A Brief History of MLM
Nobody knows exactly when MLM began, because it really evolved over a number of years, prior to World War II. Most observers agree that Nutrilite – now an Amway subsidiary – was the first true MLM company. In addition to being the founders of network marketing, they were the founders of the vitamin and food supplements industry, way back in the 1920s. So the historical connection between MLM and nutritional products dates back over most of the twentieth century – a fact unknown to most people (especially those who think that, somehow, MLM companies are johnny-come-latelies to nutrition. Most of the major product breakthroughs in that industry have been pioneered by MLM companies, in fact.)
The beginnings of MLM
In 1949, two young men named Rich DeVos and Jay VanAndel became Nutrilite distributors. In the ensuing decade, they build a large, prosperous organisation across America. But, in the late 1950s, a problem arose that was to continue to plague many MLM companies even until now. And it almost sank their business.
The manufacturing arm of Nutrilite was owned separately from the marketing arm. And, as often happens in such circumstances (not just in MLM), the marketing arm was seen to be making most of the money. There’s nothing unusual in this. It’s a fact of life that those who connect manufacturers to their markets take the lion’s share of the selling price, in any industry.
To make a long story short, a standoff developed between the manufacturer and the marketer. DeVos and VanAndel watched, alarmed, as their distribution network dwindled rapidly due to lack of product and the resulting lack of income from sales. Unable to bring the two parties to an agreement, they decided to create a product of their own that they could supply to what was left of their network. Here is a video of Robert Kiyosaki Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad on the value of MLM business.
Rasheed Shabazz
Nobody knows exactly when MLM began, because it really evolved over a number of years, prior to World War II. Most observers agree that Nutrilite – now an Amway subsidiary – was the first true MLM company. In addition to being the founders of network marketing, they were the founders of the vitamin and food supplements industry, way back in the 1920s. So the historical connection between MLM and nutritional products dates back over most of the twentieth century – a fact unknown to most people (especially those who think that, somehow, MLM companies are johnny-come-latelies to nutrition. Most of the major product breakthroughs in that industry have been pioneered by MLM companies, in fact.)
The beginnings of MLM
In 1949, two young men named Rich DeVos and Jay VanAndel became Nutrilite distributors. In the ensuing decade, they build a large, prosperous organisation across America. But, in the late 1950s, a problem arose that was to continue to plague many MLM companies even until now. And it almost sank their business.
The manufacturing arm of Nutrilite was owned separately from the marketing arm. And, as often happens in such circumstances (not just in MLM), the marketing arm was seen to be making most of the money. There’s nothing unusual in this. It’s a fact of life that those who connect manufacturers to their markets take the lion’s share of the selling price, in any industry.
To make a long story short, a standoff developed between the manufacturer and the marketer. DeVos and VanAndel watched, alarmed, as their distribution network dwindled rapidly due to lack of product and the resulting lack of income from sales. Unable to bring the two parties to an agreement, they decided to create a product of their own that they could supply to what was left of their network. Here is a video of Robert Kiyosaki Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad on the value of MLM business.
Rasheed Shabazz
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