We’ve all seen those ads for “The Secret” or “Make Money Online.” But do you know what makes an MLM girl? She might surprise you. Unlike other companies, MLMs focus on women. In addition to physical products, many MLMs offer vitamins and even sex toys. Some MLM girls even boast of their ability to retire by the time they’re 25. But why would a woman join an MLM?
The most compelling reason for joining an MLM is the money. These companies are based on the cultural assumption that women can’t have it all. They promote the glamorous image of reps while simultaneously maintaining family and romantic relationships. Unfortunately, this model also encourages women to spend excessively and ignore their own health, time, and relationships. While many MLM girls are successful, most are not. And a third of the women who join MLMs don’t earn much money.
The MLM industry is not without controversy. Women in particular are targeted by many MLMs. One article in the Huffington Post argues that almost three-fourths of their sales reps are women. In fact, Schitt’s Creek parodied MLMs in 2015.
The truth is that most MLM girls are women. According to AARP, 74% of women who participate in MLM businesses lose money or make nothing at all. So if you’re considering signing up for an MLM, make sure you’re careful to do your research. MLMs prey on women in vulnerable positions, such as stay-at-home moms or the girlfriends and wives of military personnel.
MLMs present unrealistic expectations about what people can achieve. Their salespeople are millionaires, not average people with limited time and money. They’re often not in the early adopter stage, but they have the financial means, time, and skills to succeed. This is not a sustainable business model and you should have realistic expectations. Just because someone at the top is rich doesn’t mean she’s going to do well in the long run.
In addition to the MLM business model, many of them take advantage of women who recently immigrated to the US. Because of the networking aspect of MLMs, they often target young college students and moms. As a result, they have earned the nickname “huns” as a result of their sickly sweet language and greeting choices on social media. In fact, up to eighty percent of Herbalife participants are women.
