In this article, we review a popular network marketing company, 4 Life Research (4Life).  4Life was third in the 2007 Distributor’s Choice voting, as conducted by Network Marketing Today Magazine, and 4th in 2008.

In 1998, 4Life started manufacturing its patented Transfer Factor Plus.  The company was started by David and Bianca Lisonbee, who had more than 40 years of MLM experience at the time.  4Life has has now opened 12 worldwide offices and does business in over 40 countries.

We take a look at the company and products in this review.  What scientific basis do the products have?  Is 4Life a good home based business for the average person to consider?

Transfer Factor Plus

First, the product, in addition to its proprietary Transfer Factors, has an interesting mix including gingko biloba, red rice yeast extract, Coenzyme Q10, garlic and ginger oil, most of which have positive documented scientific research results.  Other ingredients include shiitake and maitake mushrooms, beta glucans, olive leaf extract, codyceps, beta sitosterol and inositol hexaphosphate.  The company’s Transfer Factor products have been listed in the  Physicians’ Desk Reference for Non-prescription Drugs, Dietary Supplements, and Herbs (PDR) since 2002.

The scientific basis of the company’s Transfer Factors, or “transferceuticals” is based on “borrowing” super-resilient immune system Transfer Factors from animals like chickens and cows.  The National Institute of Health’s online service, Medline, has published over 1,200 scientific abstracts on the immune benefits of Transfer Factors.  Independent studies report a 437% immune boost in natural killer cell activity for the 4Life proprietary formulas.

In 2006, David Lisonbee received the I.N. Blokhina Award for excellence in the field of immune sciences. He was inducted into the Russian Academy of Medical and Technical Sciences.  In 2003 Inc. Magazine listed 4Life as the 15th fastest growing privately owned venture.

The compensation plan offers a 25% commission for customer sales and reorders.   In addition, the plan is designed to reward both the beginning networker with a few customers and those able to train and develop a large sales force with a very generous bonus payout.

Many people are achieving financial independence and success with a 4Life home business.  It is a worldwide opportunity with products that making a difference in many ways and seem to offer significant health benefit.  To build a successful home business, especially worldwide, will require marketing skills and training.

Jim Green consults on home business startup with emphasis on techniques for Internet marketing and advertising online for MLM lead generation.

In this article we review the Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Water Filter, and contrast it with other similar commercially available countertop systems.  Nikken is a Japanese network marketing company founded in 1975.  One of their top selling product line features is the Nikken magnets.  These magnets are used in the water filtration process, as well as many other wellness product lines provided by Nikken.  We were interested in both the technology and how a network marketing product compared in the marketplace.

We found the Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Gravity Water System listed on Amazon.com in both new and used condition.  The Nikken website lists this item at $299.00 and includes a short video overview of the product and dangers present in tap water as well as bottled water.  We certainly agree on these points.

Other related Nikken water filter products include the Deluxe Countertop Water System, the Deluxe Under Counter System, Optimizer II, and Ultra Shower System.  The company video claims that its magnetic technology doesn’t remove beneficial components during the filtration process.

We have not used the Nikken water filters, rather wanted to see how they were rated by people that have actually used them, and then decide whether to make a purchase.  To accomplish this, we analyzed customer ratings available on Amazon.com and other Internet sources.

In addition to the PiMag Aqua Pour, we compared customer ratings and comments of two very similar products, albeit different technology.  Beginning with the Nikken water filter product:

Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Rating – 3.5 Star Rating – Some reviews loved the product, whereas others hated it.  One comment that is worth considering is that the company will apparantly not publish independent lab results.

Big Berkey Water Filter System – 5 Star Rating – All reviews are highly favorable.  One comment included a reference to independent testing:  The Black Berkey® filter formulation has been tested by State & EPA accredited laboratories to exceed EPA & ANSI/NSF (Std. 53) protocol, including a link to see test results from the University of Arizona, Spectrum Labs and the LSU Department of Toxicology and Environmental Science.

Multipure CBVOCSC Countertop Water Filter – 4.5 Star Rating – All reviews highly favorable -  Only minus mentioned was:  “I wish the flexible pipe was a little longer, so I could position the filter further away from the sink.”  According to product description:  Complete lab tests and California certifications are available at the company’s  web site.

In summary, the Nikken PiMag Aqua Pour Water Filter and other magnetic-based technologies seem to be very popular.  If the company would publish independent test results we could recommend this product without reservation. Editor’s note:  we have included our affiliate product links to Amazon.com for immediate access to real-time information, e.g., any changes in product ratings, and one-click shopping convenience.  If you found this page because you are seeking ways get more distributors interested in your Nikken business, please check our systems, tools and training for online MLM Lead Generation.

Who is Duke Tubtim? First, he’s an amazing leader in the new generation of entrepreneurs emerging in this country. In the next 10 to 20 years a new business model will start to dominate worldwide. It’s actually a very old business model, but one that, today is heavily scarred, and highly misunderstood.

