Lawyer Reacts | LuLaRich Documentary & The LuLaRoe Lawsuits | The Emily Show Ep 106

[@TheEmilyDBaker]

International VPN day Deal! Go to nordvpn.com/emilydbaker to get a 2-year plan plus 4 additional months with a huge discount.

[@patty8991]

100% spot on with the true crime/anti-mlm connection, it’s how I got into it. I think because it deals with scammers and cult-like behavior.

[@snooganslestat2030]

Way to go! Getting a pretty big sponsor at what i consider fairly early in terms of your channel starting!!;Well Done! 😁

[@MissDaphne.87]

👍NordVPN

[@cyntheknitter9927]

Bought Nord VPN on your recommendation and never regret it💜

[@krisnicole0903]

Extremely late watching this! I was actually a consultant for LLR. Got out unofficially Summer 2018. When I saw this I was just in shock on the behind the scenes stuff! Wow

[@CatalinaFOIA]

When MLM's & televangelist are outlawed this world will be a better place!

[@joannafreedom7914]

And lobbyists.

[@imastatistic8347]

And term limits in government

[@haileyarocha4263]

Agree

[@christinaw2518]

Technology’s dark side the rise of cable/satellites that gave televangelists their massive audiences. In turn evangelicals got indoctrinated into conservative politics thru televangelist and The 700 club for Reagan’s benefit. The moral majority was created and their 40 years of zealot like anti reproductive rights activism is seeing big wins like the new 6 week Texas abortion law. It’s ironic that the “moral majority” started b/c they are anti women’s autonomy and yet pride themselves on standing up for individuals civil liberties. Guess that only applies to gun rights or opposing school board mask mandates. 🙄

[@christinaw2518]

Laughing @ myself 😂😂😂 This comment screams angry feminist but I am a born and raised southern girl! Grew up in a southern Baptist Church in WNC. I am speaking from my experience growing up in rural area where the evangelical community is your social life. After leaving in my 20’s (when I left for college @ 18 I was out of the southern Baptist cult but I didn’t speak out for fear of losing life long friends) I started looking back into where politics became the focus of evangelicals. It all goes back to two main social issues of the 1970’s they deemed threats to their family values, abortion rights and gay rights.

[@fallingdream]

I've watched one of my uncles steadily fuck his life up in Herbalife since the 90s and he's still at it because his family (he alienated all his friends) keep feeling sorry for him and bailing him out, so I never buy from any MLM because even though you're trying to help and support your friend or family member you're ultimately keeping them on the treadmill, it's never harmless

[@louisianalady7105]

Is this one grand sentence?

[@ash-is-napping]

@@louisianalady7105 i could read it

[@fallingdream]

@@louisianalady7105 no dear, it's a concrete poem

[@julieh.9826]

100% agree with you. Ignore the grammar police.

[@leahfolsom6755]

Same. I have a pampered chef chopper from decades ago that needs to be replaced, but I morally can’t support an MLM. I will just chop with that thing til it finally falls apart and then just suffer. 😂

[@charmcshane3517]

If I was designing clothes, EVERYTHING would have pockets. All Dresses, all skirts, all tops, all pants. Even hats and boots would have small cc/keys pockets! All stylishly roomie of course. And all furniture should have understorage and be hydraulic. And wheelchairs should be hydraulic. We are almost in 2022, why isn't all this commonplace merchandise?

[@dimplesd8931]

Amen! I WILL NOT buy a dress without pockets anymore. Pockets are critical in almost every clothing item for women. As for wheelchairs…. Those with hydraulics have been available for years but our wheelchair bound friends say they are prohibitively expensive vs traditional chairs and they’re heavy/bulky. Our friends can access non wheel chair spaces by hoping out of their chairs and lifting or pushing/pulling the chair. And they DO NOT want assistance when they do. Can’t do that with a hydraulic chair due to it’s weight. So lets dream of a future with a cheaper/lighter chair ☺️

[@mermaiddiyartist8119]

Yes!!!! I’m starting to see more pockets in clothing lately. Even children’s dresses have them. It’s nice. We definitely need pockets in everything. Even sports bras🤣🤣

[@mermaiddiyartist8119]

There should be storage under couches.

[@jennl8180]

I had to order my bridesmaids dress online, never having seen it in person. I wanted to cry when it came in and had pockets!!

[@joannafreedom7914]

Because we live in a system designed to fail. That never wants us to get better. Has anything at all gotten better in your life time?

[@michaelkenner3289]

When you said "this dispute arose from" I couldn't help but think "the defendant's greed" in the back of my head.

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one! 😂

[@clarebear.748]

The thing that cracked me up is that Deanne was wearing a pair of $1000 shoes.

[@tmeservey2723]

Those fugly shoes cost $1,000? Money sure doesn’t bring class.

[@jeannebissell7167]

That couple is worth $100 million, even with the lawsuits. Unbelievably rich.

[@cmh9932]

HOW DAAAAARE you talk about VALENTINO LIKE THAT!??!!! 😂

[@80sgirl96]

Deanne: “Wow, she only got two likes. That’s sad.” I just can’t with this woman!

[@FirstLast-po8oz]

the point of the the random inventory was to stimulate the gambling circuit in your brain. It takes the mundane aspect of receiving and turns every package delivery into a lootbox with a huge emotional payoff.

[@CreativeCreatorCreates]

This comment is so good and so accurate. They knew exactly what they were doing psychologically, especially.

[@nyashamandi6693]

Can you explain further ?

