There was a time when the Avon Lady 💄 or the Tupperware salesperson 🍱 was a fixture in communities across the country. These were enterprising individuals—often women—who built a small business by selling products through direct marketing. The appeal was simple: work on your own time ⏳, be your own boss 👩🏽‍💼, and make money 💵 selling something people need. Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing a new wave of digital entrepreneurs pushing a similar dream. Instead of makeup or plastic containers, they’re selling digital products 📱, courses 🎓, and templates 📑, promising that anyone can make money online. But is this really the same opportunity, or are we looking at an updated version of the same MLM-style hustle with a digital twist? 🤔

The Rise of the Digital Entrepreneur 🚀

Social media 📲 is filled with ads and influencers promising financial freedom through digital sales. “Sell this Canva template and make thousands!” 🎨 or “Join my program and learn how to create passive income selling eBooks!” 📚 The idea is enticing—who wouldn’t want to make money online with minimal effort? But like the Avon and Tupperware models of the past, there’s often an investment required upfront 💸.

Some people are natural salespeople 🏆. They don’t need to create the product themselves; they’re just great at marketing 📢 and moving inventory. Others are creatives who want to make money from their own work—whether that’s designing templates ✍🏾, writing eBooks 📖, or creating online courses 🎥. There’s nothing inherently wrong with either approach. However, the issue arises when these so-called “opportunities” blur the line between selling a product and selling a dream that may never materialize for most people. 🚨

The MLM Vibes: When Selling Becomes the Real Product 🔄

A key question to ask when considering these digital sales programs is: What exactly am I buying into? 🧐 Am I purchasing an educational course that genuinely teaches me how to create and market a product? Or am I buying into a system where my main way to profit is by recruiting others to do the same? 🤷🏽‍♀️

This is where the scammy side of things comes in. Many digital sales programs present themselves as a way to learn a skill, but in reality, they operate just like old-school MLMs. You invest in a course that teaches you how to sell the same course to others 🔁, creating a cycle where the real product being sold is the business opportunity itself. The actual value of the product becomes secondary to the recruitment process. 😳

When Coaching is Just Recruiting 🎭

Another growing trend is people selling themselves as coaches 📣. You pay them for their expertise, expecting mentorship and guidance, only to find out that their real goal is to recruit you into a sales team 🤯. Instead of coaching you on how to build your own business, they’re coaching you on how to sell the same coaching program to others. This tactic plays on trust and mentorship, but in reality, it’s just another way to keep the recruitment cycle going.

If your “coach” is more focused on getting you to pay for an additional program or recruit others rather than teaching you real skills, 🚩 that’s a red flag.

The Difference Between a Business and a Scheme ⚖️

Not all digital sales are scams, and not all digital entrepreneurs are misleading people. There’s a difference between:

• Selling a well-researched course that teaches an actual skill, like graphic design, content creation, or digital marketing. 🎨📈
• Selling a product that people can use immediately, like planners 📝, templates 🏷️, or software tools 🖥️.
• Selling the idea of making money online, where the only way to profit is by getting others to buy into the same system. 😵‍💫

If you have to constantly recruit others in order to see a return on your investment, you’re not running a business—you’re playing a numbers game that benefits those at the top. 📊📉

Awareness is Key 🔑

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make money online, and there’s certainly a market for digital products. But before investing in a digital sales opportunity, ask yourself:

• Am I learning a valuable skill 🎓, or am I just being told to resell this program to others? 🤨
• Do I have to keep recruiting new buyers in order to make money, or can I profit based on selling an actual product? 🛍️
• Does this business model sound too good to be true? 🚩

The Digital Avon Lady may be the new face of entrepreneurship, but not all online opportunities are created equal. Make sure you’re investing in something real—not just another version of the same old hustle. 🔍

What are your thoughts on the digital sales movement? Have you come across opportunities that felt more like a scam than a business? Share your experiences in the comments! 💬👇🏾