My father owns his own construction company. My mother is currently working on starting her own business. I’m insanely proud of both of my parents and their accomplishments, even if they are coming later in life.

I see the sacrifices and the dedication that my parents put out on a daily basis. My mother works her regular job. My father is constantly talking about his jobs and his contracts. So that’s why the “MLMs are small businesses” claim just bugs me.

I have friends who are entrepreneurs. They take out small business loans. They control how they market and what they sell. They don’t answer to anyone or any company.

People who sell multi-level marketing products constantly talk about supporting a small business. If you answer to a CEO, are beholden to marketing practices set by a company, answer to a superior (usually called an upline at MLM companies) and you can’t sell any other products then you do not own a small business, and yes, you have a boss. Your CEO and everyone above you is your boss.

You still have to answer to a compliance department and you aren’t allowed to open a storefront. You make your money off of social media.

I understand that moms want to stay home with their children and that college kids want extra money. Retiring at twenty-five sounds nice, but that just isn’t how the world works.

“I run my business on my phone.” I do too. I’m writing this article from my phone. I field queries from my laptop. I edit articles from the comfort of my bed. I know tons of people who are higher-ups in their companies and they have a VPN that allows them to work remotely. I publish my own content, control my paper and write whatever I want when I want. You don’t have to peddle mediocre supplements or drug store quality makeup to work from home.

I support real local businesses but the truth is if I buy your supplements then I’ll be supporting a big corporation that is probably publically traded. I’m here to support locals who create their own products or provide good services, but that doesn't mean I have to support Facebook sales reps for companies like Younique, Lularoe or Isagenix. If I like a company, like Tupperware or Pampered Chef, I'll buy, but supplements are just not something that I put into my body (I don't even eat added sugar, why would I ingest added anything?).

If you really love the product that's great. If you love your company, that's also great. I wish a good company on anyone, but please stop calling yourself an entrepreneur or a business owner. There's no shame in being successful as a sales rep.