12 interesting facts about Wildtree you probably didn’t know

“Timeless” is a word that companies love to throw around, especially in the MLM space.

But what is timeless about a piece of jewelry when styles and trends come and go with the seasons? (no offense, Origami Owl)

You know what product is actually pretty timeless? Healthy food. Your body needs it to live, and Wildtree has done a great job of producing healthy products. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 12 interesting facts about Wildtree you probably didn’t know.

#12. USDA organic

Au-natural is the new black, and plenty of MLMs market their products as all-natural, naturally-based, plant-based, or free of harmful chemicals and additives. Few, however, are actually organic or certified.

Wildtree is fully organic and certified by the USDA. [1]

Whether or not this really gives them a marketing advantage is up in the air. All natural may be trendy, but throwing in words like “naturally based” is usually enough to convince many people without fancy certifications.

#11. Definitely fills a big need

You hear it all the time – “I want to eat healthier, I want to cook at home more, but I just don’t have the time.”

As nice as healthy, nutritious, organic home-cooked meals sound, most people, especially Americans, don’t think they have the time (or the skill) to craft them on a regular basis.

Wildtree fills that gap by providing organic meals that are quick and easy to make at home. There’s definitely a huge market for a product like that (just ask Purium).

#10. Affordable products

The other roadblock you hear from people who want to eat healthier is that it’s too expensive. Whole Foods ain’t got no dollar menu, that’s for sure.

Luckily Wildtree comes at a pretty reasonable price.

Their “Asian skillet meal”, a packet that comes with all the seasonings and some dried vegetables, requiring you to add the rice and meat, costs $8.50 for 12 servings. The gluten free pancake mix makes 16 servings and costs $10.50. Most products cost under a dollar per serving.

#9. Relatable founder’s story

You know the mompreneur story – think Joy, that movie with Jennifer Lawrence about the woman who invented the miracle mop.

It goes something like this – woman encounters problem in domestic life, be it related to her children or home, and develops a creative, effective solution. People start to notice the solution, and they love it. Mom starts her own business, becomes wildly successful, and brings in enough bacon to send her kids off to college and buy her family a vacation home in Nantucket.

Leslie Monte, the founder of Wildtree, has lived it. She had two children with severe food allergies, so she developed recipes for hypo-allergenic foods she could make quickly and easily at home. This eventually became her business, which turned into a world-wide company. It’s some inspiring stuff.

#8. Recipe parties are a hit

Rather than pass around Tupperware or convince strangers to let you paint their faces with makeup, Wildtree distributors get to cook and serve delicious food. Attendees get to see first-hand how easy and tasty the recipes are.

There’s literally nothing more convincing than these two words: free food. Find me one person who doesn’t love free food, and I’ll eat 10 pizzas in one sitting. But only if you buy them for me.

But seriously, tastings are all the rage right now, so branding these as tasting parties could do wonders. People plan entire evenings around tasting everything from wine to coffee to chocolate. Branding these things as tasting parties should have people lining up at your house like it’s a theme park. [2]

#7. Food samples are a wildly effective sales tool

Do you know anyone who doesn’t love Costco?

No. Of course you don’t. Aside from selling massive tubs of candy and parmesan cheese, they also have an abundance of samples. And again – people. love. free. food.

If someone took me on a dinner date to Costco, I’m not gonna lie, I would enjoy it.

But aside from being popular, free samples are a genius marketing tool. Studieshave shown that they can boost sales by as much as 2,000 percent, which is insane. [3]

#6. Food samplesbuild customer loyalty

Samples are tasty, sure, but their power goes deeper than that. A psychologist at Duke University explains that our instinct for reciprocity means that when you give someone something for free, they feel obligated to do something in return for you.

This means that samples also turn people into repeat customers, even with products they never used to purchase. [4]

Basically, spend a few minutes cooking up the product, and it sells itself for you.

#5. Low pressure environment

MLMs are notorious for hounding reps about increasing sales and recruiting harder, even when they say you can join just to sell casually, part-time.

Wildtree doesn’t pressure its distributors to become top sellers or recruit massive teams. It’s for everyone – those who want to put in a lot of time, and those who want to do it on the side for fun.

#4. Huge variety of products

Wildtree sells a huge assortment of food and beverage products, as well as boxed “meals” with recipes that only require the customer to add the protein and/or produce.

