Hacker News Reader

Comment by umvi | Hacker News Reader

There's another disturbing trend I've seen on Facebook. It's where these moms become "entrepreneurs" but when you dig into what their business actually is, they basically host these paid sessions on how to be an entrepreneur (setting up branding, etc.). As far I can tell, no actual product or value is generated, it's like a "business virus":

"I'm an entrepreneur!"

"Cool, what does your business do?"

"Help people get started on their own businesses!"

"And what do their businesses do?"

"Help even more people get started on their businesses!"

View on HN

This is hardly restricted to MLM mom groups. What you've described is the cornerstone of every "motivational speaker" business model. You know, the types buying pre-roll ads on Youtube before any and all self improvement videos, promising they'll tell you all their secrets if you sign up for their $500 online course, but available for a limited time for $20.

The same goes for "thought leaders" selling "masterclasses" on "building an online business" or "blogging from home". I won't even touch on the crypto space which is full of these charlatans.

> As far I can tell, no actual product or value is generated, it's like a "business virus"

I believe that is what the OP means by MLM (multi-level marketing)

Well at least with MLM there is some sort of product changing hands (knives, essential oils, etc.) Here, as far as I can tell, the purpose of the business is to create more businesses that create more businesses, etc. (but there is no actual product).

An MLM is a regular pyramid scheme with an actual product mixed in to lend legitimacy and to make it legal in the first place.

The proposed business virus is different. Unlike a pyramid scheme most costs are on signup, and there are no multi-level incentive structures.

The value, perhaps, is the positivity and empowerment that people feel. People will gloss over a lot of things to feel in control of their lives.

This sounds exactly like Twitter, and many email newsletters.

I believe that is also the Amway.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com