Sun 8 Oct 2006
Nothing screams “Utah” like Jello, ice cream and pyramid schemes. MLMs Exposed Part 1
Posted by me under essays[46] Comments
I’m a couple of days late for my expose into MLMs, and I apologize for that. This is the first part of at least two sections.
No discussion of MLMs would be complete without mention of Amway. Several years ago, in 2001, Quixtar replaced the North American business of Amway, likely in response to mounting bad press surrounding the Amway name.
Basic premise of Quixtar: you buy products (toilet paper, energy drinks, shampoo, etc.) from Quixtar’s website. You are given a percentage (3%) of everything you buy back. Additionally, for every person
you sign up to Quixtar, you get a percentage from whatever they buy as well. Obviously, the more people you sign up, the better it is for you (and for everyone else up the chain.)
In order for MLMs like Quixtar to work effectively, they have to maintain momentum and excitement and most essential of all, they must constantly bring in new recruits. They proselyte in three main ways — large conferences, small home meetings and weekly pep rallies.
I’ve been a couple of these weekly MLM pep rallies. Though the details may differ slightly, they are all variations on a main theme. Here’s a prototypical event:
A fair number of people assemble in a rented hotel conference room. At the stage in the front, stands an affable young man, smiling, sharply dressed and speaking about how much his life has changed since he became “free”, that is, independently wealthy. He speaks of extra leisure time and the luxuries of life he and his family now enjoy. He is able to play a lot of golf and doesn’t wake up until late in the day. He compares himself to famous mainstream business figures and shares stories from their roads to success.
He emotionally chokes up a bit as he declares that because of his new and growing wealth, his children will not know the sufferings and cruelty of poverty. He is a dynamic speaker who engages the audience.
On a white board he scrawls a few circles and some interconnecting lines and talks in vague pseudo-economic principles littered with over-generalizations and false conclusions. He denigrates formal higher education, saying that “the education I learned from my mentors [in this MLM] is far more valuable than anything I learned during college.” Throughout his comedic monologue, allied cohorts in the audience (who are coached to be well dressed and hyper), hoot affirmations, whistle and clap loudly.
“My wife and I just moved into a million dollar house in Alpine”, he says. “Woo-hoo! Yeah! Right on!”, the crowd responds. “Are you living the life you deserve?”, he questions. “Are you able to stay home with your wife and kids?”, he inquires. “Are you just working for other people’s compensation plans?”, he asks, “would you like to? Can anything stop you from obtaining your dreams?!? If I can do it, so can you! Let’s do it!” At this point the frenzied crowd leaps to their feet in a roar of applause and cheering.
In Utah, the scam artists increase their levels of deception. There is a wrapper company that “trains people to be a part of Quixtar.” That company is called “Teambuilders” and is run by Alpine resident Lennon Ledbetter (and family) and his Pacific Islander crony Manase Fotu. Teambuilders, of course, charges hefty monthly fees for the privilege of being “trained” to use Quixtar.
I’ve noticed that these meetings closely resemble evangelical religous services. They are all about hype, completly lack in training, and not much into details. The cheerleaders are always well dressed and very energetic. They work the crowd into a frenzy and feed off the adreneline.
Part of their speech is all about time. Time to spend with your family. Time to spend at home instead of at the office. I wonder how much ‘time’ they spend ‘selling’ their fluffy ideas…?
[...] In my first post on Utah MLMs, I spoke at the end about a utah firm, TeamBuilders, who exists solely to free people of their excess cash while helping them become more entwined with Quixtar. [...]
How many times have I heard the spiel? “Come pay us money and we’ll show you how to become independently wealthy!”
Phoey! Yeah, they’ll show you how while they’re telling you how you’re going to make them independently wealthy.
Did you hear what I just said? They’re going to SHOW you a method of becoming independently wealthy while TELLING you about how you’re going to make them independently wealthy.
The program they use isn’t likely to make you wealthy, but it is likely to make that man or woman on that stage wealthy. Oh sure, a few others will make some money. A couple of them will make good money. The majority will do what the speaker says, work hard, put in their money, invest their hopes , their dreams… and then they’ll learn the sad hard truth… MLM organizations only make real money for those who are at the top. They prey on the little people. Tired of being a little people? It’s easy to get out. Just get up and walk away.
Bill
P.S. Ooops…comment turned monologue
[...] Way back in October, I promised I’d talk about MLMs. True to my word, I’ve blogged about the devil’s vomitus: Quixtar and Utah’s pride and joy: TeamBuilders. I even managed to offend some of Lennon Ledbetter’s swinish multitude. Since those fun times, I’ve come across a number of individuals (one) who insist that MLMs are legitimate enterprises. Those people (Roberto) are dreadfully wrong of course, and I’ll tell you why. [...]