[@LizRealGirlBeauty]

@@nyashamandi6693 I think it's a gambling addict thing, like "if I play one more round I'll make all my money back and then some." If they don't know what's coming in the box, they start to think of the one or two items that will be special "unicorns" in them that will be easier to resell and increase their customer base. If they only get one in a box full of duds, then they're going to get another box in the hopes of getting more of those pieces in it. "The next box will have the patterns that will sell and I'll finally make my money back."

[@streitrat]

...also called the "sunken cost fallacy"!

[@amygreen9662]

I did Mary Kay in 2003 when I was 25. My consultant recruiterd me after I lost my job. Looking back, that was predatory. Then she talked me into getting $1,800 in inventory. I sold a few things, but my friends didn't all like makeup the way I did. Others already were loyal to drugstore or department store brands.

[@craft_yplanning1012]

Mine did the same thing. Said that is what all consultants do because it's the best way to run their business. No, it's because they get like $600 in sign up bonus for new sign ups to get that one. That's all they care about

[@mirandam5746]

I remember my mom would but Mary Kay. They actually had good products

[@idahospudgirlidahospudgirl4998]

I came close to doing marykay but my gut said walk away, SO GLAD I DID

[@LizRealGirlBeauty]

One of my BFs had her aunt recruit her into MK right sheet she got married. She was 22, just moved to a new state where she didn't know anyone and didn't have a job. Her aunt had been in it since the 70s and was at the top of the pyramid, drove the pink Cadillac and everything. My friend bought into it, listened to her aunt about everything and bought thousands of inventory on her credit cards that she couldn't sell. There were times she'd call me crying because she paid her bills and didn't have enough money at the end. Eventually her parents paid off her cards for her, she quit and got a really great job I thought she should have always had- she taught dance classes. I always point out that if she was literally related to a person at the top of the pyramid, did everything she was told to do and still couldn't make it work, how can anyone else think they're going to make it work? I have no idea how her relationship with that aunt is today, I honestly never felt comfortable enough to ask. And I know that most of the women signing up for MK do not have parents who can pay off their debt for them. I hate MLMs so freaking much, I can't tolerate the predatory nature of it.

[@dielotosblum]

I really appreciate your talking about different groups--not just mlms and cults--dangling belonging and community, not only to attract people but to keep them compliant. I'm in tech and a lot of tech companies will do that, especially start ups.

[@linseylinsey]

Did you see the doc on WeWork? 😬

[@snooganslestat2030]

@@linseylinsey Sorry to interrupt but what is it called?

[@linseylinsey]

@@snooganslestat2030 I don't remember. I think it has WeWork in the title

[@erinmcintosh3969]

I’ve been in the anti-MLM community for a long time and was there when the stinky, moldy legging whistle blowing happened. Such a crazy story. It was so fun to watch the doc with my husband who was shocked at every episode 😂 The sad thing is, it started as a legitimate business of selling skirts that DeAnne made…the definition of the American Dream. But they turned it into something so ugly, DeAnne and Mark deserve everything they’re getting right now.

[@OhLanie]

The fact in the documentary the woman said they smelled like "dead farts" was so funny to me!

[@heatherkuphal924]

Also- I got to make my husband watch this with me and he finally understood wtf I was freaking out over a couple of years ago. 😆

[@TiffWaffles]

I binge watched it twice within the last two days. LuLaRoe is ridiculous. Many women didn't have the money to spend on the entry fee, but they still found ways to spend thousands of dollars only to find that the market was oversaturated, their stock was disgusting and dirty, and they could not sell anything. So many consultants had to declare bankruptcy because of this company and Deanne and Mark don't care and blame them for why they failed. I am still surprised that LuLaRoe is allowed to continue its operations. A few of the things that I noticed that were red flags was that it was so cult like, they also claimed to stand for women and women empowerment, but both Deanne and Mark cited anti woman rhetoric that I just don't agree with, and the fact that you had to pay money to get into the company. It's sad to see the amount of women that were victimised by this company.

[@sarahelizabeth8585]

ALLL MLMs are cult like lmao, except most other ones it’s not thousands of dollars to start up.

[@LizRealGirlBeauty]

All the MLMs are like that. A friend who is currently in It Works posts and talks like she's in a cult- everything is all about the MLM, how great it is and how she got a "new family" in it. To the point where our friendship fizzled because I've been staunchly anti-MLM for years and I couldn't be around her when all she wanted to talk about was their garbage company and its garbage products and how I "need to join." I was once being recruited by a cult, and this is exactly the same, "we can't be friends if you won't join my church, and you want to stay friends, right?"

[@OhLanie]

Thank God someone finally said the Boss Babe stuff was crap! I have felt all along like it really was crappy to those of us who were in industries that weren't designed on IG. I'm a mobile dog groomer. My job is sweaty, dirty and sometimes absolutely disgusting (on many levels) and many owners don't want their pets pics on IG. It doesn't make me any less of a boss but at the end of a workday I'm less than a babe lol.

[@Galworld761]

In my neighborhood, dog grooming appointments are like 4 weeks out. My 13 lb, Shitzu/Yorkie mix cost me $100 every 5 weeks. My dog groomer rocks!!! You do a real service. I am too nervous to trim her eyes or nails.

[@shelbycaruso6215]

My serious advice to anyone who is being recruited to an MLM- look for the company’s income disclosure statement and really study it to see what money you’d make and what it takes to get there. Usually you can make more in one week with a part time fast food job than most consultants make in a year.

[@Daaaanielle]

Just look at what they tell you. No one is ever going to “give you your own business”. If you have to order a few things from a company to sell and they are paying you? It’s a scam.

[@Galworld761]

@@Daaaanielle or really think “full time pay” for “part time work” is incongruent with “working your business hard” and “hustling”. That does not sound “part time”..

