A Washington Post article making the rounds right now claims that multi-level marketing (MLM, or network marketing) organizations are ruining female friendships. The author cited a few specific stories of bad examples, and those who don’t see the value in the MLM business model quickly shared it with glee while relating their own stories about that one time someone misled them with a sales pitch.
I’m not going to deny that some people in network marketing businesses operate without morals and use tactics that, quite frankly, suck. And when that happens, it makes everyone in the industry look bad.
But there are people in EVERY industry who do their jobs in a way that makes their field look bad. Ever heard a lawyer joke? Know any lawyers who aren’t ambulance-chasing snakes? Yes? Me too. In fact, most of the lawyers I know are honest and moral business men and women. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever actually met an ambulance chaser. Ever.
Similarly, despite the Washington Post portrait of people in MLM, I have met many honest, hard-working, strong, wonderful women through my experiences with network marketing. I joined my first network marketing company after the birth of my third child. My family had relocated to the Philadelphia area a year before, and I worked from home prior to his birth. I knew very few people in the area, and I was lonely and looking for a way to get out of my house.
That first company opened a door for me. It got me to step out of my comfort zone. I signed up to be a vendor at community events, and I joined networking groups. Most importantly, I made friends — most of whom I’m still connected with now.
After a few years, I moved on, but my friendships remained because they were built on more than just a sales pitch. I had built real relationships with good people both inside and outside the industry. And when the time came, when one of those friends presented another network marketing opportunity that fit with my life and values, I jumped on it.
I can’t speak for all network marketers, only for myself and how I coach my team to succeed. My philosophy is pretty simple: don’t be a jerk. Treat people the way you want to be treated in business and in life, no matter what business you’re in. It’s a simple philosophy that has helped me simultaneously build my business and my friendships.