Hey there sea changers, and welcome back to my series of MLM reviews. Today we are going to look into another MLM program that spans across a number of products with my Essante Organics MLM Review. The main difference here however is that, as the name suggests, Essanté Organics only sells products that are organic and toxin free. This point of difference, and the growing popularity of organic and chemical free products around the world, does I think have the potential make it a good platform on which to build an MLM business upon. So what is Essanté Organics all about? Let's have a look and find out…
What is MLM?
Multi-level marketing (MLM) programs are the mainstay of the ‘party plan' world of products such as Tupperware, Mary Kay and Amway etc. and, of course within the supplements, beauty/cosmetics, and essential oils markets. MLM has become a little more popular lately, mainly due to the fact that much of the sales and marketing is now being managed online – alleviating the need to run parties – and, more importantly, not hassle everybody you know to join (you can of course, but you don't have to).
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The ‘multi level' aspects of MLM come from its hierarchical nature in which you make commissions based not only on those that you sell to, but also the sales of those whom you ‘sign' into membership arrangements as well.
In short, the process works as follows:
- You join the program, either via referral from another person (known as your up line) or directly through their website.
- You promote the products of the company via parties, workshops or online.
- As you make sales, you offer incentives to your customers to sign up as a member of the program (there are different names for this but they all mean the same thing).
- That new member is then placed ‘underneath' you in a hierarchical arrangement (known as your down line).
- You, and a number of levels of your up line, then gain extra commissions for everything they sell as well.
- If they manage to refer their customers into memberships, they also become a member of your down line allowing you to make up line commissions as well.
The number of levels of your up and down lines will vary depending on the program you have joined. Commission rates will also change as your down line grows or contracts and many will also offer other incentives such as total company sales percentages and/or access to membership prizes as your own business grows.
Who are Essanté Organics
Essanté Organics was established in 2009 by Michael Wenniger as the first U.S. based direct marketing company to focus solely on Organic and Toxin Free products. The company mission, “to eliminate toxins from everyone's life, one household at a time” is backed by the dedicated use of only organic, ToxicFree®, and pH balanced products.
The company is based in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States with operations in numerous countries worldwide.
What do they Sell?
Ok, so I have discussed the organic and tox-free thing but I haven't actually mentioned to date the large range of products offered by Essanté Organics. They actually present a huge range of products across a number of lines and uses with so much to cover that for the purposes of this post, I will list the main categories only:
Body & Spa
- Body Care
- Cosmetics
- Facial Care
- Hair Care
- Oral Care
Ph Nutrition
- Powerpops & Kidspops
- Supplements & Powders
- Vegan Protein Shakes
- Ph Balancing
Essential Oils
- Singles
- Blends
- Roll Ons
- Carrier Oils
- Diffusers
Home Care
- Hand Soaps and Sanitisers
- Dish Soap
- Laundry Liquids
- Toothpaste
Baby
- Lotion
- Shampoo
- Calming mists
Prices are in the low to medium price range and on par with most other MLM programs of this type.
MLM Program outline
The Essanté Organics MLM program calls their members Organic Influencers, or Brand Partners, or Executives. Their compensation plan is directly available on their site via a video (included in this post above) with a PDF version available via an online search. It contains a fairly straight forward MLM structure with basic retail commissions, flat rate downline payments and a few bonuses along the way. Here are the basics as I have found them…
Discount: 30% for Distributors
Base Commission rate: 30% (based on retail sales on discounts above)
Down line commission rates: 10% to infinite levels
Minimum monthly spend to qualify for commissions
To qualify for one, or all of the commission and bonus options available, Executives must generate the following each month:
- Retail commission only – 0: 39 points
- Payment options 1 – 3: 40 points
- Payment options 1 – 5: 75 points
- Payment options 1 – 6: 100 points
Payment terms: Weekly and Monthly.
Application required?: Yes, Application form on website
Purchase requirements to join: Yes
Enrollment fee – $29.95
New Executives can also order Go-Green packs which range from $29.95 to $499 – these are not mandatory but for those looking to make a success in this company, you will need to be knowledgeable about the products so I think some purchase is probably a good idea. Go Green packs can be purchased from a number of categories such as below:
Marketing materials provided: Welcome Pack, Replicated website, access to an extensive online training site
As with the most MLM programs, downline commissions and rankings are determined by the total points generated by the Executive and their down line within a calendar month. Most MLM programs manage it this way in that commissions are paid on the points assigned to a product rather than the entire sales total. Essanté Organics appears to calculate its points allocations at 100% of the USD sales price. So for example, if a product retails for $100 which gives it a 100 points rating (these generally vary from product to product and are adjusted based on the currency that the purchase is made in) then the commission is calculated on the full $100. So if a commission rate for a product is 20% then it will generate a $20.00 payment to the sponsor (i.e. 20% of the $100 commissionable amount).
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How can I get paid?
The compensation plan promotes 6 ways in which Executives can make money when they promote and sell products. These are quite standard for a MLM program are outlined as follows:
E-Commerce Retail Sales
E-Commerce Retail Sales are the base profits earned by the general day to day retail sales that Executives generate via their personalised website. There are two main ways here:
- Earn a commission of up to 30% of the purchase value if done so at retail prices (basically the difference between the Wholesale discount and the retail price).
- Purchase products at the discounted rate and on sell them at retail prices within a shop front, market stall or kiosk – or even the traditional party plan method.
