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Original poster

To assume all that endorse the ‘let them’ saying are working for a MLM

63 replies

Crofthead · 13/11/2025 21:49

(prefacing this by stating that I don’t mean any disrespect with this question. I am genuinely curious. If you make money via MLM then good for you!)
i see ‘let them’ mindset recommendations fairly frequently on different platforms. As soon as I do I associate it with a MLM rep with a script about their digital ebook to teach how to make money online. Do people outwith MLM subscribe to it? Obviously the mindset was recognised before the title of the book was coined, but I’m talking specifically about the ‘let them’ enthusiasts. Not sure if it’s just used as an argument when they receive any questions on their ‘business’ that they want a quick rebuttal for.
YABU - I am a fan and am not associated with MLM
YANBU - yes all MLM

OP posts:
PuzzlesonSaturday · 18/11/2025 08:21

Crofthead · 18/11/2025 08:12

I was clear? If you don’t know what something means you would need to google it?

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If you want people to respond to your post, why not tell them what you're on about...

wonderegg · 18/11/2025 08:17

The types that tout the “Let Them” nonsense are exactly the types who promote various MLM models.

I dont know anyone involved in MLM 🤷‍♀️

PuzzlesonSaturday · 18/11/2025 08:16

malmi · 18/11/2025 00:21

Most people know what MLMs are by now though

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In the time it took you to type that, you could have told us what an MLM is...

JinglingtoChristmas · 18/11/2025 08:16

Fidgety31 · 18/11/2025 00:05

I don’t even know want an MLM is ? Don’t like when people use abbreviations and assume everyone else knows what it means ?!!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-55145586.amp

wonderegg · 18/11/2025 08:15

Eh? I love the Let Them book as do all my friends but we are all in proper jobs.
I dont know a single person involved in an MLM scheme so I dont quite get what its got to do with "let them"?

Also "let them" isnt a new concept by any means, its based on stoicism which is a very good philosophy

soupyspoon · 18/11/2025 08:14

Ive never heard of anything of these things

Tupperware and Avon yes.

NConthe · 18/11/2025 08:12

Mayflower282 · 18/11/2025 07:15

I think MLM is quite a working class Facebook type thing, in private school mum circles I’d never heard of it. God I sound like a snob, I’m really not.

Edited

🤣 nope you’re just oblivious. It is rife in the private schools, middle class women are exactly the target for most MLMs. “Aspirational”, “Entrepreneurial Freedom”, “Brand Partnership”.

It is designed to be aimed at these women, the ones who have the initial outlay and the influence. Yes, scentsy came along for the working class women, but if you’re telling me that Pampered Chef, Herbalife and Nu never made it into the private school circles then you’re completely deluded.

Original poster
Crofthead · 18/11/2025 08:12

MidnightScroller · 18/11/2025 04:30

What’s a MLM again? Why cut out half your audience by not being clear - esp given people will be half asleep on top 😴

I was clear? If you don’t know what something means you would need to google it?

OP posts:
NConthe · 18/11/2025 08:04

MrsF111 · 18/11/2025 07:56

I’ve read the let them theory book but had never heard of MLM until seeing this thread! I do like the idea of the let them theory and enjoyed the book as someone who worries too much what people think! The book has been promoted quite a bit by Instagram influencers who are unrelated to MLM too

How do you know they’re “unrelated to MLM” if you don’t know what it is?

The types that tout the “Let Them” nonsense are exactly the types who promote various MLM models. It excuses their behaviour so they latch on and the rest of us are just “unkind”.

Does nobody here watch Panorama and the like?

LawrieForShepherdsBoy · 18/11/2025 08:02

Really surprised people haven’t heard of MLMs. It’s not a Tik Tok, WC, or MN thing. There have been multiple news stories, podcasts and just in general public discourse for a long time.

MrsF111 · 18/11/2025 07:56

I’ve read the let them theory book but had never heard of MLM until seeing this thread! I do like the idea of the let them theory and enjoyed the book as someone who worries too much what people think! The book has been promoted quite a bit by Instagram influencers who are unrelated to MLM too

ProfessorScorchedTerf · 18/11/2025 07:45

I've heard of MLMs but never known what it stands for

mumof1or2 · 18/11/2025 07:40

Manchestermummax3 · 18/11/2025 00:31

Putting aside Mel Robbins ripped off an already published theory.....
Haven't MLMs been around for longer? I remember tupperwear parties, ann summers, virgin cosmetics & some weight loss drink (i dont remember the name)
Oh & I think i have a vague memory of a Jamie Oliver party!