• Breads and doughs
• Dips and dip mixes
• Oils (garlic, grapeseed, coconut)
• Blends, rubs, and seasoning
• Skillet meals
• Desserts
• Soups
• Jams and jellies
• Seasonal products
• Drink mixes
• Gluten free products
• Breakfast items

If you browse their catalog, the stuff sounds pretty delicious. Chai spiced bread? Agave margaritas? Bacon Cheddar mac ‘n’ cheese? One of each please.

#3. Frozen meals save even more time

Distributors can also host frozen meal workshops using Wildtree products to teach customers how to create healthy meals in large quantities ahead of time and freezing them for later. Wildtree teaches its distributors how to prepare 10 meals in an hour and a half. [5]

#2. Sign-on kit is not cheap, but not expensive

It costs $49.95 to be a distributor, but the cost doesn’t include anything other than marketing materials and pamphlets, which many other MLMs give out freely.

#1. Compensation is generous…for some

You have the chance to earn up to a 40% commission on all sales that you generate with Wildtree. However, this percentage is only given to those in the “Leader” category, those just starting up will make anywhere from 25-32% commission.

If you can get to the top, that’s a pretty good commission rate.

But, the product price is pretty low, averaging around $10, so even a 10-product sale only nets you $25-40.

You can’t really make a livable wage on sales commissions alone. Like most MLMs, you’ve got to recruit to make good money. You make 3-12% on personal recruits.

Recap

Wildtree has got a product that could honestly sell itself with the right management and distributors. But given potential profit margins, selling for them might be more of a hobby than a way to make any decent money.

However, if you are looking for a great money making opportunity that allows you to be your own boss and generate passive income, there are better opportunities.

Check this out – It might just help your trash all your money chasing habits.

from MLM Companies

12 amazing facts about World Global Network you need to know

If all your childhood dreams of about flying devices and space technology came true and turned into an MLM, it would be called the World Global Network.

WGN is on that next level, futurist, sci-fi-turned-reality stuff. Between space phones, wearable tech, and virtual reality, this company is snatching up all the tech trends from Silicon Valley and taking them straight to the people. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 12 amazing facts about World Global Network you need to know.

#12. Very new

World Global Network (written WOR(l)D Global Network) has only been around for about three years. Although, it’s more like double that in MLM-years.

#11. Truly a global network

Despite being around for less time than it takes to get a college degree, they’re everywhere.

Headquartered in the UK, they also have offices in Miami, Moscow, Dubai, London, Singapore, and Dublin, and they operate in over 100 countries.

#10. Unique product market

For MLMs that is. They traffic in cellular devices, which is pretty much unheard of in network marketing.

It’s a little complicated to sort out what all they offer, but basically they have proprietary phones on their own community-built network that supposedly has better coverage for a lower cost.

#9. Innovative product

Unlike many MLMs who have products that are questionable or repetitive at best and downright non-existent at worst, theirs is clear-cut, useful, and pretty innovative.

Their technology, or product, is project mCell 5G technology. Basically, a wireless network is created by members who install hubs everywhere they can (in their homes, offices, etc), basically becoming the builders of the network. This allows users to tap into a huge variety of networks for optimal coverage that includes 3G, 4G, WiFi, and LTE-U5G.

Basically, World Global Network users are sticking it to the man by creating their own, privately owned communication network, thereby kind of deregulating telecommunications.

#8. They have space phones

Phones that work in space? For when the zombie apocalypse come and we all have to move to Mars?

Well, not quite. But still cool.

Basically, the user-installed wireless hubs are called “space stations” and their phones are called “space phones”. When users are near a “space station”, their phone uses that signal instead of its regular service, meaning you’re not using up your allotted data, texts, or calls. Everything is free.

So you’re not going to space, but still, it’s pretty cool. Their spacephone 5gs is the first phone built pre-connected to the internet, you never run out of data, and you have worldwide coverage in more than 100 countries on their independent mobile network.

#7. Wearable technology

Wearable technology is a huge buzzword that’s been gaining a lot of traction the past few years, and is predicted to become a huge part of our lives.

WGN has entered this market with the HELO, a wristband that monitors your health and predicts disease. Basically a super-Fitbit.

#6. Now using brand new tech from Toshiba

The HELO wristband uses new technology developed by Toshiba that integrates Bluetooth, a new heavy duty processor, and flash memory into one tiny package.

