When I closed down Kodiak Mountain Stone, I felt like I had stepped off a cliff After sixteen years of building a business in the construction industry from scratch, it was heartbreaking to leave behind an identity that had defined me for so long. I poured my energy into coaching entrepreneurs and loved watching other people build their dreams, but deep down I knew I was still searching for my next opportunity. I had been using dōTERRA essential oils for nearly a decade, yet I had never considered turning my love for the products into a business. In fact, when my friend Kenny Anderson first suggested it, I nearly laughed. Network marketing? Isn't that just a pyramid scheme?
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​What follows is the story of how a simple conversation completely reframed my understanding of network marketing, why the dōTERRA Business Opportunity is unlike anything I'd imagined, and how it can fit into your life - whether you want an extra few hundred dollars a month or a full-time supplemental income business. I'll weave my experience with evidence from industry research to show why this home-based business is real, scalable, and incredibly rewarding. By the end, you'll understand why I believe so strongly in this model - and you'll be invited to explore it for yourself.

I never set out to join an MLM. Like many people, I assumed network marketing was another "get rich quick" scheme full of pushy salespeople and hollow promises. It's a common stigma; network marketing has been used to disguise pyramid schemes, and the media often highlights the worst examples. Even Shopify's overview of network marketing acknowledges that the model can have a negative connotation because pyramid schemes place all the profits at the top and emphasize recruiting over product sales. That's not something I wanted to be a part of.
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​Kenny, however, invited me to look at the facts. He explained that dōTERRA's compensation plan is product-driven - 89% of the people who use dōTERRA products buy the products for their personal use and don't do the business. This was my first "aha" moment. dōTERRA isn't about signing people up and just hoping they recruit ten more people; it's about sharing high-quality essential oils and products with people who actually use them. In 22023 dōTERRA had over 400,000 U.S. Wellness Advocates making purchases, and more than 196,000 of them received commissions. Eighty percent of those wellness advocates earned a check every month. That's not a pyramid; it's a company paying people for moving real products.

What really shifted my mindset was realizing how large and legitimate the direct selling industry is. Direct selling is a recognized business model where independent contractors market products and services outside of a fixed retail location. In 2022, direct selling generated $40.5 billion in retail sales in the United States, creating an economic impact of $111 billion and involving an estimated 6.7 million people building their own businesses. A recent study by the Direct Selling Education Foundation found that more than 75% of direct sellers reported improved professional and personal skills. When I read that, I stopped dismissing network marketing as a fringe endeavor. It's athriving industry that trains entrepreneurs and contributes significantly to the economy. 

Beyond being legally compliant, dōTERRA is recognized in the industry for its business integrity. A 2024 report from Business for Home rated dōTERRA with the top AAA+ ranking, noting that the company's estimated revenue was $1.8 billion in 2023 with potential commission payout of $600+ million. The same report observed that dōTERRA's compensation plan offers a robust earnings opportunity and that leaders at the Silver level and above are diverse individuals who support their teams.
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​This aligns with my experience. When I compared the cost of starting my old stone company to launching a dōTERRA business, the difference was staggering. The start-up and operating costs for your dōTERRA business are tiny compared to traditional brick-and-mortar ventures. One of the big benefits of starting your dōTERRA business is the low start-up cost, which allows you to begin without big capital investments. Having run a company with start-up and operating costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, I found the small investment in dōTERRA (essentially buying products I already was using and loved) to be a no-brainer.
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​The other key is scalability. Your dōTERRA business can grow beyond local markets because our digital tools and personal connections allow distributors to expand without a large physical presence. We have great tools - like an app with automated funnels and follow-up - to help you build your business online, not by bugging friends and family. In my coaching work I already help entrepreneurs leverage technology; now I'm doing the same with my dōTERRA team.

One of the biggest misconceptions about network marketing is that you have to constantly hustle to make money. In reality, additional income is at the heart of the model. When you build a team of motivated people who love the product, you earn not only on your personal sales but also on your team's sales - similar to the way real-estate brokers earn from their agents' transactions. In Brian Carruther's Making My First Ten Million he explains that network marketing allows you to create continuous income from your effort. It compares the model to top-performing real-estate brokers who earn substantial income by managing networks of agents - but without the high overhead costs and staffing headaches.
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​Here's a simplified version of how it works in practice. You start by sharing dōTERRA products with people who want them. As you educate new customers, some with want to share with others. When they join your team, you earn a percentage of their sales. Over time your network grows and your income becomes increasingly passive. dōTERRA has a very high retention rate of 65%+, which means customers order again and again, creating an ongoing revenue stream. If you help just a handful of wellness advocates each achieve a modest monthly volume, you create a reliable residual income that can pay for family expenses or even replace a full-time salary.

