An MLM Caller Almost Unraveled Me

How a high-pressure life insurance call fueled my entrepreneurial focus

I like to give people in my community every opportunity to reach out and share their vision. But my normally open-door policy was challenged when I let an MLM marketer book time with me to pitch life insurance opportunities.

MLM, or multi-level marketing, is a business model where most of your profit doesn’t come from product sales but from recruiting other people to sell products. The MLM marketer earns a commission on every recruit, and the top recruiters earn even more. This is why MLMs are often compared to pyramid schemes: the executives at the top reap the millions, while the business grows only by constantly adding more marketers at the bottom.

Because the tactics can get aggressive—and because many MLM marketers receive little training—they’re often instructed to lure prospects without being upfront about what the call is truly about. In my case, the marketer's pitch sounded like this: “I’m starting a new business to help people with their finances. I’d like to make a presentation to you. Can you make time?”

Because I knew this person from a previous community program, I didn’t press for clarity or do my due diligence before scheduling. After weeks of their persistent follow-ups, I finally sent them a Calendly link and hopped on the call.

And the call went like this:

The marketer began by lamenting how “mediocre” her life had been, working for someone else. I objected, gently pointing out that no time spent helping others is mediocre. She then said she had a presentation and offered to give me “two options” at the end, without explaining what the presentation was about.

From there, she started asking detailed questions about my bank, trying to convince me that all banking interest rates were terrible and pitting me against the banking industry. I calmly explained that I had studied economics in college and believed there could be a capitalist benefit to certain banking decisions. She countered that with some policies, I wouldn’t have access to my money for years—and then shockingly suggested, “Wouldn’t that make you want to put on a ski mask and rob the place?” using violent language. I immediately clarified that I do not condone violence in any form.

My nerves were screaming at me to end the call. She pressed on, walking me through extreme life scenarios in which having a life insurance plan with her company would supposedly provide a benefit. I told her I didn’t like to engage with such hypothetical situations. Then she suggested I could use life insurance to build generational wealth—I disagreed, explaining that my family does not subscribe to that view and that there are multiple ways to create generational wealth.

When I asked to stop the call, she raised her voice, practically shouting that “we are all going to go to glory” and that I should care about this—repeating it over and over. I explained I was dealing with a personal issue that made the conversation uncomfortable. I muted her for a minute, put her back on, and she continued the ruckus. At that point, I knew it was time to disconnect for good.

When the Pitch Goes Off the Rails

Unnerved, frazzled, and heart-wrenched, I logged off. I didn’t like the evasive words, the lack of clarity, or the sense of being manipulated. What hurt the most was that I saw it coming and didn’t stop it. I saw all the signs that this call would be a waste of my time, yet I still let it happen. It took me nearly 24 hours to shake it off and reset my mojo.

During that time, I did extensive research. MLMs frustrate more than unwitting prospects—they can leave potential customers and marketers bullied, guilted, and harassed into engaging their recruitment funnel. Studies show MLMs can destroy marriages, strain households, and leave marketers with more debt than earnings. That really shocked me. While I know of some successful models, like Mary Kay, there are many MLMs that entrepreneurs and potential customers should steer clear of.

Turning Frustration into Focus

The silver lining? This experience sharpened my focus on my own business. That high-pressure, confusing life insurance pitch forced me to confront just how much my ethical and authentic business foundation is a personal value, and real asset to any market, to my family, and to my community. Unlike the MLM model, which relies on manipulation, pressure, and hidden agendas, my approach thrives on transparency, care, and true value creation. And I know you can relate.

We all go through phases of full-blast conviction and quiet fallbacks, moments when external pressures—or even well-intentioned connections—can buoy our mission or threaten to derail us. In this case, this adversity, sulked over and cried over, became fuel for my deeper understanding of my purpose. I love helping others realize their true potential—creatively, entrepreneurially, and most importantly, ethically. 

Today, I feel even more blessed and empowered to hold authentic space for the dreams and ambitions of creative leaders, providing real support, care, and service, and being a true partner in the development of our economy and our world. This brings me joy.

As an entrepreneur, you often get to pick your battles, but when adversity surprises you, let it stay in its lane. Let it remind you of your values, sharpen your focus, and fuel your commitment to the right course.

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