MLM HORROR STORIES #67 | Stuck in 8 MLMs over 10 years, called “dead weight” by upline

#hannahalonzo #antimlm #mlmhorrorstories
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:15 Story 1
6:20 Story 2
14:02 Story 3
34:27 Story 4
VIDEOS/PLAYLISTS MENTIONED
Anti-MLM Playlist: • ANTI-MLM
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MLM HORROR STORY SUBMISSIONS: Please email me at [e-mail] and put "MLM Horror Story" in the title.
(I really appreciate stories that are broken up into paragraphs, that have punctuation, and are proof-read! I will not feature stories that are too difficult or time consuming for me to read due to errors)
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[@nothingtoseeherebye74]

There's a theater in Washington DC that's hosting an anti-MLM improv comedy show called "Not a Pyramid Scheme" from May 19 to June 16.

[@schrdngrskat3847]

Maaan, I'm gonna be in that area in July, I wish they were doing it then! I totally would've gone! 😅

[@emberglar5466]

That would be so fun!! That’s very interesting and will be a great way to shed some light on it in a fun way.

[@SarahKDB]

Which theatre? I live very close!

[@wewemcrhyne]

I would love to see it if I was in the area!!

[@momof3chis291]

That’s AWESOME! 😂🤣😂🤣

[@KatwinKennedy]

Honestly I am begging those for whom English is not your first language - please don’t feel the need to apologise. There has never yet been an issue communicating in these stories. Your contributions are just as important and valid. People want to hear what you have to say. Even if it’s long. Even if you are mentioning concepts not common in English speaking countries - I’m sure the audience will want to try and understand you and still listen to your story. Highlight and tap that delete key on your introductory apology 👍

[@leisureletter2051]

Not to mention their English is usually better than most. No need to apologize, you just speak English better than a native. No big whoop, lol.

[@Kreepie11]

Also, (sorry if this is just me) I find it really cute when there are small grammar mistakes ("broken English"). It never interferes with my understanding of what's being discussed, but it does bring a little smile to my face. :) I love knowing that someone has worked really hard to communicate as best they can... and much prefer it to the lazy writing we've come to accept online.

[@aliciahumpherys4916]

Not to mention it’s such a waste of time and it’s annoying hearing the same exact unnecessary apology a thousand times… seriously, just write your story and be confident in your words!

[@nicolemarchese2166]

If anything it adds value to show how MLMs are the same just as toxic in other countries and cultures even when specific circumstances are different.

[@MM-dw4ew]

As a non-native english speaker, I do believe you should note this if you’re not fluent. Not because mistakes are bad, but because you might use phrasing that’s uncommon or can be understood differently by the native speaker. If they know, then it would be easier for them to look past it. It just helps for a clearer communication.

[@thaloblue]

Hearing about the woman in her ninth mlm has me working up the courage to talk about the fifteen different mlms that stole my mom from me over my whole childhood.

[@lyladaisie]

There's a similar story like yours she posted

[@HSSG7]

Once more for the Huns in the back: "NO" is a COMPLETE sentence.

[@larissabrglum3856]

"This MLM is different" is like Lucy with the football

[@Kattlarv]

If I had an abusive BF that took ALL of my time, money, didn't let me see people, FORCED me to give him a minimum of ~$50 each month, made me watch his kids/friends, entertain his family constantly while giving me NOTHING in return: Yes, I'd leave his sorry ass. Why would I try to fix that dumpsterfire?

[@Kreepie11]

I was looking for this comment, thank you!!

[@thaloblue]

Excellent point. Or he drove away all your friends because he was obnoxious and a pig, commenting on their makeup and weight and clothing.

[@M_SC]

Coercive control

[@Diana-qp2rw]

It’s easy to say that if you’ve never been in that situation.

[@Kattlarv]

@@Diana-qp2rw A bit, yes. But it's only hard for those that have been ablused and neglected their whole life.

[@karnagekarnival5127]

I'm always confused by "She seemed so genuine" because if ANYONE talks to me uninvited I'm already thinking "what the hell do you want?" 🤣🤣🤣

[@M_SC]

Maybe because you don’t talk to strangers unless you want something yourself. Lots of people are quite different from that

[@karnagekarnival5127]

@M_SC Actual facts 💯 As far as me being that way, but I've never once met someone that DIDNT want something. People just like hiding it. Entertainment, friendship, etc are still something that ppl would be after. The thing is I don't like dishonesty, I can tell if someone is just bored and wants to talk or if they want something actually annoying like this crap.

[@susanfudge1737]

Wow. So you're one of those?

