WWYD - MLM and legit business

[MirandaWestsNewBFF]

I’ve got a bit of a problem - hoping for helpful advice.

I recently started my own business as an independent career coach. I’m fully accredited, I worked in HR in the public sector for years before I moved into independent coaching, I’m registered for tax and I offer a try before you buy service - so people only pay me for coaching sessions if they’re confident I can help them get results. However, quite recently I posted about how when I advertise online I often get a small but loud minority if commenters suggesting I’m somehow affiliated with an MLM (I’m not) or otherwise not legitimate.

I have a close family member who has been really supportive of me as I got my business started, including sharing my posts about my business on social media and bigging me up to anyone who will listen. Now she has just shared that she’s joined a skincare MLM and will be selling on social media. Although she’s very bright she is a bit inclined to woo and (for example) I has been to mediums and paid for psychic readings before, so may be vulnerable to being manipulated.

Here’s my dilemma: I absolutely want to give this family member (whom I love and am very close to) all the support that she has given me. But I’m worried she will get exploited and lose money. From a business point of view I also don’t want to share posts from her about her MLM as i don’t want my legitimate business to be associated with MLM. I also can’t afford to buy from her at the moment, given that Ive laid out a lot of money to get accredited, have my website built, pay for marketing etc for my own business that I haven’t yet earned back. So £15 on a shampoo just isn’t something I can afford rn.

Oh bollocks. WWYD?

[MirandaWestsNewBFF]

Just realised it says “I has been to mediums” . Not sure where that came from. I have never been to a medium - it’s my family member who has

[Stompythedinosaur]

I would neither advertise nor buy from a mlm, whatever had gone before. I think they are abusive. It isn't an equivalent situation to supporting a legitimate business.

[murbblurb]

you don't support or buy from her any more than you support or buy from diet sellers, drug dealers or gun runners. The only difference is that MLM is fudged to stay inside the law.

she isn't very bright if she's fallen for this. The best support you can give her is to tell her the facts about MLMs. She may not listen (lots of women are very insecure and can't cope with getting things wrong) but it is worth a go.

don't waste time on guilt, no man would feel guilty about this!