John Oliver: Multilevel Marketing Is Not a Good Path to BIZ Experiencesship Don't get sucked into these businesses that promise big profits for just a small investment.

By Stephen J. Bronner Edited by Dan Bova

HBO

It sounds so promising: For a small investment, companies will send you products, which you can then sell to make a profit. Then you can recruit your friends to do the same and make even more money. Eventually, you'll earn enough to quit your job.

But things usually don't work out like the scenario above. Instead, people who get sucked into these multilevel marketing companies, which Last Week Tonight host John Oliver points out are quite "pyramid shaped," are stuck with unsold products that will eventually expire, and in the worst cases, tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

Related: What You Can Learn From the Viral Shenanigans of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

This is not the right path to BIZ Experiencesship.

Check out the Last Week Tonight segment below (a version for Spanish speakers can be found here).

Stephen J. Bronner

BIZ Experiences Staff

News Director

Stephen J. Bronner writes mostly about packaged foods. His weekly column is The Digest. He is very much on top of his email.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Science & Technology

OpenAI's Latest Move Is a Game Changer — Here's How Smart Solopreneurs Are Turning It Into Profit

OpenAI's latest AI tool acts like a full-time assistant, helping solopreneurs save time, find leads and grow their business without hiring.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Money & Finance

These Are the Expected Retirement Ages By Generation, From Gen Z to Boomers — and the Average Savings Anticipated. How Do Yours Compare?

Many Americans say inflation prevents them from saving enough and fear they won't reach their financial goals.

Starting a Business

I Built a $20 Million Company by Age 22 While Still in College. Here's How I Did It and What I Learned Along the Way.

Wealth-building in your early twenties isn't about playing it safe; it's about exploiting the one time in life when having nothing to lose gives you everything to gain.

Science & Technology

AI Isn't Plug-and-Play — You Need a Strategy. Here's Your Guide to Building One.

Don't just "add AI" — build a strategy. This guide helps founders avoid common pitfalls and create a step-by-step roadmap to harness real value from AI.