[@karnagekarnival5127]

@@susanfudge1737 Yes, Susan.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Your comment is old, but I'm having a session of rewatching Hannah's videos and your comment made me think of a hilarious incident from about a year ago. I'm a happy introvert (happy with my own company) and so I also don't really approach strangers too often and it's not too often that I'm approached, but I definitely have had some questionable incidents. One time while at a discount store, I was looking over the selection of books when something ticked off my spidey senses that I was being watched. I looked up briefly and caught the eye of someone across the store. Crap, they noticed that I'd noticed them! I immediately put my face back in the book as I saw out the corner of my eye, to my horror, that they were now making their way towards me! I began to go over the quickest objections I could think of, figuring they were likely about to ask me for money. I don't carry cash but I've had a few people in the past ask me to just buy them something, like food, and because I don't want to be an absolute jerk if a person truly needs food, I might buy a few items (this happened when coming out of a convenience store one night. First mistake was going to such a store at night in the first place). I don't like feeling like someone just got one over on me, and that's how I was left feeling, not like I'd helped someone. So, no matter what this person was about to ask, it was going to be a firm NO! They drew up right next to me and I took the initiative to turn to them. I opened my mouth and saw...my frickin mom! 😂😂😂. She was the one who even told me about that store and was there getting some spray paint for a DIY project. She and I had actually gone thifting the day before and I halfway thought we'd maybe come into the store together, but then I reminded myself that no, I'd definitely driven myself there. We had a good laugh, a hug, and I informed her that she'd been _this close_ to being cussed out by me 😂. But, I'm happy that I was already ready to shut down whatever bull a random stranger would've tried!

[@Learninglotsoflanguages]

Let's normalize setting boundaries and saying no to hosting a party and feel comfortable blocking someone who doesn't respect that boundary. There are so many people who just try to "get the party over with" or do it just for their friend, but really, don't truly want to do it, so let's say no more often :)

[@WeartheGoodSocks]

I agreed to attend one “party” but didn’t want to buy anything after the presentation. It was for candle holders and picture frames, forget the MLM name. The girl tried to pressure me to buy something via public shaming, calling me out as the only one who didn’t buy. I didn’t offer excuses or take the bait. I was just a polite ‘no thanks’.

[@nalcarya]

It's so weird that for many people keeping up a facade of "polite" seems to have an _absurdly_ higher priority than their personal well-being. Saying no is not rude, setting boundaries is not rude. Other people reacting to such things with indignation is rude.

[@Learninglotsoflanguages]

@@nalcarya Yes, my life improved when I stopped worrying about "politeness" and decided what was best for my family and I.

[@m0L3ify]

"No" is your friend. Use it often, use it wisely, use it well.

[@M_SC]

Also saying nothing, absolutely nothing, is a good way to deal with nonsense. Stare at them silently

[@karennaylor7138]

In the first story, if a new member who was only there 2 months was able to “drag the team down” then that team wasn’t very strong to begin with! it proves this business structure is as delicate as a house of cards 🤣

[@mathsalot8099]

Considering how most people build a house of cards (and its general shape), that is a PERFECT comparison!

[@daphnereal3129]

I am certain that the hun who said, "You said you'd host a party, when is good for you?" was probably lying. I can totally see that as a tactic. Pretend like someone already agreed, they think they just forgot or misunderstood so they agree, and voila! A party!

[@scootaloo64]

Oh wow, As a Hungarian I've seen a few ladies with Forever living merch and it struck me as an MLM but i never really took the time to research. It was nice to hear a story about that company

[@binkabop4330]

Living in Poland I had to Google forever living when I saw my mom bought a deodorant from it, my skin hates it but that's nothing new as my skin hates all mlm products which is funny 😂

[@Datasavingmode]

Oh my god, the logo unlocked a childhood memory for me. I have seen that everywhere, especially at my grandma's place.

[@AisaNana]

Im from Hungary too, and my parents are sucked into Forever living. Luckily they dont try to sell it anymore, but still buying it, still thinking these are the best products in the whole world. Its been at least 10 years :')

[@madziatroll100]

​​@@binkabop4330 also from Poland. I had to Google the name as well, but it turns out that my acquaintance used to do this "business", she would spam her Facebook with it so much that I had to remove her. She was seriously drinking that aloe drink in every single photo she posted

[@cosmicpolitan]

They really know no bounds. I made the painful choice to cut ties with a friend who was using her husband’s kidney failure as a source for promoting her MLM oils. So sad.

[@lmusima3275]

Ridiculous

[@MidnightAndLuna]

MLMs are terrible, but the oil ones in particular are the worst for this reason. It’s common for the oil MLMs to do this. They also encourage using oils instead of seeking medical treatment which is extremely dangerous. I’m sorry you lost a friend to this.

[@thaloblue]

KIDNEY FAILURE????

