WAHM Forums

Hi,


My question is can a consultant run a profitable business, or is the real goal if you are looking to make money, to really work on the business building.


My reason for this question is I've been exposed to Arbonne via a party (which I enjoyed for a home party, and even bought the basic line at full retail), and recently I've been approached with the business builder side (with and emphasis on the puppy dog approach).


I have done online research on Arbonne, checked the BBB, and couldn't really find anything negative. UNTIL, I searched for information on Multi Level Marketing organizations. I've learned that almost all MLM are a type of pyramid. You are counting on people failing that you sign up underneath you or the market would be saturated as quickly as the business is supposed to be growing. If I signed up 5 successful (and maybe 10-20 unsuccessful), and did the multipication like I was shown in the presentation, before long there would be 780 consultants. Who is left to buy? Is the money to be made in the product? Are these would be consultants the ones making the money for the upline, or is it truly the products they sell. To me it looks like the real money is in recruiting, and if you can get them to do the puppy dog approach, even better because the cost to buy 3++ kits is money in your pocket.


Now, I know from my would be sponser that it is a team, and you are here to help each other, but I still ask you. What happens to that 780th person that buys in? While no promises have been made on how much anyone will make, we are certaintly being lured with pictures of white mercedees, copies of really big paychecks. I guess my question is, for the average SAHM, willing to put in 10-15 hours a week, what kind of expenses and compensation can be expected?


How is this not a pyramid (I don't want the upside down pyramid showing room for more on top and how you can pass up your sponser) because the truth remains, market and demand drive a product and at some point the people getting in at the bottom don't have a chance to get to where those above them are. The tricky part is no one quite knows where that fine line of what the market can bear is.


Are there any territorial controls to ensure that a market will not be saturated?


Does anyone monitor that type of information and is it available to someone considering in investing time and money?


Now don't get me wrong, I love my Arbonne products, but this whole introduction to the MLM side of things makes me question the companies integrity. Especially when I see how drastically different the two sides (parties vs one on one selling) have been for me. At the party I paid retail. At the sales presentation I was offered the $29 35% off deal plus a free product if I purchased $100. Well I purchased more than $100 at the party, I wish I was offered that then, maybe I was if I hosted a party, but during the one on one I was told that is how she sold to all people (which tells me she doesn't care about the product, but the recruits).


Anyways...Those are my questions and I thought with all of your expertise maybe you could offer me some info. I really do like Arbonne, and I'm considering at the very least becoming a consultant for the discount, and maybe to sell, but the biz building seems too much like a scam waiting to happen, maybe not to me right now, but to someone along the way, and I don't want to be a part of encouraging someone to be that 780th person who has every neighbor trying to recruit, and every friend and family member...


Thanks for your time reading my long post!smileys/smiley1.gifEdited by: ph413

I'm glad to see this question because I'm in the same "boat". I signed up a week ago, mainly for the discount, but after spending hours researching - I think I can actually make money.


I haven't been able to find anything negative on Arbonne. My area does not appear to be saturated - yet!


Hopefully, the more experienced people can answer this.


Connie

A quick answer would be, think of the two most successful companies in this type of business. MK and AVON. They have been around forever. They have tons of successful women and still growing. People are still signing up with them. I am sure they have done hit woman 780 and if she wanted to sell it I am sure she is building a very successful business. Last month Arbonne gave out 67 new Mercedes Benz to women and men who are still growing, still promoting out and having a blast! All in an unsaturated market. Go ask 100 people if they every heard of Arbonne and you will not come up with many.


We do not have territories and I hope we never get them. If we have people moving full speed ahead there should be no limits on what they want to do.


Being successful in this business is in the hands of the consultant. Arbonne gives you the vehical to drive to success but success is in you doing the driving. Not everyone is made out for this business , but this business is customizable to suit everyone. You will have lots of people sign up for a discount which is great because you are helping them save money on products they love. You will have lots of people who will only want to buy from you and nothing more. Then you will have women or men who will take off and be successful and some who will be ok doing this business part time. It is up to them.


As for the pyramid thing lets look at Corpoate America VS. Network Marketing:


*********************************


Corporations


Top: CEO / President


Middle: Vice Presidents/Middle Management


Bottom: Employees


with Network Marketing


Top: Many distributors


Middle: Many Distributors


Bottom: Many distributors.


****************************


You get paid what you work. Not by title. Although the higher the title the more extras you get. Noone is there to say who can and who cannot be promoted.


***************************


Network Marketing(otherwise known as MLM) is simply a distribution system, or form of marketing, which channels goods or services from the manufacturer to the consumer through a "NETWORK" of Independent distributors. It's a wonderfully effective system that cuts out the "middleman" found in most industries.


