Isn't Younique just a another pyramid scheme?

...And other questions I asked & get asked about Younique

I admit I am new to this whole direct sales thing. Probably like many of you, I've actively avoided those contacts who were in direct sales, and trying to sell to me, or worse yet, recruit me...(Some of the other cosmetic companies were among the ones I avoided the most...)

Is Younique too good to be true?

"The fastest growing direct sales company in history"? Only 3 years old and already a $300 million dollar company! Fantastic, naturally-based, affordable products? A healthy compensation plan? No pressure to sell or even buy your own stock? All selling is done via "virtual parties" and marketed primarily through your social media channels? Get paid within THREE HOURS of every sale....Blah blah blah..."

I listened to/read it all with interest and yet, a healthy dose of cynicism mixed in too...Frankly, it all sounded just a little "too good to be true".

More than a little dubious about Younique, I decided to research it further for myself.

• No matter how hard an employee works for a franchise owner, they will still make their set wages, and have their hours set for them.
• I will be dealing in Direct Sales. That means that I pay a percentage of each of my sales to my parent company, in this case Younique, in order to have the right to sell their products, and use their name.
• I don’t have to worry about the cost of preparing the products, the cost of a building, paying employees (unless I choose to hire someone to help me), and my over head is very minimal.
• I can set my own hours, vacations, etc, with my Direct Sales business. My pay is a direct result of my work. If I work harder, I make more money. If I don’t, I make less.
• I began watching hours of videos, webinars, tutorials and reading reviews about the products and the company (not all were good, some were downright scathing!!)
• I looked at as many current presenters to see what they were doing and how they were doing it and asked, "could I do it better or different?"
• And then I joined on February 13, 2015…So, that's when my story really began.

"What is your Why?"

I have always been a makeup fan. My mom always told me “less is more” and to only use makeup to “enhance your beauty.”  I found Younique last year when a friend, Mandi, had a virtual party. I was immediately drawn to the mascara and had to try it! I bought it then and there, no questions asked.  Hence, why some ladies call the 3D Fiber Mascara “lash crack.”

 

After I received the mascara, I wanted to know more about the company.  What I found out made me feel this pull to join.  I can say that I have been lucky in this world to have never been sexually, physically or mentally assaulted. Unfortunately, a large number of my friends have. When I found out that a percentage of sales (we’ll get to that in another post) aim to fulfill Younique’s Mission, I was hooked!  Younique's mission is to "uplift, empower, validate and ultimately help build the self-esteem of women around the world. Through high-quality products that encourage the core values of simplicity, positive influence and the celebration of inner and outer beauty - along with spiritual enlightenment - we're enabling opportunities for personal growth and financial reward to women everywhere."

 

I love the makeup, but its so much MORE than makeup!!!!!!!

 

Direct Sales Takes So Much Time!
What appeals to me is that the company is so flexible. I work as little or as much as I want - wherever/however I want. I can sell little or loads. No one will hound me to put my order in each month. That will really appeal to some.

Getting paid while I sleep (it's happened a few times now) is a fantastic and addictive feeling. I'd love that to be an every day occurrence. I do love we get paid 3 hours after every sale. Love getting those emails - to be sure.

Stigmas that go with any Direct Marketing

So what are my biggest challenges? Misconceptions really. People who were like me that have the stigma of selling or team building.

Things I've heard quite often the past six months:

• "I'm no good at selling" (I say "good, I wouldn't want you if you were a sales person" followed with "the products will sell themselves"...)
• "I don't want to recruit, I'll just sell to my family and friends".
• "Isn't Younique just a horrible Pyramid Scheme?"

That last one is the toughest. I had to actually research it myself so I could give them an honest answer...Because getting paid off everyone below you does sound like a Pyramid Scheme...but thankfully it's not! PS They're illegal anyway...

Here's what I found by way of definition...

• From Wikipedia: A pyramid scheme is an unsustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services to the public.

Or basically...

1) Pyramid schemes seek to make money FROM you.

2) Direct Sales companies aim to make money WITH you as you build your business, they build theirs (at the same time) - by selling their wares. I could see it's confusing, sure....

 

How much will it cost me? How much can I make?

• Many things in life come down to money - and this was no different. Initial breakdown to register as a Presenter in the US is $99. I figured at that price - even if it sucked, I'd not be out loads of money, so it was probably worth the risk. Thank goodness for me, not even a makeup fanatic I'll admit, I do love all the products!
• You can make a few dollars, to a few hundred dollars to several thousand...Some people are making staggering amounts! Like anything in life, I suspect you will get out of it what you put into it. I made my presenter kit money back in 2 weeks. That's a great start!

The Birth of The Real Lashwives of Metro St Louis

I will be honest with you, I cringed at the thought of having to build a team to make any real money. Sure, I could make a few extra bucks every month by just selling the 3D Fiber Lash mascaras - but you know what? I want more! Way more!

I heard stories of one of the Black Presenters (top level in Younique's status) who has recruited 200 total in just a year and has a downline of 21,000. She's raking in a cool $30,000 off that team each month. Can you blame her? I'd like a piece of that action. Wouldn't you?

As I studied the somewhat confusing compensation plan, royalties, and the way Younique works, it actually changed my perspective. I'm in this 110% now, so fully committed, and so building, mentoring and training my Team will be my primary aim.

Most of my team, thus far anyway, will be more "hobbyists" I suspect. They will just sell to family and friends, and not actively be selling, but I am fine with that. They'll help my company too!

But there are always the ones that will go at this like gangbusters, and will strive to reach the higher levels of status and income - just as I am doing. That's what excites me the most! That ambitious attitude toward this opportunity. Need more of them!

 

My Goals

Convention for the 4^th Annual Younique Convention is in St. Louis next year. 20 minutes from my house!! This year at Convention, all the Green Presenters made a parade across the stage. I am adamant that I will be on that stage next year!!!!!!!

Right now, I’m shooting for Pink!

Warning though, if you love makeup, it may not be for you, as you'll just spend all your time and money buying stuff from your own site :) Trust me, I love makeup and I want to buy EVERYTHING!

 

That's all for now! Have a wonderful Monday and remember...

 

Stay FabuLASH!

 

xoxo Angela