[@thaloblue]

@@MidnightAndLunathe oil mlms have a portion of my ptsd on their hands from my mother trying to force me to use diffusers to fix allergies (I AM ALLERGIC TO THE GOTDAMN OILS) and uterine retroflexion (never knew a smell that could MOVE an INTERNAL ORGAN within the abdominal cavity).

[@MidnightAndLuna]

@@thaloblue that’s horrible!

[@susannebrown1860]

I thought I was super vigilant and staying miles away from any MLM, and I am pretty vocal about it, too. I can't believe, I almost bought something from an MLM last week online. I love crafting, and often watch youtube videos for inspiration. Turns out a few people I follow are in a paint MLM called "chalk couture" that sells paint. I think the company calls them "independent designers" when they are anything but independent. The product seemed overpriced and I googled for dupes, that's when I figured it out. There truly is an MLM for EVERYTHING. I have never heard anyone talk about this company.

[@sleepingwitharia]

It's like rule 34.2: if it exists, there's an MLM for it

[@Kreepie11]

Jeepers.... just looked it up and found a "Chalk Couture Personalized Card Making Workshop" that was offered in an Ontario town in March. Excuse me while I bang my head against a desk... MLMs should not have events listed on town websites. Sorry, no.

[@bunnylacy2097]

I had no idea that was an MLM either!

[@carolsummers8734]

Looking back, product home parties were big back in the 50s through 80s. It was a fun event and chance for mostly women to get together for coffee, dessert and gossip, as many women were stay at home moms. The last party I attended was at a neighbor's for Tupperware in the 80s.

[@timriehl1500]

I went to them in the 90's; someone at work would be hosting one and we'd all go for the socializing and a chance to blow off steam after work. I always felt the pressure to buy, but I always feel pressure to buy whenever to go into a store, lol. I never joined one of these "businesses", just bought some things I liked. But if I had known then what I know now, I would never have attended.

[@maryeckel9682]

My last one was a Silpada Jewelry party in 2008.

[@elainelouve]

My mom attended a Tupperware party in 80's and/or 90's. I've only been to one PartyLite party that my friend hosted in the early 2000's. Yeah, it still felt normal at the time, I was even a bit excited to see one of those parties myself. Tupperware was such an icon back in the day, but kids didn't get to go, so I was curious to see an MLM party.

[@Gapmom2019]

They were pretty common here in the Midwest through the early 2000s. Especially pampered chef and 31 bags.

[@lmusima3275]

Forever Living operates a lot in London. Today I see the reps out in the streets looking drained and haggard. I was introduced to it in 2011. I attended their seminars. The same dream selling, getting a network of people, fake toxic positivity, making big money 💰 and no talk of the work behind the business

[@Lee-qf9dz]

If ANY job, MLM or not, has high turnover, there's a reason. Could be a legitimate reason like the job is physically demanding, requires a lot of hrs, etc. Regardless, a high turnover should always be an alert to investigate more!!! In the case of MLM, high turnover is because they're all scams!

[@elainelouve]

Very true. When I was 19, I joined a telemarketing company. Asked if they'll have a job contract for me to sign, and the boss said no, they don't bother with written contracts, because people are constantly coming and going. I just shrugged it off, but very soon realized they had advertised offering a scam salary. I applied for the job, because they offered a fixed hourly salary. Which wasn't much, but it was guaranteed. Then I found out you needed to make at least 1 sale in an hour to get that "guaranteed" pay, but to get a comission based salary, the pay was higher for that 1 sale. Well, I only made one sale for the whole day, and paid lunch + bus tickets from that. The good thing is over lunch I talked with another girl, and we agreed working there wasn't worth it, so we decided to quit together. When we walked out, I realized why they didn't bother with the contracts.x)

[@marymcdaniel3883]

It's a great day for fresh MLM horror stories! I hope you and your baby are doing well!

[@Kimmehface]

I hate when you think you’re just going to have a friend hang out and it turns out to be an MLM party it actually sucks so bad

[@katrinawelsh6627]

Forever Living has sucked my mum in so bad. It's so popular in the UK, my mum doesn't sell any more but still purchases and refused to listen when I told her it was an MLM because the people she joined under didn't push her to recruit. I was literally sat there listening to story 3 with a box of forever living products in our kitchen - it felt like it was taunting me 😅

[@Kreepie11]

They were. Get 'em! (😉)

[@Jopsyvlogs]

Same here, I use their lip balm 😂

[@aoifebyrne7422]

Oh my god I thought no one would ever send a story about Forever Living! I lost an awful year to that MLM

[@notjustanotherbrickinthewall]

I feel so bad for the second girl. Hope she is feeling better and doing better today! Much love from her neighbour in Croatia!

[@NiinchaSm]

pozz iz Ljubljane❤ bila sam ovaj vikend prvi put u Rovinju😍

[@notjustanotherbrickinthewall]

@@NiinchaSm pozdravljena 😍 upam da si se lepo imela!