Soooo….what does that actually mean?

Well, in the HELO, it means that it collects data and detects changes with extremely high precision and then uses to Bluetooth feature to relay the information, in detail, to your smartphone. [1]

#5. New augmented reality glasses

This company is really hitting up all the latest tech trends and buzzwords. Augmented reality is right up there with wearable technology, and they’ve announced a new product to keep up.

LUMINA smart glasses are wire-free and give the wearer high quality “infotainment” experiences using wide screen display, high-resolution, and built-in stereo sound (not to be confused with Limu). It’s also got a 13MP camera, compass, GPS, microphones, HD video recording, gyroscopes (what?), and accelerometers (whaaaat???). [2]

Basically, the ultimate YouTube Celebrity or Adventure Travel Blogger starter pack.

#4. Top talent working with them

Basically a bunch of tech and business all-stars. Think Chicago Bulls in 1996.

They’ve got the inventor of Socialmatic, a Polaroid camera, a top 20 Top Direct Selling CEO (ranked right below the CEO of Mary Kay), and the top selling CEO in the world in 2014. [3]
[4]

#3. Award-winning compensation plan

They’ve got a pretty unique model for compensation, and it seems to be working well.

In fact, it was actually ranked as number 10 in the Best MLM Compensation Plan Poll for 2014. [5]

Basically you own a little piece of the network, so every time a user connects to it, you’re helping them generate revenue, which they then share with you.

The exact amount you make is a little vague. According to their website, it “depends on the number of micro-cells installed worldwide and the time each user spends on the network.” But when you install microcells, you get a MINIMUM of 30% a year of the value invested in your personal microcell.

#2. Top 100 MLM company

In 2015, only a couple years after starting up, they’d already been listed as one of the top 100 MLM companies in the world. What have you done in two years? [6]

#1. Expensive start-up cost

Starting up with this company isn’t cheap, but you do get a lot more than some pamphlets and a protein shake.

For the HELO healthband, they have two start-up packs. $349 gets you started with your own HELO healthband and $1,149 gets you HELO healthbands for the whole family.

For the phones, they’ve got a “lite” start-up package for $199.99, and a “suite” start-up package for $349. You get a phone with this. Of course, you need the bigger one to make money, as is usually the case.

Recap

World Global Network is no doubt one of the hottest tech MLMs right now with a pretty cool concept. They have an interesting compensation plan with opportunities to make some good side money if you get people on board. You probably won’t get rich, but if you are set on MLM, this wouldn’t be a bad one to try.

However, if you are just looking for a business opportunity that can help you become financially independent while being your own boss, there are certainly better opportunities available.

If you like automated ways to build passive income, click here and learn how to build a real online business that you can feel great about.

from MLM Companies

14 things you should hear about Zurvita before you join

Zurvita is the people’s MLM – on the surface. With only four weight loss products and a simple business model, the company has really grown in recent years.

They win a lot of awards and recognition for employee and distributor satisfaction. Their people love them. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 14 things you should hear about Zurvita before you join.

#14. Originally founded as a tech MLM

Way back in 2008 (a lifetime in MLM-years), Zurvita sold business services like cell phones and tech support.

But they basically just hit it and quit it, quickly rebranding to the more popular health and wellness industry. However, with every MLM and their mother selling protein and weight loss solutions, competition is no walk in the park.

#13. Very rocky start

It’s good they got out when they did, though.

When they started out, they were losing $300k per year. Basically just burning mortgages-worth of cash. [1]

#12. Only four products

They’re the four you see everywhere in this industry.

Zeal for Life: This is their all-in-one blend of nutrients and supplements. They boost energy and help with weight maintenance, coming in five flavors. Three are vegan.

Zurvita Protein: termed a “nutritional powerhouse”, their protein powder has 26 essential vitamins and minerals and comes in two flavors.

Zurvita Burn: this is a fat burner for people who want to lose weight quick (aka everyone).

Zurvita Cleanse: this is an herbal probiotic cleanse.

Weight Management program: of course they have one. It combines the Zurvita Burn and Zurvita Cleanse with motivational and educational materials.

#11. Nutritional principles

Their products might be typical, but they are based on sound, healthy, research-driven principles of nutrition, which isn’t quite so typical. Their formulas differ from popular competitors like Nature’s Sunshine and Isagenix, providing them with a unique edge in such a cutthroat market.

