Alison Bryant, a 57-year-old from Warrington, Cheshire, has spoken out about her experience with Forever Living, a multi-level marketing (MLM) company specializing in aloe vera-based health and beauty products. After joining the company last year, she spent more than £5,300 on products and marketing materials but earned just £154 in return before leaving the business in August.

Bryant, who suffered from arthritis and fibromyalgia and was unable to work for several years, was initially drawn to the prospect of a flexible income she could earn from home. She was recruited by a long-time Forever Living representative, identified only as Sarah, who had been involved with the business for 13 years. Sarah promised Bryant potential earnings of up to £2,000 per month and the chance to achieve long-held financial goals, such as owning a seaside cottage.

Forever Living operates through a network of sales representatives known as Forever Business Owners (FBOs), who earn money by selling products and recruiting new participants into their teams. The company, founded in the United States and established in the UK in 1992, has an estimated 10 million representatives worldwide. While Forever Living maintains it is not a pyramid scheme, critics argue that its structure blurs the line between product sales and recruitment-focused profit.

According to Forever Living's 2022 Income Disclosure Statement, nearly 90% of purchasers earn no significant income, and more than half of those who do earn less than £375 per year. This data contrasts sharply with training materials reviewed by Bryant, which suggest new starters can earn £75 to £300 monthly and even claim that earnings of up to £5,000 a month are possible within four months. For highly ambitious sellers, one senior UK representative purportedly suggested a potential annual salary of £100,000.

Bryant described the challenge of selling products, many priced between £6 and £29, to friends and local businesses. She frequently had to reinvest returns into additional stock and marketing, including hiring market stalls and purchasing branded paraphernalia. The company requires representatives to sell a minimum amount of product monthly to remain “active” and qualify for bonuses, which Bryant found difficult to sustain. She also shared concerns that the company encouraged persistent contact with potential customers, including follow-ups after prize draws, a practice she resisted.

For Bryant, the tipping point came after reviewing the company’s income statistics and a 2023 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruling in the United States that barred Forever Living from making unsubstantiated earnings claims. The FTC found the company had misled individuals through social media posts and promotional materials about expected profits. In response to regulatory pressure, Forever Living ceased its MLM operations in the United States in May 2023, although the UK branch continues similar practices.

Bryant’s attempts to share her findings with fellow representatives led to her removal from group communications and social media attacks from her former recruiter. She estimates that almost her entire pension has been spent on the venture and warns others of the financial risks associated with such business models. “You can’t make real money selling products,” she said. “You can only make money by recruiting a team. I believe it absolutely is a pyramid scheme.”

Forever Living, through a spokesperson, reiterated its commitment to compliance, product quality, and ethical business practices. The company emphasized its membership in the Direct Selling Association and noted ongoing efforts to maintain regulatory standards in both its product manufacturing and its business opportunities. The spokesperson also clarified that income examples cited in training materials relate primarily to retail profit and are not directly comparable to figures reported in its income disclosure statements.

Bryant’s experience highlights ongoing debates around MLM companies’ transparency, earnings potential, and recruitment practices, underscoring the risks faced by individuals, particularly women seeking flexible income opportunities.