[...] No, Utah did not recently “ban keyword advertising” as Slashdot reported. They did, however, place some restrictions on it with the newly signed Trademark Protection Act. In short, companies in Utah can no longer legally buy keyword advertising on a competitor’s trademarked names. Satan’s spawn, Noni, cannot, for example, take out ads on the Devil’s vomitus, Xango. That is seen as “hijacking a trademark.” [...]
I support Manase Fotu and THE TEAM. I love that guy. He’s a winner.
You’re very wrong, Also you’re trying to discourage a lot of people that it’s wrong to follow their dreams. Some people will say you can only make it if you’re a Mormon. Well, thats not entirely true either. Those who follow the path of success and develop themselves into a leader of others will not fail. There is plenty of room for that. Those who love theri leaders, loyal to their business and their dream, will reap the rewards they worked so hard for and deserve, while the tire kickers will have nothing but their miserable poverty. Also, Manasee is no longer a part of this business.
hi batman. i’m glad to hear they kicked mr fotu out. he bugged.
i’m all about using proven business principles and lots of hard work to get ahead in life. I love capitalism and think that it drives progress.
on the other hand, I dislike pyramid schemes and network marketing; i’ve meet too many people who have been burned by them.
thanks for your thoughts though
What? Manase is not longer one of Lennon’s little posse members….hmmm looks like Lennon’s little kingdom is falling. Also, did you know that Lennon and Suzanne Ledbetter are divorced and are no longer Crowns?
Wow! The plot thickens! They are all a bunch of liars and deceive thousands of people to follow them to the promise land. I wish I could have 5 minutes on stage to let them know what Lennon is really like
Sorry to say but I have been with Lennon & spent hours talking w/ him. He’s not anything that you are saying about him. He wants everyone to be successful. He has worked this business his whole life & has done a great job that any of you would jump in his shoes in a second if you could. I will double check the monasee thing because I haven’t heard anything about it….so I wouldn’t believe what they are saying above….Lennon & Suzanne getting divorced….what a joke! Get your stories straight! He doesn’t brag about what he has either. The house he bought was because he loved it & lived next door to it & starred at it everyday! When Keith lost it Lennon bought it & bought it for a great price….You could only wish to have the money for it & for the price he got it…what a great deal! You just don’t know but think you do. I sat w/ him until 4:30 in the am & asked him every question you could imagine & he was beyond honest w/ us. I love him & find him to be a great person w/o looking at the money….if you could only look past it also….you wish your kids listened to him & learned how to treat people. There conferences are not Religious at all & never were! That’s what I liked about it…they have every type of religion & person you can imagine in their group…I am not a “religious” person so I know if they were like a cult or too religious….sorry wrong people….I know them for over 4 yrs now & never heard or saw it once.
Natali ~ needs to have some proof of what she is talking about especially since I’ve seen negative remarks on other sites! Lennon cheated on Suzanne…ok…yeah right….divorcing…ok too! Where is all your proof? I believe that the people leaving Lennons group are leaving because they are greedy cross-lining fools & will eventually get theres. You don’t have someone help you get where you are for so many years & then bail because something else looks greener on the other side. Lennon is a great man & Suzanne is a great woman & neither of them or their family deserve this negative attention. I want to see some proof. Also, Natali the lies about HAVING to spend a $1,000 a month & pressure of doing 600P/V I can tell you right now you need to look at the people directly up from you because maybe it came from them but it didn’t come from the Ledbetters. I have a cd w/ Curtis on it stating “you still work w/ people in this business even if they can’t get on the system” it’s from People Building. Ive been with Lennon & have never heard him say anything negative about anyone & he was honest w/ all of our questions. He didn’t try to avoid anything. I love Teambuilders & their system plus all the products from the corporation. Without Teambuilders I wouldn’t have grown so much w/in the past years & never felt pressure to do anything more than I could. Natali you need to really look at what your saying & see how cruel it is especially the whole cheating & divorce…..lets see the proof hunny!
Well sorry to say but it is very difficult to follow a leader who you find out has no integrity. I have crossed paths with some people who he has cheated with and I can tell you it is all true.. If he can’t keep it together at home people will either follow and God help them or seek true integrity from those who live it behind closed doors.. He wants the spotlight on himself and that is to bad because he is losing his family in exchange.. Amazing how he could ruin other peoples lives for a moment of pleasure.. Other people split off from Teambuilders because they found out that Lennon was paying each one of his leader’s special deals on the system. The biggest reason why cross lining was hammered home so hard was to keep the people from talking about how much money Lennon is paying them from system. Oh and welcome back to Amway, good luck now… Oh and Crown was pulled from Lennon along with the big check he brags about for not actually making it there. Suzanne is strong she deserves the purple heart!!!!!!