If you worked for a company:


Traditional retail:


Manufacturer>Wholesaler>Warehouses>Advertisers>R etailers>Consumers


Network Marketing:


Manufacturer>Independent Consultant>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>Consumer


Looking at the above 100's of people are waiting on a title position that only can fit a few out of the 100's that work in the corporate world VS in networking marketing EVERYONE has the opportunity to do it if they work for it.


**************************************************


Bottom line if this is something you decide to do, you need a strong upline to support you, you must be coachable, and love the products.


I would speak with the lady who spoke to you about Arbonne and ask her if she could do a call with her upline to help you further with your questions. I assure you that she wanted to offer you the discount but when you attend a party, your sales support your host so it has to go to the party. When you host Arbonne gives a host special of $100 in product for $20 for every $250 in orders.


I hope I have brought some light into the subject. This is the best way that I know how to explain it.


Have a wonderful day,


Ann Phelps :)

Thank you for all your time an effort in your reply. What you said makes a lot of sense. Arbonne really does seem like a good company, and all the people have such great things to say which is always a good indicator of a good company.


For me my only concern remains, would I be making money at someone else's expense (a friend or family member), I know this business is not for everyone so I'd hate to be one of those that learns the hard way OR recruit someone and make them learn the hard way. But this is probably more of a MLM concern than an Arbonne concern. I don't want to do something just to make a lot of money, I want to feel good about the product (which I LOVE) and the process in which it is sold (this is where I need to continue researching and praying).


Thanks for all your help! I really appreciate all your time and information Ann!

Hi, I just wanted to add my 2 cents. If you were to open a retail outlet would you not be making money at someonelse's expense? Isn't the point of a retail outlet to make money?


There are alot of network marketing companies that are out there to scam on someone. But there are alot of companies with good products and good people and Arbonne is one of those companies.


I signed up for the discount. I am also a Reflexologist and I plan on offering Arbonne products to my clients because I believe in the products.


Look into how your upline builds thier business and go from there.


Good luck! Hope this makes sense and I hope it didn't sound rude.

If the product was something you did not believe in then I would say it would be at someone elses expense, but we educate and share healthy products that help people so I believe it is not at the cost of someone elses expense. If they are buying and using the products that they normally would be buying from the store that are less healthy and of less quality then it really is not at anyones expense. They also have the option to get it at a discount which is like shopping at Sam's Club! You seem like a very nice caring person. If you ever decided to do the business side of Arbonne, you would certainly fit in ;)


Just remember Arbonne offers quality products and services and a wonderful business opportunity. Everyone benefits from Arbonne weather they are your client, wholesaler or business builder. Arbonne is a very generous company.


Ann :)

I do understand that to make money, someone else is spending money, and that is fine if they are spending the money on the product. My concern is spending the money on building a business that will not work for all people. I saw something like a 95% drop out rate in MLM's, are these people dropping off once they are profitable? Broken even? Idon't have a problem with buying a good product and giving the profit to the appropriate people, I dohowever have a problem with selling a business more than you are selling the product, and I'm trying to figurehow most go about this. The people making money, are you making it off of the product, orthe recruiting? If you say you are making money off of the product, isit the product you sell to new recruits or clients?Do you have a larger clientel than recruits? My biggest concern is the money being made is by encouraging people to purchase the starter pup kits, and the prices I saw were $1,000+.


But if I'm getting the wrong impression, I would love to know, I can't say enough how great I think the product is. I just want to know if people are selling the product for profit (at retail I assume??), or is the profit in the recruiting process?


Thanks for the input!!!

Hi! Thought i'd add my two cents too :) I just started this business and I, like you, don't want it to be a full time all consuming job. I am a stay at home mom to my 10 month old son Carter so he comes first. I thought EXACTLY what you did about everything. First I thought it was too good to be true and i didn't want to hurt anyone that may come in under me. But after talking to my upline I realize that it doesnt work that way.


I am looking to sell the products because i like them. If i dont get any recruits I don't care at this point because right now selling the products is enough for me. But when/if i do decide to try and get someone to sell with me im not hurting them or taking anything from them. I will make 4% of what they sell but they are still making the same 35% as I do when I sell. So its a win win situation on both ends.


We don't count on people to fail because everyone that would be in our downline needs to succeed or we wouldnt get that 4% from what they sell. And when you become district manager, which isn't too hard to do, then you make 8%. and all the while the people under you are stillmaking the 35%. Does this make sense?


