Confessions of an ex MLMer..

[Mikey P]

All but the newest members here will remember Brian "Corky" Robison.

Not so long ago he was the second most active user here. Beloved and welcomed by some, despised and unfriended by a few others.

Personally I loved the guy. He never shut up and always brought something of interest to the BB table. I was saddened when his career choice took him elsewhere.


And that why I started this thread.

Brian agree to let me interview him on the facts (as he sees it) on Multi Level Marketing.
The subject has been brought up here many times as it's something we as cleaners get approached about frequently.
Some of us have dabbled and a few may have jumped in the deep end. We all know people who have tried and tried hard to make it work with MLM but do any of us really know anyone who has made and continue to make their millions on the pyramid?


Lets take a moment with the Cork and find out what he knows on the subject




and a bit more..

• Brian which MLMs were you involved with
• How were you brought into each one?
• Are you currently involved in any and at what level?
• I know your real job is selling cars but if the right opportunity came along to come in on a MLM at it's inception would you jump ship?
• I say that because I think its pretty much the universal truth that only the early adapters make any real money, right?
• At what point did you know you would have to take the Chevy job (or any job) when you were with the power company MLM?
• Did you actually see first hand the people who really made it or was it just pictures of their castles in magazines or on the web? ( I got a Zango catalog that looks like a soft porn mag with all these pretty rich folk flaunting about)
• For every 20 people you presented to how many showed any initial potential?
• In your opinion what would be the ultimate MLM product that would guarantee success to any and all involved?
• Did you lose any friends in the process ?
• How many family members still take your calls?
• How close were you to making it with the power company deal?
• Do you regret you involvement or see it as a destine step to where you are now?
• and if your daughter came home with an TruVision DVD you'd....?

and on the flip side..

• 
  
• 
  
• Are you enjoying the car racket?
• Better money than carpet cleaning or just less hard work?
• Is it a clean conscious job that allows you to sleep well?
• How long did it take you to get MB out of your system?
• Ready to head home to Cali yet?

Thanks Cork!


Miss your energy here..

 

[SamIam]

I'm such a dingus I thought the thread was about vlm not mlm but corky knows both!

 

[hogjowl]

I knew it. Things really ARE slow here.

And all that Tapatalk stuff was just a straw man.

 

[Brian R]

First I would like to say I'm glad that Fred is not around anymore because I know he wouldn't allow something like this to happen on his forum. Whew! Much better.

Also before I start answering the Q's I'll give my opinion upfront of what I think of MLMs.


It's a perfect business model... It really is.

Problem is... People and situations are not perfect and therefore MLMs are not for everyone.

THAT'S the conundrum.

Most people are not business owners and don't have that mentality. They don't get it.

Even if you're a sales-y type person, you may still not have the business owner's mindset to make an MLM happen for you.

All business owners are salespeople but not all salespeople are business owner types. Go figure.

You HAVE to have a business mind along with a sales personality to make it work.

Since most don't... you end up where I was... Making it work for everyone you bring in. But that can only go on for so long.

Yes, I made money, traveled and I helped others...

But at the end of the day most people couldn't be made to make money. That's the nutshell.

Onward to the questions at hand. (I love you Mikey, you big lug)... Enter sodomizing emoticon here.

 

[FB19087]

sos.................

 

[Dolly Llama]

First I would like to say I'm glad that Fred is not around anymore because I know he wouldn't allow something like this to happen on his forum. Whew! Much better.

Also before I start answering the Q's I'll give my opinion upfront of what I think of MLMs.


It's a perfect business model... It really is.

Problem is... People and situations are not perfect and therefore MLMs are not for everyone.

THAT'S the conundrum.

Most people are not business owners and don't have that mentality. They don't get it.

Even if you're a sales-y type person, you may still not have the business owner's mindset to make an MLM happen for you.

All business owners are salespeople but not all salespeople are business owner types. Go figure.

You HAVE to have a business mind along with a sales personality to make it work.

Since most don't... you end up where I was... Making it work for everyone you bring in. But that can only go on for so long.

Yes, I made money, traveled and I helped others...

But at the end of the day most people couldn't be made to make money. That's the nutshell.

Onward to the questions at hand. (I love you Mikey, you big lug)... Enter sodomizing emoticon here.

I'll condense that down to the bottom line for you

"no...MLM is for rubes
and sooner or later you figure it out"

..L.T.A.