In addition to being completely healthy, their products are also gluten free, vegan, and kosher. They aren’t certified organic, but they’re naturally-sourced. [2]

#10. Iffy refund policy

They have a 30-day money back guarantee they offer customers, and it sounds legit.

But the customers return product to the Independent Consultants for their money back. If the ICs then want to return the product to Zurvita for their money back, they have to “contact Customer Service”.

A good rule of thumb here: if you have to contact customer service and no further guarantees are given, you’re probably not getting your money back. [3]

#9. Not FDA approved

There’s really no certification or approval from government bodies to prove this product works.

There has been a study conducted by a Canadian clinical research firm, and they found that 2 Zeal products per day does help with mood, energy, and activity levels. That’s a lot more proof than most MLMs can give. [4]

#8. No proof of weight loss or management

While the clinical study proves the juice can help with mood and energy, there is no proof behind the weight loss claims.

And their weight loss program is the one product that doesn’t offer a money back guarantee.

#7. Spokesperson you can trust

Zurvita products now have a face: Peter Nielsen. He’s the new Zurvita Challenge Coach, and he’s a pretty well-known personal training.

He was named Trainer of the Year by Self Magazine AND Muscle and Fitness Magazine. He’s also the spokesperson for the Chron’s and Colitis Foundation and has authored several books. [5]

#6. Named one of the best places to work in direct selling

Direct Selling News named them as one of the 7 best places to work in direct selling for 2016.

This is great news. It means not only are they performing well, but their distributors enjoy working for them and feel highly engaged and supported. [6]

#5. Traditional values

In addition to being very family-focused in their marketing (“Zurvita is about families helping other families.”), they’re built on the following three founding principles:

1. Honor & glorify God
2. Develop humble leadership
3. Create a company where people can win at every level [7]

For some distributors, this can be really rewarding and helpful.

For those who don’t necessarily fall under the same belief system, it can be alienating.

#4. You can’t really do anything without buying a Starter Pak

It costs $39.95 to enroll, but you really have to buy a Starter Pak to, well, get started.

These range from $249.95-$569.95. That’s a huge start-up cost.

#3. Compensation structure

You get paid through:

• Daily retail sales
• Weekly builders bonuses
• All-star bonus
• Team bonus
• Rank bonus
• Residual overrides

Their compensation plan isn’t example simple, as evidenced by the fact that they need a 25 page PDF to explain it. [8]

Commission from regular purchases is 20%, (you get some one time bonuses of around $50 if your customer signs up for certain monthly packages), which isn’t a ton. If you sign up 3 preferred customers in a month your next month’s Wellness Pak Cannister is free.

Weekly builders bonuses range from $50-100 when you sponsor new consultants who buy certain starting packages. Other special bonuses occur within the first 30 days to get consultants wanting more.

Overrides are earnings on your downline, up to 8 levels, you earn 5% in overrides, as well as additional bonuses at certain levels. You can unlock infinity overrides at higher levels.

 

Commission on sales isn’t good. But, the fact that you can unlock infinity overrides is great, if you can get there.

#2. Recruitment important

20% is very low for commission on sales. And moving up in rank relies almost entirely on your team’s sales rather than personal sales.

Obviously, you have to recruit to make good money.

#1. Most consultants are not making much

This is par for the course for MLMs. Usually only a select few are making not only good money but enough money to live off full-time.

The large majority are on their second rank, Managing Consultant (60%), making an average of $361 PER YEAR. Another 23% are on their first rank, business consultant, making $134 PER YEAR on commission.

Depending on what kind of inventory they’ve purchased, they may not even be paying back their sign on investment. This means that only 1 out of every 5 Zurvita consultants are even paying off the sign on investment, let alone making an income.

Nearly ¼ consultants weren’t even eligible to earn ANY commission.

The only people making a livable income are the highest two categories, Presidential Directors (making about $24k, still not much) and Ambassadors (making about $136k on average, good, but nothing astounding). These last two still equate to less than 1% of the company.

As of July 2015, there were 50 people in total making an above average income with Zurvita. [9]

This is pretty bleak, honestly, even for an MLM.

Recap

While they may have great products, the income opportunity with Zurvita is challenging. You are competing up against billion dollar health companies that dominate certain spaces in the health industry.

Not saying it would be impossible to make money, but there are better options out there if money is what you are looking for.

