With all due respect, I disagree.
Simply because you found success in an area other than Network Marketing, does not give you the authority to denigrate an entire industry that has helping hundreds of thousands of people obtain financial freedom and make ridiculous claims that it has nothing to offer.
For the record, I am obviously involved with a Network Marketing company (not MLM but Direct Sales - there is a distinction) and I am completely passionate about the products and opportunity that I am involved with. It is my sincere goal to ensure that each and every person that pays me for a product is not only satisified, but is overwhelmingly appreciative of what I have provided for them.
I also have NEVER, and I mean NEVER, approached friends, family or complete strangers pitching a "secret business" that they did not want or inquire about. I work with people who have responded to my advertising and who want more information about what I have to offer.
I also take pride in providing leadership and vision to people who truly want a better life and have the courage to pursue it. It is a great feeling to know that I am personally assisting people in achieving that better life. Does everyone get there - absolutely not. In fact many do not, but that is largely due to their own personal level of commitment, not mine.
You are correct, there is a stigma associated with Network Marketing and it is largely negative. The reason for that is because most people are simply not willing to do what it takes to learn the skills necessary to become an effective marketer and leader. There are too many instances where you have amateurs teaching amateurs how to be amateur. There needs to be training in place and a community of folks available to offer assistance when needed.
To say that MLM is a detriment to success is simply not true. I have learned many valuable lessons about myself, about being a leader, about marketing, about personal development, etc. These are lessons that I value tremendously and probably would not have had the opportunity to learn them had I not chosen to take my life into my own hands and start creating my own future and join a Network Marketing company.
I congratulate you on your success in starting a business and learning all you can on your own, however the reality is that folks can find success and find it easier in many instances when they have a group of people who have learned the ropes and can pass that valuable knowledge on.
In closing, we all know this is a personal development forum - and with that being the case we then all know that success is available to anyone that wants it in whatever avenue they choose - network marketing, affiliate marketing, small business, whatever. But to blatanly deingrate an entire industry doesn't serve anyone.
And before you come back at me stating that I never told you exactly what I do, here is the link - I don't hide anything nor it is a secret what I do. The opportunity is not "off the shelf" and in fact has been in business for 6 years and has changed thousands of lives.
Liberty League International - Official Website