Stop The Amway Tool Scam Scott Johnson and Peter Mingils talk about Florida and Texas Direct Selling Coalition forming and Peter Mingils starting the Direct Selling News https://directselling.news and Direct Sales news sites https://directsales.news
The show covers a bunch of topics including Scott’s opinion on retail sales and undisclosed profits from tool sales. We have covered this on Building Fortunes Radio and on MLM News https://mlm.news
Overview of the Florida Direct Sellers & Consumers CoalitionThe Florida Direct Sellers & Consumers Coalition (FLDSCC) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and protecting the direct selling industry in Florida.
fldscc.org Established to advocate for independent entrepreneurs, the coalition focuses on engaging lawmakers, safeguarding the direct selling channel, promoting public awareness, and expanding educational opportunities for those involved in this business model. Its core mission is to strengthen the direct selling community through advocacy, collaboration, and education, ultimately building a more secure and prosperous future for direct sellers and consumers alike. By championing policies that foster innovation and fairness, FLDSCC ensures that the direct selling sector—often encompassing network marketing, affiliate programs, and independent contracting—remains a viable pathway for economic independence in the state.At its heart, FLDSCC operates as a bridge between industry stakeholders and policymakers. It actively participates in influential groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA) to influence legislation and promote best practices.
This involvement allows the organization to advocate for protective measures against regulatory threats, such as shifts in non-compete agreements highlighted in recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) discussions. Through these efforts, FLDSCC works to maintain an environment where independent entrepreneurs can thrive without undue restrictions. The coalition serves a diverse audience, including company members (direct selling firms), vendor members (suppliers and service providers), and individual independent contractors. This broad base enables collaborative initiatives that drive industry growth and policy reform.
Key activities include hosting high-profile events to raise visibility and build networks. For instance, FLDSCC launched with a successful kickoff event at the Florida Capitol, bringing together lawmakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to discuss the sector’s future.
Following this, the organization expanded its footprint by announcing a new office in Sarasota, enhancing its ability to engage with members across the state. These events underscore FLDSCC’s commitment to community building and direct interaction with decision-makers.In terms of programs and services, FLDSCC emphasizes education and awareness campaigns tailored to empower entrepreneurs. It offers resources to help individuals navigate the direct selling landscape, including training on compliance, business development, and market trends. Advocacy remains a cornerstone, with the coalition lobbying for policies that protect the gig economy’s integrity while highlighting the industry’s economic contributions. Nationally, direct selling generates $111.4 billion in economic impact, producing $15.5 billion in taxes and a multiplier effect where every $1 in retail sales yields $2.75 in broader benefits.
In Florida alone, 2023 sales reached $2.4 billion, creating $6.4 billion in total impact and $346 million in state and local taxes, with a 2.67 multiplier. Globally, FLDSCC’s members reach tens of millions of consumers, supporting entrepreneurs through innovative tools and community support.Structurally, FLDSCC is led by a distinguished board that blends industry expertise with political influence. Founder and Executive Chairman Gordon Hester, alongside Co-founder Ryan Chamberlin (a Florida House Representative), guide the organization.
Other key members include Stuart Johnson (CEO of Direct Selling News), Connor Hester (CEO of ShapeTech Solutions), Dave Grimaldi (CEO of DSA), Bryan Harrison (Amway’s State Government Affairs Manager), and Aspen and Brent Emry (leaders at Bravenly Global). This leadership team ensures strategic direction, leveraging their collective experience to advance the coalition’s goals.Looking ahead, FLDSCC’s initiatives focus on membership growth to amplify its voice in economic and policy arenas. By fostering partnerships and tracking trends in related economies like the gig and affiliate sectors, the organization positions itself as a pivotal force in Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through its multifaceted approach, FLDSCC not only defends the direct selling model but also promotes it as a driver of innovation, job creation, and consumer choice, benefiting thousands of Floridians and contributing significantly to the state’s economy.
You can see more of what Scott Johnson has on https://www.facebook.com/stoptheamwaytoolscam
The Amway tools scam is a hidden profit scheme within the Amway multi-level marketing (MLM) structure that exploits distributors, often leaving them with financial losses instead of the promised wealth. Amway, a well-known MLM company, markets health, beauty, and home products through independent business owners (IBOs). While the company emphasizes product sales, the real money for top-tier distributors, often at the Diamond level or above, comes from selling motivational “tools” like books, tapes, seminars, and rallies, not from product sales. These tools, promoted as essential for success, create a separate revenue stream that disproportionately benefits upline leaders while draining the profits of lower-level distributors.Distributors are pressured to purchase these overpriced tools, often costing hundreds or thousands annually, with promises of learning the secrets to building a lucrative Amway business. However, studies and lawsuits reveal that 99% of Amway distributors lose money, with average earnings below $100 monthly after expenses. The tools business, controlled by high-ranking distributors like Dexter Yager, generates millions for the elite, who earn significant markups on items like cassette tapes sold at rallies for up to $10,000 a night in cash. Meanwhile, new recruits face high startup costs—starter kits, training sessions, and product samples—further eroding their profits. This creates a pyramid-like structure where uplines profit from downlines’ purchases, not retail sales, resembling an illegal scheme.
