Brynna I’ve had friends begin ignoring me since I started working with Young Living, simply because it’s a network marketing company. I’ve had people say they’re tired of me talking about it or sharing “ads.” Note, I’ve never EVER contacted these people asking them to buy something (I use social media as a platform for sharing about experiences, products, and deals, and I offer them up, because unfortunately social media is a leading way of connecting with people anymore, but that’s the extent of it!). Also note, unless someone else brings it up or asks me questions, I pretty much NEVER bring up my YL business in “real life.” Yet, as with so many others, I’m paying the price for all those truly bad MLM companies (and literal salespeople) from before me. FYI- pyramid schemes are illegal. And I’m not involved in one of those. 😉
I have to wonder, what’s so wrong with a mom (or a dad?!) picking up something they love in order to try and help support their family? Young Living or not, why do we respond this way to these things? I’ve said before that I get it, I used to have the same attitude…but looking back, I can’t figure out why, other than I was responding the way I saw others do it. I had no reason. And I DEFINITELY didn’t have any understanding.
The biggest thing I didn’t realize is that no matter WHERE I shop, there’s some form of an MLM model. Even Target. It’s just how it works and it was silly to think I was avoiding it when I ignored the “little guy.” I didn’t understand that by supporting a network marketing friend that I wasn’t playing into a scheme, I was directly supporting someone instead of all the games in between (marketing, advertising, shelf space, etc). I didn’t have any idea of the underlying reasons those people were trying so hard to build a business from the ground up. I didn’t understand that it was about more than the money for them. I didn’t understand that they were extremely uncomfortable (and often discouraged) trying to do what they needed to do in order TO build that business because of people like ME! I didn’t realize that they were actually in love with the products and wanted the same for others who were interested- rather than a quick buck (which also isn’t true…there’s nothing quick about it- it takes years of hard work!). I didn’t realize they’d prayed and prayed about the decision before jumping in, and yet I still made judgment calls.
So here’s to all the people out there growing a small business from the bottom up, even if it IS a network marketing program. Because you’re working just as hard as the next person, sometimes more if you’ve got another job or you’re a stay-at-home parent, and your time and efforts are valued just as much as a store employee. I get it now, and I’m sorry if I hindered anyone in the past.