[@elliekaytea6710]

All the MLM’s state that you get “full time pay for part time work”.. and “family first”.. it’s a a scam!

[@lynettepascua4730]

Shelby Caruso, My daughter is working for Lularoe many years ago, she has a disabled child, she knew she was not doing the parties or the live streams, she was realistic, part time work part time money. She takes great pictures, her husband is a photographer so she uses his equipment to take great photos of inventory put it online on facebook. with 10,000 in her group she does pretty good. She does not recruit, was never interested in that hype, never went to conventions, and she still works with them because her sales are fine for what she needs. But she did not go into it thinking she was going to get rich. She is an introvert, so she never wanted the social side. She gives good customer service so somehow she has not been affected by any of this.

[@LizRealGirlBeauty]

I had family members did an energy MLM their realtor signed them up for (don't get me started, I can literally see the woman thinking how she couldn't sell their house so she'd get a little money out of them by signing them up). I brought up the hours worked for the little pay, saying exactly what you said about working for a fast food chain, and he told me "but I'd never work for minimum wage at a fast food restaurant!" I responded "at least then you'd have money in your pocket and the second you walked out the door you'd have your time for yourself!"🤦‍♀️

[@continuallycountingchicken7338]

If you want more details related to LLR, Roberta Blevins is doing a series on her podcast that she’s calling a companion to LuLaRich. I’ve followed the LLR shiz since 2016 so I know a lot. I’ve learned a LOT of new things from her podcast companion. (I apologize if it’s not okay to mention another podcast. Please don’t block or otherwise something me. I won’t be upset if this gets deleted because I made a mistake and didn’t realize it.)

[@TheCallieLilly]

She is also on tiktok... the woman sips ALLL the tea on LLR as well as other MLM brands

[@sleepystrugglz4586]

I looked her up and followed her on TikTok...I see the MLM huns have been after her because I got a warning that her account had been reported for violating community guidelines. That just ensured I WILL be checking out her content for sure!

[@whyaddnamehere]

I know several women who lost 1,000's from Lularoe. I'm glad that there's an antimlm movement that is getting stronger.

[@nfcapps]

Anti-MLM are mostly people who have been burned by the model and their families. If you had to sell your house and most of what you own or experienced that for someone in your family, you will definitely fight like hell against anyone touting that model as something that brings success. As the specialist in LuLaRich said, you can only go down about 17 levels of MLM and you would cover the entire population of the planet.

[@EnchantingWings1]

Yeah. I'm one of those burned by doTERRA. While not financially, my friendship suffered and my health suffered from me taking pills intensely because I was too naive to look up the consequences and look up MLMs when I joined.

[@lovebytheletters837]

@@EnchantingWings1 same here! I am having a lot of dental work done and I truly think it's from using that toothpaste for 2 years! I'm so sorry you are suffering from the 'supplements'. 😪

[@annatheinnotz4901]

The newest thing in MLM are companies that pretend NOT to be MLMs

[@Metroid250]

Not only do MLMs take advantage of stay at home moms, they also target vulnerable populations like college students, military wives, immigrants (ESPECIALLY Hispanics), and the economically insecure. The overwhelming percentage of white cis women at the top of the company really highlights not only who the company is targeting, but also showing their literally all of the "-ist" and "-phobic" attitudes. The added fact that's scary is that this isn't exclusive to the US, it's a worldwide issue

[@humbleAndkind.]

💯

[@ellemarr7234]

One word comes to mind: predatory

[@ajqueen31]

Also those who have medical issues where working from home is either necessary or would be ideal

[@justkibby5959]

Its not just the US. Its world wide.

[@lubeeluonline]

It’s the same in the UK. Covid has seen such a boom in MLM reps where families saw minimum 20% pay cuts if not losing jobs altogether. Students & stay at home parents are primary targets.

[@chevonnesorensen1484]

as someone who grew up in the Mormon church i can confidently say the business Model of Lularoe was taken directly from the way the church is ran.

[@Anyox17]

100%!!! Nothing like saving up all YOUR money and putting your entire life on hold for two years to do missionary work for a church with a $130 billion investment portfolio, and then give 10% of your income on top of that. Building malls > supporting missionaries. If that’s not salvation then I don’t know what is! 😂🤡

[@TruthInBeauty]

@@Anyox17 going to go out on a limb here and guess you grew up in Utah 😉

[@crizmeow8394]

I hope monat or paparazzi is the next getting sued after their giant conferences where nobody had to follow mask mandates and has ended in the d3ath of multiple attendants

[@Alyse_bell]

Considering ppl actually died for paparazzi I hope the families sue the ass off paparazzi. They not only told their distributors to not talk about covid and their conference in the same post, they also erased the accounts of the ppl that died for their shitty $5 jewellery

[@TiffanyG8675309]

@@heatherkuphal924 check out Savannah Marie. She did a video covering the who Paparazzi superspreader event.

[@Wot-Eva]

@@heatherkuphal924 Just type Paparazzi Superspreader

[@Elena-bk4fs]

i can already tell that family’s from Utah lol. also saying “it’s your fault if you don’t make money” when he’s basically scamming his own employees is so lame

[@Galworld761]

They are from Corona California

[@Elena-bk4fs]

@@Galworld761 thank you for clarifying! didn’t know that

[@Ravenousxrellik]

So happy you're going over this topic!

[@SewingReport]

Such a fascinating but sad look into the downward spiral of LuLaRoe. Was never into the clothing (not my vibe) and didn't like the fast fashion aspect of it. The documentary didn't go into the tremendous amount of textile waste produced by the company, but that could easily be an entirely new series. What I realized by watching it was how the retailers became almost "trapped" because it appeared that more than 1/2 the clothing produced was so fugly it was basically unsellable. So they'd have to buy inventory, only sell about 40% of it (zero profit) but have to continue the cycle of purchasing items. LuLaRoe made the $$$ from the inventory sales, not end customer sales. Shameful.

[@artlover1834]

Plus the "buy-in" for the company was crazy. I saw them when they were just taking off and thought how ugly the leggings were, especially for the price point.

[@SewingReport]

@@artlover1834 Someone I know used to be a retailer, they have seen the documentary. Told me they were able to get out during the 100% refund window, and didn't really make much money from doing it. While they were selling LuLaRoe they did a lot of those Facebook live pop-up shopping events, and I did *not* understand why everyone was going so nuts over what appeared to be very cheaply made, basic clothing items with VERY taste specific prints.

[@snooganslestat2030]

@@SewingReport Most of the time with MLMs all the people on the adverts praising the company & hyping the products are people already signed up to the MLM. They all hop around to each others posts to say how great something is to create a false sense of demand and urgency for the tiny amount of those outside the MLM who may be interested.

[@marianne8352]

You have accompanied me through my weekly housework on so many weekends, so much easier to get everything done while listening to something interesting, thank you for your wonderfully engaging style!!

[@itslatasha4726]

This documentary is the first I’m ever hearing of this company. Fascinating.

[@craft_yplanning1012]

Been anti-mlm for 2 years now after losing a lot of money in multiple MLM'S due to the promise of "we are different because we have better....". But after being out, I realize I saw so many shady things going on. Backstabbing, the FOMO effect being pushed, income claims, lifestyle claims, all of it. I wouldn't do another MLM now if they paid me to start.

[@justkibby5959]

I was just at a craft fair and there wasn't any lularoe. Imagine that. Im an ex MLM boss babe and I'd like to forget that I was sucked in to a pyramid scheme. Yikes.

[@julieh.9826]

Congrats for getting out! Upwards and onwards.

[@BlackBeltBebe]

On Halloween of this past pandemic year, someone was leaving LuLaRoe leggings on people's doorsteps while trick-or-treating (safely, through candy chutes, without contact and with social distancing and masking at our house!). It cracked me up because it was clearly one of the poor people who amassed all of that product and couldn't unload it. My daughter wears them as pajama bottoms.

[@heatherkuphal924]

They fit my little guys, my youngest loves to sleep in the cat ones I just HAD TO have. ROFL. This company is beyond horrible, I can’t believe they’re still open!

[@heatherkuphal924]

I don’t use KZbin very frequently, so I apologize for what’s likely an answer I should know. Lol. What does the member gavel next to your name mean?

[@BlackBeltBebe]

@@heatherkuphal924 I think it's because I'm a paying member of Emily's channel, thus a law nerd.

[@57msdeb]

They are so very hot. I had a couple of pair that I donated after trying several times to wear them. I never made it past an hour in them.

[@melanieahrens6739]

@@57msdeb I was just listening to Roberta Blevins’ podcast. She and another former LLR “retailer” were laughing about this and how they couldn’t believe they’d worn them uncomplainingly in warm weather.

[@tq999]

I’m proud to say I am 41 and never wore or owned LuLu Roe!

[@raindriz2970]

DeAnne and Mark’s behavior was downright deplorable!

[@lubeeluonline]

A lot of MLM companies have a devious clause in their buy-back policies whereby they will refund 100% of the wholesale value minus any “gifts” or incentive rewards received. So the watches, the cruises etc can all be deducted from the final balance.

[@seameology]

Mary Kay is one.

[@rg6310]

How does any company get into this kind of mess and not think they could be sued? I don’t even like to borrow $50 from a family member without knowing that I better pay back

[@briarrose29]

Same here. The couple who ran Lularoe started with a decent idea, but were dumb as a box of rocks when it came to the follow through. It’s like once they stared making so much money they stopped caring about the company. The people working for them even said the software they had was outdated and that he kept trying to do too much himself instead of hiring an accountant. Greed is blinding and these yahoo’s are going to end up bankrupt IMO (and rightfully so).

[@cassiemontgomery45]

@@briarrose29 I think the owners were initially trying to do something great and good, but once serious money started moving their way....like you've said, greed completely consumes them.

[@SSDeven]

If you have to announce yourself as a “boss babe”, you aren’t one!

[@Paputsza]

my problem with mlm's comes mostly from having less money than a lawyer. My aunt is in an mlm, and she shows up on Christmas every year and tries to sell us on 300 dollar pots that my mom could pick up at Burlington coat factory for at most 20 bucks. It's just feels weird to be lied to like that. The whole commission system is also sketchy and unsafe for women. I responded to an ad for a web designer and when I got to the store it was an 18 yo girl trying to get me to sell knives door to door and downplay how sketchy that was.

[@vashgash]

I'm a SM for Goodwill Industries, and we get offloaded Lula Roe VERY consistently. We have difficulty unloading it at my facility, and will often have to send it off as bale to another region. Last week we got two separate donations of 100 plus pieces. There are other brands we receive merchandise from at the volume, like book mlms, etc but not like we receive Lula Roe.

[@shannapackard1088]

The bonus check fiasco made me facepalm so hard. Roberta is on TikTok and she goes into what all happened. Apparently they had to cut a bit of footage to be able to make it only 4 episodes, but I'll be damned they could have added more and I still would have watched the damn thing. I've never bought LuLaRoe intentionally, have had it given to me, and I just set it off to the side.

[@Hello-tj2cp]

Yea I kinda wanted it to be longer

[@imastatistic8347]

Same! 4 episodes was nothing especially at 30-45 minutes an episode. If a documentary is good I sit there and binge 8 hours

[@beultra3083]

MLMs do evoke the same interest in me as true crime or cult stories. I've never been in a MLM, but I'm fascinated by the way they use these deceptive cult tactics to convince seemingly intelligent humans to give up basically their entire lives in pursuit of something that doesn't exist. Group-think is so interesting regardless of context.

[@ColoradoLJ]

You know, I think we need a deep dive on why there is a movement against pockets on women’s pants. There’s got to be some deep dark secret reason we can’t carry things in pockets! 😂

[@continuallycountingchicken7338]

They said their products aren’t defective when it came to the lawsuit about the defective leggings buuuuuut in the MyDyet lawsuit they say they were given bad products. 🤔🤬 I was a named plaintiff on the deceptive lawsuit. Knowing now that they said that pizzes me off. I sat for a deposition (just shy of 8 hours 🤯😖) for the lawsuit. Seeing them in their depositions was interesting … mostly Deanne because she frequently added more to the answer of her question than what was asked. Um. Yeah. Don’t do that. I mean she can but, in general, you don’t do that. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@kattypatty8581]

Speaking out of both sides of their mouths

[@tajmulhall]

A friend of mine does Lulu … The leggings suck I’m only a 5 foot person but I do have a big butt not a huge fan but you know anyways the darn things won’t stay up there uncomfortable I feel like I have something going down to my crotch at all times

[@continuallycountingchicken7338]

I was a named plaintiff on the defective lawsuit. The fact that we couldn’t get the class certified super upsets me. B E Y O N D angry about it. I didn’t realize how many feelings I still have about it until the end of episode # of LuLaRich. 😞

[@susanpoole1565]

This is so sad. These people were believing they could be a part of the American Dream of having your own business. They took advantage of them and the court should make it right.

[@elliekaytea6710]

They’re right! It’s so much like a cult! How they lure people in and slowly try to completely dominate them and infiltrate their minds to get them to comply! (Weight, “retire your spouse”, the man’s in charge, etc)

[@mugglescakesniffer3943]

I totally watched it all so far and I knew about it but this series is amazing on the covering of the Company. I am just surprised they can make a whole series on it.

[@CLE-EA]

I’m definitely in the anti-mlm/true-crime crossover group. My friend was involved with LLR as well and asked me to look over the documents she received when she first “onboarded” (I hate these words). I think this was around 2016. I said to her they don’t say anything about sales tax. Are you supposed to get your own vendors license to collect and remit sales tax and she said I don’t know. I don’t think so. None of the other girls I know selling did that. They (LLR) didn’t say anything. I said you have to collect and remit sales tax. Eventually after some time went by they said ok we’re going to start having you “retailers” collect sales tax - it’s going to be based on where you guys (the retailers) live. I said no it has to be based on where the clothing is going to be worn or where it will end up. It has to be based on your customers’ home state. I said if Amazon can figure this out surely lularoe can figure it out. Then my friend told me that once they started collecting sales tax (incorrectly - based on where the sellers lived) that the sellers who lived in states without sales tax would use that as a selling point when selling their leggings. “Come buy from me - I live in PA where there is no sales tax” (I’m not sure if that is one of the no sales tax states but I think so). I was beside myself! Lol. (I’m an accountant - I thought that was obvious. 😂😂). I was like this is not right. You need to get out of that company. And she said yeah I’ve been thinking about it. They will take back all your inventory and give you a hundred percent of what you paid for it. Her friend had already sent back her inventory and was just waiting for her check. My friend waited too long though. I think at first after they got rid of the hundred percent buy back they changed it to some other percentage. Like maybe it was 80% or something? (I don’t remember for sure). She decided to just hang onto it and sell it where she can. She now sells her remaining shit on the cheap. She is stuck with a LOT of junk that no one is ever gonna buy.

[@spicyavo3929]

On boarded to me sounds like when aliens take someone on their spaceship lol

[@alskarmode]

@@spicyavo3929 lol! It does, doesn’t it. “Onboarded” is a legit term, though

[@jcs137]

The founder reminds me of Tammy Faye Baker when she talks and mannerisms.

[@realitycheck739]

I would love it if you could do a show on Monat which has numerous lawsuits. That show could save hundreds of people from joining a MLM. What would it take to shut down MLM's?

[@adbreon]

The Betabrand pants are seriously great. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with a sponsorship from them. They have a pant with the knee level size pocket that is the best

[@Hank.Will.I.Ams.]

Per the crossover in anti-MLM and true crime passion/ferocity, I agree! And I think a lot of that comes from the tactics used by MLMs. It's so similar to how abusive relationships and cults/high control groups work that it pulls in the same fascination. They're all playing the same game, just with different purpose. I think the overlap in interest and intensity comes from the shared tactics they use. Love bombing, isolation, specific vernaculars, they're all used by these people as a means to exploit or hurt vulnerable people.

[@Selene_Rosara]

I had a friend tell me once about this wonderful company that he was going to start working for, how he was going to make so much money, and how I should try to be more successful like him. Just blah blah blah nonsense and part of the reason he is no longer a friend. I asked him what company it was that he was going to work for and he refused to tell me the name. After some back and forth I made an offhand comment about how it sounded like he was going to be selling some scam MLM bullshit like Amway and that is when I got blocked. Because it was. 😂

[@allysmith2284]

😂😂

[@Rachy71]

I had a dozen friends who were in LuLaRoe and it was hard as hell for them to get out. I was so close to joining them until I seen what was happening with my sister-in-law. She said don't do this please you'll lose everything and I don't want this to happen to you.

[@Galworld761]

Full time pay for part time work is incongruent with “working your business” and “hustling”. Full time pay for part time work? Do you know ANY business owner that states this is their reality?

[@melanieahrens6739]

That’s a wonderful sister-in-law! She warned you instead of trying to profit off you.

[@pokikii]

You did not link betabrand in this video:( Thank you for bringing awareness to this Emily - more communities need to talk about this stuff.

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

Friendly reminder: Having a product to sell does not shield a company from being legally deemed a pyramid scheme.

[@roberttysec4122]

Interesting that she goes with the swap-meet version of LuLaRoe founding. I think that’s something like the third or fourth story that Deanne has given as to how the company started.

[@mirandam5746]

Was invited to a lularoe showing. I didn’t know what it was so I looked it up. And I was like yeah no these leggings are fugly. I could get nicer cheaper ones at tj maxx.

[@realitycheck739]

I found the whole show disgusting. The way they promoted themselves and didn't allow people to return goods to the ones in the upline who were left with thousands in debt. How to could not state what goods you could buy is an awful way to run a "business". The worst part was the scummy way these people avoided answering questions or didn't remember things when being interviewed by the lawyers just showed they were out for themselves and not this close knit community as they tried to portray earlier.

[@hannahdewolfe8995]

Keep in mind they thought the show would be to promote themselves!

[@Mon-ps6jh]

I'm in Australia so we don't have lularoe but back in the 1980s, and I'm showing my age here, the world was doing Amway (cleaning products? What cleaning products) and it wasn't that dissimilar. I went to a convention that told me I needed to read to my husband while he was driving because he was a busy man, and how often to have sex with him to keep him at his business best. The men and women at this conference was separated so I'm madly took notes to show him because even then at 22 years old I knew that this was ludicrous. After being sucked into a second round of Amway in the 90s I have steered clear of anything even vaguely resembling mlm. I'm fascinated by the psychology of mlm marketing.

[@allysmith2284]

Fellow Aussie here!! I remember Amway!

[@elliekaytea6710]

Anyway is here in the states too. They sucked my grandmother in back in the 80’s

[@seameology]

Amway is still a thing in the US. Primarily Mormons sell it. Utah is the state with the most Mormons. Consequently, it's also the state that has the lax laws regarding MLM's.

[@danamaria80]

I thought it was telling that her favorite memory of her mother was her raining money down on her and her siblings.

[@maryhiggins6783]

I watched it in one setting too..... I was shocked anyone ever signed up too, so shady. Thank you for covering this.

[@HollyOak]

I'm 54 and I never heard of this outfit until yt commentators started covering the downfall. But then I'm in Australia and I don't think it ever hit here (it's not 'if you are a women of a certain age' it's if you are a woman of a certain age from the US).

[@michaelkenner3289]

I'm having a hard time figuring out if it's related to lulalife which does exist here. They look somewhat similar but I'm having trouble finding conclusive information online.

[@HollyOak]

@@michaelkenner3289 I did a quick search. Lulalife is owned by Haarlee Investments pty ltd, in QLD. They've been a registered business since 2016. Just comparing the designs of clothing between lulalife and lularoe, I'd say they aren't the same. Also, lulalife is sold to stores who can purchase what they want, in whatever volume and individual people can buy from the stores. Even though they sound very similar, I'm going to say probably not.

[@spicyavo3929]

It never came to Canada either which I’m glad!

[@k9jocks]

Saskatchewan had a few. And acquaintance of mine sold them a few years back, though it fizzled out pretty quickly.

[@seameology]

I'm in the US and I too learned from the controversy on KZbin. Apparently it was mostly in suburbs. I'm rural northern Minnesota. It's too cold here for leggings to be a thing. You can only wear them three or four months out of the year. They're pajamas here.

[@heatherkuphal924]

Just for a little more tea… when the overnight return policy changed, only the owners knew. The mentors (second tier) had no idea. The scramble to figure out what to say to their downline was insane. The lost sooooo many people during that time. -1/4 of the mentor team team dipped out, but would not speak publicly against them. I still wish I understood that part. I was positive it was only a matter of time. How do these new people onboarding not google ‘lularoe’?!?!

[@elliekaytea6710]

I think a lot get sucked in like I did. My friend was so into it, and I felt so sorry for her, I finally broke down and agreed to sign up under her. But I knew all the while what it was and refused to play by the ridiculous rules they set up. You’re destined to become your own best customer! I wouldn’t fall into that.

[@stephjovi]

Isn't that the business model of every MLM? Nobody cares if consumers buy the product, just recruit more people they buy the inventory

[@beteljuice6629]

This was my introduction to Emily! It's been so long!😊

[@lisamcdonald2877]

"A grab bag of bullshit" is a great phrase for numerous situations. 😆

[@dimplesd8931]

I binged it too. Wished it was 10 episodes. I was shocked that all the early folks that made so much $$$ ended up broke. As a salaried/commissioned salesperson…. My rule is when I get a commission check everything AFTER the comma, if there’s a comma, is mine to blow. Before the comma… goes to savings/investments. So, $3,278 commission… I get to blow the $278 and the $3k goes to savings/investments. If you’re commission only, your house and cars should be 25-35% of your net average check, 10-15% to food, 10% to MISC stuff and the rest goes to savings and investments because commissions aren’t guaranteed. Gotta have a cushion. PS. After they ran from Cali, LulaRoe moved their warehouse to South Carolina and they’ve permanently closed that address too. 😑

[@elliekaytea6710]

Litigation is expensive.

[@JustTini]

Mark is a crafty little squirrel! Love your commentary Emily. I enjoyed watching you on Juicy Scoop ❤️ Thank you for your time & investment on your research & hard work. I’m a proud Washingtonian and thank God they called these people out.

[@fishiest3539]

holy crap, lularoe really epitomizes Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss mentality

[@chelsey8737]

OK I'm getting tired of all the upset over the 2 kids are married thing. Roberta Blevins who was in lularoe has clarified that they never lived together and they weren't raised together. The woman was from Romania so they only saw each other on trips occasionally. She came over as an exchange student and the son that she married was already in college away from home. Yeah it might be a bit of a strange situation but there's literally nothing wrong with it. The women was never adopted, they just call her their daughter bc she married in.

[@michelleferrero8206]

As EMILY would say, "Really, Really, Really?"

[@upbeat_garbage0308]

I think people are getting so upset because of the way their parents are presenting it as, making it out like they were raised as siblings and I even thought they were blood related. Before I had context I know myself I did a double take but yeah learning that they’re not blood related nor were they raised together it’s just like alrighty cool

[@just.jaimie.]

Haven’t watched yet (this video) but MUST share my experience with an attorney because I’d love your thoughts. So, I was a Lilaroe consultant and wanted out so when they instituted the buyback, I sent my stuff in immediately. Well, there was SO much drama and they weren’t getting refund checks out so I, like many others complained to the states attorney in my state and in CA. I got a response from the states attorney which included Lularoe’s attorney’s response and it said they had contacted me and we’re processing my claim and that was false. So I emailed them and said I’d hate to have to make another complaint to the states attorney because they lied to me and I’d like my check immediately and I gave a week deadline. Well my check arrived 2 days later in a overnight mailer with nothing else, they never processed my return, they just overnighted a check. I was pretty pleased with myself because I’m not an attorney, just a ‘Karen’ minus the haircut 😂

[@Elena-bk4fs]

yeah that is eerily similar to how sororities recruit. the parallels between all of these recruitment based companies & orgs is pretty uncanny

[@nfcapps]

I noticed they threw out one comment on racism and one comment on sexism and then never addressed them again in the documentary. That's where the flashy lights and bright colors come in to make people stop thinking. High production value in this documentary, for sure. People can say stuff all the time and shade people forever, but, as Emily says, if you don't bring the facts, it's all just fuckery.

[@nfcapps]

I have always been wary of MLM so I want ever pulled into these things. But I do remember just a couple years ago when everyone was trying to offload their LuLaRoe gear. I never really wondered what happened after that, but the documentary was very interesting. Just be aware that flashy lights and bright colors are designed to draw you in and make you not think, so don't watch it without keeping your actual brain engaged.

[@mugglescakesniffer3943]

I like the last episode where the guy quotes Martok the Klingon Commander about history and what will be remembered.

[@rabbitlovesraven]

I have never had any LuLaRoe clothing but have seen them being sold at craft shows and such, and have never liked them. Mostly because of the prices of them, I don't wanna pay that much for a pair of leggings when I can get the silky leggings at Walmart for like 5 bucks...

[@RealiTEAwithKristaMarie]

That guy SAM .. I WAS PEEING MYSELF when he was talking and they showed his rap outfits look. I thought it was a,joke, I thought they were joking when he was talking..then I realize omg they really hired him. And he's serious about that get up... Then he was sleeping with the ladies... I'm like this is real life. ..right? Then he texts the weed thing and I was DEAD 🤣🤣🤣OFFICIALLY DEAD🤣🤣WHAT ...Im dying right now trying to type this.🤣🤣he said.. he said omg 🤣🤣 how bout that 30k yo... 🤣🤣o...m..ff..gg..😅🤣he said YO.. LOL..like I can't even get through this 😭that money YO.....🤨🤨🤨he's dead serious too..

[@gwen731]

I stumbled onto this video because I'm kind of into the anti-mlm movement and I've seen the documentary a few times now. I was curious to your take on things and I have to say I was really happy at the end of this video. Things were explained well without making me feel like an idiot and I love your style. I'm a new fan of yours! Keep up the amazing content

[@heatherframpton9693]

Thank you, Attorney Emily for your professional perspective! I am a brand-new subscriber. 🙂

[@knmylesmovementwellness3778]

Betabrand pants are legit and the real deal. Love the demin also.

[@leigh_1964]

I love the demin - the best!

[@DrawciaGleam02]

Vice has a video about Lularoe. It mentioned the decreasing quality of leggings, the buyback program, and the flood of lularoe items into thrift stores among other things.

[@aff77141]

"I found it strange that you were supposed to open your own business but couldn't choose, you can't pick things you know people are interested in" almost like it's designed to fail bro!

[@coggieskaz7115]

I have seen racks and racks of lularoe at Salvation Army and GW. That was a couple of years ago and thought it was a red flag.

[@bree8246]

i’m very impressed with how clearly you said “four free months” 😂 forgive me. it’s been a long week

[@mw109509]

Emily and MLMs. Two of my favorite things 😌

[@iTrishaLyn]

I had to laugh out loud that I was served a lululemon ad before this video lol. I know it’s not the same but 🤣

[@psychicdiva4907]

Love your energy. I clicked subscribe in the first 20 seconds. It’s so nice to see an intelligent, well spoken woman who isn’t just selling makeup on KZbin💜 thanks for this. Side note - I just bought Luluroe from someone unloading her personal collection off Offerup for $2.50 a pair (hate the company, love the comfort) and got to pick and choose what I wanted. Maybe lula can learn that lesson.