Where i live no one has heard about Arbonne and that is one of the reasons i decided to sell. I didn't want to sell a product where there were tons of consultants already. But that was just my reasoning. And anohter good thing about selling something like Arbonne, or any skin care for that matter, is it is a consumable product. So no matter how many people have already heard about it, if they like the products they will eventually run out and need to buy more! smileys/smiley1.gif


I hope this info has helped! If you need antying else we are here for you to answer your questions! or you can email me if you have anymore.


Michele Horvath, http://NewExperience.myarbonne.com (http://NewExperience.myarbonne.com)

My biggest concern is the money being made is by encouraging people to purchase the starter pup kits, and the prices I saw were $1,000+.





Not a problem, we are glad to help! :)


That is not the basic start up.


I started for $29, had a party, it paid for my kit. (Remeber it is customizable) I bought a few samples &catalogs & little by little and I made it happen. Some people come in and RSVP to get product or cash to start. Some people who want to make the investment to buy the pups and do $1000 to $2500, switch there entire home and go are the people who make a serious investment. If those people do not walk out of there home and do it after they spent that much, that is there problem. The business is there, but we can not do it for them. There are people out there who say that they want to do things then do not, or buy all the things to go and decide later they are not motivated. I know a woman who swares she never has money and had a $200 fake Christmas tree and at an after Christmas sale bought another one "Because it was on sale for $150. She plans on using it for a back up. I never see her using it ever, but if she made the purchase and does not, that is up to her. We cannot make people do things. We can offer the opportunity, we know it works, last month 67 people were given Mercedes and usually it is less than 10 a month. All after the pup came out.


I make a balance of cash in my business.


I make now money.


I make money on overrides.


I make money from bonuses.


I do make the most from selling my products direct right now, but my override checks are great! Occasionally they out weigh my now money. To get to top we must help other people do the same.


I have been working on line all day so I need to take a break, I hope I am making sense because I am sleepy ;)


Please ask all the questions you need to!


Ann :)

I just want to add that you do NOT have to spend $1000+ to start this
business. I do think that as a serious business builder you will
at least need to forgo profits for a while if you cannot invest
upfront. I started with a $100 order and a $29 fee. (In my
Nation, we offer wholesale at all of our classes AND credit the hostess
with the sales.) I hosted a party at my house and a couple
friends agreed to host for me. My sponsor launched my business at
those parties. All the sales, prospects, etc. were mine. I
chose to put it back into my business because I didn't want to have to
do parties with only a catalog to show! I worked this way and
earned enough for my color collection. It did take me longer than
people who can invest right away, but those were not my circumstances.



Even if I would have had the cash to invest, I really only would have
needed to invest about $1000 to get a good starter kit and the color
collection. My best friend in Georgia just bought an ice cream
franchise. Believe me, she has tons of competion in the ice cream
market and she would have been THRILLED to have had to make such a
small investment. Instead, she had to pay 100's of thousands of
dollars to get started.



Do some more research into the Network Marketing industry. It is
really a great industry, allowing ordinary people willing to work hard
and build a business the opportunity to make great money and develop
personally. I did much research into the industry and
specifically into Arbonne before I started. I could not find a
single complaint anywhere about his company. It has incredibly
high ethics and integrity.



I hope you do decide to build an Arbonne business. You are just
the type of compassionate, intelligent person that Arbonne attracts and
supports. Good luck in whatever you decide.



Cheers,

-Beverly

Beverly, I'm glad to hear that you were able to basically grow your business using your profits. And I like your comparison to the franchise, because I did consider that it is in a way like being a franchise of Arbonne. And if I decide to start investing as a business I will need to get some questions answered, just as if I were buying a franchise. (average operating expenses, average profitability margin) those type of questions. I would not buy a Franchise without knowing how I would be allowed to run the store, what costs I could expect to face, what laws would I be governed by, etc.


I am so thankful for the time and effort in educating me. I think I might like to at least do the $29 fee, and look at it like a warehouse membership like some have said. I was feeling pressure that now was the time, and to really do a good job you really should try to invest in as much as possible. I am now feeling reassured that in order to feel good about something you have to take it at your own pace, and make it work for you. And Arbonne does offer that.


Thanks again!!

(In my Nation, we offer wholesale at all of our classes AND credit the hostess with the sales.) I hosted a party at my house and a couple friends agreed to host for me. My sponsor launched my business at those parties. All the sales, prospects, etc. were mine. I chose to put it back into my business because I didn't want to have to do parties with only a catalog to show!


If the host was not signed up though you cannot offer the wholesale to the group unless you have the cash to buy her host gifts. I do not know about you but when I started out, if I had a host and 5 people wanted to sign up and place a $100 order then the consultant would have earned two host specials which is $200 in product and I could not have forked that out.