How did Duke get involved with a scam? A cult? What was he thinking? Here’s a little background: he had early experienced struggles in his life when his father suffered a stoke and his mother became the lone breadwinner in the family. He worked traditional jobs, including pizza delivery, but became frustrated and looking for an alternative. He wanted something that would support his family despite even harsh circumstances like he had faced. This led him to network marketing.

As for many, his first experience in network marketing ended badly when the company went out of business. He considered leaving the industry at the time, but his friends and family encouraged him to find a company that they could depend on long term.

Duke began researching MLM companies. What he eventually found was a company with a vision of improved world health, USANA Health Sciences. He also began to see improvements in his father’s condition through their products and this cemented his belief that the company was “for real.”

USANA became the vehicle for his passion in helping his family to ensure that struggle was a thing of the past. And Duke also has a passion for cars, as do those on his team. He replaced a broken-down Toyota with a 2006 Bentley Continental GT and now owns a sizeable car collection, including a titanium 2003 Lamborghini and several racing cars.

Since he joined USANA, Duke has headed up the largest team of Generation Y associates, possibly in any MLM company. Given that USANA’s products focus on the baby boomers, this has been quite surprising.

Duke is an inspiring leader. He realized that with network marketing, by expanding his knowledge he could also correspondingly expand his paycheck. He has taught his team the concepts that have driven his own success and many company training sessions packed with baby boomers are now taught by these Generation Y associates. His Generation Y group always has the most spirit and is more professionally dressed than the “average” associate. Most of his team was present at the 2007 Las Vegas company “party,” and thoroughly enjoyed the event.

And at the recent 2009 International Convention, his team filled nearly half of the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City. So who is Duke Tubtim? Answer: One of the most amazing network marketing sensations to come along and one who is poised to change everything about entrepreneurship in this country.

Just before the 2009 Convention, Duke advanced to 4-Star Diamond Director, with his new wife Sheila. Sheila, reportedly had a significant “job” mentality, so this “networking thing” has been quite an adjustment for her. The recent 4-Star achievement is just where things are starting for this couple, as their passion turns to helping those on their team advance and building even bigger dreams.

Network maketing and direct sales have a great future if this couple has anything to do with it.  For those needing some help, we offer several free Internet marketing training sessions, including our session on Facebook marketing.  We also feature a test drive of our automated mlm lead generation system.

MonaVie is a startup which began in 2005, using a direct sales or network marketing model. MonaVie was founded by Daillin Larsen, former USANA VP of Sales, Dynamic Essentials VP (from From December of 2001 until February of 2003 when closed by FDA), and owner of Monarch Health Sciences. The company took off quickly as a result of exposure on the Oprah Winfrey show, when Oprah and Dr Mehmet Oz discussed the Acai berry. MonaVie was first to introduce the now popular Acai berry juice.

There has certainly been a media blitz surrounding the Acai berry and Mona Vie. Most reports have been positive and usually include favorable mention by well known celebrities such as Brad Pitt, etc. In a SW Florida Fox4 news report, Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Papelbon gave a glowing endorsement of the product’s effectiveness. In addition, the University of Florida has reported promising mutagenic properties from lab studies, e.g. self-destruction of 86% of leukemia cells (there are no actual human studies on this). Another huge proponent of the Acai berry, mentioned in several investigative reports, is Dr. Nicholas Perricone, who refers to it as the “perfect energy fruit.”

30-day trial results were aired from two subjects with arthritic symptoms during a Fox4 News Report from March 26 2008.  Neither reported significant improvement:

MonaVie’s signature beverage is derived from the Acai berry, which is found in the Amazon. It is combined with 18 other fruits and berries and a liquid form of glucosamine to form a nutrient and anti-oxidant dense offering.  It is classed a superfood as are many fruits and vegetables and provides the equivalent of 5 fruit servings per day at it’s recommended dose.   The recommendation is 2 ounces in the morning and evening, which amounts to one bottle per week for.

Quite a few online scams have been reported surrounding Acai products, however none appear related to MonaVie. Most of these involve acai berry-derived weight loss pills. An analysis by the Ultimate Weight Loss Center, recognizes the beneficial properties of Acai, while warning of several scams.   Their website has excellent recommendations for those interested in Acai berry juice and weight loss products.

One  major issue with Monavie mentioned by most is the cost. A single bottle is priced at $45 and would typically last one week. A month’s supply is approximately 180.00. This, however doesn’t seem to be a major issue with most distributors, who believe in the product and testify to improvements in their health. Others may choose to buy from different sources, which appear to be readily available.

MonaVie was featured #7 trend on The Doctors Show “The 10 Hottest Health Trends For 2009″ episode , January 7th, 2009.

Is this a viable network marketing company that can be a profitable home business for many people? Distributors receive a 20% discount on the product after they sign up with a $39 membership. The compensation plan is a traditional binary plan, which pays 10% on matching team volume on a distributor’s business center. There are several additional ways to increase this through a bulk order bonus, executive check match bonus, leadership pools, a first order bonus, a star maker bonus, and the opportunity to earn off of multiple business centers. Overall, the company reportedly pays out about 50% of its net income to the distributor force, making it a very fair plan and an industry leader in this respect.