Let's address the elephant in the room: "Isn't this just a pyramid scheme?" The answer is a resounding NO - but you don't have to take my word for it. Shopify's guide to network marketing emphasizes that MLMs can be legitimate when they are product-focused and transparent, noting that well-known brands like dōTERRA have leveraged network marketing into billion-dollar businesses. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, companies that require hefty upfront investment, emphasize recruiting over sales, and refuse to provide disclosure statements are red flags. dōTERRA does none of these things.
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​Instead of forcing you to buy massive inventory or make unfeasible recruitment goals, dōTERRA allows you to start with a reasonable enrollment kit. Your success is tied to your teams product sales. This is important because legitimate network marketing laws require compensation to be based on actual product movement. After reviewing dōTERRA's income disclosure and talking with leaders who have built six-figure incomes ethically, I was convinced that the model was sound.  

Perhaps the second most common objection I hear is, "I don't have enough time." Believe me, I get it. Running my coaching business and raising a family leaves little room for extra projects. Yet my dōTERRA business is designed to be flexible. You can build it in the margins of your day - an hour here  and there - while keeping your day job.
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​The Direct Selling Education Foundation notes that direct sellers often work outside traditional retail environments, using one-on-one interactions, in-home product demonstrations or online presentations. This flexibility allows you to fit the business around your existing commitments. What's more, dōTERRA provides training and mentorship to help you make the most of your time. Our app streamlines follow-up, customer education and ordering; you can reach your customers and team members from your phone, whether your waiting in the school pickup line or on a lunch break. 
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​When the global pandemic hit, many network marketing companies actually grew revenues because they could pivot online. That resilience demonstrates how adaptable the model is. An Epixel article summarizing a DSEF study showed that direct sellers improve important skills - time management, decision-making and problem solving - which makes them more effective in all areas of life. In other words, the business doesn't take time away from you; it helps you to become more intentional and efficient.

One of the beauties of dōTERRA is that it works for both the side hustler and the career builder. If you simply want to earn a few hundred dollars a month to cover groceries or a car payment, you can focus on doing that. 

If you're like me and are looking for time freedom and financial security, dōTERRA offers a pathway there too. 
Because of an incredible compensation plan, there's no cap on your income. The Business for Home report lists 171 dōTERRA members among the top earners, reflecting the potential for substantial six- and seven-figure incomes. These aren't overnight successes; they come from consistent effort, leadership and mentoring, just like any other business. But the infrastructure is already built - you don't need to worry about shipping, research and development, or regulatory compliance. Your job is to share the oils and products, help people get results, and train others to do the same. 

The direct selling industry is evolving, and companies like dōTERRA are leading the way with digital tools, educational resources, and ethical practices. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing natural wellness products, and dōTERRA's essential oils meet that demand with rigorous testing and transparent sourcing. At the same time, more people are looking for flexible income streams - especially after experiencing economic uncertainty in recent years. According to the DSEF, direct selling's total economic impact reached $111 billion in 2022, and it's poised for further growth as technology enables distributors to reach customers worldwide.

Today, dōTERRA isn't just a start-up dream - it's a multi-billion-dollar wellness company In 2024 the firm reported that its annual sales topped $2 billion, supported by more than ten million customers and over three million distributors worldwide. Company leaders have publicly stated that they're re-engineering systems to scale into a "six-, eight-, even ten-billion-dollar" enterprise. so the pie is still growing. Crucially, nearly 89% of new U.S. customers are simply product users who love the oils and never pursue the business. That means only a small fraction are building teams - so you're not competing with a saturated field, but stepping into a robust marketplace where real growth is still ahead. If you join me as a Wellness Advocate now, you'll ride the wave of expanding revenue with a stable base of product lovers and a clear runway to capture the benefits of growth.
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​For me, the timing was perfect. I was already using the products and coaching entrepreneurs, so dōTERRA fit naturally into my life I could continue doing what I love - helping people build businesses - while aligning with a company that values integrity and wellness The minimal financial risk made it an easy decision; the potential for residual income made it an exciting one. If you're reading this, chances are you're also looking for something more - whether it's extra cash, freedom to spend time with family, or a career that aligns with your passion for natural health.

My journey from skeptic to advocate has been nothing short of transformative. Closing Kodiak Mountain Stone felt like an ending, but it was actually the beginning of a new chapter - one where I get to work from wherever I want, partner with like-minded entrepreneurs and help people experience the power of pure essential oils Network marketing is not a dirty word when done right; it's a smart, scalable business opportunity with proven products, a supportive community and a compensation plan that rewards you for serving others.
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​If you're ready to explore a home-based business that can create additional income, I'd love to show you how dōTERRA works. Click the link below to watch a short introduction and see if this might be the opportunity you've been searching for.