My team offers if the host is signed up and we also do parties for our whole salers. But if you are there to support the host and she does not sign up, then when you follow up you then offer the discount.


Ann

I was feeling pressure that now was the time, and to really do a good job you really should try to invest in as much as possible. I am now feeling reassured that in order to feel good about something you have to take it at your own pace, and make it work for you. And Arbonne does offer that.





I am glad we could be of help and glad that you are going to work it at your own pace. Feel free to chat with usd hear anytime!


Ann :)

in order to feel good about something you have to take it at your own pace, and make it work for you. And Arbonne does offer that.





exactly, can not agree more than that! smileys/smiley20.gif

If the host was not signed up though you cannot offer the wholesale to the group unless you have the cash to buy her host gifts. I do not know about you but when I started out, if I had a host and 5 people wanted to sign up and place a $100 order then the consultant would have earned two host specials which is $200 in product and I could not have forked that out.





But you can't penalize the host for having wholesalers sign up. What I have done is, if you have people who want to have their own accounts, you give them the wholesale price in exchange they book a show and their account starts at their booking. This way, they get the discount they want and the host gets her rewards, and you get a booking. The new wholesaler just has to wait for the free product, but since the host is friend or family, they are more than willing to help the host get her rewards.

That is what I am saying... I said that you cannot sign up wholesalers at a party then Beverly said=(In my Nation, we offer wholesale at all of our classes AND credit the hostess with the sales.) Thats why I said=If the host was not signed up though you cannot offer the wholesale to the group unless you have the cash to buy her host gifts. I do not know about you but when I started out, if I had a host and 5 people wanted to sign up and place a $100 order then the consultant would have earned two host specials which is $200 in product and I could not have forked that out.



I absolutely agree. If you are there for the host, she gets the sales and you get offered the discount later.


Ann

Absolutely right Ann!


If they want the account for the wholesale price, give them the wholesale price now and the account later when they themselves host. I always get a booking for giving wholesale price, that's the condition since I losemy "right now money". To me it is well worth it since I get more contacts through more bookings. As for what Beverly was saying about making sure the host absolutely gets everything she's entitled to, I definitely agree with that, but since we are already losing "right now money", we shouldn't have to also "fork over" the host rewards because all the guests signed up for their accounts.


They want the discount now, give it to them, under the host's order,when theyhost a show- they'll get their account then.

But dont they have to open an account with buying $100 worth of purchases? That is what my upline told me. Im very confused now. So when i have my first show i dont want to offer wholesale. But im sure it will be mentioned. I want my right now money for awhile. So i'd say you have to buy 100 worth of products now? AHHH please explain!


Michele

You don't have to purchase $100 worth of products to open an account, but you do have to purchase $100 worth of products to get the free product with a new account. When they host a show, the sales from that show will cover that $100 for the free product.


You work your business the best way for you. If you need right now money, get it. If you need bookings but can't afford to lose the 35%, offer a percentage off of retail if they book, then when they host- offer the account. Like, "I'll give you 15% off of your order if you book a show."

Absolutely right Ann!


If they want the account for the wholesale price, give them the wholesale price now and the account later when they themselves host. I always get a booking for giving wholesale price, that's the condition since I losemy "right now money". To me it is well worth it since I get more contacts through more bookings. As for what Beverly was saying about making sure the host absolutely gets everything she's entitled to, I definitely agree with that, but since we are already losing "right now money", we shouldn't have to also "fork over" the host rewards because all the guests signed up for their accounts.


They want the discount now, give it to them, under the host's order,when theyhost a show- they'll get their account then.








I got it now! I never thought of that. I usually have people RSVPing at the party so I was thinking it had to be exact, lol! I am gonna do that.


Thanks!


Ann :)

I had a woman contact me upset yesterday because of this same topic. It upsets me that some women are being denied the opportunity to just sign up. My sponser tells me it is not worth signing up people who do not. I disaggree. Some poeple want the free gift and I reccomend it because you get to try some products, but I know I would never been able to sign up if I had to place my $100 order right then.


SO IF ANYONE HAS BEEN TOLD THIS AND DID NOT SIGN UP BECAUSE OF THIS< PLEAS EMAIL ME AT loveurskin@myarbonne.com (loveurskin@myarbonne.com) I WILL TREAT YOU AS IF YOU PLACED A $1000 ORDER! smileys/smiley17.gif





But dont they have to open an account with buying $100 worth of purchases? That is what my upline told me. Im very confused now. So when i have my first show i dont want to offer wholesale. But im sure it will be mentioned. I want my right now money for awhile. So i'd say you have to buy 100 worth of products now? AHHH please explain!