Note: Executives do not need to meet minimum purchase target of to earn retail profit commissions/payments.
Enroller Bonus
Enroller Bonuses are paid on the sale of Go-Green Packs to new enrollees these are as follows:
- $50 for every pack sold up to $498
- $100 for every pack sold @ $499.
Express Start Gold Bonus
The Express Start Gold Bonus is a ‘fast start' option common to many MLM programs aimed at encouraging new members to recruit others when they first join. In this case of this program, Executives who can manage to Enroll 4 new downline members to their down line and then assist them to enroll two more each, will receive a $500 bonus.
Each new member must enroll two members with a total points generation of 75 (Silver) and an executive becomes ‘Gold' once they have enrolled 4 silvers.
Endless Team Bonus
The Endless Team Bonus is Essanté Organics' version of the stock standard Unilevel commission arrangements common to most MLM programs. The difference here however is that rather than a rolling commission, payments are made as flat rate of 10% of total generated sales to infinite levels.
The chart below displays the expected payments at this rate based on each Executive enrolling 2 people & each generating 75 points in monthly personal or retail sales.
As with most programs, the higher the sale, the more commissions are paid. Executives must achieve a minimum of 75 points to qualify.
100% Matching Bonus
The Matching Bonus is a payment generated based on the sales commissions paid for sales generated within the down line of any personally enrolled Executive. Rates range from 25% -100% of their total downline sales as follows:
- Silver Executives earn a 25% Matching Bonus (personally enroll two members with a total points generation of 75).
- Gold Executives earn a 50% Matching Bonus (personally enroll 4 Silver Executives).
- Platinum Executives earn a 100% Matching Bonus (personally enroll 4 Gold Executives).
Executives must achieve a minimum of 75 points to qualify.
The Expansion Race Bonus
This is a competitive bonus (and one that I have not see before) by which the first 50 Executives within each country of operation to earn 50,000 point in sales in both their left and right legs in a calendar month will each take home a 1/50th share of 1% of the total yearly company wide retail and wholesale sales within that country. Come in at number 51 and no dice…
It does get a little harder though as after the first year, Executives must maintain 50k points/volume per left & right team, per country for 10 out of the next 12 months. If they fail to do so, the next qualifying Executive will take their spot (and commission).
Ranking structure
As you may have probably noticed, the Essanté Organics MLM program does not really maintain ranks for its executives in the traditional manner that most others do. The only ranking structures here are the Silver, Gold and Platinum assignments as outlined above. These however do not affect the base retail and downline commissions as found within other programs although as usual, the more sponsored executives and the higher the total sales volume, the more money that can be made.
What is good about it?
So, after a good look around the site and looking at all the options I could find, I do like the following:
- Commission/discount rates for entry level sales are good.
- Organic products are very popular.
- Large array of products allows for a number of cross promotion opportunities.
- Good uncapped downline commissions regardless of placement within the program.
What is no so good about it?
There are also some things to be aware of including:
- Membership fee to join.
- Does appear to be a heavier focus on recruitment than some others.
How much can you make?
Essanté Organics does not provide projected income figures on its website however based on their projected Endless Team Bonus graphs, an Executive will need to have over 500 others within their downline to make enough to make a living from this alone (roughly $46k per annum). It has to be assumed from those figures that as with most MLM programs, the percentage of members making the upper rank levels – and hence earning a living – is very low.
My final thoughts
Look, MLM is not an easy platform to make money in and there is not much that I have seen here to put this program above the many others I have seen. The main advantage here for those who are looking to get into the MLM business is the large array of products on offer with the ability to promote in five well-known and popular online niches. Added to this is that Essante Organics is one of the few (if not the only) 100% Organic MLM companies in the world.
Even though there is a membership enrollment cost, Executives can earn commissions and retail profits without the need to personally purchase products. This means that they can get their business off the ground without any of the initial out-of-pocket costs that can strain the finances at this time. Although as I mentioned above – I think that to be successful in any MLM program, you will need to have a good understanding of the products, hence personal sales may be necessary.
The costs of the products and the lower level sales qualifications targets would lead me to think that there is nothing here that would make me tell you to avoid it completely as long as you go in with your eyes open to the fact that success in MLM is not easy and takes a good amount of time, patience and often, financial commitments as well.
I was unable to locate any negative reviews in terms of non-payment etc. however there was some negative comments about the quality of products and the MLM program itself – although not as many as others and not really anything that is uncommon in regards to MLM programs or products within this niche.
Conclusion
So there you have it, my honest review and appraisal of the Essanté Organics MLM program. I hope it has been of assistance but as usual, if you have any questions or experience with this program please do not hesitate to reach out by commenting below – especially if any of my information is inaccurate.
Are there any other programs you have been looking at but want to know more about? If so, please comment below and I will do my best to get some details for you.
Do you want further assistance with any of the above or need help to build your own online or MLM based website?
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Until next time
Have fun
Paul
Note: If you make a purchase from this page, there is a very good chance that I make a commission from it – these commissions do not increase your sale price.
Essanté Organics
$29.95 +Pros
- Commission/discount rates for entry level sales are good.
- Organic products are very popular.
- Large array of products allows for a number of cross promotion opportunities.
- Good uncapped downline commissions regardless of placement within the program.
Cons
- Membership fee to join.
- Does appear to be a heavier focus on recruitment than some others.