The Donald – Is His Network Really Going to Make You Rich?

Donald Trump has a long list of accomplishments. While he may be best known in pop culture for The Apprentice, he built his reputation and his fortune (and lost it and built it again) in commercial real estate. He has developed some of Manhattan’s most prestigious office buildings, residences and hotels, as well as casinos, hotels and golf resorts in prime locations like Atlantic City, Palm Beach and Palm Springs. He is also owner of the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants.

Most recently, however, Trump has lent his name to a new mass-marketing scheme claiming to be revolutionary – but on more than the surface smacks deeply of being part Amway, part Shaklee. Trump’s website makes it sound as if he came up with all this new approach born of his lessons learned in real estate (his words, not mine) , but if you dig a little deeper you find the truth is closer to Trump has been paid to use his name and endorse the products.

I joined the network to get a better feel of how and what this new “earn the salary of a CEO working part-time” opportunity can do for me. Are we talking nonprofit CEO? Or Disney? Who cares, I want money. But so, far my investment has only lead to more opportunities to send more money to Mr. Trump.

In fact, since joining two weeks ago I have already received more than 20 emails from the Trump Network with offers on how I should spend more money to make more money. I can attend networking events to learn how to sell more but I must pay for these events because I am a networker. I am allowed, however, to bring guests for free. How come I already had to pay for membership, kits, and monthly services that really do not have much benefit until the glorious kick-off (in November, which, if I care to attend, I can pay for that, too) but I can bring someone who has not paid a dime to learn for free what I have to pay for?

I can purchase start-up product items (which, according to at least two emails specifically state with my purchase today I acknowledge that they will cost me more than the actual customer value). I have also been privy to satisfied customer testimonials that Trump’s products (which are not really his) have even healed broken ribs.

So just what is he selling? The opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to sell home test kits to detect nutritional deficiencies, and of course, supplements and health-related products to cure what ails you. There is also a line of weight loss products. Nothing new there, but I will admit to a vast consumer market for anything with crazy promises to fix what other products (and modern medicine) cannot. For that reason alone, there is bound to be some initial success.

But so far, my opinion is still developing. The only two things I will state so far if you are interested in getting rich quick from the Trump Network plan, unless you are into hardcore sales and mass marketing – don’t do it. As with most business endeavors you have to work to make money. If you are lazy, you will more likely make the salary of a laid-off auto worker (nothing).

And, in this case, if you change your mind and no longer want to pay monthly fees to the privileged of selling on behalf of Trump, expect to have to send your cancellation in writing because you cannot “unjoin” online or via phone. This is a gross disservice and apologies to Trump fans, but a stale business tactic used by shady companies to bilk just one more payment out of unsatisfied customers.

I will keep you updated because regardless of my initial wariness know that everything takes time to understand and to make work for you. But I also know that many who read this column are participating in The Trump Network, too and could be light years ahead of me (or already canceled). I would love to hear from you about your own experiences and thoughts in the Entrepreneurs forum. Discuss The Trump Network – you can even include a link – just remember the forums are a place for business discussions – not for a quick way to spam-market your site with just a sales pitch and link. So please do add meaningful comments.

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