Check this out. It will help you trash your money-chasing addictions.

from MLM Companies

14 intriguing details about World Ventures you should know

Between travel blogs, travel vlogs, and travelogues, the digital age has ushered in hordes of wannabe world travelers. It’s pretty easy to get people excited about travel.

World Ventures picked a good (albeit competitive) market to be in. They’re the guys posing in pictures holding signs that read ‘You Should Be Here’ as they travel the world. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 14 intriguing details about World Ventures you should know.

#14. Skyrocket growth

These guys are defying the laws of gravity. They’ve been named amongst Inc.’s 5,000 fastest-growing private companies not one, but twice. They also partnered recently with a prestigious networking group called Success North Dallas. [1]

#13. Give back to the community

In addition to regular travel, World Ventures offers voluntourism. VolunTourism is basically when a group of people go on vacation not just to sit around on a beach sipping mojitos, but also to give back to the community they visit.

 

We are partnering w/ @TourismCares to help preserve the beauty of our N. Parks! Which NP have you seen the most beautiful sunrise/sunset? http://pic.twitter.com/I8yahgRzC5

— WorldVentures (@WorldVentures) September 20, 2016

Members of the South African branch of World Ventures came together recently to give back to their own local communities. [2]

They also have their own foundation that aims to create positive change for children around the world by supporting sustainable programs that support their health, happiness, safety, and development. [3]

#12. Not the most effective way to help others

All of this sounds as sweet as pie and cute as a newborn baby until you do some research on voluntourism. There’s a lot of evidence that it’s not actually that beneficial to local communities, and can even do more harm than good. [4]

Especially given the luxury rates of most of these volunteer trips, the money could definitely be spent more effectively if the goal is to help others and affect change.

#11. Luxury product

Travel is a luxury good rather than a necessity. But this actually isn’t as much of a drawback as it might sound.

Luxury goods come with fat price tags, and if you can find people who can fork over the dinero, fat price tags come with generous commission checks.

#10. Product is a membership

What reps are selling is club membership rather than a tangible product. The benefit of this membership is access to their proprietary travel portal that includes discounted travel packages and a fantastic travel booking engine, Rovia, that claims to have lower prices than popular travel search engines.

There are three different membership levels that range from standard to luxury.

#9. Huge start-up costs plus a monthly fee

The initial costs for starting up with World Ventures range from $199.99 for the basic package to $999.99 for the luxury subscription, which is insanely high, considering that most network marketers fail to make that much in profit after an entire year.

On top of that, a monthly membership fee from $20.99-99.99 is also required.

#8. Product value is unclear

Whether or not they really have a valuable product is unclear, at best. All they’re selling is access to a travel booking and search portal, which is already available for free through websites like Kayak, Orbitz, and Priceline.

The idea is that you’re getting a better deal through their site, and it’s easier to use. But how good are these deals? Is saving $20 on a flight and being able to use a prettier website really worth forking over close to $100 every month?

#7. Compensation plan

The compensation plan offers some potential to make money fast and some pretty good bonuses on top of that if you can manage to make sales.

Representatives can score a $100 bonus by selling 3 higher end trips in 28 days, and then another $150 for selling another 3. There are also $50 and $75 bonuses for selling lower end trips.

If you sponsor enough customers to elevate your status, you get your monthly fee waived, and/or 8$ commission on their sales.

That being said, representatives don’t start earning commission on their downlines until they’ve hit Senior Representative status, which happens after they have 30 x 2 downlines.

#6. There’s an additional fee

You’re not actually eligible to earn any money at all unless you’re “active”, and to be active you have to pay your monthly RBS (Representative Business System) fee on time. The fee covers things like training programs, website maintenance, and marketing tools. New representatives pay a one-time fee of $99.95…and that’s in addition to the start-up costs I already mentioned.

To be honest, it’s a little ridiculous to pay two monthly fees, especially when the start-up costs are so high.

#5. Smart marketing angle for recruitment

World Ventures doesn’t target your traditional MLM markets – stay at home moms looking for extra income, disgruntled middle-aged corporate employees, and the like.

They target the new wave of younger folk who want to travel the world, teasing budding “digital nomads” with the prospect of making money online while they travel. Their taglines say things like “work less…vacation more” and “work from anywhere!”, and there’s a gigantic market of people who fit this demographic right now that can offer some good money if you know how to tap it.

