Last week, one of the nightly news programs did a story about a woman who left her career as a therapist to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics. It seemed to be a good decision for her. Not only did she love her new business, she was exceeding her previous income and expected she’d soon double her old salary. I flashed back to a story I’d read a few months ago in an in-flight magazine about a freelance writer who had also added Mary Kay Cosmetics to her portfolio of profit centers.

In the world of business opportunities, Mary Kay is one of the good ones. Not only does this company have a long track record plus great products, they’ve always been about more than just making money. Mary Kay  has also seen its mission as helping people reach their full potential.

Not all marketing companies are so inclined. As soon as the media began talking about rising unemployment rates, I knew that the scam artists would be coming out of the woodwork. Sure enough, Work at Home, Get Rich Now schemes began to flood the Internet (not that they ever went away) and airwaves. 

When I see these rip-off artists (and I have to admit they can be creative in their sleazy way), I always hope people will be smart enough to avoid their scams. Of course, not everyone is. Too many people, I know, are going to turn over their money to the folks I call the Business Opportunistas. 

Seth Godin wrote a warning called Get Rich Quick, which I urge you to read—even if you have no intention of getting involved. And I’ve got an article posted called Don’t Go There that also lists the signs that an offer is to be avoided.

Just remember that Bernie Madoff isn’t the only one who knew how to run a Ponzi scheme.

If money is your only hope for independence, you will never have it.~ Henry Ford