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wwyd - pyramid scheme
ladies - what would you do if you were me?
I have a family friend who I've known since she was born (I'm a decent bit older than her). She is a pretty recent college grad and had been working in the rural part of my state counseling young single mothers but got laid off when state funding got cut back for her program. She moved back home and has been going to online grad school in the meantime while she looks for a new job. Today she approached me about what seems to be a pyramid scheme travel business. I sort of casually brushed it off by saying that DH and I had our hands full with our own small business in addition to working both full and part time so it wasn't a good time to add to our load.
The thing that concerns me is that she is a little special. I've never found out what her condition actually is but she has always been a bit developmentally behind other folks her age. Her parents have always insisted she be treated just the same as everyone else in school, work, etc. Obviously her condition isn't severe enough to stop her from being a completely independent and self sufficient individual. She's staying with her folks until she finds a new job so I have to believe that they know about this business of hers and I can't believe that they didn't stop her. These things very rarely work out well for the "investors".
What would you do? Just leave it be? Say something? Cross your fingers and hope for the best? I just would hate to know that someone took advantage of her - know what I mean?
Re: wwyd - pyramid scheme
Well some pyramid schemes are somewhat legit (i.e. Cutco Knives, Mary Kay) and the companies offer business advice and support to the sellers. If it's something like that, I wouldn't worry. She's an adult, has graduated from college, held a job and is taking grad classes. She might not be the most socially savvy person in the world, but she has to be somewhat intelligent.
But, if you have reason to think there is something illegal going on, or the company is defrauding her, then definitely speak up.
@ Karen - yeah I think it is something very similar to what you were mentioning. At first I thought she wanted to talk to me about taking a trip but then she started in on the business plan side of things. The whole set up just makes me uneasy and not something I personally would get involved in but to each their own.
It is such a difficult spot to be in because we're not close enough to have the whole, "are you absolutely SURE about this" conversation but close enough that I don't want her to get screwed. Well - I wouldn't want anyone to get screwed but someone I know even moreso. I really hope that someone had that conversation with her and she IS sure. And if that is the case, then I wish her luck!
If we're talking about the same one, i've known people to really become successful with this business set up if they're able to network to a lot of travelers.
It's nice of you to worry about your friend, but if you're not close enough to have the conversation, then i don't think it's something you should stress about. Given that she's working on a Masters, I think she's probably smart enough to make her own decision on this. And it may very well work out for her!