Juice Plus!

TorroFerney · 18/11/2025 07:30

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 18/11/2025 07:17

I would be willing to bet that at least someone in your private school circles is flogging Usborne books, or Tropic skincare.

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Absolutely. And saying I never pressurise anyone to buy.

BadgernTheGarden · 18/11/2025 07:27

TeenToTwenties · 18/11/2025 07:19

No, pyramid schemes are illegal, this isn't.

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Some pyramid schemes are illegal and the word is certainly one no one wants associated with their company structure, hence the nice impenetrable name now used.

BadgernTheGarden · 18/11/2025 07:21

Dolphinnoises · 18/11/2025 07:16

Tupperware parties weren’t MLM, you were a sales rep and would only order what your friends at the party wanted - there would be no pressure as there was no loss involved. And Tupperware was popular so it was just a way of avoiding overheads in the days before Amazon.

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But sellers did recruit other sellers and take part of their profits and did pay part of their profits up to their recruiter and so on, so it was a pyramid scheme, but a fairly benign one. There was actually pressure from the people above to increase your sales so they got more too. Although I think a lot of people at the bottom just did their own thing. And you couldn't really lose money.

Edit: I knew someone who was a bit up the tree and constantly went on about which of her recruits were doing well or not and trying to persuade people to join, I think there was a finder payment as well.

Was Avon cosmetics one as well?

Magnesiummaggie · 18/11/2025 07:21

I learnt the term MLM in 2010s it’s been around online for awhile. ‘Let Them’ is an excellent strategy to not take accountability or responsibility for your behaviour.

TeenToTwenties · 18/11/2025 07:19

BadgernTheGarden · 18/11/2025 07:15

OK so it is a pyramid scheme, just with a fancy title.

Show quote history

No, pyramid schemes are illegal, this isn't.

soupyspoon · 18/11/2025 07:18

TeenToTwenties · 18/11/2025 07:15

Multi level marketing, where some of the sales from the person at the bottom goes to the person who recruited them, and so on up the chain. Lots of social media posts plugging product and inspirational sayings.

Like drug running then really. Thats how criminal enterprises work.

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 18/11/2025 07:17

Mayflower282 · 18/11/2025 07:15

I think MLM is quite a working class Facebook type thing, in private school mum circles I’d never heard of it. God I sound like a snob, I’m really not.

Edited

I would be willing to bet that at least someone in your private school circles is flogging Usborne books, or Tropic skincare.

soupyspoon · 18/11/2025 07:17

Im not that clear on what it is, how it works. Selling stuff I presume, like Avon used to? Dont get paid until you sell it or something?

Dolphinnoises · 18/11/2025 07:16

Manchestermummax3 · 18/11/2025 00:31

Putting aside Mel Robbins ripped off an already published theory.....
Haven't MLMs been around for longer? I remember tupperwear parties, ann summers, virgin cosmetics & some weight loss drink (i dont remember the name)
Oh & I think i have a vague memory of a Jamie Oliver party!

Tupperware parties weren’t MLM, you were a sales rep and would only order what your friends at the party wanted - there would be no pressure as there was no loss involved. And Tupperware was popular so it was just a way of avoiding overheads in the days before Amazon.

BadgernTheGarden · 18/11/2025 07:15

TeenToTwenties · 18/11/2025 07:15

Multi level marketing, where some of the sales from the person at the bottom goes to the person who recruited them, and so on up the chain. Lots of social media posts plugging product and inspirational sayings.

OK so it is a pyramid scheme, just with a fancy title.

Mayflower282 · 18/11/2025 07:15

I think MLM is quite a working class Facebook type thing, in private school mum circles I’d never heard of it. God I sound like a snob, I’m really not.

BadgernTheGarden · 18/11/2025 07:15

Even in full I don't know what it actually means. Is it a pyramid scheme?

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