Inside Network Marketing
MLM Industry News, Education, Advocacy and Commentary.
“One of the best things about MLM is that your success is based on other people's efforts. One of the worst things about MLM is that your success is based on other people's efforts”.
– Len Clements, Founder & CEO of MarketWave, Inc.
"If you go through your MLM career with blinders on,
sooner or later you're going to get blindsided."
– Len Clements, Founder & CEO of MarketWave, Inc.
MarketWave, Inc. was created in 1990 to fill the growing need for accurate, objective research and analysis of the network marketing industry and its companies. As the founder and CEO of MarketWave, Inc. I have applied full time effort over the past 22 years into the study of various aspects on the MLM profession, with a primary focus on historical trends and patterns that have resulted in success, and failure, by both distributors and companies.
MarketWave originally launched as a “Consumer Report” type publication which studied and evaluated various MLM programs, eventually amassing over 14,000 paid subscribers in 16 countries. This newsletter evolved into a free “MLM Alerts” eLetter. I have also authored the nationally published book “Inside Network Marketing” (Random House), hosted a radio program (KSCO) and now a podcast show of the same name, and produced several audio training products as well.
As a successful distributor for three MLM opportunities (one of which I was the #1 earner for 8 of 10 years), and having served in senior management positions of three MLM companies (including CEO), I have gained the necessary knowledge and experience to be certified as an “expert” in the field of network marketing by a court of law. I have served as an expert witness in numerous cases primarily dealing with wrongful termination and the assessment of damages, as well as illegal pyramid cases.
- Founder & CEO of MarketWave, Inc.
October 1990 – Present
Research, Advocacy, Education, and Consulting organization serving the Direct Sales industry. - Vice President of Market Research of Zenza Life Sciences, LLC
August 2005 – April 2008
A health, nutrition and personal care based network marketing company. - Co-Founder and CEO of Epic Network International, LLC
May 2004 – June, 2005
A health & nutrition based network marketing company. - Publisher and Editor of MarketWave Alert Letter
Industry “watchdog” newsletter focusing on MLM opportunity evaluation.
Published from January 1991 through December 1995 as MarketWave (12,500 subscribers).
Published from December 1998 to present as MarketWave Alert Letter (3,800 subscribers). - Author of Inside Network Marketing
Educational book (302 pages).
Originally self published June, 1994.
Published by Prima Publishing – May, 1995.
Published by Random House – April, 2001
Reacquired publishing rights – January, 2002 - Host of Inside Network Marketing, a live call-in radio show
KSCO, 1080 am. January 2000 to February 2001.
Covered west/central California & streamed online.
Currently offered as a semi-monthly podcast. - Publisher of It’s Time – For Network Marketing
Educational/Promotional book (351 pages).
Self published – August, 2007. - Conducts Inside Network Marketing seminars
Four hour, generic, educational MLM presentation.
Over 150 presentations, from October 1990 to present.
United States, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan and Russia. - Creator of Case Closed! The Whole Truth About Network Marketing
Generic, 30 minute recruiting cassette tape.
Writer, producer and speaker. - Creator of The Coming Network Marketing Boom
Generic, 40 minute promotional cassette tape.
Writer and speaker. - Creator of The Only Qualifying Question You’ll Ever Need
Generic, 30 minute educational cassette tape.
Writer, editor and speaker. - Network Marketing distributor
1979 to 1980: Nature Slim
1989 to 1990: Charles J. Givens Organization
1991 to 1992: Nu Skin International
1992 to 1993: Outback Secrets (#1 earner)
1994 to 1995: Beverly Hills International (#2 earner)
1995 to 2003: Longevity Network (#1 earner)
2008 to 2009: Usana Health Sciences
2009 to present: Yoli, LLC (not currently active) - Author of the MarketWave website (1994 – present)
- Interviewed by:
Dateline (NBC)
The Wall Street Journal
Forbes Magazine
New York Times
Fox News (KTTV-LA)
The Associated Press
Los Angeles Business Journal
Bloomberg News
Topeka Journal, KS
TheStreet.com
Morning Call, PA
Black Entrepreneur Magazine
Income Opportunity Magazine
New Business Opportunities
