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I was a promotional writer in the marketing departments at two of the largest of these "multi-level marketing" outfits (two of the very best known). The level of cynicism at the very top of these companies pretty much put the lie on what they are all about: separating people from their money and pushing a cult of personality. (Remember the blowdried but now deceased Mark Hughes and his "Lose Weight Now! Ask Me How!" mantra?)
They're ersatz religions for people who are seeking to fill the voids in their lives.
In researching the statistics on MLM "distributor" income (as an assignment for the first such outfit for whom I was writing), I discovered that out of all the millions of people suckered into these schemes, only 3 percent make anything like a livable income from their endeavors.
A very fine legal line separates an "MLM" from an outright pyramid scheme. No matter, though: The money mostly flows from the "downlines" to the "uplines." Charter "distributors" make most of the money; newcomers make very little.
Your friend will lose interest in pretty short order, especially after he takes stock of all the money he has sunk into inventory he cannot sell.
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