Hello DEV community! I have thus returned to the world of programming - where I feel more myself and, to be honest, more at home than ever. What do they say? No place like home.

Recently, I got involved in a multilevel marketing business and here's my take:

First, for those who aren't familiar, a multilevel marketing (MLM) is a business model that involves unsalaried, hierarchical sales teams selling products with recruiting additional company sales representatives...that's the jist

The business model is a legitimate business strategy. Existing members are encouraged to promote and sell the products while doing their best to bring on new recruits onto the business.

In reality, it's very hard to make money on this business plan as a new recruit. Most people don't end up making that much money at all. The self-development, the events, the association you get around of people trying to get out of the 9 to 5 and build a dream life is all great and it's a wonderful mindset to have. But there are many other ways to make money and there are countless of other communities with the same mindset.

The problem is, once you get into an MLM "community", there's a stigma (almost) about being associated with anyone outside the business because "they're a distraction from the bigger picture and what you goal is" if they don't understand the business model. From who you hang out with to who you could potentially want to date, they want to know if this person is a potential new recruit. And, if not, they are not worth YOUR time.

But ALLLLL throughout this, you're only going to these people for "guidance" because they've gone before you and are being taught by multi-millionaires. You "don't have to listen to them" but...essentially, "you'll see what happens if you don't" since you'll be wrong and you'll get the "I told you so" speech.

Uhhh...toxic much? And they advertise the community as "healthier" than the rest of the world, more advanced, more connected, more into self-development, etc., etc. Hmmm sounds opposite to me.

But anyway, left that behind. Will revisit the business venture another day in education or freelancing with CS but feels nice to be back behind the computer.

Happy coding!