#4. Complex and restrictive compensation rules

I only grazed the tip of the compensation plan, in part because it’s filled with weird and complicated rules and regulations that would take too long to detail. For example, you have to recruit 30 representatives below you before you even start earning commission. [5] That’s a lot of hustling.

For this reason, most people don’t actually make it to the point where they start getting paid a single penny. Kind of sounds like GWT, right?

#3. Terrible earnings reports

Most MLMs don’t provide much in earnings for the vast majority of their representatives, but World Ventures is pretty bad, even for network marketing.

According to their income disclosure one year, 73.7% of their reps fail to earn a single dime.

Think you have what it takes to be the 1%? Well, if you do, it’ll be a little anticlimactic. Only .1% of their reps even earn an annual income above the poverty level. The average rep? $325 a year. That doesn’t even pay for the start-up costs. [6]

#2. Training isn’t free

Not only do you have to pay a monthly fee for your training materials, but you’ll also be encouraged to attend a host of training events and conferences that can cost you hundreds of dollars. You also have to pay yet another monthly fee of $30 to use the mailing system in order to receive your marketing materials.

You can try to make money with World Ventures, but it sounds like they’re just going to nickel and dime you instead. [7]

#1. Smartcard tech for distributors

Money2020 is a smart card they’ll release soon that will allow their club members to load credit cards, loyalty cards, and IDs and use the cards as payment and proof of loyalty worldwide. [8]

Recap

The idea seems great, I mean who doesn’t want to get paid to travel? But when you look into World Ventures a little deeper, it seems that actually getting paid is a little harder than it seems.

Check this out. You can build a business today that will help you come financially independent, and you can feel great about it.

from MLM Companies

16 surprising facts you should know about Young Living essential oils

Young Living founder Gary Young was onto the power of essential oils decades before they became everyone’s favorite natural remedy, home cleaning base, and fragrance substitute.

His company has significantly grown since then, reaching over a billion in sales in 2015. Does this mean I’m involved?

This video explains everything:

Make sense? Either way, here’s 16 surprising facts you should know about Young Living essential oils.

Gary was the Godfather of essential oils.

But OGs don’t last forever. Eventually someone shows up to the game with something new and fresh, and that someone was DoTERRA. Could there be room for two in this market?

#16. The world’s “leading essential oil company”

Chances are you’ve seen someone with their products at some point, if you don’t own them yourself.They’ve been around for a good while. Since 1993, to be exact, which is back before the essential oil craze even started.

They’ve been around for a good while. Since 1993, to be exact, which is back before the essential oil craze even started.

And now, their sales for 2015 surpassed $1 billion, making them the largest essential oils company. [1] They’re kind of a big deal.

#15. Huge market growth for essential oils

The market for essential oils has grown tremendously, and it’s only going to continue. Given that they’ve established themselves as market leaders, I don’t see this company losing ground anytime soon. [2]

#14. Global expansion

From a small Washington state farm to farms in Utah, France, the Middle East, and Ecuador, and they have offices in Australia, Europe, Canada, Japan, and Singapore. Young Living now sells in over 100 countries. [3]

In fact, they just opened up their newest farm in British Columbia where they grow black spruce trees for various oils, called the “Northern Lights Farm”, for public visitation. [4]

They’ve also been doing some pretty rapid expansion of their executive team. [5]

#13. Replaced their entire executive team in 2013

Well, they call it expansion. It’s more like replacement.

In 2013 they wiped their entire executive team clean and started from scratch, claiming that they “discovered that not everyone had the same interest in the company or shared vision that Gary and I (owners) did.” [6]

It sounds a little shady and makes you wonder about stability, but after they replaced the team they experienced a huge uptick in growth, over 27% in 2013.

#12. Pretty much one of two empires

The other big player in this game is doTERRA, who has experienced a similar growth pattern but at almost double the rate. Young living might not be the essential oils giant for long.

DoTERRA is newer, (founded in only 2008), so they have the advantage of being able to take over the hot spot without having to reinvent themselves. But can they hold their own against the OG, or are they just a trend?

The two rivals have butted heads on more than one occasion, with both having filed lawsuits against one another for false advertising and false lab tests as well as imitation. The courts did decide that the two oils have different compositions and dropped the case. [7]

#11. Started as a brick and mortar with humble beginnings

Young Living was once just a tiny brick and mortar on a street corner with one small organic farm and distillery. The owner tapped into his own farmland in Utah and Idaho when he discovered a budding interest in natural living.