 

[Brian R]

• Brian which MLMs were you involved with

Mary Kay of course because of the Wifey but I also did Visalus and ACN. I looked into Herbalife, Organogold and a few others I can't remember right now.

The best MLMs are the ones you can make money on the product or service without recruiting. With that said, recruiting is where the real money is.

• How were you brought into each one?

I knew of Mary Kay from my ex sister in-law but I came to know it through my now Wifey Miss Jeni.

I got into Visalus from a friend here on Mikey's and got into ACN from an old friend who made his money in real estate before the bubble popped in CA.

It's all about approaching people when your recruiting and not being skeered.

• Are you currently involved in any and at what level?

I just support Miss Jeni for now. I got sick of the traveling and that type of work.

• I know your real job is selling cars but if the right opportunity came along to come in on a MLM at it's inception would you jump ship?

I'm a Finance Manager at a Chevy dealership. I sell hopes and dreams baby (not far off from MLM stuff). Right opportunity? Eh, maybe. I'm pretty happy with customers being dragged to me by others.

• I say that because I think its pretty much the universal truth that only the early adapters make any real money, right?

Only the hard workers with that business mind, sales personality and incredible work ethic make it. No really.
You can make it in most MLMs at any point in the business time line. I personally believe that "get in on the ground floor" is for the weak minded.

• At what point did you know you would have to take the Chevy job (or any job) when you were with the power company MLM?

When I realized I was bored of what I was doing and was planning on not doing it anymore.

I had my carpet cleaning company sale money and the residuals from ACN and a little bit from Visalus to keep me going. So I thought "What's like carpet cleaning without physical labor?"
Car sales. I did that for a year (was salesman of the year ) and they promoted me to finance. Good money. Not like I was making cleaning... But 6 figures isn't bad.

• Did you actually see first hand the people who really made it or was it just pictures of their castles in magazines or on the web? ( I got a Zango catalog that looks like a soft porn mag with all these pretty rich folk flaunting about)

I knew the VPs etc... Big deal But I couldn't help but think they made their money other ways. It just felt like it for some reason. The detector was hitting most of the time.

With that said, I think some did really well. If you do the math, you can figure their income pretty close.

• For every 20 people you presented to how many showed any initial potential?

1 out of 2 if you're lucky. I would say 1 out of 50 is a bit closer. It's all about finding 3 or 4 rockstars to do the work of finding their 3 or 4 rockstars. That doesn't mean you stop working... It just means that's where the money starts.

• In your opinion what would be the ultimate MLM product that would guarantee success to any and all involved?

A service company that competed with the big boys via pricing and quality service. ACN didn't really offer "discounts" so most didn't see the point of switching just to help a brother out.

• Did you lose any friends in the process ?

Nah, I way to cool for that.
I was always light hearted about it.

• How many family members still take your calls?

They never took my calls to begin with.

• How close were you to making it with the power company deal?

Making it? I made it... I just un made it. Not huge money but if I stayed with it, I would be OK.

• Do you regret you involvement or see it as a destine step to where you are now?

I was just speaking with Jen about this the other day. I think things like this prepare you for what's ahead. It improved selling techniques etc. Life's an adventure... No regrets.

• and if your daughter came home with an TruVision DVD you'd....?

My daughter is a chip off the ol block. I support her in whatever she does. She has the gift of gab and her father's amazing looks.


and on the flip side..

• Are you enjoying the car racket?

It's a cool gig. I enjoy not being the man in charge after 20+ years of doing it my way.

• Better money than carpet cleaning or just less hard work?

Less hard work. Not better money. The most I've made is $24k in a month. AND THEY TAKE TAXES OUT!!!!

• Is it a clean conscious job that allows you to sleep well?

Not always. Sometimes I think I made too much money off of someone. But I do stand behind what I sell and believe it's a quality program. Yes, I really mean that.

But that's another thread.

• How long did it take you to get MB out of your system?

It's still not and you know it asshole!

• Ready to head home to Cali yet?

I still can't stand TX. Ugh... I miss CA... Just not all the horse shit that comes with it.


This has been a moment with Brian... Er, uh.. Corky

 

[Brian R]

I'll condense that down to the bottom line for you

"no...MLM is for rubes
and sooner or later you figure it out"

..L.T.A.

See what I mean?

 

[FB19087]

 

[Mikey P]

Excellent.

That's bud.


And I'm still hooked up to that gas company you talked me into.

 

[Dolly Llama]

See what I mean?

so why aren't you a big ballin' MLM'er by now??
You've been involved in how many??

