Is doTERRA a pyramid scheme?
Pyramid schemes are illegal. A pyramid scheme is “a business model that recruits members via a promise of payments or services for enrolling others into the scheme, rather than supplying investments or sale of products or services. As recruiting multiplies, recruiting becomes quickly impossible, and most members are unable to profit; as such, pyramid schemes are unsustainable and often illegal.” (Wikipedia)
What is really being “sold” in an illegal pyramid scheme is a chance to buy into the business, not a product. The product is secondary to the opportunity.
Two hallmarks of a pyramid scheme? Expensive to get in and hard to get out. Usually, there is a very large upfront fee to join. Product is sometimes sold but the money is earned (by few) by enticing people into the business.
DoTERRA is absolutely NOT a pyramid scheme.
How is doTERRA a different multi-level marking company?
We all know there are some bad MLMs out there. But an authentic multi-level marketing company is about selling a high-quality product that people love and use. The opportunity to earn through sharing the product should also be fair. DoTERRA offers all the best in network marketing. They have a best-in-the-world product and a balanced and generous compensation plan. (Compensation plans can vary greatly from company to company so consider them carefully before choosing who to join with. Some companies offer a lot of hype in the beginning but have little to offer in the way of residual income.) DoTERRA is inexpensive to join ($35) and your membership is easy to cancel.
The networking marketing has an industry average retention rate of about 8%. DoTERRA’s retention rate is over 70%. This is incredible!! As the largest essential oil company in the world, with over 3 million members in the US, doTERRA has shown they are a unique MLM.
DoTERRA vs. Traditional Employment?
Traditional employment looks just like a …pyramid! With traditional employment, there are very limited spots at the top. With doTERRA there are UNLIMITED positions at the top. The top rank has no limit as to how many people can earn it. The opportunity is wide-open for whoever wants to go for it and because of how doTERRA has structured the compensation plan there’s no competition – you can’t hit a high rank without helping a lot of other people hit their goals and ranks. doTERRA has a beautiful culture of cooperation and collaboration. Unlike traditional employment, my position is not threatened when others on my team are advancing. It’s a beautiful thing!
Is doTERRA all about the money?
DoTERRA is, and always has been, product first, opportunity second. You will see no offers for free cars or promises of making easy money. Counter to typical MLM culture, doTERRA advocates being debt-free so you are “free to give” to others. DoTERRA is built on a solid foundation of a high-quality product, integrity, and stewardship. The oils speak for themselves and over 86% of people who join doTERRA with a wholesale membership do so only for personal use because they love them that much!
Why are doTERRA’s oils so unique?
DoTERRA is committed to providing the best quality essential oils in the world. They travel the world to find not only the best growers who can give us the most therapeutic essential oils but also who they can serve in return. Through their Co-Impact sourcing they have built wells, schools, medical clinics, provided doctors, midwives and teachers and improved working and living conditions for these hard-working people.
Is there a legitimate business opportunity with doTERRA?
Yes, absolutely, and it’s a great one. Most people join doTERRA because the oils are just so life-changing. But for those that choose to share and build a team, doTERRA offers a generous unilevel-based compensation plan (unilevel= residual income, which is a very good thing).
Our doTERRA story
At the time we got started with doTERRA, we were living paycheck-to-paycheck and coming off a really hard year financially. My husband worked incredibly hard but some changes were made at his job that was out of his control and so we were struggling. I was very pregnant with my 5th child and doing photography part-time. I’d get very busy in Spring and Fall doing sessions, then stay up until 1 am editing images, posting galleries, etc. I remember when we first started getting doTERRA checks – even $25 was exciting because it meant I could buy more food (we ate a lot of rice and beans back then y’all).
As the people beneath us shared and I began to share and teach, our team grew. We are so blessed to work with such an amazing group of women who have changed countless lives. Just a few years later doTERRA is now our sole income. My husband was able to “retire” from his very stressful job at the age of 36. We moved to the country and have time together and time and emotional freedom I never could have imagined.
What’s the time investment? I went to college for 4 years to earn a degree in Mathematics and secondary education at an expensive private university in southern California. When I graduated I was earning a whopping $28k or so a year. (We all know teachers don’t get paid enough!) With doTERRA I’ve invested 4 years into building my business. The cost of building with doTERRA is very low. The only actual requirement is $100 a month order to qualify for commissions. Based on that number, I’m now making about 8 TIMES what I’ve invested – per MONTH. My husband had been in the banking industry, and then in management, almost 10 years when he retired. Two years into building my doTERRA business my income exceeded his. It is absolutely crazy to all God has done in our lives through doTERRA! I have no sales background and had never heard of an MLM. But sharing what I love comes easily and that’s all I did – share with friends what had blessed our family so much.
Here is some more about the business opportunity from some of the top leaders and a few of the owners:
I hope you’ve learned that doTERRA is not a pyramid scheme. I personally believe multi-level marketing, especially doTERRA, is an absolutely fabulous way to create an income for your family. I never want to work for anyone again – we love working for ourselves! Getting to serve and help others at the same time make it very fulfilling for us as well. We love what we do!
Interested in trying doTERRA or working with us? We’d love to chat, just send us a message.
Chris Stolworthy says
Great post and great info. I love dōTERRA!
Healing in our Homes says
Thanks Chris!
Allison says
Hi there! Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful blog post! I was excited to share with friends and family. May I ask where you found this incredible video? I tried looking online but couldn’t find the exact one. Would love to share this video with others interested in signing up. Thank you!
Chris Stolworthy says
I’ve been looking too! I saw it a week or so ago but can’t find it again!
Colleen Hall says
I would like to share all of this information on my own site. Would you give me permission to copy and paste and use this? Please. This is great!
Colleen Hall
Healing in our Homes says
Hi! You may copy it if you credit me and link my site. Thanks!