Is this popular side hustle secretly ruining lives? Sabrina, Ellen, and Chloe share their shocking story
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Looking for a way to make a little extra cash on the side? You’re not alone—especially in these times, when every dollar counts. But what if that 'side hustle' you’re considering could end up costing you far more than you ever imagined?
That’s exactly what happened to Sabrina, Ellen, and Chloe—three Aussie women who joined multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses, only to find themselves emotionally and financially devastated.
Their stories aren’t just cautionary tales—they’re a wake-up call for anyone tempted by the promise of easy money, flexible hours, and the dream of being your own boss.
With the cost of living rising and many of us looking for ways to supplement our income, it’s no wonder MLMs are booming.
According to Direct Selling Australia, there are around 300,000 MLM consultants in the country, with women making up a whopping 80% of that number. In 2023 alone, more than 90,000 Aussies signed up, hoping to make ends meet.
MLMs—sometimes called direct selling or network marketing—promise financial freedom, flexible work, and a supportive community.
The model is simple: you buy products from the company, sell them to friends and family, and recruit others to do the same. The more people you recruit (your 'downline'), the more bonuses you can earn.
But here’s the catch: you’re not paid a wage, and you often have to buy products just to stay in the game. US research shows that fewer than 1% of MLM consultants actually make a profit. Most end up losing money—and sometimes, much more.
For Sabrina, it began with a friendly suggestion from someone she trusted. Working long hours as a travel agent in Queensland, she was drawn in by the promise of 'time freedom' and financial independence.
'I trusted her, so I didn’t really question anything,' Sabrina recalls. She ignored the red flags—like being told not to Google the company—and signed up with NuCerity, a skincare MLM.
Sabrina’s story is all too familiar. Many people join MLMs because they’re recruited by friends, family, or even romantic interests. Ellen, a single mum and nurse, was convinced to join by a man she met on a dating app. Chloe, from Perth, was recruited by a relative after seeing other local mums get involved.
What makes MLMs so effective at recruiting? It’s all about trust. Most consultants are brought in by people they know and like, making it hard to say no.
'The women who join are not dumb or naïve,' Chloe insists. 'They’re being recruited by their best friends, sisters, mums, aunties, work colleagues—people they know, like, and trust.'
But that trust can be exploited. Former consultants say they were encouraged to target vulnerable people—single mums, burnt-out nurses, women going through menopause—by joining Facebook groups and offering 'support' that quickly turned into sales pitches.
Source: How Money Works / Youtube,
Despite the promises, the reality is often grim. Sabrina spent four years with NuCerity, never making more than a few hundred dollars a month—even after quitting her job to focus on the business.
Any money she did make went straight back into buying products to meet sales targets. She ended up relying on her partner to pay the bills.
Ellen, too, lost thousands of dollars across several MLMs. 'This has really f----- me over emotionally and financially,' she says.
Chloe, who made $6,000 in less than a year, was shocked by the 'cult-like' behaviour she witnessed—bullying, manipulation, and pressure to spend money on training and products.
Many consultants report being 'gaslit' when they question the business model, made to feel like failures if they don’t succeed. 'It’s incredible how these groups can just brainwash you,' Sabrina says. 'My auntie even asked me, ‘Is this a cult?’'
One of the biggest draws of MLMs is the sense of community they offer—especially for people who are socially isolated. 'I felt like I belonged,' Ellen admits.
But that support can vanish overnight if you stop meeting sales targets or question the group’s tactics. When Sabrina could no longer afford the $200 monthly spend required to stay in the business, her 'friends' cut her off completely.
Leaving an MLM isn’t just a financial decision—it can mean losing your social network, your self-esteem, and your sense of purpose. It took Sabrina months to recover emotionally and financially, and years to come clean to the women she’d recruited.
Sabrina, Ellen, and Chloe now spend their time warning others about the risks of MLMs. They’re calling for better financial education, stronger government protections, and more support for people who lose money in these schemes.
'It’s a model where only one per cent earn a decent income and the rest lose money,' Chloe says. Sabrina adds that no one should feel ashamed for leaving an MLM or sharing their story—doing so can help others avoid the same trap.
Have you ever been approached by a friend or family member to join a 'side hustle'? Did you make money, or did you end up out of pocket? Share your story in the comments below!
That’s exactly what happened to Sabrina, Ellen, and Chloe—three Aussie women who joined multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses, only to find themselves emotionally and financially devastated.
Their stories aren’t just cautionary tales—they’re a wake-up call for anyone tempted by the promise of easy money, flexible hours, and the dream of being your own boss.
With the cost of living rising and many of us looking for ways to supplement our income, it’s no wonder MLMs are booming.
According to Direct Selling Australia, there are around 300,000 MLM consultants in the country, with women making up a whopping 80% of that number. In 2023 alone, more than 90,000 Aussies signed up, hoping to make ends meet.
MLMs—sometimes called direct selling or network marketing—promise financial freedom, flexible work, and a supportive community.
Many Australians, especially women, are drawn into multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes with promises of financial freedom and community, but most end up losing money and suffering emotionally. Image source: James Jani / Unsplash.
The model is simple: you buy products from the company, sell them to friends and family, and recruit others to do the same. The more people you recruit (your 'downline'), the more bonuses you can earn.
But here’s the catch: you’re not paid a wage, and you often have to buy products just to stay in the game. US research shows that fewer than 1% of MLM consultants actually make a profit. Most end up losing money—and sometimes, much more.
For Sabrina, it began with a friendly suggestion from someone she trusted. Working long hours as a travel agent in Queensland, she was drawn in by the promise of 'time freedom' and financial independence.
'I trusted her, so I didn’t really question anything,' Sabrina recalls. She ignored the red flags—like being told not to Google the company—and signed up with NuCerity, a skincare MLM.
Sabrina’s story is all too familiar. Many people join MLMs because they’re recruited by friends, family, or even romantic interests. Ellen, a single mum and nurse, was convinced to join by a man she met on a dating app. Chloe, from Perth, was recruited by a relative after seeing other local mums get involved.
What makes MLMs so effective at recruiting? It’s all about trust. Most consultants are brought in by people they know and like, making it hard to say no.
'The women who join are not dumb or naïve,' Chloe insists. 'They’re being recruited by their best friends, sisters, mums, aunties, work colleagues—people they know, like, and trust.'
But that trust can be exploited. Former consultants say they were encouraged to target vulnerable people—single mums, burnt-out nurses, women going through menopause—by joining Facebook groups and offering 'support' that quickly turned into sales pitches.
Source: How Money Works / Youtube,
Despite the promises, the reality is often grim. Sabrina spent four years with NuCerity, never making more than a few hundred dollars a month—even after quitting her job to focus on the business.
Any money she did make went straight back into buying products to meet sales targets. She ended up relying on her partner to pay the bills.
Ellen, too, lost thousands of dollars across several MLMs. 'This has really f----- me over emotionally and financially,' she says.
Chloe, who made $6,000 in less than a year, was shocked by the 'cult-like' behaviour she witnessed—bullying, manipulation, and pressure to spend money on training and products.
Many consultants report being 'gaslit' when they question the business model, made to feel like failures if they don’t succeed. 'It’s incredible how these groups can just brainwash you,' Sabrina says. 'My auntie even asked me, ‘Is this a cult?’'
One of the biggest draws of MLMs is the sense of community they offer—especially for people who are socially isolated. 'I felt like I belonged,' Ellen admits.
But that support can vanish overnight if you stop meeting sales targets or question the group’s tactics. When Sabrina could no longer afford the $200 monthly spend required to stay in the business, her 'friends' cut her off completely.
Leaving an MLM isn’t just a financial decision—it can mean losing your social network, your self-esteem, and your sense of purpose. It took Sabrina months to recover emotionally and financially, and years to come clean to the women she’d recruited.
Sabrina, Ellen, and Chloe now spend their time warning others about the risks of MLMs. They’re calling for better financial education, stronger government protections, and more support for people who lose money in these schemes.
'It’s a model where only one per cent earn a decent income and the rest lose money,' Chloe says. Sabrina adds that no one should feel ashamed for leaving an MLM or sharing their story—doing so can help others avoid the same trap.
Have you ever been approached by a friend or family member to join a 'side hustle'? Did you make money, or did you end up out of pocket? Share your story in the comments below!