Sorry to Anonymous that still I’d have to say you are wrong! I know many Emeralds in the business that have stated that Lennon states to them “don’t rely on tool money since it will not always be around….build the business opportunity & we aren’t in the tool business”. Anyone knows & will admit that the tools in the business are very important to building yourself & becoming a leader to help others (I think you should get on the system to help yourself). The Products are Great & going back to Amway is a Great Move by the company. There’s nothing wrong w/ Amway. Crown hasn’t been pulled from them & Suzanne wouldn’t stay w/ Lennon if he cheated & they both love their kids! You wouldn’t know if their ranking went down because it’s confidential info from the corporation. It’s funny though even if it went down one level under Crown because of the clowns who left does that really matter? NO! Cross Lining happened because the so called Leaders jumped ship to take advantage of people w/ a system that will pay money & they can be king! One product w/ their new business….hmmmm that’s questionable (it’s kinda funny when you really think about it) they complained about not having enough products…..I guess a million wasn’t enough but one is??!!..and lots of partner stores (Fortune 500 companies) ok….think….. But they have a system to sell & profit from & now bash the business they said was soooo great for years…I would question that! Not Lennon & Suzanne. Nothing has ever been online about them & now it is because of greed & trying to hurt them & their family! They will survive it anyway…they have been around for 20yrs plus & now some negative comes out from bitter people! You have nothing better to do w/ your time obviously but tell lies about people to make yourself look better. One day it will all come back to get all of you. I hope you are prepared. Think about what you are doing & have some class…if possible… IBOS’s keep building because it’s worth it!
My husband and I are very good friends with Lennon and Suzanne. They are divorced, but there was absolutely no cheating. Those that say that they know people Lennon has cheated with are liars. They are being coached by their mentors who are trying to build their teams in another MLM. Manase Fotu was kicked out of Quixtar and has absolutely no integrity. We knew he had no integrity when he was in Quixtar…so no big surprise that he’s doing what he’s doing now. “The Team” has so many empty promises… but promises of big money(that hasn’t shown up yet)make Manase stab his friend in the back and make up aweful rumors. Greedy people. They’ll get theirs eventually. Karma’s a &!#@$.
Only Lennon and Suzanne and the corperation know if they are crown or not. Again, it could be said that they are not just to aid in the rumors of “the team”. If they are not, it would only be because of Manase and Jim Robson recruiting some of his team.
Cross-lining is bad and is what Manase and Jim Robson and The Team are big on.
We never have felt pressured to get a certain amount of points. We don’t pressure our team either. We don’t want our team to go into debt to make this work for them.
I think it’s funny that people who don’t work hard enough in Quixtar bash it and say it doesn’t work. It’s not that “it” didn’t work… it’s that they didn’t work.
Glad to hear since you are close friends no cheating ever went on. Divorce happens to a lot of people so what’s the big deal w/ that! I am sure that they are going to be working their business as business professionals together even though they aren’t staying married. I’m sure it’s best if that’s what they believe. I don’t look down on anyone for getting divorced. I believe you have to be happy in your life & if that means getting divorced & remaining friends then so be it! He’s awesome since I’ve been w/ him several times until the wee hours & I have had time w/ Suzanne also & she was always very pleasant w/ me too! They were mistreated within the past year from people that they helped A LOT that stabbed them in the back as said above & shame on them. The Robson’s of the world & Fotu’s will in the end regret what they did & those of use who listened to them, believed them & looked up to them DON’T anymore! Who would ever trust a word out of their mouths & to follow the biggest BSer of all time Orrin Woodward…..you’ve got to be kiddin me!
Follow your goals & dreams & never give up even through the tough times it’s what helps us all grow!
Hello everyone,
I just want to inform you all that lennon is a great man! and he is not the reason why the robsons and fotu left. we requested certain things like competing with walmart prices, and lower percentages to quixtar. they told us no, so we went somewhere else. there are many rummors floating about and it is because you are being put in the dark like always. i was there i know. i love quixtar but we just found , what we think, something better for us in our lives. it’s cheaper and the products are great. it’s only $15 to join and only like $5 a cd. products are cheaper too, but are the same quality! i love this business, lennon, fotu, and quixtar. we just like the team more!