[@marie-evepoulin7341]

My son is hospitalized since Friday for an appendicitis and I just realize we were Monday when I saw your notification! (He’s fine now, just on IV antibiotics)

[@sharim]

Good luck to you and your son. You must be so very worried.

[@marie-evepoulin7341]

@@sharim thank you! He actually was running around less than 2 days after surgery… we just needed to stay there 5 days so he could get antibiotics IV…

[@sharim]

@@marie-evepoulin7341 Kids can recover from sickness so quickly. They are amazing little creatures!

[@natashameehan6594]

Omg you know it’s gonna be a great day when Hannah uploads ❤

[@WitchTeach]

I'm from Romania and the first time I found out about Forever Living I was in middle school. (20 +years ago). I remember going to a sales pitch that was in a classroom like room filled with ppl, and thinking to myself " I'm in middle school, I don't have money. Why the hell was I invited to this?". I completely forgot about it until I saw, a few years ago, a Forever Living store front. Like a brick and mortar store front.

[@peccatrix]

I've seen storefronts for Herbalife, and there is this tiny corner store someone has rented in Pitești's downtown to sell Avon through that I know of, but Forever Living is honestly an MLM I had never even heard of. o.o I wonder if it's concentrated in a specific region of the country? Or if they've since depleted their market here.

[@SoCalJellybean]

If someone ever tried to rope me into being a party host, the joke would be on them, because I have no friends! Hmmm… maybe that’s WHY I’ve never been hit up… 🤔🤣

[@PurpleT3a]

I know forever living! They’re in Nigeria. I didn’t realize there were an MLM. Dang. They’re really everywhere.

[@lalakass9041]

I think it’s funny that the woman in story 3 said she got rude messages from people but women in MLMS don’t seem to see that once someone says no asking them again is rude…..

[@earthiswatching]

The Zoom call feels like her upline looked at the reasons she gave for leaving and realized what would happen if the rest of her downline saw it, so went on the offensive.

[@Coffinia]

I was wondering when Forever Living was going to be brought up, because I've been in that one too. I live in northern Europe, so I wonder if it's more common here than in America. For some more context on the company (at least when I was in it); they pushed HEAVILY on aloe vera as an ingredient in exactly everything from skincare and makeup, to supplements and other wellness products. Their aloe vera gel was fine, but some other products were quite a bit worse. A reporter for one of the largest news publications tried their dieting pills as research for a piece she was doing about the company, but she had to stop taking them because they caused her liver damage. Other than that they hit pretty much every beat of a typical MLM, like overpriced products, bad compensation plan, cult like tactics, and encouraging the hustler culture. Standard stuff.

[@mightyowl1800]

the faith based manipulation used for mlm recruiting gives me the ick 😖 so sad and not okay! good stories this week

[@thaloblue]

It’s actually evil. The bible condemns it.

[@elizabethwillis885]

One deep dive I recommend because it’s kind of weird is Longaberger basket mlm. I know people who worked there. I know tons of people with the baskets. I have some that were gifted to me. And the giant basket building it over the top. You’ll love the pics.

[@timriehl1500]

I have one I bought at a "party" in the 90s. I see them in antique stores and thrift stores all the time. They are great baskets, but it IS strange how they use the MLM structure to sell them.

[@elizabethwillis885]

@@timriehl1500 they are well made. They were hand made and I know someone who used to work there and make the baskets. But the minute they weren’t doing as well selling, they started laying off basket makers. That started in the early 2000s.

[@BrokenFootRailfan]

I would be interested in watching a deep dive on that! I remember them from the 90s. My mom still has her basket on the kitchen counter. I haven’t ever heard anyone else talk about them before.

[@elizabethwillis885]

@@BrokenFootRailfan you’re right. They fly under the MLM radar for the most part. Having basket parties in the 90s was a big deal. It was like a Tupperware party. I am dead serious when I say I knew multiple people with over 100 baskets in their home. Their love went so far as having a basket weave icing on their wedding cake! But at least the baskets do hold up well. The pottery is very thick and heavy. I prefer much thinner and lighter plates, bowls, and mugs.

[@maryeckel9682]

And the baskets really are nice!

[@janejones7638]

I had a friend that I worked with about twenty years ago try to get back into contact with me on Facebook. I was excited for a short period of time because I truly missed her. But then I saw posts about pink drink on her Facebook page. I realized that she wasn't interested in rekindling our friendship, she was just hoping that I'd be part of her down-line. I did respond to her but alas, I was right. She wanted me to join her work-from home biz. This was a few years ago. After I made it clear that I wasn't interested in the pink drink, well she was no longer interested in me.

