Multi-Level Can Be Great, When It’s Multi-Level Helping

not a mlm_featuredYes, it is true. Beachbody is technically a Multi-Level Marketing(MLM) company. MLMs in general get a bad rap because many new representatives get excited and run to friends and family to sell their products. Even if those products aren’t a good fit for those people (we’ve all been there). But the really big problem is that sometimes they persist in only ever approaching people they know, rather than branching out and finding the people that actually want or need the products.

But Beachbody is different. The company truly believes in people helping people and only working with customers who are a good fit. It doesn’t believe in hounding family and friends to sell; it’s about sharing and inspiring to hopefully touch lives and encourage people to better themselves.

Sharing and Helping

Beachbody started as an infomercial- and web-based company. It sold its exercise and nutritional products to customers and was highly successful, long before there were any coaches. But Carl Daikeler, our CEO, wanted a way to help people who had purchased the products. He is passionate about improving lives, and lives don’t change if a product doesn’t get used. He realized that if people helped other people, everyone could succeed.not a mlm

Think of it this way: Most people aren’t going to run out and buy a product just because they see it on TV. Some will, but most want to buy something that they’ve seen their friends use and succeed with. Carl did some research and today’s Beachbody business model was born—people helping, supporting and encouraging other people.

My Leap

I joined Beachbody in December of 2006, before today’s model was in place. I didn’t have any reservations about it because I already had results and was sharing them. But then it became an opportunity to help others—while I was making money and saving 25 percent on my products (which was key in motivating me to become a coach initially). Both my sponsor and I were a little naïve about what we were stepping into. But in 2010, we were both top coaches in the company and earned an amazing trip as an incentive. We realized that consistency was the name of the game, and I’ve been on a roll ever since.

Being a Beachbody coach was never about becoming a top producer or earning an amazing living. I got into this because I wanted to help others. Period. The passion I have for the products fuels my success and my ability to connect to and help others.

Beachbody is Different

When the Federal Trade Commission evaluates if companies are doing “shady” things (a.k.a. pyramid schemes), it looks at how many actual customers are using the products. That’s a market differentiator. How many customers does the company have, outside of distributors? Beachbody is absolutely legitimate because there’s real products (with real results) and real customers.

It seems like every stay-at-home mom is in a business because we crave a purpose and direction, plus a little extra spending money. We’re looking for opportunities to start a business on the side and even fuel self-improvement. Being your own boss and becoming a leader helps you get outside your comfort zone to grow and change the lives of others.

There are a lot of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs—companies with business models similar to Beachbody’s. But what can really differentiate these opportunities is the types of products offered, the people and the mission of the company. Beachbody encourages people to work on themselves. As you grow, you become a better leader. And if you can lead a large team, you can help an infinite number of people.

That is what I love so much about the company I work with. Beachbody may look like a Multi-Level Marketing company, but it is really a Multi-Level Helping company with people helping people.

xoxo - Lee

About Lee

I am a 44-year old married mom of 4. I love my family. If you’re a mom, then you know kids and a spouse keep you busy. It’s easy to forget yourself in the process of taking care of your family. My mission is to help other moms take care of themselves so they can be more available to their loved ones and lead more fulfilling lives.