Michele

I guess im still confused then. I thought in order to recevie asap points it said $100+wholesale. to me that meant they had to order $100 worth of products.??


so when i do my parties since i need right now money should i not even talk about wholesale? im not trying to be mean but im doing this for the right now money to help pay some bills....


Or are you guys only offering it to the hostess? And if other people want it you are saying "you have to host a show?"


sorry im so confusedsmileys/smiley5.gif


michele

Another question, why does it affect the host if people sign up wholesale???

It doesn't. It only does if she is trying to RSVP. When you RSVP, you do not get 35% off because you are getting 50% off because you are getting $700 in product for $350. I am used to doing it this way. At an average party it does not because you can give the wholesalers the discount but it goes towards the host party for the $250 in product you get $100 for $20.


Ann :)

You have the right to choose how to run your business. Most of us want to give a discount by suggesting wholesale and it also locks that client in.


If you are looking for right now money I would suggest getting to DM as fast as you can. Offer the discount. (Unless your host is trying to RSVP then wait until follow up.) but if you absolutely need the right now money it is not a have too thing.


Ann





I guess im still confused then. I thought in order to recevie asap points it said $100+wholesale. to me that meant they had to order $100 worth of products.??


so when i do my parties since i need right now money should i not even talk about wholesale? im not trying to be mean but im doing this for the right now money to help pay some bills....


Or are you guys only offering it to the hostess? And if other people want it you are saying "you have to host a show?"


sorry im so confusedsmileys/smiley5.gif


michele

michele, it is true that you only get ASAP points for having new $100 consultants, but they don't have to purchase $100 of products to open an account, only to get the free product. I don't think it's fair to tell them they have to order $100 when in reality they don't, might come back to bite you one day when that person realizes that.


Nowhere does it say that you have to offer the wholesale account at your shows. If you need the right now money, get it. If they want the account for the discount, I tell them that I am giving up my commission so they can get the same price I do, 35% off. This is my business, since I'm not getting paid commission from that order, I'll need them to host a class. Everyone should understand that.


It affects the hosts sales total if the guests order goes to their own account.

I agree with you Ann, get to District as quick as you can. I also try to work the order into an RSVP, if you are losing right now money, at least you'll get the RSVP bonus that way.


I started an account with Arbonne just to get the discount, I think many of us did. So by signing someone up for the account, they are yours should they end up 'doing Arbonne'.


Short term sacrifices for long term goals.

okay ladies! Thanks so much for your help in understanding! I like the idea of having the people host a show in exchange for the right now money. How many of you encountered those that say they will but never end up doing one?


My goal is to get to district manager. I have six shows booked for June so i'm hoping to sell a lot of product smileys/smiley1.gif


Sorry i have been so confused!!!


Michele

That is great! Don't worry we all get confused! :)


You will come across some of those who never do, just always ask for referrals, and keep going!


You can do it!


Ann :)

I want to jump in and give my 2 cents here.


I work my business as a business builder. I do not do parties. I meet with those that I feel are potential business builders and try to show them how they can do what I do and obtain financial freedom. I don't think that I'm counting on others to fail so that I will be successful. If my team fails, then I'm not going to be successful. I want everyone that is sponsered below me to be successful, as much for me as for them.


If I signed up 5 successful (and maybe 10-20 unsuccessful), and did the multipication like I was shown in the presentation, before long there would be 780 consultants...


This is the best way I can explain it, as I have seen this example before and it makes sense. Our goal is to get 4 business builders to build their business. Then we teach those 4 to teach 4 each to do the same and so on. So you've got something that looks sort of like this : 1(me)+4+16+32+48+64+80+96=341. This is with everyone just sponsering 4 people each. If each of these just did their $100 minimum each month, you'd still be making a good commission.


Are there any territorial controls to ensure that a market will not be saturated?


The thing that I see different between Arbonne and another direct selling company that I've been involved with is that this product is a consumable product. Also for most people that use our products, it's a life change as well. They have decided that they only want to use safe, pure, and benificial products on and in their body. Therefore instead of going to the grocery store to buy their vitamins, skin care, and cosmetics, they are going to be ordering from me. Most of the wellness and nutrition stuff is a 1 month supply so they will be ordering at least once a month. Just like MK or Avon, who have been around for years, people are going to keep coming back for more.


I guess my question is, for the average SAHM, willing to put in 10-15 hours a week, what kind of expenses and compensation can be expected?


The money is very real. I have seen first hand 2 people that started their businesses just last year (one in July and one in November). One person's checks are already $10K+. The other is climbing fast and is already close to $2K+. To me, very little expenses are needed to run this business successfully. We have purchase our pups (whatever amount was comfortable for us) and that is what we use. We don't order samples, which become very expensive over time. The compensation is going to be not having to worry about how our bills are going to get paid or how I'm going to make it stretch until dh's next paycheck. I haven't climbed as fast as I had liked but I know I'm going to get there. I can see the big picture and I just have to show it to other people so that they can see it too.


How is this not a pyramid


I don't think it's a pyramid b/c I can't make just as much as my sponser. I can go further than she can, if it works that way. In a pyramid system, those at the bottom don't make anything why everyone at the top make it all. I don't take any money out of my recruit's pockets. They keep all their profits and I keep all of mine.


My biggest concern is the money being made is by encouraging people to purchase the starter pup kits, and the prices I saw were $1,000+.


Let me explain the thought behind that investment amount. But first let me say you don't have to invest that much. My first recruit only bought one pup. She then used her $100 for $20 to build another for personal use. Ok here's the thought, to make DM, say in 2 months, you need to do a total of $6000 in GV (total sales for you and any of your recruits). You also have to have $1000 of PV. So if you invest $1000 in pups, then you have met your PV right there. But if you are not comfortable making this investment, you don't have to. You can have only one to pup out and still be successful. It may take you longer but you can do it.

ZachMadsMom, from your post, from an outsider looking in, like the original poster, your post sounds exactly like what she is afraid of. When you leave out the fact that you do find clients by doing puppies or one-on-ones, it sound like the scam she was referring to. The new people, or potential new people have to be aware that in order to find those 4 people, we are introducing Arbonne to alot more. You said you do not do parties, but to keep the integrity of Arbonne I believe you must be doing product sales on top of recruiting.

Wow, great discussion! Don’t check the boards for 2 days &amp; they explode! My "Arbonne sisters" have had great points but I wanted to throw in some thoughts as well. Let me start off saying that I have always had a negative opinion of MLM as well…until I was introduced to Arbonne. After that I researched &amp; learned more about the industry. I didn’t understand it before; I had just heard the sham stories we have all heard. I wish everyone who got into MLM asked these questions &amp; researched more b/c maybe then we wouldn’t have the misconceptions out there. I think part of the problem is that people jump in expecting this to be easy money &amp; it’s not. MLM is work just like any other business. So people who just want to “get rich quick” get frustrated fast &amp; quit. Then they blame the industry. Though, we all know there are the “bad eggs” companies out there that are also tainting the industry as a whole. <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><O:P></O:P>


However, I would not classify most MLM’s as pyramids. I understand your reasoning for thinking that but a valid MLM is not. First, pyramids are illegal so a company can’t operate as a pyramid for very long without being shut down. The difference between a pyramid &amp; an MLM is that in a pyramid products are not moving or a valid service is not being offered. For an MLM to be legal this has to be happening. In Arbonne if products aren’t moving then there is no business. You cannot make money off of just recruiting. People have to be buying products. And we DO NOT encourage front loading. That is a huge NO NO in Arbonne. It’s actually illegal. Some MLM companies do it but we don’t. <O:P></O:P>


Myself, I do not enjoy doing parties so I am going with the business plan you are talking about. Not everyone you introduce this to are going to want to do the business. If they don’t then they become customers, which is great with me! Let’s say I introduce Arbonne to 20 people. Out of that 20, 4 sign up to be business builders, 6 sign up to just get the discount &amp; the rest just want to be customers &amp; order products from me. All 3 ways products are still moving. So my 4 new business builders do the same &amp; so on &amp; so on. There are BB, WB &amp; customers all mixed in which makes a business, not a pyramid. And I use 20 just b/c that’s a small, easy number.<O:P></O:P>


And, like others have said, we do not count on others failing. I want my team to be as successful as possible. The better they do means the better I do. I want them to have my job! I understand about saturation. Believe me, I live in Oklahoma where Arbonne has the most consultants so I get that question all the time. However, every single person in Oklahoma is not using Arbonne so we are far from saturation. And new people are moving here or being born every day so I don’t see it ever happening. Also, once Arbonne goes International we’ll have even more people to introduce it to. MK has been around a long time &amp; people think it’s saturated but there are people out there who have never tried it or been approached to try it. (I’m one of them) So that 780<SUP>th</SUP> person that buys in is going to have people that she knows that others didn’t. So she will have people to introduce the products to. <O:P></O:P>