#10. Always reinventing themselves

To keep up with the competition, Young Living just announced 15 new and rebranded products as well as their first ever over the counter products – plant-based cough drops and pain relief cream. [8]

As long as they do more than rely on what has brought them success in the past, they should be able to hold onto their market share.

#9. Mostly woman run

A lot of MLMs market themselves toward women and stay-at-home-moms, but they don’t all practice what they preach.

This MLM is one of the largest women-run businesses in Utah. Mary Young, the founder’s wife, is still an executive within the business, and about 90% of active sellers are women. Almost half the company’s C-level management team are women as well.

A spokesperson claims, “We’re role modeling women in executive-level positions. I think Utah County can ultimately lead out in shattering the glass ceiling.” [9]

#8. Developed their own standard for oils

Not all oils are created equal. In fact most of the oils on the market are synthetic, especially if they’re cheap.

Young Living oils are so pure, they’ve even developed their own purity standard called the Young living therapeutic grade standard. They’re marketed as the purest oils on the market, never synthetic or diluted, 100% “seed to seal”. The company advocates often for industry purity.

#7. Founder is very passionate about the product

Founder Gary Young was in a nearly fatal accident that left him in a wheelchair and, tired of medications, he began to explore alternative medicine and healing. Since then, he’s developed products and advocated in the field of essential oils for decades, even before most people knew what essential oils were.

#6. Involved in sketchy dealings in the past

But it’s not all unicorns and rainbows with Gary Young.

He’s been involved in some questionable businesses in the past, including a Tijuana, Mexico clinic in the 80s that ran cheap blood tests for Americans. One investigative journalist sent the clinic cats blood instead of human, and the scientists couldn’t tell the difference. [10]

#5. Huge variety of products blended with oils

From their original oils, such as lavender, orange, and peppermint, they’ve blended together an array of products from home living to nutritional supplements that include…

Home Products

• Natural cleaning products
• Healthy Cooking
• Pet products
• Family Health

Wellness Products

• Multivitamins
• Weight Management
• Joint & Mobility Assistance
• Energy & Stamina
• Antioxidant Support
• Age-Based Nutrition

Beauty Products

Because of this, they have a product for just about anyone. If you have a problem you’re dealing with, a Young Living rep will almost definitely whip out a product they claim will help.

#4. Basic starter kit is relatively cheap

It’ll run you about $40, which is pretty cheap, and it includes a variety of samples. More expensive kits include full product.

#3. Member support is not always free

Most of the conferences, workshops, training kits, etc cost money, and representatives have complained that there is not a lot of online media and support offered up for free.

#2. Complicated compensation plan

There are a bunch of different ways to earn money. Whether or not you can earn a lot of money, though, is up in the air. Aside from profit on personal sales, you get…

• Downline commission. You get 8% of the sales off your first level, 5% off your second, and 4% on the next three levels.
• Fast start bonus. 25% commission for the first 3 months on every new recruit’s purchases.
• Member starter kit bonus. $25 for each new distributor you sign up who buys the Premium Member Starter Kit.
• Generation commission. If you hit “Silver”, you get an extra 2% on specific sales from your team, and when team members hit “Silver” themselves, you get 3%.
• Diamond profit sharing pool. If you hit “Diamond”, you get shares of 0.5% of Young Living’s commissionable sales.

#1. There is evidence that some of their products are synthetic

There have been many claims as well as a good amount of evidence (a lot of it buried by Young Living) that suggest their oils aren’t 100% pure and that many of them are, in fact, adulterated. [11]

During lawsuits between Young Living and DoTERRA, Dr. Robert Papas of Purdue University found that both had oils that use synthetic materials. [12] The lawsuits were therefore dropped by the courts. [13]

Recap

It’s no secret that essential oils are hot right now, just look at the Google Trends. But is there really an income opportunity here?

Sure, you might have a few friends you could sell oils to. But after those warm leads expire, how will you continue to sell? This is a problem with the modern MLM industry and it usually leads to stagnant downlines that don’t make any money.

While I have nothing against Young Living, I have parted ways with MLM and couldn’t be happier. Check this out. It will help you wreck your money-chasing habits.

 

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