Nutrition Business Journal
Upline Journal (industry trade journal)
Philadelphia Enquirer
Richard Poe (author of “Wave Three” books)
Aces Live Radio, BlogTalk Radio
WBMW, Boston, MA, “Business Today Show”
WXBY, Harrisburg, PA, “Bob Stafford Show”
WBAI, New York, NY, “You and Your Money”
KSCO, Santa Cruz, CA, “Saturday Special”
KIEV, Los Angeles, CA, “Trends & Solutions”
WKXL, Boston, MA, “Financial Spectrum”
KRCN, Longmont, CO, “Home Based Business Live”
KRCN, Longmont, CO, “Home Based Business Radio Show”
KJYO, Oklahoma City, OK, “Home Business Show”
WELW, Cleveland, OH, “Home-Based Business Show”
KLAV, Las Vegas, NV, “The Networking Show” Internet Radio,
WhiteSprings Media, “Home Based Business Show”
Appeared in “The Downline” (award winning independent film) - Corporate Consulting Clients:
Amway |
Franklin Quest |
Trump Network |
Bethany College |
Bear-Stearns |
Bain & Co. |
Versa Capital Management |
Taconic Capital Advisors |
Irving Place Capital |
Arbonne |
Third Point LLC |
Hawkshaw Capital
|
Invus Group |
Swander Pace Capital |
Cooking With Monkey |
FreeLife |
Golden Gate Capital |
Centerbridge Partners |
Friedman Fleischer & Lowe |
Magnetar Capital |
Tiger Global |
MXI Corporation |
ZBS Radio Network |
Bella Homes |
Cell Tech |
Heritage Health Products |
Ecolend |
Outback Secrets |
MarketShare |
AloeNique |
NAPA, Inc. |
Total Link Real |
B.E.S.T. |
New Vision |
Vision Diamond Falcon |
Meridian Wellness |
The Coffee Baron |
Lois Yee Cosmetics |
Life Works |
United Feelings (Finland) |
Stimulife |
Lancie’ |
Summertime (Mexico) |
Monatau |
Yoli, LLC |
LifeIs (India) |
Move My Net Worth |
GameWorking |
GRIIID (Brazil) |
Thrive, LLC |
LaBrada Systems |
VidaYum (Canada) |
Earthstone |
Full Life (Nexagen) |
Lucky Strike |
Parago (Beget) |
Wealth Masters |
EMC, Inc. (Infinity Media) |
Pure Now |
AVAR Living |
Longevity Network |
Ocean Avenue |
CoolTraderPro LLC |
- Magazines my articles have been featured in:
Network Marketing Business Journal |
Opportunity Connection |
Home Business |
New Business Opportunities |
MLM Insider |
Upline Journal |
Cutting Edge Opportunities |
Jackpot Monthly |
Income Opportunities |
Network Times |
MLM Solutions |
Adventure Opportunities |
The Network Marketing Magazine |
Advantage Digest |
Network Opportunities |
Network Marketing Lifestyles |
Money & Profits |
The Network Trainer |
Profit Now |
MLM Today (Russia) |
Home Business Advertiser |
- Awards, Honors and Distinctions:
“Best Corporate Consultant” Award – 2012, MLM Insider
“Best MLM Trainer” Honorable Mention – 2012, MLM Insider
“Power 50″ (Most influential) – #42, 2011, Direct Selling Live
“Best of the Best” Award Nomination – 2010, 2011, MLM International Association
“Top 5 Best Generic Trainers” – 2010 MLM Insider
“Best Article” – December, 2008, Network Marketing Business School
“52 Brightest Minds in Network Marketing” – 2007, TheGreatestNetworker.org
“Visionary Award” – Longevity Network
“Men of Distinction” – 1998, 99, 2000, International Network Marketing Directory
“Best MLM Author” – 1997 MLM Insider Magazine
“Best Compensation Plan Consultant” – 1996 MLM Insider Magazine
Two time “Student of the Month”, 4.0 GPA, Heald Business College (1984-1985) - Association Memberships:
Member – Mensa Society (155 IQ)
Board Member (2009-2012) - Association of Network Marketing Professionals (ANMP)
[Chairman – Legal & Regulatory Affairs Committee]
Member - Direct Selling Woman’s Alliance (DSWA)
Board Member (2004-08) - Multilevel Marketing International Association (MLMIA)
Member – National Association for the Self Employed (NASE)
Member – Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI)
Member – James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) - Previous Requests and Designations as Expert Witness:
Hugh Sinclair, et. al. vs. Equinox International; William (Bill) Gouldd et al.
Superior court of Washington. Case no. 95-2-00781-2.
Fraud, Illegal Pyramid.
Plaintiff represented by William Brandt, Kim Hoyt; Ferder, Brandt & Cooper, L.L.P.
Defendant represented by Douglas Federspiel; Velikanje, Moore & Shore, Inc.
Represented plaintiff. Parties settled before trial. Gary Benton, et. al. vs. Equinox International; William (Bill) Gouldd, et. al.
In the 101st Judicial District, Dallas County, TX. Case no. 96-06905.
Fraud, Illegal Pyramid.
Plaintiff represented by William Brant, Carla French; Ferder, Brandt & Cooper, L.L.P.
Defendant represented by J. Stephen Ravel; Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley & Pollan, L.L.P.