OK. I know it’s hard to believe some stranger typing, but I am not lying. Lennon is a very nice guy. I’ve known he and Suzanne for 12 years. The truth is he did cheat on Suzanne several times. He even told me himslef and Suzanne even told me themselves. It wasn’t “full on” adultry, but there was kissing and dating. Lennon told me he DID have crown taken from him along with that million dollar check he talks about. He was currently qualifying EDC when he told me. As for people leaving Lennon? John and Julie Donovan are there only Diamonds, and they split from him the second they quaified as Diamonds. The Robson and Fotu groups had been growing in numbers for last 3 years more than any other groups with Lennon. They also were responsible for all the great changes with Lennon’s group. (ex.. team approach, Power Player which changed to MasterTeambuilder, a more specific system with specific teaching, less expensive tools, more fair compensation for payout of tool profits, the TeamBuilders website, the Robson’s son built, desinged, and made the whole push to even have a website, the show the plan brochure was created by the Robsons, DOT1STEP, recognition for numbers of people in specific legs and not just total numbers, and the list goes on…) SO, look at who has the results. The biggest poeple in his group leave. The only group that is growing still with Lennon is the Spanish speaking, and they pretty much do there own thing anyways. All the rest “big leaders” still with him are barely qualifying. Brad Hardisty hasn’t qualified as Emerald in YEARS, but is still hailed as such a huge leader. The Donovans were his only main group, and they skipped town! The only person who qualifies Emerlad with Lennon (besides spanish) is Bruce Bond, and he’s basically retired out in Texas. Why do all the biggest leaders leave? Because they are greedy? NO! The Donovans had been wanting to leave Lennon for years, but felt they couldn’t until they went diamond. Robson and Fotu groups left because of the divorce situation, Lennon’s lack of integrity for several years. Also, who wants to do Amway? Again, Lennon is a great person to hang out with. He is fun and inspirational. He really is a nice guy, but is very lacking in integrity. I know, I know. If you are still in his goup you hate me and don’t believe me. That’s OK. I would too if I handn’t seen the behind scenes of TeamBuilders (Lennon’s Group). I predict more “big leaders” disapear from Lennon’s group, like the many who had already. Like Mark and Yvette May (Emeralds), Dean and Dianne Hale (Emeralds), Victor and Yanin Portillo (Emeralds). Just a side note, all these “Emeralds” barely qualified and quickly went back to platinum or saphire, but were still hailed as Emeralds. Just like the hundreds of “Platinums” in Lennon’s business who are barely have 30 people showing up to a seminar. And if they have more, it’s in one leg. The Robson and Fotu groups noticed the misreprensentation of “Big leaders” groups on stage, and that was also a reason they left. I also feel realy sorry for Suzanne. She had been kicked around for years and just keeps going. She finally had enough and filed for divorce. I agree, she diserves the purple heart. PS Have fun with Amway!
I’d have to say most of what you wrote above is wrong & especially about the people in the group. Just as the last comment said…..Fotu & Robsons didn’t leave because of Lennon! Lennon helped them & built the buisness w/ all of them. He especially was very close to Fotu but he got greedy & thought it was better w/ another company. One of Fotu’s Emeralds wouldn’t even go w/ him because he knows it’s not as good as what he has so get your facts straight. Robsons got DOT1STEP from a Quixtar Diamond & Young Couple out of North Carolina….they weren’t the mastermind of it! They got stacking from Mr. Orrin Woodward which doesn’t work & is Illegal! “they seemed to grow but really didn’t for the long run!” When it comes to the Donovans you obviously don’t know the real story w/ that. I was w/ John many of many of times & he loved Lennon it was Julie that wanted to be more recognized than Suzanne & wanted to be on top so after using the Ledbetters to get there they left which showed their true integrity. They messed up their own group by what they did & made them make decisions that weren’t fair & not everyone left w/ them either. The people that know the Ledbetters & love them did stay. I loved John alot & was upset w/ him leaving. Julie was never very nice & wasn’t the main one building the business anyway it was all JOHN!
You are missing many other Emeralds in Teambuilders & are wrong about the ones that are only Emeralds by your statement above. Many of the Emeralds were also in the Achieve Magazine you didn’t mention so you are inaccurate again. We have many great Mentors & so to say who cares that the name went back to Amway it’s better than ever & they do a lot for IBO’s now & it’s getting better & better!
As far as their marriage….how do you know what it was like….inside their bedroom & on a day to day basis! They were together for a long time & maybe they grew apart. SO WHAT! Why do you care anyway…do you want to date Lennon or Suzanne?….The problem w/ you old people is you are so negative & bash everyone. One thing about the younger generation is they aren’t as narrow minded & rude as the Baby Boomer Generation! Look @ all the negative blogs they are started by negative baby boomers that wine all day & blame everyone. Many of our Leaders have good strong marriages & they came into the business w/ troubled marriages & struggles & have great relationships so the business has helped many people stay together also. Lennon & Suzanne were very young & he is the one that gave her everything & built this business to what it is today! So they had some hick ups in the end & got a divorce. Many people do everyday & they do a lot worse than that. They had a lot more stress than most people too. It’s funny how you can bash Lennon for being a Double Diamond again..if we could all be that it would be great. Again you have nothing better to do but bash it. Grow up & get a life! It’s a great business & if you don’t like it stay out of it & move on w/ your life in a positive way…..everyone has the choice to choose what they want in life & just because you don’t like our business doesn’t mean you have a right to put it down. Teambuilders is a Great Leadership Organization!
