I remember many years ago when the new age, "millennial pyramid schemes", aka "multi-level marketing" were just getting started. I was at an art fair, painting live and trying to get commissions for pet portraits when I met someone who sold LuLaRoe.
On my first encounter with her, I was initially impressed. Until I asked "So do you make all of this?", to which she told me that she did not, and that if I wanted I could become a "fashion designer stylist" too..
Like uhm, ok? No thanks. I'm going to go ahead and keep ACTUALLY making something over here.. you know, with my hands, my heart and my own authentic self infused into the mix. If I ever decide to become a "fashion designer stylist" (which I personally don't have an interest in, but it is a very legitimate form of expression), it's going to involve a sketch book and a sewing machine.
Since then I've seen SO many new kinds of this MLM garbage. As a real artist with a truly entrepreneurial spirit, the whole system disgusts me.
MLM fills up social media feeds and art markets. It confuses those who can't spot the difference between a real artist and a scam, making it difficult for real artists to gain traction, and it takes advantage of the people who really think there is some sort of shortcut to small business success.
There is no shortcut, and if you aren't putting yourself, your full effort and your heart in the work, one way or another, in time you are going to get burnt.
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