Make Wellness Review: Pyramid Scheme Alert

Overview

Make Wellness, a new multi-level marketing (MLM) company co-founded by Justin Prince, has raised significant concerns since its prelaunch announcement in early August 2024.

Given the structure and requirements associated with the company, there are strong indications that it operates as a pyramid scheme.

Company Background

Justin Prince, who touts himself as a “co-creator” of Modere, has a controversial history. After a series of lawsuits against Modere, in which both Prince and Modere sued each other, he has since shifted his focus to Make Wellness. Joining him are co-founders Truman Hunt and Robert Finigan.

Truman Hunt is a notable figure in the MLM industry, having served as CEO of Nu Skin. His tenure was marred by legal issues, including a 2014 pyramid scheme fine from Chinese officials and a class-action settlement of $47 million in 2016 related to pyramid scheme allegations.
Robert Finigan previously held the position of Chief Marketing Officer at Modere.

Product Offering

Make Wellness claims to offer a range of nutritional supplements, which they market as containing “obscure peptides.” However, detailed pricing and retail options for these products remain conspicuously absent from their website. This lack of transparency is often a red flag in MLM operations.

Prelaunch Details

Make Wellness entered its prelaunch phase on or around August 1, 2024, with the following key points:

It is free to sign up; however, to maintain an account position, affiliates must make a personal purchase of Make Wellness products by October 31, 2024. Failure to do so will require re-registration under a different sponsor.
This structure raises immediate concerns of a pay-to-play scheme, which is a common characteristic of pyramid schemes.

Currently, there are around 9,600 members in Make Wellness’ official prelaunch private Facebook group. Notably, until the prelaunch concludes, there are no retail customers, and the focus seems to be exclusively on recruitment.

Compensation and Mandatory Purchases

Make Wellness has updated its policies in response to criticism. As of August 30, 2024, the company removed the mandatory purchase requirement to become an affiliate.

However, it now imposes financial penalties for affiliates who do not pre-order the Founder’s Box, which includes early access to products and promotional materials:

Affiliates can begin sharing products with customers starting November 1–15, 2024, if they pre-order.
Those who do not pre-order will have to wait until November 16, 2024, to begin sharing products, essentially sidelining them during the initial launch.

This adjustment still suggests a pay-to-play model, where affiliates must commit financially to access opportunities, further indicating the pyramid scheme structure.

Conclusion

In summary, Make Wellness appears to be operating under a pyramid scheme model. The structure emphasizes recruitment over retail sales, which is a hallmark of such schemes. With no clear retail offerings and a focus on mandatory purchases for participation, it is prudent for potential investors and affiliates to exercise caution.

The MLM landscape is fraught with risks, particularly when companies prioritize recruitment and impose financial commitments. The updated policies may have softened the initial mandatory purchase model, but the financial penalties for not pre-ordering products continue to signal a problematic business approach.

As Make Wellness continues its prelaunch phase, it will be essential for potential affiliates and customers to remain vigilant. Investigating the legitimacy of any MLM operation and understanding the risks involved is crucial to safeguarding one’s financial interests.