[@levelxxiv]

Girl, you’re an Angel! Reading other people’s comments makes me happy because I think you really made a community. We are all fans lol. I’ve literally watched everyone of your videos, so I’m truly excited when you upload. 🎉🎉Also Happy Mother’s Day! 🎉🎉

[@m0L3ify]

Dang, as someone with several neurological disorders, I'd actually really love to get help from someone like the person in that first story because it's hard to keep it going when faced with so many obstacles to fitness. I hope they can start their own coaching business or something to really help people in a way that's positive like they wanted to.

[@daftoptimist]

If anyone hears about that person from Hungary in Story 3 starting an anti-MLM channel, let me know ‘cause I want to watch.

[@amnakhan9241]

I just got a ‘hey hun’ message whilst watching this video 😅

[@Zurflu]

You totally are a lighthouse! I wish I could have had you as a teacher, but we're the same age I think 🤣

[@MyqueerEDjournal]

If that woman starts her own antimlm channel, I'd subscribe

[@sharim]

I enjoy these videos so much that if Hannah started a MLM company, I’d join (teehee).

[@Aashka_The_Mystic]

Wow, i had no idea that the hosts aren't the ones selling or making money from the products at their parties. That's so predatory! They are just making someone else do their work for them and they collect all the money and get new clientele.

[@venooshka]

14:05 It's the first time I've seen FLP being mentioned in an anti-MLM video! That company is exactly the reason why I'm in the anti-MLM rabbit hole now, as a close family member used to be in it. I was away from my hometown for university when I learned this person had joined the company, didn't know much about the MLM business model back then (I was barely familiar with Avon, Yves Rocher and Stanhome, but the sellers I knew were pretty harmless and not particularly annoying), so I was initially happy for them and interested in knowing what it was about. Then the FB spam posting started, so did the absurd claims about the products, and soon it became all they were talking about, and something about it was starting to feel off to me. Then I flew back home for summer break, and that's when I seriously realized what they had gotten into. I still remember the second-hand embarrassment when I got back there during holidays and would witness them pitching their supposedly miraculous products to any acquaintances we'd meet, including people with health issues which of course their overpriced aloe vera drinks could help with, but BiG pHaRmA didn't want us to know! /s I also had the chance to watch them repost stuff from those secret hun groups in real time, including screenshots of private chats where someone was reporting their positive experience with the products, which any hun could repost and claim they had personally received said messages. It all felt so fake to me. Oh, and this person once texted me saying they had a surprise and to check my e-mail inbox. Guess what, they had signed me up to their website behind my back at some point so I could get a discount on the products and, in hindsight, I was probably signed up as their downline. I didn't have the heart to tell them I was pretty disappointed, tbh. It took them 2-3 years to finally leave, and when I asked them why they did, they didn't say a word. I still don't know exactly what happened, but that complete silence makes me think it wasn't a smooth departure, so I never asked again.

[@kyla8386]

Really sad how someone will waste 3 years not making any money and going no where when they could be learning a skill like video editing or knitting that could at least make them money on the side

[@emcarveth]

Can confirm, I've in the past been on both the party host end and hun end many, many times. Recovering hun here. There can be a LOT of pressure on the party host to get a certain number of invites, pay for snacks/drinks, sell a certain amount through their friends, etc etc. Ugh. I feel so bad that I was ever involved in stuff like this. God bless my former hosts, they always did the most. Thankfully we're all still friends, except I did mute my former Pampered Chef Director because she kept trying to get me to rejoin, even when I moved from Virginia to Connecticut.

[@Kreepie11]

One can only have so many pizza stones.

[@chelsye4929]

When I left the MLM I was in, my upline reached out to me a few times over the years. She would always start the conversation acting like she was just checking in to see how I was doing, but it turned into a way to ask me to buy a product because they were "working toward a new goal." The third or fourth time she reached out I just stopped responding because I knew where it was inevitably going to go. Having the confirmation that I was only ever a dollar sign to her was disheartening, to say the least.

[@AeriaGl0ris]

Home sick, so glad to have a new Hannah upload to listen to (read: doze off to).

[@pinkskies8128]

Hi Hannah, hope you're having a beautiful time with baby girl, hubby, and the twins.

[@reidleblanc3140]

"The only people who stay have a strong why and sky-high goals like you!" like her, who simply wanted financial stability? that's considered a sky-high goal in an mlm? girl, run

[@melodyfaith3806]

I did this recently (host a online party) and now I’m done..: the mlm hun told me we can try again in a few months… no thank you ! Thanks for speaking the truth about it.

[@StephanieVaughn24]

Your uploads make my Monday mornings so much better!

[@singersophia246]

Ahhh! This is such a treat. I hope Baby is doing well and I wish you all the best in adjusting to motherhood!

[@kaylamaiolo]

I look forward to Mondays now because I know there will be a new video ❤️

[@EEsYouTubeChanel]

You're one of my favorite anti-MLM people! Some of these stories make me so scared for those girls!

[@HissyFitPetTherapy]

Ex-MLM in Zoom meeting with ex-upline using her as an example leaves with a message to Debbie’s downline: Do you really want to work for someone who shames people like this?

[@AtlasAdratica]

This content is super helpful and the way you do stories is fantastic 😍! What a great way to spread the word about how MLMs can really be.

[@kat.s.feeney]

This is insane. When someone leaves a PAID job, generally it's to pursue something more/different etc and you would NEVER hold a zoom call with the other employees stating why they made a mistake and shouldn't have left lol. Because they don't need to... people stay because they are getting paid to do the work that they do.

[@rebeccaabrams3079]

Or even if they do leave, it’s not personal. That’s not how business works! A professional, REAL business would never retaliate against an individual.

[@TVandManga]

Glad to see Forever Living get a horror story since that's the MLM that sucked my family members in. That's the MLM that I've seen the most in the UK, other than Avon. Their products are heavy on aloe vera, they sell it as doing everything, sigh. Also I didn't know about Stella and Dot, no more browsing that in shops or online!

[@coffechipmunk2108]

the Chelsea story breaks my heart. The part I hate the most about MLM's is how they target people who are already down on their luck.

[@thenewmexicantexan]

I swear i never get tired of these videos. Ive listened to them in the car, during work, to go to sleep, anything and everything! I love the story that the Hungarian listener sent in. Thank you so much to Hannah for putting this amazing content out there with a megaphone 📣

[@alexiazafiriou4411]

Holy shit yewwww always love to see you tearing mlm logic down 🤟 also congratulations on the mini hooman bean!

[@schrdngrskat3847]

Happy first Mother's Day (almost)!❤️❤️ I hope you, baby, and AJ are doing well!

[@ASK2286]

overwhelming debt... probably from those 8 other MLMs

[@adrienng.3451]

Omg! I thinked I am the only Hungarian here, huge hug for you ❤🎉

[@golddragonette7795]

I honestly cant understand why so many people can't say no and not give excuses. Excuses just give them things to argue against, so just don't

[@cindybuerge5298]

Stella and Dot sounds like a couple of old ladies got together and created an MLM. Also, no offense if your name is Stella or Dot, I just can't stop associating both names with older women 😂

[@JudithLawrence718]

One of the biggest problems in MLM'S is that when someone figuress out how to recruit 20-30 people a month, that they don't take the time to train their recruits....it should be a requirement. This was touched on by the lady from Hungary.

[@SimBits]

I love listening to these on my commute home from work, thanks for uploading!

[@katinkadosztaly6150]

I live in Hungray really close to Forever Living Products headquartes here. And always wondered is it really an mlm, since you never talked about them. Once one of my friends invited me there and all I remember the products were really overpriced. Also I was at university studying chemistry and I was pissed becase they were talking stupid and inaccurate things. They didnt like me, they didnt even wanted to sell me anything since I was so skeptical...

[@laurameisenhelter9186]

@HannahAlonzo, you are right. Hosting a Tupperware, or Princess House, or Pampered Chef party was common and kinda fun. The ladies got together, got dressed up, had some spiked punch and fancy snacks. Everyone bought something and used them. It was a rite of passage for us younger girls to be old enough to participate and be able to buy something. I started buying Tupperware when I was in college and stored it for when I got married and moved out of my parents home. I loved Tupperware spice containers and only replaced them a couple of years ago. I used them for 30+ years.

[@liftpanic]

Great stories, Hannah! Hope you are enjoying motherhood!

[@NeurodiverJENNt]

"If your boyfriend was abusive to you, would you just give up or keep fighting?!" 🤣 OBVIOUSLY You should stay in that abusive relationship to preserve the sunk cost fallacy and to avoid giving up! That's the smart thing to do!

[@certs743]

Something that is also not often brought up is if the people invited to a party feel uncomfortable or like they were ambushed into a high pressure sales situation sadly the host kind of provides a human shield to the MLM rep and often take the heat. Kind of like how the customer service department gets flamed for every and all slights throughout a company only the host didn't sign up for that part.

[@Supersteffy]

If any of these MLM Huns ever put as much effort into starting a small craft/hobby business from home as they put into these MLMs, then they would probably be pretty successful.

[@missamanda2703]

I share you randomly hoping my insta and fb friends in mlms wake up or stay away.❤

[@lorispillane233]

Many of the "house party" style events come with a requirement of there being 2 parties booked at the party for the host to get xxx 'prize'. Yet another way to push the hun getting another lead.