"see what I mean?"......


..L.T.A.

 

[Brian R]

What part of "I didn't want to do it anymore" didn't you understand you nimrod.

 

[Brian R]

 

[bob vawter]

errr....how IS Jen anyway?

 

[Brian R]

Bob! You're still alive???

 

[Brian R]

What are you.... like a hundred now?

 

[Dolly Llama]

What part of "I didn't want to do it anymore" didn't you understand you nimrod.

I didn't see that part to understand

What I saw was a long winded rationalizing spiel of why it's not a loser .
You know... the foolishness about not having motivated peeps to sell the dream to?
You mean the part you didn't want to say??...when you realized for how much effort, time and expense you put into it it would never pay as good as putting that time and effort into more traditional positions ??
The part where all the motivated peeps that could make a difference already knew the same too?
(or found out after all the "rah-rah" brainwashing wore off and reality kicked in)

that they'd make a WHOLE lot more money for the time/effort spent doing others things ..like selling loans, ext'd warranties, windows, siding or driving a garbage truck..
and that the only thing MLM's are good for are part time peeps that want to get their soap, Sarah Coventry, tupperware, cell phone, vitamins and make up for free and NOT the pie in the sky dream of living off residuals ???


is that the part i missed and didn't understand??
or are you REALLY retarded and actually believe 3/4s of the boloney you just sliced off??


..L.T.A.

 

[bob vawter]

What are you.... like a hundred now?

not a hunnert...yet
all though some days i feel lik it......all stiff!

 

[hogjowl]

Viagra must be an amazing drug.

 

[Hoody]

So when are you going to become an ItWorks distributor?

 

[cobra]

Im actually a former mlm'er. My wife and I have been involved in several. Its actually not that different than our current biz, carpet cleaning.
Its not for everyone, right. Some people jump in, spend a whole lotta money, and still fail right?
What about downlines. Well, we have them in carpet cleaning, we just call them cheerleaders. In other words, we let our customers do the selling for us.
The truth is not everyone gets mlm, because from birth we are taught the exact opposite!
The one thing I didnt like about it, there always seemed like more to spend my money on so I could be success..... oh wait the same in this biz, always a new tool or chem right???
Mlms work. Just not for everyone!

 

[FB7777]

What part of "I didn't want to do it anymore" didn't you understand you nimrod.

Along with every other thing you've dabbled and lost interest in

Focus is your friend

 

[bob vawter]

but...what about ...........Jen?

 

[Brian R]

Lawry, the money is there if you put the time and effort in. Like anything. Don't get all butt hurt about it.

What is ItWorks? I've been out of the loop.

 

[Brian R]

Along with every other thing you've dabbled and lost interest in

Focus is your friend

That's just how I roll.

 

[Brian R]

but...what about ...........Jen?

Jen is doing really well. Her Mary Kay business is hitting hard... Even if Larry doesn't believe.

 

[Doug Cox]

Brian- You're no more believable now than you were before. I agree with Larry.

 

[Dolly Llama]

Lawry, the money is there if you put the time and effort in. Like anything.

.

yea sure
that's why you're selling ext'd warranties and Cobra is a "former" MLM'er


it doesn't take long for anyone with half a brain to realize, for the time, effort and expense involved to make a full time livable wage, they can do far better in more traditional sales/service positions ..like you are now


and me butthurt??..don't be silly
I'm not the one in denial or retarded or FOS
you are at least one of the above.

i like to think you're either retarded or in denial (possibly both)
cause believe it or not, i actually like you..which would all go out the window if i thought or determined you were just a FOS, flimflam windbag

..L.T.A.

 

[ruff]

I knew it. Things really ARE slow here.

A few suggestions to help the ratings:

• Now that you got Corky, get Yorkie back.
• Let Bob tell us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but.... 'Foster Tough' style.
• Spice it up with Warmonger.
• Mix in a dash of Bristor.
• Free Mardie.

 

[FB7777]

yea sure
that's why you're selling ext'd warranties and Cobra is a "former" MLM'er


it doesn't take long for anyone with half a brain to realize, for the time, effort and expense involved to make a full time livable wage, they can do far better in more traditional sales/service positions ..like you are now


and me butthurt??..don't be silly
I'm not the one in denial or retarded or FOS
you are at least one of the above.

i like to think you're either retarded or in denial (possibly both)
cause believe it or not, i actually like you..which would all go out the window if i thought or determined you were just a FOS, flimflam windbag

..L.T.A.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA