Numerous multilevel marketing (MLM) businesses exist today, each offering different services. It Works operates as a weight loss brand within an MLM framework. Those seeking to lose weight can try the company’s green tea leaf extract products.
However, this It Works review doesn’t focus solely on the weight loss products the brand offers. It primarily examines the company’s MLM structure, exploring the company’s history, operations, products, and earning potential.
About It Works
It Works operates as a multilevel marketing (MLM) business in the health and beauty sector. Compared to other MLMs, it’s relatively young, having been founded less than 20 years ago.
Following the classic MLM model, It Works enables distributors to earn money through personal sales and by recruiting productive downlines. Complaints about the company are numerous, with several products sparking heated debate.
The company also faces criticism for poor customer service. Multiple customers report unsatisfactory experiences when contacting support.
It Works Company Overview
History of It Works
Founded in 2001, It Works remains a relatively new company. The company emerged from husband-and-wife team Mark and Cindy Pentecost, who had previously operated their own side business in telecommunications.
The Pentecosts were struggling financially and developed a plan to earn an additional $500 monthly through a home-based telecommunications business.
Mark rapidly advanced through the ranks, eventually becoming a top earner. This newfound financial freedom inspired the Pentecosts to help others achieve similar success.
The company launched with its first product, the Ultimate Body Applicator, in 2001, marking the birth of It Works! The business expanded rapidly, introducing new product lines like dietary supplements and extending internationally to Australia and parts of Europe.
By 2009, It Works achieved debt-free status as sales began skyrocketing. As of 2022, It Works generated annual revenues of approximately $620 million with a distributor network spanning roughly 100,000 people. Their product portfolio includes supplements, body wraps, and apparel designed for weight management and healthy living.
It Works lacks accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.
Company Investigations
During its two-decade existence, It Works has largely avoided major scandals. No documented formal investigations by the FTC or other regulatory bodies exist, unlike many MLMs. However, several issues have generated significant criticism.
The primary complaint centers on questionable marketing practices. Since It Works products fall outside FDA regulation, the company makes extraordinary claims about product effectiveness. Many consider these claims too good to be true, arguing the products fail to deliver advertised results.
Another concern involves distributors encouraging customers to sign up for recurring shipments and billing without fully explaining the monthly charges.
Customers report extreme difficulty canceling subscriptions, with charges continuing after attempted cancellations. Numerous former distributors have publicly criticized these seemingly dishonest practices.
Consequently, multiple negative reviews allege that It Works fails to deliver paid-for products. Even contacting customer service rarely resolves issues.
Current Company Structure
Founder Mark Pentecost continues serving as CEO today. The company relocated its headquarters to a large new office in Palmetto, FL, while maintaining global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and Seoul, South Korea. The company even owns a private island near corporate headquarters for exclusive distributor events.
Currently, the company operates with approximately 100,000 distributors but only 300+ full-time employees. Despite maintaining annual revenues around $620 million, these figures have declined in recent years. Following peak social media popularity several years ago, both revenues and distributor numbers have steadily decreased.
It Works Products
The original Ultimate Body Applicator remains the top seller today. This skinny wrap allegedly shrinks targeted body areas, marketed as an alternative to cosmetic surgery or restrictive shapewear for weight loss.
Beyond body wraps, It Works now provides dietary supplements. Popular offerings include Keto diet support products: Keto coffee, ketones, and Keto Go. Keto Go contains liquid amino acids and proprietary blends designed to maintain ketosis throughout the day.
The company also sells anti-aging and beauty products, primarily serums, creams, and hair/skin treatments. Additionally, customers can purchase apparel and accessories like gym bags.
From a health perspective, It Works products appear beneficial due to their supposedly natural ingredients. However, no clinical studies support these claims, and most products contain preservatives and inexpensive additives. Consult your doctor before purchasing It Works products if you have pre-existing medical conditions or special health needs.