I know it may be hard for you all to imagine but maybe taking a look at your own lives can help. For those of you that hail “scam artists” and “loss of integrity” I ask you one question. Where is your integrity? Why would you bad mouth a man based on rumors. Why would you bad mouth a system because “you heard it’s a scam” or “it didn’t work for you”. There are many people who these systems work for. Try hoping for something better in life next time instead of falling to the helms of pessimism. Put all realtions aside and look at what Lennon has done for so many people. He has helped many people build a second source of income (whether it be $150/mo or $1000/mo or more). More than that though, he has helped many people feel better about themselves. It’s all about building confidence. The principles learned are used not only in the business but also in their everyday lives and plan A jobs. Believe what you want but never judge another. Your pessimism and lack of integrity in bad mouthing someone you really don’t know has only increased my drive to prove people like you wrong.
I’m a neighbor. I have nothing to do with the “business”. Yes, they are divorced. but how can some of you say “so what” or “big deal”. It is the only in life worth having, an eternal family. There is no success in the Quixtar or Teambuilders business that will make up for the ending of a marriage. I don’t know who’s “fault” it was and would assume it is a little of one person and a lot of the other person in most relationships. Every divorce can be chalked up to “selfishness” on one or both sides. That “selfishness” leads people to condone their actions, believe being “happy” is more important than being devoted, committed and letting the “happiness” come from serving the other in the relationship. People who leave their marriages to be “happy” or “grew apart” are rarely happy apart.
Lennon has his own “giant” house in Alpine, it’s gorgeous but probably more than any human should want or need here in this life. Suzannes house is also beautiful but more understated and in a differeant area of the small town.
I’m not judging or going to make presumptions about who did what but we all know that marriages can withstand a lot and in order for a “divorce” to have happened, it has to get pretty bad. These are large, unsurmountable things that cause someone to give up their eternal family and put children through it here on earth too.
I’m not “old” yet but I imagine much regret comes later in life, not being able to experience having grandchildren together, taking care of each other, having a best friend. The careers slow down and the meaningful things in life are reflected on and many wish they would have done things differently.
For all of you working the Amway/Quixtax/Teambuilders business, good luck. Just give it your all like any other career and you can probably make enough to live on. For the few that make it “big”, remember who you were before and don’t let it change you. It’s really true that “money is the root of all evil”. Money puts people in postions and places and power to have obstacles thrown their way and they don’t always “pass” these tests. Happiness has nothing to do with money. there are those that are happy and depressed at all realms of wealth. Gain your happiness from family and the good you do, then use money as a way to get by and provide the necessities needed and maybe a few luxuries.
Don’t bad mouth others. Don’t worry about saving others from your fate before. Let them make their own decisions and learn for themselves. If someone left Lennon/Suzanne’s business, then let them go and work their own new thing. Forget about them and do your own job.
And please don’t say “divorce” is no big deal. It is a huge deal for anyone that has been through it and it’s the one thing that brings so much unhappiness into families. Work on not having one in your own life instead of casually accepting it. Help your friends and family avoid it too. Help them make the correct choices to keep their own marriages strong. Don’t tempt anyone into ruining theirs and don’t get tempted.
Good luck and good riddance with the negative posters!
Why can’t everyone mind their own business. Do you people who are trash talking think that Lennon and Suzanne’s children don’t know how to read? No one in this world knows the Ledbetter’s like I do and I can say that they are all doing fine. I have known Lennon and Suzanne for 22 years and I know all the stories and the facts. Not that it is anyone’s business, but Lennon is the one who filed for divorce and only because the marriage was not working. He did not have a girlfriend on the side or any of that crap. He still loves Suzanne very much and appreciates everything that she does to continue building the business. All of his children are happy and Sky and Brittany’s groups are growing like crazy. I know that all the Ledbetters truly care about is helping other people better their lives. Everyone makes mistakes so stop judging. Lennon and Suzanne are both amazing people who have saved people’s marriages, helped people out of poverty and donated thousands of dollars to charity. And don’t even get me started on the Fotu thing. They are not even worth talking about. Lennon gave Fotu everything, he paid for his house, he bought him a mercedez-benz and paid for an Alpine country club membership for his kids to play golf and Fotu was still over at the Ledbetter’s house every day demanding more money. But none of that matters, maybe Fotu felt like he deserved it. All I know is you don’t stab your best friend in the back like Fotu did to Lennon. No matter what the rumors are, the fact is Lennon and Suzanne will continue to help others and inspire. They are both made of stone and nothing can discourage them. Maybe you all should think about how your rumors are hurting their family and their children and just mind your own business. Everyone makes mistakes. Get over it and start helping change peoples lives for the better.