According to other reports we’ve seen, only10% of distributors stick beyond 90 days. This, however is probably not unusual in the MLM industry. The company’s popularity has waned some since being #7 ranked in 2007 to #9 in 2008 in Network Marketing Today’s annual Distributor’s Choice award. Regardless, the Acai berry and Monavie’s product and opportunity are well received in the industry and would be a good choice for many in a home business.

For those interested in building a MonaVie business online, please review our online MLM Marketing System for several free training offers and to take a test-drive of the industry’s leading online business tools.

This article is a review of USANA Health Sciences, which is a network marketing company in Salt Lake City, Utah.  USANA manufactures various products for weight control, personal care, and nutritional supplementation at its home office in Salt Lake City, Utah.  USANA has associates in fourteen markets: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Philippines, and the United States. Many people are evaluating to join USANA all over the planet and many thousands have already joined either with a home business,as distributors or as customers.

The company’s four product brands are:  USANA Nutritionals, USANA Foods,  Sense Beautiful Science, and Rev3 Energy Drink.  The name USANA is derived from Greek and Latin words meaning “true health.”

Dr. Myron Wentz, who founded USANA, received a Ph.D. from the University of Utah  in the field of microbiology with specialty in immunology.   He is well-known in the scientific establishment, having been awarded the Albert Einstein prize in 2007, for his contribution to life sciences.

Dr Myron Wentz

Preceding USANA, Dr. Wentz founded Gull Laoratories in 1974.  Gull Laboratories is the world leader in diagnostic test kits.  Gull has over 35 patents today and many of its kits are used in hospitals and clinics around the world.  The best known kit, which put USANA on the map, is for the Epstein-Barr virus, or mononucleus.  Gull Labs today creates billions of human cells and sustains them with nutritional formulations developed by Dr. Wentz.

Dr. Wentz’s purpose statement is:  “I dream of a world free from pain and suffering.  I dream of a world free from disease.  The USANA family will be the healthiest family on earth…”  Having lost his father to a heart attack at age 17 and his mother to breast cancer while at Gull Labs, he wanted to be able to make a difference in avoiding sickness vs. merely diagnostics.  When his own health started to decline, his search for a nutritional product for himself resulted in the conclusion that a scientifically-based, effective formulation wasn’t obtainable on the market.  In fact, he understood that if existing product formulations were used with cell cultures in his lab, the cells would die within a week.Dr Myron Wentz on Blog

USANA employs over 900 people throughout the world, including approximately 630 people at the corporate offices in Utah. The sales for the year 2008 were around $429 million.

The USANA Nutritionals were named the preeminant product when compared to 1500 other products in the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements and have won best of state kudos in Utah for several years in both the nutritional (Best Dietary Supplement 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003) and personal care arenas (Best Personal Care Products in 2008, 2007).

USANA is the endorsed health supplement supplier of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, US Speedskating Team, Speed Skating Canada, Biathlon Canada, Cross Country Canada, USA Luge, and USA Bobsled Team Radcliff.

USANA’s stock symbol on the NASDAQ is USNA.  The company was in the top 20 Forbes’ 200 Best Small Companies list for 2006, 2005, 2004 and in the Business Week 100 Hot Growth Companies list in 2004 and 2003.

USANA and Dr. Wentz chose a direct sale, or network marketing model from the company’s inception.  This methodology was chosen in order to offer a better price to customers and included a lofty goal of “legitimizing” the MLM business.  At the recent 2009 International Convention in Salt Lake City, CNN Host Larry King made a surprise appearance.  He  questionned MLM industry expert Tim Sales about the network marketing industry’s legitimacy, effectiveness for people starting a home business, and correlation to various other contemporary events including the Bernie Madoff scam.  Larry King was himself victimized by this con and appeared “legitimately” surprised to ascertain that MLM is, in fact, a very legitimate business model.

The USANA products have absolutely been helpful to thousands of users.  My own personal healthiness has benefited greatly in several areas, including less lower back pain and an improved immune system (virtually no flu or colds since starting to use the products in 2002).   A simple test can be done to demonstrate some of the powerful USANA anti-oxidants, by dissolving USANA’s Mega Anti-Oxidant in water and using to “preserve” an apple over time.

The corporation has acknowledged over 150 million-dollar earners presently.  The distributor payment portion is approximately 53% of net earnings, which is the highest of any public network marketing company.  The company has earned the Distributor’s Choice award from MLMInsider.com for each of the last 10 years.
Network marketing is a well-established business model and USANA Health Sciences would be an exceptional company to consider for anyone starting a home business venture.  Startup cost is low, now $29.95 for a distributor kit, and additional tools are readily on hand for worldwide marketing this business.  The worst possible outcome would be for an individual to flop at customer acquisition and sales, yet to still gain an improved health profile in the process.

For network marketing ideas, tools, and training please check out my MLM Marketing System