The thought that some people have about Amway and other MLM companies being cults has always amazed me. There are times when I wished they were, because in cults people blindly do what the cult leaders tell them to do. Our team members all have minds of their own and businesses of their own and they can do what they want to do.
Anyone who has actually been part of building a network marketing team or organization can tell you that almost no one does what they are asked or told to do regarding building their business. Even when they are the ones asking! That right there should convince you it’s not a cult. But let’s examine some of the concerns people have stated that tells them it’s a cult.
#1 The People In MLM Have A Cult Like Attachment To Their Company
I find this one very interesting as most people have an attachment to their employers company but don’t seem to think it’s a cult. In MLM people are supportive of the company and its products because it is supporting their business too. As far as people having a cult like following, you should check into the companies like Facebook, Google, Yahoo or Apple. Their employees are the most involved, passionate, cultist people I have ever seen outside of a real cult. They have their own campuses for their people with living areas, chef run kitchens and lounge spaces to encourage you to be creative and dedicated at all hours of the day. People are driven to be part of these companies.
If the naysayers meant people who are dedicated to what they are doing in a business of their own, then that could be confused with a cult, I guess.
#2 The People Are Very Religious
It is true some people in network marketing are religious. Some are not. It is a business that accepts all kinds of people and has no prejudgment for religious affiliation. It seems like some of the people who have been part of a MLM business have been uncomfortable with people having a pledge of allegiance or a prayer before a meeting or a seminar. I myself don’t think it should be part of the business proceedings and that it can be off putting for some people.
However it is a right that owning your own business brings. It is no different than what the founder of Chik-Fil-A decided to do. Many of the company’s values are influenced by the religious beliefs of its late founder, S. Truett Cathy, a devout Southern Baptist. Most notably, all Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed for business on Sundays, as well as on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
That does not make them a cult does it? Even the Federal government of the USA closes down on these holidays. We all happily enjoy the paid time off for holidays from our employers right? No double standard there right?
#3 The People Are Fanatical
This can be another true observation that some people in MLM are very passionate about their opportunity to build their own business. It shows us that the American Dream which is so alive in immigrants to the USA, can also be stimulated in the people who are already here. It’s too bad so many people have forgotten or never knew that the USA was built on people who had their own businesses not jobs,
Most people were farmers, tradesmen and artisans before the industrial revolution. You know , people like bakers, tailors, blacksmiths, barbers, weavers, apothecaries etc.
These people were also fanatics about what they did. If not; they would not be able to survive.
Owning your own MLM business is like that in a way. The way, that allows you to be excited to build something for you and your family. That brings out the passion and excitement in people that had no other opportunity to start a business of their own with very little money or training. Somehow being excited about your own enterprise is now a cult. I guess they have never seen the people who go on the show Shark Tank or the Profit. They are fanatical about what they are doing. Starting and owning their own business.
I think it just makes some people uncomfortable that they are bored and not excited about their jobs but don’t have the ambition to do something of their own. Sad really.
I think that people just need to give other people their space to do what they want to do. As long as it does not affect you or what you are doing then keep moving on with your life, would you? If you were offered an opportunity to build your own business by a friend or family member then feel lucky that they saw something in you, that maybe you don’t. Possibly they believe in your capability more than you do. Feel fortunate; not put off by the invitation. They had your best interest in mind.
And if you decided not to join them in their “cult” then you proved my point that network marketing companies like Amway and others cannot be a cult, since no one does what we ask or tell them to do in MLM. After all you did not join right? Just Kidding. For a tour of the best MLM opportunity right now click HERE!
Discover a Simple Business that Pays a Full Time Income from HomeThanks for reading!
Mark Balderrama