[@SamisSweetLife]

Yes please, deep dives in these lawsuits! This whole thing is so interesting.

[@lawrencelopez9839]

So the sellers basically got lootboxes with random leggings, some more desirable than the other cloths to sell

[@luminyam6145]

Wow, this video really brings home to me how our career choices really shape and influence who we are as ppl. I know my career as a nurse took me away from my family (I only worked part time so not a long time away) but the flexibility of it eased the social issues.

[@kathy9771]

OMG! I literally just finished bingeing it? What a coincidence! Love all your videos! You are Queen of KZbin! I was shocked they are still in business also. I just ordered a pair of pants, thanks for the discount code. I hope I love them Your friend Kathy from Montgomery NY

[@BridgidK]

I used to get the Disney print Lularoe leggings myself. But I always got frustrated trying to find a Disney print I loved in my size (TC). One of the Lularoe retailers that I used to watch all the time found a different company called Charlie's Project. This company also donates 20%of all profits to children's charities. I started buying directly from that company and I LOVE them. I love their dresses, with POCKETS, even more.

[@amorousGravity]

I live in WA and my value village and Goodwills are stocked up with lularoe tops and dresses

[@sunnyscott4876]

Yes exactly right. I'm in NC and I see them all the time at Goodwill Stores here.

[@treekitty3136]

I got caught up in one of these in the mid 90's. Herbalife. There are products, however he main push was to recruit family and friends. Watching 2 female friends be in the middle of other schemes line this. It's sad. Thank you for breaking it down for us.

[@Daaaanielle]

Herbalife gives me ptsd. 🤣 my mum used to give me that ish as a teen because “i was too fat” but it made me so hungry I’d eat even more. Looooool. The trauma. The smell of those shakes triggers me

[@jcs137]

Anytime you have to prey on family and friends is not for me or good long term. I don’t use my friends like that.

[@treekitty3136]

@@jcs137 Exactly!

[@rachelsanders2314]

@@jcs137 “Use” is definitely the right word! 💯

[@treekitty3136]

@@Daaaanielle Right?! You poor kid!!

[@Smileygld123]

I really appreciate how you discuss the attraction to Lularoe and other groups. Thanks for not calling it a Cult. That word is overused, and so many things with Lularoe, Churches, wanting to belong are different shades along that line, but not necessairly a Cult, especially when you can get out of them, relatively easy as compared to groups who smear your reputation for leaving, fir instance. Also, thanks for being careful to draw the dinstiction to where Lularoe''s practices went wrong, not all MLM's are created equal, or operating just like them. That said, they do over inflate how easy it is to run the business and how much effort it takes to make the income that you want to make.

[@OhioGalReads]

LuLaRoe sent leggings with mold and holes to their distributors. They left the stock outside in the rain and other weather.😬🙄😐🤔

[@texasgina]

I watched another documentary awhile back that showed the same claims! Disgusting. I don’t own a pair I was never into them when my mom was in the hospital and going back-and-forth into the rehab hospital I bought a few pairs at Walmart just to be comfortable in the hospital and they were made out of almost the exact same material and I got them on clearance for three dollars apiece

[@stellaallbright4750]

Holy shite. MLM/Pyramid schemes remind me of "The Secret" gatherings were so cult-like that I dumped my fiance who dove in head first! I was just waiting for the snakes, speaking in tongues, child sacrifices, & kool-aid.

[@jenniferburns7291]

Love your content! Please cover Thernos and Elizabeth Holms some more. It’s so interesting!

[@Evie-Hope]

Sounds like KJ's new business insurance company that she's "teaching us" about, should get this memo and opt out now for her legal bills. Great coverage, thanks

[@Catglittercrafts]

Can y’all just leave WOC alone. It’s getting creepy and obsessive. If she’s that awful she will be her own downfall but seeing ppl like you talk crap about her on every damn law nerd video is obnoxious

[@Galworld761]

@@Catglittercrafts EDB makes it a point to avoid any mention of WOC to side step drama. Yet, commenters keep bringing WOC up dragging EDB in by default. Respect her ethos, EDB is not a drama channel does not want to be in that world. She is a legal commentary, she interprets legal docs…let her stay in her lane.

[@lindsayder]

Wow, didn't know betabrand sponsored things but get it girl! I used to shop there when i lived in sf.

[@theknitwit7098]

The Watts case is what made me take an interest in MLMs. Shannon Watts was a Thrive cult member, and I was shocked that the company did not receive more focus as a contributing factor in the murders of her and her two daughters! Her online presence was that of a successful business owner, yet the we’re facing a second bankruptcy in a 3 year period!

[@seameology]

I listened to some of their court testimony. They were in Amway previously. They knew full well how the MLM business model worked.

[@FoodieBeautyStan]

I looked on Netflix, last night, and documentary is gone. Can it be anywhere else?

[@Allison_Troy]

The original products from Lularoe were really good. I bought several from friends who sold for them. In the beginning their experiences were good and they were making decent money. That quickly came spiraling to an end and they all got stuck with bad unsaleable product. Really sad -- because initially it looked like it might have been one of the rare exceptions where an MLM type company might actually be decent.

[@elliekaytea6710]

As soon as they made the flip to making more $ for those you sign up, and those they then sign up.. it became the pyramid scheme

[@santafilipina9020]

I'm more offended by the fact that so many people actually wore their shit. There is a commission of good taste in France and the US should follow suit.

[@sunnyscott4876]

LOL! Have you looked at the fashion statements at your local Wal-Mart lately? People who can't even get their pants on so they're walking around in fleece pajama bottoms....🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