You asked for the average SAHM what kind of expenses &amp; compensation can be expected. No one can answer that definitively b/c it varies. It depends on that SAHM &amp; how she works her 10-15 hours a week. But the Mercedes &amp; big paycheck is real &amp; it is attainable for her, legitimately. I see it happen monthly in Oklahoma to girls I know who have done it working 10-15 hours per week. And without going into huge amounts of debt. Now there are expenses but a person should never do more than they can afford to do. It can be done with the barest of investment or with a bigger investment. That is up to the individual. <O:P></O:P>


Yes, the party plan is different than the business plan. Please remember that the business plan &amp; puppy plans are new to Arbonne so a lot of us are still learning them. It is a huge paradigm shift for us from the party plan. So there probably will be some learning curves for a lot of us. And you may run into one person who only does the party plan &amp; another who only does the business plan. One may offer specials that the others don’t since we are all independent consultants &amp; can run our businesses differently… within the policies &amp; procedures of Arbonne of course. There are a lot of us that question the integrity of the new plans &amp; if it was ethical or not. (I had a person on another discussion board basically call me unethical when I mentioned it before it got more “popular” in the company) All three strategies are legitimate &amp; ethical if they are being done right. Arbonne is a very ethical company &amp; they work hard to maintain it so I am confident that any system introduced that was unethical would be shut down by corporate fast. We just have to make sure that everyone completely understands the systems before they go out &amp; fly solo.


I'll stop there since this post has gotten way to long. But again, thanks for bringing these questions up. We encounter them so I'm glad they are on the table for all of us to learn from.And it's people like you who are going to be good for the industry &amp; the company. It keeps it on the right track &amp; everyone honest!smileys/smiley1.gifEdited by: Soonergirl74

Cassandra, I wasn't trying to make it sound like a scam. That was the only way I know how to answer the questions the OP had. I do have customers as well as recruits. In fact, I have more customers than recruits right now.


I hope the OP is able to find some help in these posts as there is some great info here. There are lots of direct sales, MLM companies out there. They aren't scams and are great companies to work for. Out of all the ones I've looked at and/or been a part of, this is the easiest, most obtainable business model I have ever seen.

ok back to the new consultants with a $100 ORDER.....I am jumping in here to tell you something I didnt know for the longest time.
THEY HAVE ALL MONTH TO PUT IN A $100 order!
As long as they do $100 in their start month they can pick a free product! plus they will count as a $100 new consultant for you....
So if they only have the money to sign up... Sign them up!
they have the whole month to put in an order!...
Plus there is no required order to open an account. I dont think the company would want you denying someone an account.
And if your upline says it isnt worth it..
tell her to send them to me I will sign them up lol..
or tell heryou will take them.
Sometimes the people that don't have alot of money have a bigger WHY to do this business.
I wouldn't deny anyone the opportunity.

Great point Michelle! smileys/smiley4.gif

remember that the business plan &amp; puppy plans are new to Arbonne so a lot of us are still learning them. It is a huge paradigm shift for us from the party plan.


I figured that this business plan was new and that is really where the red flags are going off for me personally. One website I found that was very anti MLM's you might find interesting. Now I'm NOT saying it' all true or that it applies to Arbonne, but for those of you doing the business plan these are the thoughts skeptics like myself are having. The website is:http://www.vandruff.com/mlm.html


Even though I don't believe the business plan is necessarily bad, or unprofitable,because clearly people are making moneyin it. I for one need to sit back and watch it. I saw on a post on another board somewhere that someone from the company is saying thatpups should not be reused because the producthas potential for being tampered with. That could be 100% false, but I can't find anything official from Arbonne on the business planand pupplans. Most things on the pup plans seem to be prepared by an independent consultant. At least what I've seen for now.


ANYWAYS....Thank you all for all your input, I feel more confident with Arbonne as a company. They employee fabulous people, youhave been so helpful. I LOVE the product, and plan to wholesale and wait to see where that takes me. Thank you very much!!!

I'm pretty new with Arbonne myself, I didn't know the puppy plan untill I read from this message board (the old one). I asked my upline about it, she didn't know it either.


So my question is:
Does the pupply plan come from Arbonne company?
Who invented this plan?
Is this plan approved by Arbonne company?


Thanks.
Olivia

ph413, thanks for the website. I'll look at it once I am more awake &amp; can grasp things better. I will say I have looked at several anti MLM sites as well as pro MLM sites during my research. (since I was a skeptic also) And with either side you have to remember the source. As with any issue you can find arguements to support whatever your particular views are. I look forward to reading it. Always good to know every point of view.


