Plexus, known for its pink drink and supplement line, operates as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company. If you’ve seen friends post about earning “side income” with Plexus, you’re not alone—thousands have joined as Brand Ambassadors over the past decade.
Yet, online groups and business forums are buzzing with stories of people quitting Plexus. You might wonder, what’s causing this rush to exit? Let’s walk through the key reasons people are leaving Plexus. Understanding these patterns will help you assess MLMs like Plexus if you’re considering joining—or planning your next move.
Financial Challenges: The Hard Truth About Earnings
Start by looking at the first question on many minds: Can you actually make money with Plexus? The numbers tell a clearer story than any recruitment video.
Most Plexus Brand Ambassadors earn far less than expected. For many, monthly payouts don’t even cover the cost of personal product orders. According to income disclosure statements and countless firsthand reports, most participants make only a few hundred dollars per year—before accounting for expenses.
You’ll also want to factor in all the hidden costs. That includes products you’re encouraged to buy monthly, travel for events, and money spent on marketing. For example, Jen—an HR manager who tried Plexus as a side hustle—shared, “I ended up spending more than I brought in. After six months, I realized I was actually losing money.” Jen’s story isn’t unusual.
If your goal is to generate full-time income, success rates are lower. Plexus, like most MLMs, pays out large commissions to a tiny number of high-level leaders. For 98% of people, it’s more of a hobby-level side gig. Consider tracking your own expenses and hours up front, and set clear checkpoints for progress. If you’re evaluating your results, ask: “Have I covered my costs in the first quarter?” Assessing your return early can save you money and stress.
Recruitment Challenges: The Struggle to Build Teams
Next, let’s talk about one major sticking point: recruitment. MLMs like Plexus depend heavily on constant growth through team-building. You’re encouraged to sign up friends and family, and then help them do the same, to unlock key commission tiers.
Here’s where things often break down. Recruitment sounds simple in theory but is tough in reality. Most communities simply can’t support so many sellers of the same product. By the time a new Ambassador joins, the immediate circle may already be saturated. You’ll start hearing: “Sorry, my cousin already does Plexus,” or “I’ve seen this before.”
If you run out of warm leads, the guidance is to network aggressively—think in-person events or social media outreach. But that approach has its limits, too. Many discover that their comfort level or personal brand doesn’t match high-pressure recruiting. When the team-building stalls, so do your earnings.
Pro tip: Before joining, map out who you would confidently talk to about the products or business. If your list feels thin, that’s a data point. If you’re currently selling and struggling to grow, it’s okay to re-evaluate if this business model fits your skills and network.
Unrealistic Income Expectations: The Gap Between Promises and Reality
MLMs market big dreams—flexible schedules, financial independence, and early retirement. But for most Plexus Ambassadors, those claims don’t materialize.
A simple way to assess expectations is to compare what’s promised in official recruitment and what the average Ambassador earns. The truth? Only a fraction of people rise above the lowest income levels. Many people join believing they’ll earn a few thousand dollars each month after following the plan. By month six, reality hits: most are earning less than minimum wage when averaged by hour.
Consider: Income statements typically show that about 85% of Ambassadors make less than $500 yearly in commission. Once you add in expenses, the numbers shrink further. This disappointment becomes a major reason many bow out.
If you’re deciding whether to stick it out, take stock: Are your expectations still aligned with your results? Asking for specific, documented income numbers (not just success stories) will help you make an informed decision.
Product and Ethical Concerns: When Doubts Begin to Surface
Earnings are only half the story. Many ex-Plexus Ambassadors cite concerns around the products themselves and the sales practices required to move them.
Start by considering product efficacy. Customer stories online are mixed—some people love the effects, while others report no change or even side effects. If you sell the products, you’re asked to promote them enthusiastically, sometimes with “before and after” photos, energetic testimonials, or medical-sounding language.
For some, this creates an internal conflict. What if you’re not fully convinced about the products, or hesitant to make big health claims? That ethical discomfort is common. Mary, a retired teacher who left Plexus after a year, put it this way: “I just didn’t feel good recommending something I wasn’t sure about to my friends. It started to feel like pressure, not service.”
You’ll also want to be clear about how much recruiting is emphasized versus product knowledge. Some report feeling pushed to focus on signing up new Ambassadors, rather than building a loyal product customer base. Over time, this focus on recruitment over products leaves many uneasy.
Recruitment Tactics and Ethical Questions
Beyond product issues, recruitment itself raises ethical flags for some. The pressure to sign up friends, use emotional stories, or play on financial insecurities can create rifts in personal relationships.
You might have seen social media posts that blend inspiration with subtle recruiting. The challenge: It’s easy to cross the line from supportive to pushy, or from sharing to oversharing. If you’re concerned about maintaining trust with your network, step back and ask: “Would I be comfortable if the roles were reversed?” If not, it may be a signal that the business’s approach isn’t a fit for your style or values.
Flexibility to Leave: Low Barriers Mean Easy Exits
One reason Plexus sees so many departures is logistical: It’s easy to join, and just as easy to quit.
The start-up costs are low—often less than $100. There’s also a 60-day money-back guarantee for new Ambassadors (on your starter kit), making it simple to try the business without a huge financial risk. In practice, this attracts people looking for a low-commitment side gig. But it also means departures can be quick when income or experiences fall short.
As you grow, check your progress every few months. If the business isn’t delivering what you need, remember: You’re not locked in. If you want to learn more about practical exit strategies or compare other side hustles, useful resources like Business Benching help you evaluate new options step by step.
For those on the fence, take time to review your contract, reach out to current or former Ambassadors for candid opinions, and calculate your net profit over your run so far. Don’t be afraid to step back if things aren’t working.
Recap: Why Are People Leaving Plexus?
Let’s review the biggest reasons people are leaving Plexus:
- Low earnings for most Brand Ambassadors, especially after factoring in expenses
- Difficulty recruiting and building sustainable teams, leading to stalled growth
- Disappointment from unmet income expectations and misleading marketing promises
- Mixed feelings about product efficacy, and ethical concerns over sales tactics
- Easy entry and exit, with low up-front costs making it simple to leave if needed
For practical entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and anyone considering MLMs, these are valuable lessons. Allow yourself to set clear financial checkpoints, do the math, and ask thoughtful questions about recruitment and ethics. Find business ideas that fit your strengths, style, and network.
If you’re thinking about joining or leaving Plexus, you’re not alone. Use this time to reflect, map your options, and pursue business models that match your goals and values. There’s no shame in quitting if the job doesn’t meet your real needs—consider it an investment in finding your next opportunity.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Plexus and MLM Models
The core challenges facing Plexus reflect wider questions about MLM businesses. For some, an MLM can be a good short-term project, boosting confidence and experience. For most, the numbers just don’t add up over time.
Start by defining your own criteria for a successful side hustle. Is it profit alone, skill-building, flexibility, or community? Assess both risk and reward up front. If you’re ever in doubt, reach out, run the numbers, and compare alternatives. Read more widely, seek candid reviews, and challenge hype with hard data.
With an informed, step-by-step approach, you can make confident, proactive decisions—whether that means trying Plexus, sticking with it, or taking your skills to a whole new type of business. The key is to move forward with eyes open, decisions grounded in your own priorities, and a willingness to adapt as you grow.
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