Hello Ryan,
I wanted your opinion on something. But before I ask your opinion I wanted to give you a little back ground on me. By trade I’m a Realtor and business owner. I recently had the opportunity to view Lennon’s home in Alpine (Used to belong to Keith Barton, the lawyer who used the famous tag line “One Call That’s All). Gorgeous place by the way. I was interested in knowing more about his company, Team Builder’s Leadership Inc. and this site has given me some insight. MLM’s have always intrigued me, but I’ve never been interested in any of them for the mere fact that following a couple of years they seem to disappear due to a mediocre product. Until, just the other day I was just introduced to a company by the name of Primerica Financial Services, a Citi company. They were once known as A&L Williams until bought out by Citi. They profess not to be an MLM, though everything I read about them says they are. I like their structure of being able to build a business, and I find that they provide sound financial advice. Have you ever heard of them or do you have any recommendations?
Hi David,
thanks for writing. as you can probably tell by a few of the comments, mr ledbetter (and MLMs, particularly in Utah) are rather polarizing subjects.
I’ve been to a few Team Builder meetings and spoken extensively with some of their reps.
Personally, though it might be possible to run a MLM in a fair (and honest!) manner, I’ve seem few companies who have managed that.
It’s not that the structure is inherently bad (there are some merits to removing unnecessary distribution channels and leveraging consumer power (e.g. negotiating discounts through mass purchasing) — it’s what happens when greed invariably comes in that bothers me. People do the calculus to determine how much they can make if their downline is x long, and then, once their vision is obscured by all the dollar signs, the high pressures sales tactics and social manipulation and exaggerated claims and jacked up prices emerge. Sure, some make a lot of money, but, in general, the MLM foot soldiers lose out in a race that is sadly guaranteed to never realize the promised dream for them.
Still, everybody needs to carefully consider the individual business models to discover if have merit.
I’ve heard of Primerica Financial Services and I, like you’ve found while researching, am told they are an MLM/network marketer.
That PFS dishes out some sound financial principles is not a surprise– Team Builders promotes (and sells) core business books (rich dad, poor dad, etc, etc.) at their meetings.
Still, after due diligence, I give everything the ol’ “is it too good to be true” litmus test before investing money and time.
all the best to you,
rb
I’ve heard a lot of commotion about this mona vie. What are your thoughts on this organization?
My thoughts? Well, what drives me most insane about MLM’s is that they always promote a “luxury” not a “necessity”. It’s always a difficult sale to push 100 cases of some miracle drink on your friend, just so they can get a incredible colon cleaning. But on the flip side, if I’m showing a family how they can save $500 on their debt payments and pay off their mortgage 10-15 years earlier, now we’re talking about something that will make people perk up. What impressed me about Primerica is that
Sorry David but I know the insurance business & many companies & honestly Primerica is laughed at. I can’t tell you how many friends & family I have that love it at first but all quit w/in a yr since it’s a joke. I believe you are helping people w/ Network Marketing business like Quixtar/Amway Global & it’s a need so that they can pay off their whole mortgage in no time if they just work the business & not quit & complain & be dragged down by the commity of “they” also known as friends & family! All they are doing is redirecting their purchases & selling products too which are a necessity.
I had never heard about your blog until I was recently told by a friend that I was “so famous” because he had read all about me and my friend Lennon. So I pulled up your page and read what you all have had to say about this situation. I’ve come to find all these different comments very interesting, and so I am writting this just to clear the air, and wether you believe it or not that’s your choice! First off to those of you who have commented so willingly on these subjects but won’t state your names… my name is Manase Fotu, WHAT’S YOUR NAME? How can you post all of these comments saying that you know the truth when you have either only heard one side, you have been told lies or you have made it up? First and foremost I will always be forever grateful to the Ledbetter Family for all the things they have taught me throughout the years, and I have NO bad feelings towards them WHAT SO EVER! My respect for Lennon can also be seen through my family, I named one of my sons Lennon and to this day do not regret that decision. He has helped me in many aspects of life which have brought me to where I am today. My decision to leave TeamBuilders was not an easy one because of the many many relationships that were built throughout the years. But my decision could not be based solely upon my own selfish reasoning, but what was best for my entire organization and the lives we have yet to touch. I knew leaving would mean giving up my income and many hard times ahead. But I knew that this decision was what was right. I sat down specifically with Lennon, Suzanne, and Rob Ledbetter and agreed that I would leave more than 90% of my organization (which included my entire spanish group) as long as they would let me leave peacefully without trying to persuade any of the 10% who wanted to leave with me. All those who left the organization with me choose for themselves wether or not they wanted to leave. We ALL agreed to comply with these circumstances (which included a letter signed by Rob Ledbetter affirming that they would let all those who wanted to leave, leave) and neither of us have yet to break those agreements. Before I made this decision I prayed and pleaded with my Father in Heaven to know wether or not it was the right decision to leave, and I know without any doubt that it was the right decision for me. I have moved on with my life and I am very happy where I am at today. I can also truthfully say that the Ledbetters never bought me a house, a mercedes, a country club membership etc… All that I ever was said to have recieved from them I paid for myself and before I left I made sure that I did not owe them anything, only to ensure that there were no hard feelings toward me in that way and The Ledbetters know this to be true. If any of you who have previously commented about knowing the Ledbetters for years want to set up an appointment with them I’d willingly come, only to prove that what I have said is nothing but the truth! Some of you may choose to believe me or to believe otherwise, but I have written this for those who want to know both sides and are open minded to the truth. Today I am with an organization where I truly feel that Ican help others accomplish their goals and dreams. Never before have I been so happy and excited about what the future has to hold.
