Thanks For Coming Out

Times are not the best, granted, and many people I know are looking for new work or opportunities for new income. I'm, unfortunately, no exception and changed my LinkedIn profile to state that I am interested in finding new work so that the onsite recruiters can find me.

Cue a persuasive job offer from someone I've never met. Let's call him Brandon. His LinkedIn description is 'Entrepreneur', which can mean almost anything. I could describe myself as an entrepreneur on the basis of having a YouTube channel, but that doesn't mean it's a success (it isn't) or that I could offer any type of advice to anyone on the subject of having a channel (I can't). Brandon offers a zoom meeting to talk about his business and what my role would be if hired.

The first zoom meeting is only ten minutes long and is a sort of meet and greet before he says he needs to take another call, but another call is scheduled. The second call, he describes ecommerce to me and explains what a passive income is. Both of these are subjects covered in podcasts, promotional books, online courses and articles. I'm too polite to say that I know this already and nod my head along to his presentation. The call only lasts twenty minutes and I'm still not sure what I would be doing. Is it a marketing position? Sales? All I know is he claims I can make a passive income, making my money work for me.

The third call occurs and it's finally all laid out. I join the company and make sales. These sales are measured in a point based system. You then recruit people to your team, and they make sales as well. Their points are added to your points and you get a higher profit percentage based on their sales. Thankfully, he drew a very helpful diagram for me. Pointing out that the diagram resembles a pyramid scheme elicits hostility. Brandon becomes annoyed and states that he doesn't want to waste his time on me. His only argument for why it is not a pyramid scheme is that people do not need to pay to join up. He says that they make money selling products, but asking him what types gives the response that there are too many for him to list them all for me.

The presentation continues and Brandon mentions that self-development is crucial to being an entrepreneur, and that the company offers resources to its 'team members' for a monthly fee of $100 or a one time payment of $250. Products for you to try will be shipped to you and you will have access to all sorts of podcasts, training sessions and books about business start ups. He's lost me, but he invites me to join another zoom meeting with his senior partner in the business. I make no promises.

A quick Google search reveals nothing about his company. No website, no address, no where to order the thousands of products he supposedly sells. The company from Brandon's LinkedIn profile only lists two employees, himself and what appears to be himself under a slightly different name.

Thus the old adage "if it seems to good to be true, it probably is" holds up. Now, I am no expert in business and there are some instances where MLM's are legitimate businesses. But needing a team to make money, and making me do the recruiting, is a massive red flag and wanting me to pay for my own training seems ridiculous.

I almost feel sorry for Brandon. He thought he had found an easy target, only to be caught off guard with too many questions from someone who values their money, time and pride.

Keep a watchful eye out there.