[@pokemonfanthings4444]

I can relate a lot to the first story❤

[@awpanda3459]

Idk if mlm invite protocol changed as it aged or if it changed as I've aged, but it used to operate (in my experience) the way that the Stella and Dot story outlined. The rep would also invite people, and there was a vibe of it being fun and grown up, like a dinner party or something. Now though, it seems that the host is expected to drag friends kicking and screaming and the rep does not contribute to the guest list. I think their warm markets diminish more quickly these days as the word about mlms has gotten out!

[@JennaGetsCreative]

The voice memo comment in story 2- Is it common for MLMs to push voice memos? My mother in law hosts parties for the local Tupperware hun frequently and I've noticed over the years that she uses voice to text and voice memos for everything in recent years. And when my best friend and I were taking our babies to a weekly tots & toddlers thing at a local church, the junior pastor's wife running it would always send voice memos instead of texts (even in reply to our plain text texts) and she was a Plexus hun. I don't have regular contact with anyone else who talks to their phone instead of typing.

[@eccentra89]

OMG @ 32:00 onward.I had the same experience as the zoom call, except it was a TLDR facebook post in their team group all about me and how disgusting I was, and how people would be cut off from the business if they were found to be interacting with me, followed up by bombardment with dm's about how people were going to destroy me and make sure I didn't succeed...

[@helenr4300]

Ah yes, Forever Living, aka the aloe vera mlm. In UK they po up in local markets and fetes etc

[@tngirlintx1195]

Always looking forward to Hannah presenting the “Horror” series

[@mjblcmichael]

Hannah, i remember back in the early days of the world wide web, MLM ad networks were everywhere. Watch ads, recruit others to watch ads, make pennies! I tried it. Nobody wanted to join under me. The most i made was a $25 gift certificate.I bought a CD. I hate MLMs.

[@danielleb3146]

So glad I saw this update! Great start to the day :)

[@Ketutar]

I think I might want to organize MLM parties and turn them into anti-MLM parties with information about cheaper but better or as good products etc.

[@charlisays]

How are people still buying workouts when there are so many free online? It seems so 80s/90s.

[@Trlababalane]

Fun fact, Hungary is neither small, nor Eastern European. It's a Central European country of a decent size, and a major player in European political/economy sphere.

[@maryeckel9682]

Yeah, I was baffled by that description!

[@kherise]

Ikr? Maybe she meant is small compared to US. Btw as a Romanian, I can confirm that people from those countries are always kind of depressed and such but it’s also a big fault of media influence which won’t stop glorying the life in the wESt and monetary value over other life features. In those countries life is more peaceful and many Western contemporary problems are still small in there, but people just won’t value the quality of life in their countries-sadly…

[@pu55inbootsluvr]

EVERYONE WAKE UP HANNAH POSTED A NEW HORROR STORIES VIDEO

[@ellenkarlsson9490]

Isn't it nicer to tell an MLM party host that you would love to hang out with them but you don't want anything to do with an MLM? That way you tell them that it's not them, it's the sketchy company that's the issue.

[@debg4212]

Seriously, Story No. 3 --- is exactly what one of my co-workers is doing right now. He told me that he was listening to a conference on how to deflect people who do not want to sign up because they suspect pyramid scheme. He is so focused on becoming wealthy, he went from being private in social media to being on social media every single day for 90 days. He tells me it is a challenge and whoever does the challenge he will speak on a conference and join a panel of "successful" people. I hope he snaps out of it.

[@Sleipnirseight]

After hearing story #2 I have a crazy idea for a party... Step 1: Get a few of your best anti-MLM, anti-cult friends together Step 2: Each of you offers to host parties for multiple MLM huns from different MLMs, BUT all for the same time and place Step 3: The huns show up and everyone is seated in a circle, ready to host an intervention Step 4: Cognitive dissonance and chaos ensues... It would be interesting to see whether the competing huns would use the same rhetoric as one another, and whether that would be eye opening for any of them... Especially the "we're not like other MLMs; we're not a scam" arguments. It's an evil genius plan, but hypothetical only ;)

[@jojopok7722]

Your cats freaked me out today 😂 I thought mine wanted to get into the bathroom when I was taking a shower and listening to the stories😂😮

[@allisongarcia2159]

Happy Mother’s Day, Hannah! Hope you and baby are doing amazingly well!

[@ShootingStar6406]

So I’ve watched a few of your videos now and back in 2020 I hosted a virtual party for an MLM (to be honest, I actually really do like their products and just wanted to get some discounts on stuff, but I have no interest in becoming a rep myself). The rep made it really easy for me- I just had to invite a bunch of friends to join the facebook group for the party and she basically did the rest. Near the end of the party she posted a recruiting post and one of the girls I’d invited signed up to become a rep. She had recently lost her job because of the pandemic. As I recall, she didn’t stay with the MLM for long, for which I am thankful, and she ended up starting her own ACTUAL business which was completely unrelated, but knowing what I know now, she was probably very vulnerable back then and also probably lost money with the MLM, so now I feel bad knowing that I was involved in that :(

[@Dreaming5]

Wooo I have a random Monday off, I’m doing chores and have been waiting for your upload to give me a boost!