* And just as a sidenote, on September 15th 2007 with witnesses at my side I personally wrote and faxed a letter to Quixtar explaining that I wanted to terminate my IBO number. I was NOT kicked out. Not to mention Quixtar held me along with all those who wanted to LEAVE to a rule they call the 6 month non-compete rule, which kept us from leaving even when we were ready to LEAVE!
Thanks for your comments Manase. It’s good to hear both sides of any story.
Manase-
You can say what you want, but I still don’t believe you. And I guess you can say you didn’t take most of your organization, but you then attacked ours. I don’t belive you are a man of integrity at all. I do know you borrowed a mercedes from Lennon and didn’t give it back. That’s a fact. I could go on and on. I know their are hard feelings with the Ledbetters. You didn’t end things on good terms. They don’t like you at all. They feel like you stabbed them in the back.
y’know, you’re not worth the time and energy to type anymore.
I heard Lennon had his mansion reposesed?
I read it was repossesed in the Salt Lake news, any comments?
It was not reposessed. He paid cash for it. He makes tons of money. He is currently trying to sell it. It was repoed from Keith Barton.
After reading through this, I can see why cross lining (talking (rumor mill) among the other lines) is/can-be such a problem.
I was in lennons organization 15 years ago. I was in for the motivation and did not do anything else. The books, tapes, and events got me through some really bad times in my life. All of these saved my life and are worth the money that I spent. I think that I probably made $50 dollars and that is fine with me. My most valuable seminar lesson came from i think the metcalfs, “If you are right and rude, then you are wrong”
I like lennon, he is a nice guy, and I wish him (along with everyone else) the best.
It was nice to hear from Manase, I like him.
I hope that everyone can eventually get back to the/a/any dream, what ever, how ever, with whom ever, and when ever that happens to be. Please remember that there are folks out there like me, who are in organizations like these for other reasons, that the chatter can only hurt them, and in a lot of cases-leaving them more alone than before.
Having a forum for this is great, but I suspect that this is overflowing onto the business at hand.
Sorry if I am overboard with the Pollyanna.
thanks for listening,
r2
You know what’s funny? I look at all the folks bashing Networking, claiming they are pyramids, that the company shows you how to make money, hmmmm, SO tell me this, Everyone of you that owns a cell phone, THAT is networking, all of you that goes to the gas station and purchases gas, you are buyin gas right? that is networking, going to movies,,,etc. The folks that are bashing networking are those that do NOT have any sort of dream, they are the ones to look out for, GO ahead, work for someone else, make them rich, and let those that DO have their own networking group do what they may, of course there are not so good folks, that will try and do everything possible to hurt those below them, but then there are others, that are ETHICAL, LOGICAL, MORAL, and do things right, so instead of pointing fingers, don’t you know that when you point fingers, three are pointed back at you, if you got involved in a networking deal and got burned? GUESS WHAT? that was YOUR fault. Go work at McDonalds, and make $5.00 an hour…..:)
I am a high school English teacher. I have met Lennon Ledbetter twice and I was not impressed with him as a person or his business venture. You all keep defending “the dream.” What is this dream? Make money? Be rich? Own a big house, a boat, get pretty women? Well, I make dirt as a teacher in Utah, but I make a difference. These pyramid schemes are not the answer to happiness. The pursuit of money as your sole goal in a career is detrimental to society, your family, friends, and your life. Money is necessary, but it is not the catch all for happiness. Forget “the dream”, wake up, and do something that you love even if it makes practically nothing. We do not need to feed other people’s greed in the pursuit of our own greed to be happy. I am happy in my little 2 bedroom house with my wife, my kid, and our puppy. Oh…and if you are LDS, you should know better!
Well said, Carlos, well said! You hit on a great point, which MLMs forget– life isn’t about making money, it’s about contributing to society, about helping others. You, as a teacher, are a great example of someone who makes a difference– thank you!!
In america we have a choice, I choose to to do teambuilders becuz paycheck to paycheck is no way to live. The way I look at it, the more people who succeed in this idea and leave their job, it opens up a job for someone else. Too many people are struggling becuz we have no leaders in Washington, present president included. Either work for yourself or someone else, J.C. Penny was in debt in the millions at 52 years of age but never quit and when he died he was a billionaire, LIncoln lost election after election but never gave up and became President. To everyone who wrote a negative thing about LEnnon or anyone else, I hope your blessed with whatever you decide to do becuz in the end happiness is the only thing that matters, chill out guys, its all good.
