personal care. I love it all. It’s the best of the best. And I feel like I am doing a good thing every time I use it.
People sometimes comment that Young Living’s oils are too expensive because of the MLM business model. That’s just not true. Our oils are priced higher than some other companies oils because of quality. Network marketing companies pay their distributors instead of paying huge marketing and sales departments – and those two departments are a huge expense for traditional companies that Young Living simply spends on its distributors’ commissions instead.
9. Residual (passive) Income
What is residual income? Residual income is when you continue to get paid after the work is done.
I can do training for my team one time and have them use it over and over. If I write one post, it can be searchable forever. I am investing NOW so that later, it will be there working for me.
Most folks live on ACTIVE income. You work; you get paid. If you don’t work; you don’t get paid. For a mom that can be especially hard – if I have sick kids, I need to be with them. I want to be able to have the freedom to follow my own schedule. Invest once, and reap the benefits forever.
I Could Keep Going
There is really so much more I could say, but I’d rather wrap it up here and let you ask any/all the questions you have. If any of what you just read struck a chord with you – if any of it called to you or piqued peaked your interest, I want to talk to you.
I won’t hunt you down. I won’t pressure you. But I will work hard to help you be successful – and I will support you every step of the way. If you want to do the business side of Young Living, the only investment you make is $165 to purchase the Premium Starter Kit, which makes you a member (and if you so choose, a distributor). Then, you purchase $100/month on Essential Rewards for products YOU use and that YOU choose. If that’s confusing, go read my post (the same one I linked at the top) about why I love oils.
Thanks for letting me get up on a soapbox for a little bit. I hope you learned something. I am learning daily. <3
I joined Young Living recently, mainly to try the products. I do like them and so thought about joining the business builder team. But according to the most recent income disclosure, the extreme majority of business builders (about 74%) are at the lowest two ranks, distributor and star, and earn an average of $75 or less. Less than 4% of the business builder team is at Silver or above. So, it sounds like unless I can build a huge team underneath me, I have very little chance to make it to a rank like Silver that does the cool trips or earns an average monthly salary that exceeds three digits. Realistically, how do you get to that point? That statement also says on average it takes almost 3 years (32 months) to get to Silver. Any tips to reduce that time that doesn’t include getting pushy?
Hey Stephanie! Excellent question and good points. Young Living defines a “business builder” as someone who has ever enrolled someone else. So…let’s look at a pretty common scenario. Susie is just a happy customer using Young Living, but when she’s having some friends over for dinner they ask about her diffuser or an oil or SOMETHING she’s using. She tells them about the starter kit, never really attempting to sell anything – just answering their questions. However, one of those friends says she wants a starter kit so Susie gives the friend her referral link. Susie is now a “business builder” as YL defines it, but she’s a distributor and never aims any higher. That happens all.the.time. On the other hand, someone who is purposefully sharing with others, teaching classes, holding events, etc. (really “doing the business”) growth is usually much faster. Stacy and I hit Silver 5 months after we enrolled our first person. That is FAST, but it is very do-able.
Since you specifically asked how to get to Silver and how to do it without being pushy…commitment and consistency. Share regularly and consistently, and be a positive light to those around you. Where most people get it wrong is to treat everyone as a business prospect. Sure – everyone you meet MIGHT eventually buy something from you, but that’s not your goal. Become known as the person who helps meet needs, encourages others, educates, builds up, and, when as makes sense, plant the seeds to grow your business. People will naturally trust you and want to be a part of what you’re doing, whether as a friend or a customer, or both. When you develop your business by focusing on selling stuff, it is shortsighted and often, it’s just slimy and gross feeling.
One last thing. In your comment, you said, “I have very little chance…” Honestly, you have the same chance as anyone else who starts. Stacy and I spent almost 8 years building a platform before ever recommending Young Living. If we’d have started 8 years earlier, I’m confident we’d already be Royal Crown Diamonds – I have little doubt of it. Having a platform gave us a “head start” once we did decide to promote YL, but we meet people all the time that had no social presence, no platform, but committed to actually doing it that are already ahead of us in the business.
I hope that helps!