[@kiterafrey]

I make 3-5 tiktoks a day. I make meme videos using a combo of making templates of my own and using premade templates. It is the easiest TikTok content to batch. It STILL takes a HUGE amount of time. So I can confirm, it is crazy making 3-5 tiktoks a day and if she's doing lifestyle or talking head that's so rough.

[@jaclynmichelle7936]

The Beachbody commerials on here during your video LOL

[@NWAWskeptic]

Back in 2000 or so, I was working a dead end, laborious job filling vending machines(ie candy/chip machines, pop machines, coffee machines, etc). Harder than it looks really. A worker at one of my stops approached me and asked if I was happy working my job. And I wasn’t really. The pay was not enough considering the physical demands. This was back when internet was in its adolescence and KZbin wasn’t a thing yet. So didn’t really have the wealth of information at your fingertips back then. He pitched me some business working for yourself, selling I don’t even remember what. It sounded interesting so I met him for lunch and he gave me the details. My instincts kicked in and something seemed off about the “business” so I declined and never saw him again. Something just didn’t click with me about the whole thing. Now in retrospect, knowing what I do about the MLM racket, I recognize that’s exactly what it was. I shudder to think of the people who did fall for it. When my nieces were in high school and college I warned them about MLMs and the telltale signs of how to spot them. MLMs are up there with AirBnB, dollar stores and payday lenders as true blights of society.

[@ScoobyDoozy]

I so appreciate the first person sharing her story. As a disabled young woman due to a genetic disease, it never ceases to amaze me how many industries are prepared to exploit us, and how few are prepared to be accessible to us. And yet, the utter depravity this group managed to shock me. As hard as it is, _please_ don’t feel embarrassed. That embarrassed feeling twinging in your gut, burning your cheeks? That’s shame. And that’s shame *which doesn’t belong to you. This is not yours to carry* . Statistically, we know that disabled people are most likely to be victims of crime, as well as fraud, deception, financial exploitation. Well done for labelling the behaviour. It absolutely is emotionally Abu sive. I truly hope that you can release that shame and pain. It’s hard as disabled people to trust our own judgment due to a lot of history of being treated as incompetent, stupid, unable. As well as for many of us the cognitive impact of our disability or illness. Things like this badly compound that. But I want you to look at how many others were victimised by these criminal enterprises, people who didn’t have seizures, disability, etc. You didn’t ‘fall’ for anything . You were selected as a victim. There was no failure on your part. I really hope that you’ve been able to return to your passion for fitness and wellness. That may not look like your previous job or role, but it may be a much richer and more fulfilling path. I don’t know what country you live in, but if you’re able, I really encourage you to find a peer support worker, or a professional mentor- they may or may not have experience in disability. All that matters is they understand your needs; what matters to you; your barriers; and your vision for your life. If all you know is that you’re at A, and want to be Z, but don’t know how to get there or if it’s even possible. So long as they want to see you realise your dreams as much as you do (or, if you’re feeling lost, they want to see you achieve it even more than you do right now. If your fire has gone out, they help you make a new one). There’s a HUGE need and market for fitness trainers, coaches, Etc for disabled and chronically Ill people. I would KILL to have a trainer such as yourself- the gym has never felt accessible to me. I even won a years membership and I’m furious at myself to say I never used it. I went for the intake appointment. And then.:: I just felt so self conscious. Not even of my body type so much as of my _ability_ . To have a trainer who is also disabled or chronically Ill to work out with, for the confidence as much as the actual training- that’s a dream and you would clearly be incredible. I encourage you to check out some of the chair yoga etc practitioners on the insight timer app. Just get the free version of the app- you can access everything except the courses. Everyday there’s a live chair yoga/chair Pilates etc class. I hope it can inspire your creativity and passion for fitness ❤ Big love

[@nikedoesthings]

I don't even remember when I sent my story in but it was so long ago like I can't even imagine how many emails Hannah has and I doubt she can get through them all XD Every time I hope to hear mine!

[@lynnkoehler7685]

Hannah, you're makeup is so good here!

[@ravonne6308]

"If I had a problem with my boyfriend, I'd try to solve it, or leave him." Well, in that order: after repeated, but futile attempts of problem solving it's better to leave, or the relationship will be unhappy at best, and abusive at worst. See Hun, it's quite a good analogy to that MLM situation after all... (Even though it's quite vile to compare MLM schemes to people to begin with.)

[@Icalasari]

Saw your channel recommended for people who found out a certain other channel that covers MLM tried to ruin people's reputations and lots of other shady stuff Liking this so far!