Reliv International, founded in 1988 by Robert and Sandy Montgomery, is a company that develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary nutritional supplements. Based near St. Louis in Chesterfield, Missouri, Reliv operates in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several European and Asia-Pacific nations.
Product Line
Reliv offers a range of nutritional products designed to support healthy aging and overall wellness. Their core nutrition products, such as Reliv Now® with Soy and Reliv Classic®, provide a balanced array of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. They also offer targeted solutions like CardioSentials® for heart health and LunaRich® X, a concentrated lunasin extract aimed at supporting weight loss and metabolic wellness.
Business Model
Reliv operates on a multi-level marketing (MLM) model, allowing individuals to become independent distributors. Distributors earn income through retail profits, wholesale profits, overrides from their organization's sales, incentive travel, and cash bonuses. The company emphasizes personal growth and financial opportunity through its business structure.
Pros of Becoming a Reliv Distributor
- Product Quality: Many distributors praise the effectiveness of Reliv's products. One distributor noted, "I was introduced to Reliv's nutritional products in September 2001. Since the products gave me life-changing results, I shared them with others."
- Flexibility: The business model allows distributors to set their own schedules and work at their own pace. A distributor shared, "I set my hours and days of work. I enjoyed being a part of this family."
- Supportive Community: Reliv provides training and leadership programs to help distributors succeed. The same distributor mentioned, "I was very successful and enjoyed the training and leadership programs. Helping others achieve their goals was also very satisfying."
Cons of Becoming a Reliv Distributor
- Sales Challenges: Success in MLM requires effective sales skills and consistent effort. One former distributor stated, "Direct sales is for some and not for others. It is not for me. The product is fantastic. If you enjoy business-to-consumer sales, this may be a good fit for you."
- Income Variability: Earnings can vary widely among distributors. Reliv acknowledges that individual distributors' income will vary, with some using it as a source of supplemental income and others operating their Reliv business full-time as their primary source of income.
- Market Saturation: As with many MLM companies, finding new customers and recruits can become challenging over time, especially in saturated markets.
Conclusion
Reliv International offers quality nutritional products and a business opportunity that provides flexibility and potential for personal growth. However, success as a distributor requires effective sales skills, consistent effort, and an understanding of the MLM business model. As with any business venture, it's essential to conduct thorough research and consider both the advantages and challenges before committing.