In the MLM industry I have heard so many times over that if you work as an employee, you aren’t a “true” entrepreneur. Now what’s true about the statement, in part, is if you are an employee and have an entrepreneurial spirit, you most likely are day dreaming all day about other ways to make money, but just because you have a J.O.B. doesn’t mean you are not an entrepreneur.
What is “unfair” about the statement coming from the MLM industry is, the way that may be stated “implies” you may not be good enough, which creates a challenge, a strong desire, which makes you feel the desire to try it out.
In a way it’s a sales tactic of sorts.
The truth of the MLM industry is you aren’t truly working for yourself. They have created the illusion that you are your own business owner, but you are working for someone else no matter what. You are working for the MLM Company, going by their guidelines and following their terms of conditions (TOS). If you were a true business owner, you’d have your very own strategy and TOS and only answering to YOU – you’d be your own boss.
You can be both and will be both an Entrepreneur and Employee if you run your own business. You’ll have processing to follow, going to work (whether it’s at your desk in your bedroom or at your bricks and mortar store front, you have to show up sometime), getting paid for your work … etc.
The benefit for a business owner is to be able to call all shots. You can somewhat do that in MLM, but not 100%.
In fact if you are starting your own business, you’ll need income to do so. Chances are you’ll be that “Day dreaming employee” for a short time, while you build up the capital, to get your business off the ground.
A business owner (sole proprietor, small or large firm or enterprise) is a legally recognized organization designed to provide goods and/or services to consumers, either as a sole proprietor (starting out as a registered DBA in your state by typically using your SSN or later a FEIN, a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service), LLC or INC.
Some MLM companies allow you to register your own name and you present yourself as a separate business, selling their goods, but it is their (MLM Company) TOS you still have to pursue.
Some may legitimately argue that it’s better to work for another company in this capacity for legal reasons. The worst that may happen to you if you screw-up, your agreement with the MLM company will be breached and terminated. So there is that partial protection there.
You can practice your business skills that you should have already developed and give it a go, without concerning yourself about the law.
Some may also justifiably argue that the MLM Company backs you up. Ships the product and services for you (hassle free), takes payment, provides refunds (in some cases) and troubleshoots orders for you. All you have to do is sell it.
Easy enough, but if you look at that last paragraph, how does that make you an Entrepreneur or your own business owner? You are still working for someone else.
The point is that you are aware, that you know what your true title is when you join an MLM business. You are an associate, even in some cases an independent contractor but not a true business owner.
The misleading articles, posts and classified ads about working from home in the MLM industry have created their own and deserving reputation, and it’s not the greatest one on the planet. The best way to recoup that reputation is to just be plain, simple and up front. If you are running a legit outfit, there is no need to “double-talk” your potential customers or future downline.
Always do your research before venturing into the MLM industry, and if paying fees upfront to work. Know what you’ll be doing, how much you’ll be spending (why – in detail), check out the TOS, understand your role, get “outside” sales and Internet marketing training, and how you are to go about recruiting others and selling their goods before you agree to jump in.
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