WOW! First off get a life and stop caring so much about others lives. Secondly I would like to say this I have used Amway/Quixtar products since I was born. I’ve never been big on “building the business” as it isn’t for me. Which my family fully supports, and they all do very well with thier busineess. I will say this though I LOVE their products, not overly scented, they are concentrates, they clean better than any other products I have used, good for the environment and (now this is a good one) THEY ARE MADE IN AMERICA!!!! Name one other company that all of their products are MADE IN AMERICA. Not only by buying Amway products am I supporting my families business I am supporting our country. I help supply jobs IN AMERICA, I help support OUR economy, and Amway helps do this. They send American made products oversea’s. Amway Global is an amazing American made company and if it was a scheme they would not still be in business today. So call it what you like but know this it has been stamped with MADE IN AMERICA and thats the way this company will remain. I can always stand up for that!
Wow, what a blog! I can’t believe that so many people seem to misunderstand others situations. Manase Fotu is a great man. He found me in a crowd and opened up my mind to bigger and better things while he was a Team Builder with Lennon and Suzanne. I will be forever grateful to him! I sat with Lennon last weekend and learned a lot about this past that you are all discussing. From what I can see, Lennon loves the Fotu family. He misses them in his organization, but is upset by what can’t be undone. The great Randy Haugen resigned Quixtar to go to TEAM, and now he is doing his own thing. People can make their own choices without being scrutinized by all of you! I was in the TEAM group for a time, and chose to stay with the future of AG. Manase didn’t pressure me or trick me into TEAM, he let us choose. Lennon and Suzanne made choices too! All I know is that when I want to put forth the right kind of effort, I could succeed at ANYTHING! Be it MonaVie or AG, or selling mice rocks to my neigbors. It doesn’t matter as much as you all say. Amway definitly works for those who do it right. MonaVie definitly works for those who do it right. I can say the same about anything. It is really simple. Any of these are worth your time. Ohh, and Carlos, Lennon has made a difference (for good) in more peoples lives than you and I could even imagine. B.B., Like the Metcalf’s said, “Even if your right, but rude, you’re wrong.”
T.W.
I have been involved in this business for over ten years & have had an incredible experience! My life has been changed as well as the lives of two of my siblings & mother who have joined me in this business. My wife loves it & she has increased in confidence & happiness. Because of this business we have tons of friends & great examples; especially the Ledbetters. We are totally debt-free, have money in the bank, & my wife will be a full-time mom when the kiddies arrive! I chose this path because it was an honest business that I could learn correct principles from people who have my best interest at
heart. I would not share the Amway Global Business & TeamBuilders with any of my friends & family if I didn’t really know first-hand that it has true value & involves people of integrity. Like Lennon has said many times: “I don’t know if Amway & TeamBuilders attracts the best people or just brings out the best in people…” Thanks for your posts, & God Bless you all in your worthy pursuits!
Lennon’s pleasure palace is now in serious default. The bank(s)are going to foreclose any day. Lennon traded the wifey in for a younger model. He owes almost 10 million on a place that probably won’t sell for near that figure. Hmmmmmm. Sounds like a lovely dream. The curse of the Alpine Mansion from hell lives on. That’s what happens to those who choose to lie to and cheat their fellow man. First Keith, now Lennon. Sometimes, there is justice. That mansion has never represented success. How many contractors who did work on this mansion had to fight to be paid? Will the curse live on? Only time will tell. What egomaniac will step up next to possess this mansion of misery?
When I see Lennon Ledbetter walking, I see a winner walking! He’s taught me to be a winner, and can do the same for all of you. You’re a winner!
Realdeal you are an idiot…. plain and simple, dont come on here spinning your [crap] about a man you know nothing about… I personally know lennon, rob and suzanne ledbetter. I talked with mark may the other day… I know manase fotu I know them all personally… I know that every new thing mark may tries he attempts to recruit lennon… why would he do that if he left because of his integrity… you have no Idea what you are talking about… Lennon is one of the few people in network marketing that cares about his team in more ways than financially… he is very integral… and so what if he had marital problems… this is the world we live in… and may you be judged by god the way you judge others realdeal… nobody listen to his absolute idiocrity….
sorry for grammar but I am too upset to care…
Looking for Manase Fotu does anyone have an email or phone # Thanks Rex Jenner from Jamul ca.
REX JENNER,
Go to my website and add me as a friend and I will mail you the contact information for Manase. I just talked to him today and he said it was ok. Thanks REX !
T.W.
Just go to my facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/tregwilder
T.W.