I think one of the keys is WORK. Most people bill MLM as get rich quick, easy money. We didn't go in with that attitude. Carolyn's step-mother sponsored her(she was a director level with a car) and let us sell out of her inventory at cost until we had enough for the first order. We knew going in it would not be easy. We would do 2 shows a week and fill orders for existing customers. We learned real quick you have to have inventory on hand to make sales, and to get the discount at 50% you had to order $200 of product.
It took a year of that cycle to get to that point, I think she was just burnt out, plus she did not enjoy it. She actually wears little makeup herself so she felt fake selling it.

Usually when you hear of people who have that much money invested and lose it, the company folded or got sued. If they are investing that much they are typically making a good bit of money. Like you said most people fail, but most people who fail have just a little invested $100-1500, and invest little time into themselves and the business. What I have found is that most don't treat it like a business, actually that may be the key. It's a business and must be treated and worked as a business.

The learning part is my personality type, I can learn from just about anyone. I will do something in order to learn faster than I will to have fun. I pretty much think of learning as fun.

LOL, like now I have to learn about karatbars, I had seen the link on your blog page, so that will get you a referral...

Hey, one thought about MLM, do you know who the best people to recruit are?

Preachers.... think about it.

They are used to leading people, The tend to followers needs, they are typically caring, they are comfortable or good at public speaking, they are used to explaining complex subject in simple terms(sometimes...), they sell people on an idea that is pretty much intangible and denied by loads of critics, and they should have impeccable integrity, passion, generosity, etc....