Moreover, It Works products carry high retail prices. The average loyal customer spends approximately $254 monthly for a blender bottle, diet pill, four body wrap applications, two days’ worth of cleanse, and 15 days’ worth of green blend.
It Works Product Ingredients
It Works products contain various ingredients including vitamins and minerals, stimulants, digestive enzymes, probiotics, essential oils, amino acids, and proteins. Key ingredients include:
- Green Tea Extract: Features natural flavor and fat-fighting properties. Green powder containing green tea leaf extract removes toxins and improves digestive health.
- Guarana: Enhances focus, energy levels, concentration, and metabolic rate.
- Spirulina: Used as greens powder, known as blue-green algae. Spirulina contains essential fatty acids, B vitamins, Vitamin E, and sodium benzoate.
Additional ingredients include citric acid, apple cider vinegar, and gluten-containing components. Those seeking gluten-free products won’t find them at It Works. The company claims its products improve overall health and digestive function, block fat absorption, burn calories, enhance skin texture, and promote gut health.
Review ingredients carefully to avoid allergic reactions.
It Works Marketing Practices
Social media has undeniably fueled It Works’ success. Distributors began posting before-and-after photos while recruiting new distributors. This viral opportunity peaked around 2015 with record sales and sign-ups. Social media remains a primary marketing channel, with sales occurring almost exclusively through their main website.
Making Money With It Works
Following traditional MLM structure, distributors earn through personal sales and recruiting downlines that generate sales. Top earners within the company exceed $1 million annually, but this success rate is extremely rare.
Many It Works distributors lose money instead of earning profits. According to the company’s own Income Disclosure Statement, the average monthly income across all distributors in 2018 was $173. This figure excludes marketing expenses and business operating costs, making it easy to understand why most distributors earn nothing selling these products.
How to Enroll as an It Works Distributor
Enrollment is straightforward. Visit the It Works website and click the enrollment link. You can sign up under a specific distributor or have one assigned as your upline. Enrollment requires purchasing a starter kit, with the cheapest option costing $99.
You’ll also pay monthly membership fees for access to your personal website where customers place orders. Beyond these fees, minimum monthly order requirements keep distributors active. Distributors must sell or purchase approximately $80 monthly to maintain active status and commission eligibility.
Compensation Plan
The It Works compensation plan proves complex, utilizing Personal Volume, Group Volume, Personal Bonus Volume, and other confusing terms to calculate distributor commissions. Adding complexity, distributors can have multiple downline legs, but minimum order requirements apply for commission eligibility on those legs.
Simplified, distributors earn 10% commission on both Level 1 and Level 2 sales. They can then earn 5% down to 2% commission across six downline levels.
Monthly minimums apply consistently for commission eligibility. Additionally, signing Loyal Customers (those agreeing to three-month auto-shipment agreements) provides preferred status with higher value and commission rates. Ultimately, distributors receive poor compensation, explaining why some resort to questionable practices.
It Works Sales and Marketing Techniques
Social media remains the most proven method for earning through It Works. Since their flagship product, the fab wrap, allegedly delivers rapid results, distributors often host demonstration parties.
Independent distributors invite people to “wrap parties” and attempt sales following demonstrations. This approach has proven quite successful for the company’s high earners.
It Works Compared to Other MLMs
Compared to other MLMs, the It Works opportunity ranks average to below average. Company sales and distributor recruitment have declined over the past three years, with earnings remaining meager.
Required minimum orders and monthly fees for maintaining active status compound these challenges. The company’s auto-ship agreement practices alienate many potential participants. Given these factors, this likely isn’t a viable income source.
Conclusion: It Works Review
It Works receives more negative reviews from customers and former distributors than positive ones. From complaints about expired products to wrong order fulfillment, the company disappoints both distributors and customers.
If you’re interested in an MLM business, search for one that better meets your needs. Alternatively, explore MLM business alternatives. Whichever option you choose, ensure you receive genuine value for your investment.