Represented plaintiff. Parties settled before trial.
Catherine Powers vs. Equinox International; Advance Marketing Seminars and William Gouldd.
Maricopa County, Case no. CV 97-11774.
Fraud, Illegal Pyramid.
Plaintiff represented by Alfred Ricciardi; Robins & Green, P.A.
Defendant represented by Troy Froderman, Pamela S. Gates; Bryan Cave, L.L.P.
Represented plaintiff. Parties settled before trial.Russ DeVan vs. Longevity Network, Ltd.
Privately arbitrated in Henderson, NV.
Wrongful Termination.
Plaintiff represented by David Eisenstein.
Defendant represented by D.J. Poyfair.
Represented defendant. Parties settled before ruling (plaintiff was not reinstated).
Kansas City Attorney General vs. The Tax People (aka Renaissance).
Third Judicial District, Topeka, KS. Case no. 00-C-1394.
Fraud, Deceptive Trade Practices, Illegal Pyramid.
Plaintiff represented by Terry Hamblin, Consumer Protection Division.
Defendant represented by J. R. Hobbs, Marilyn B. Keller; Wytsch, Hobbs, Mirakian & Lee.
Represented plaintiff as consultant. Plaintiff prevailed.
Oberski, et al. vs. New Algae Company, dba Cell Tech Inc.
Massachusetts Superior Court. Case no. 98-294.
Breach of Contract.
Plaintiff represented by Lawrence Farber.
Defendant represented by Jeff Kinder, Fierst & Pucci, LLP.
Represented defendant. Plaintiff prevailed (was awarded $1.00).
Longevity Network. vs. American Longevity.
United States District Court. Case no. CV04-2404-SJO (REx)
Trademark revocation.
Plaintiff represented by Michael F. Maschio; Cowan, Liebowitz & Latman, P.C.
Defendant represented by Michael A. Painter; Isaacman, Kaufman & Painter.
Represented plaintiff. Testified at trial. Plaintiff prevailed.
Fugo et al. v. Starlight International
Superior Court of California, County of Monterey. Case no. M51539
Wrongful termination.
Plaintiff represented by David Eisenstein.
Represented plaintiff. Testified to damages at trial. Plaintiff prevailed (awarded $650,000).
XanGo vs. New Vision (2006)
District Court of Utah, Case #2:04cv00405
Patent infringement.
Defendant represented by Edwin Wainscott, Quarles & Brady.
Represented defendant. Defendant prevailed.
Rasmus Rasmussen & HBW Marketing vs. Tahitian Noni International
United States District Court, District of Utah. Case no. 2:04CV00241 PGC
Breach of contract; Wrongful termination.
Plaintiff represented by David Eisenstein.
Represented plaintiff. Parties settled before trial.
Action by IRS & US Postal Inspection Service vs. Michael Cooper (The Tax People).
Agency liaison was: Henry Herron, Special Agent, Treasury Department
5800 Bannister Road, Ste. 302, Kansas City, MO, 64134, 816-966-2535
Henry.Herron@ci.irs.gov
Fraud, Tax Evasion, Illegal Pyramid.
Testified at trial as Witness for the Prosecution. Prosecution prevailed.
Martin Malmskov vs. Tahitian Noni International
United States District Court, District of Utah. Case no. 2:08-cv-00085-DS
Breach of contract; Wrongful termination.
Plaintiff represented by David Eisenstein.
Representing plaintiff. Parties settled before trial.
Doron Brenner v. Matt Rasmussen (distributor for ACN).
California Superior Court, Santa Cruz County. Case no. CV165593
Breach of Contract.
Participated on behalf of the plaintiff. Parties settled before trial.
AmeriPlan vs. Evelyn Walker, et al.
116th Judicial District, Dallas County, TX. Cause no. DC-09-00761
Breach of Contract/Tortious Interference.
Participated on behalf of the plaintiff. Case abated day before trail.
Matt Rasmussen v. Organo Gold, et al.
United States District Court, Northern District of California. Case no. C-12-1104-HRL
RICO Violation; Unfair Competition; Tortious Interference; Civil Conspiracy; Slander per se
Participating on behalf of the plaintiff. Case is currently active.
Ron Heck & Nancy Heck v. AmeriPlan Corporation
192nd Judicial District, Dallas County, TX. Cause no. DC-11-06280-K
Breach of Contract/Fraud.
Participating on behalf of the defendant. Case abated.
United States v. Aneal V. Maharaj
United States District Court, District of Nevada. Case no. 2:05-cr-0364-JCM-LRL
Mail Fraud; Wire Fraud; Bank Fraud; Money Laundering
Participating on behalf of the defendant. Case settled per Plea Agreement.
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