The company does not want us selling the pups once they have been used b/c that just isn't right. As long as we demo the pups correctly you can re-demo them but you can't sell that particular set. There isn't anything official put out on the plans by corporate as far as literature goes. Now there is some training done on the pup system that consultants have access to on our consultant website &amp; they did talk about them at NTC. And if there are any aspects of a system that is an issue for Arbonne they will communicate it with the field so that it doesn't continue. Like I said, they take the intergrity of the company very seriously so nothing goes on in the field for longthat home office isn't aware of &amp; if they don't approve then we know it. smileys/smiley1.gif


So glad to hear how much you think of the company &amp; products. Good for you for taking it as slow as you need to!

Olivia-


Does the pupply plan come from Arbonne company? Who invented this plan?


A man name Andy Inman &amp; his team started it...kind of by accident. He is just darling. The story of how it started is pretty good. I think his eye on arbonne is out if you want to read about it.

Is this plan approved by Arbonne company?


I would say so since they had him &amp; his team talk at NTC. They gave him the Spirit of Arbonne award &amp; they have a learn &amp; burn on the system. If you want to learn about it you can go into the archives of the learn &amp; burns.

Cassandra, I wasn't trying to make it sound like a scam. That was the only way I know how to answer the questions the OP had. I do have customers as well as recruits. In fact, I have more customers than recruits right now.





I know you weren't hon, but for an outsider looking in, they may not understand if they don't get all the facts.


I use ENVP Jeann Sterner's line when someone asks me what I do- "I'm a professional recruiter and trainer for a prestiguous skin care company...." I love that! That statement makes it sound like I don't sell the products, but that's what I say when I am leading with the business. I'm still looking for a great one for leading with products, is it ENVP Deann Wilkinson who says, "I save face."? Anyone have any great one line commercials?

Check out www.AtlantaCelebration.com (http://www.AtlantaCelebration.com) --Puppy training in Atlanta June 4th.

Olivia, if you go to the Arbonne site and look for Andy Inman's name under RVP/NVP for his EOA, it talks about how and why he started the Puppy Dog approach. I would love to be able to make it to the celebration here in Atlanta but my son's b-day party is that day. I would love to meet him.

Check out www.AtlantaCelebration.com (http://www.AtlantaCelebration.com) --Puppy training in Atlanta June 4th.








I WILL BE THERE!!!!


This is great! I got 6 pups now!


Ann :)

I had a woman contact me upset yesterday because of this same topic. It upsets me that some women are being denied the opportunity to just sign up. My sponser tells me it is not worth signing up people who do not. I disaggree. Some poeple want the free gift and I reccomend it because you get to try some products, but I know I would never been able to sign up if I had to place my $100 order right then.


SO IF ANYONE HAS BEEN TOLD THIS AND DID NOT SIGN UP BECAUSE OF THIS&lt; PLEAS EMAIL ME AT loveurskin@myarbonne.com (loveurskin@myarbonne.com) I WILL TREAT YOU AS IF YOU PLACED A $1000 ORDER! smileys/smiley17.gif





As you can see I am with that!

ph413, I had actually read that piece by Van Druff when I was doing my own due diligence. And really, I don't think Arbonne fits into it at all so I don't want to get into a specific discussion about the article. But for those who read it I think you should also read the other side as well. Leonard W. Clements has written variousresponses on some of the major Anti- MLM guys &amp; you can find his specific response to Van Druff at http://www.mlminsider.com/29.htm.

I my experience, pyramids focus more on recruiting than on the product. With Arbonne ~ you can make 35% commission if you never sign up another soul.


With pyramids, you almost HAVE to recruit in order to make any kind of money.


If you can put in 15 hours a week and have 2-3 parties a week, you can still earn a worthwhile amount on your commission alone. True, you have more of a chance of earning more by helping others build a business of their own. In your example, 780 people is a lot of people, but it is a very small portion of the island of O'ahu (on which I live) in Hawaii. There is still a market to sell to and remember, not everyone who signs up is there to BUILD A BUSINESS, many just sign up to be wholesale buyers, but that still helps your volume and still allows you to receive overrides, plus they get a great product at a discount and there is NO minimum per month for you to earn your 35% or for your wholesale buyer to continue to get their discount.


In most pyramids I've seen everyone has to commit to buying/selling a certain amount every month. So in those cases you are asking people who may never make any money to commit to spending at least a set $ amount each month. That does not happen with Arbonne. You are NOT required to purchase anything on a monthly basis to earn your commission ~ and there is no minimum that you have to sell in order to get your commission either.


About the puppy plan ~ there is also a "Learn and Burn" on it and that will give you an idea of how it came about.Edited by: mahoes

I spoke with my upline and my RVP told me that it is ok for people to deny applications or to only take ones that are with $100 or $1000 orders because it is their own business. I think these people are nuts because my team is great and I allow them to sign up what ever way they want, it is there business so more power to them. :)


Ann :)