Young Living operates as a multi-level marketing company specializing in essential oils, capitalizing on the industry’s recent explosive growth. Though the company has experienced tremendous expansion in recent years, its roots stretch back to 1993. Despite facing several investigations and lawsuits over the years, Young Living has maintained a relatively clean reputation compared to many other MLM organizations.
Young Living Company Overview
History of Young Living
David Young and his wife Mary established Young Living in 1993. David’s journey into alternative medicine began after a back injury, but his passion for essential oils truly ignited during a visit to a French lavender distillery. With Mary’s extensive background in direct-selling, the couple joined forces to build a business dedicated to delivering premium-quality essential oils worldwide.
Dissatisfied with the quality of existing essential oils on the market, David and Mary took matters into their own hands. They acquired a 160-acre farm in Idaho, marking the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. Within a few years, they expanded their operations by purchasing additional farmland. Today, Young Living’s agricultural footprint spans the globe with farms and facilities worldwide.
Young Living now leads the global essential oils market. Housing the most technologically advanced essential oil distillery in North America, the company’s proprietary Seed to Seal process guarantees oil purity and integrity throughout every production stage. Many industry experts consider Young Living the gold standard for essential oil quality.
Company Investigations
Young Living’s most significant controversy centers around the formation of competitor doTERRA. Several former Young Living executives founded doTERRA in 2008. This led Young Living to file a lawsuit in 2013 alleging trade secret theft and illegal replication of their production methods. The lawsuit ultimately backfired—Young Living lost the case and was ordered to pay doTERRA’s legal expenses.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took issue with Young Living in 2014 regarding inappropriate marketing claims made by distributors. These representatives promoted the products as treatments or cures for serious conditions including Ebola, diabetes, cancer, PTSD, autism, and heart disease. The FDA warned that marketing oils as medical treatments without proper approval violated federal regulations, prompting Young Living to address these compliance concerns.
Current Company Structure
Founder Gary Young led the company as CEO until 2015, when his wife Mary assumed the role—a position she continues to hold today. Young Living maintains a robust executive team with extensive industry experience driving the company’s continued growth. The company’s annual sales surpassed $1.5 billion in 2017, marking three consecutive years exceeding $1 billion and representing an 800% sales increase over five years.
Today, Young Living operates offices across 12 countries with over 3,000 full-time employees and manages at least 16 farms internationally. Their distributor network encompasses approximately 4 million representatives, establishing one of the world’s largest MLM networks.
Young Living Products
Essential oils remain Young Living’s core offering, the foundation upon which the company was built. Their extensive catalog includes therapeutic-grade single oils alongside proprietary blends, plus dietary and massage oil varieties. The company has strategically diversified beyond basic oils, expanding into multiple complementary product lines.
The natural expansion into oil accessories includes numerous diffusers and related products that enhance the essential oil experience. Young Living also produces a cleaning product line marketed as a natural alternative to conventional harsh chemicals.
The product portfolio extends far beyond oils and accessories. Young Living offers comprehensive nutrition supplements and healthy cooking products, plus personal care items including lotions and body washes—even a specialized infant care line. Their recent entry into cosmetics features the Savvy Minerals makeup collection, further broadening their market reach.
Young Living Marketing Strategy
Young Living depends heavily on their 4-million-strong distributor network for product marketing and sales. Most distributors leverage social media and digital platforms as their primary customer acquisition channels. Like most MLMs, success correlates directly with network size—the larger your reach, the greater your sales potential.
Education forms a cornerstone of the company’s marketing approach. Young Living focuses on demonstrating product quality and benefits to convert prospects into loyal customers. Given the mixed public perception surrounding essential oil effectiveness, the company actively works to shift consumer attitudes through education.
Making Money with Young Living
With over 4 million distributors in their network, Young Living clearly offers compelling incentives for people to join and sell products. But are these distributors actually earning substantial income? The harsh reality is no. Young Living’s Income Disclosure Statement for 2018 reveals a sobering picture for anyone considering this MLM opportunity.
The 2018 data shows that over 88% of members remained at the entry-level “Distributor” rank, earning an average of just $4 for the entire year. Nearly 90% of distributors made only $4 annually—a figure that barely covers basic expenses. Less than one-tenth of one percent achieve Gold Level status and earn what could be considered a full-time income (averaging $47,253).
How to Enroll
Young Living membership requires minimal effort to obtain. Simply purchase one of their starter kits (ranging from $49 to $200+) and you’re enrolled. The company charges no signup fees or annual renewal costs. However, maintaining active member status requires meeting minimum monthly purchase requirements to retain wholesale pricing and commission eligibility.
Young Living Compensation Structure
Direct retail sales provide the most straightforward earning method with Young Living. Distributors capture the 24% markup between wholesale and retail pricing. Additional income streams include premium customer enrollment bonuses and starter kit commissions. Higher sales volumes unlock advanced distributor ranks, with top performers earning commissions and bonuses up to eight levels deep in their downline organization.
Effective Sales and Marketing Approaches
Building a substantial online presence or social media following significantly improves sales success with these products. Top-performing distributors often engage with communities interested in holistic medicine or natural remedies. Some representatives find success at local venues like arts and crafts shows or community festivals where they can demonstrate products and interact directly with potential customers.
Young Living Versus Other MLMs
Young Living enjoys higher trust levels than many MLM companies—a notable advantage in this often-scrutinized industry. While their compensation structure mirrors other MLM organizations, distributor earnings rank among the lowest. Customer satisfaction ratings for most products remain consistently high, and their recent product diversification into cleaning supplies and cosmetics shows strategic growth. For those interested in essential oil sales, Young Living’s industry leadership provides valuable brand recognition.
Final Thoughts on Young Living
Young Living stands as a legitimate company with nearly three decades of operation. Customer trust runs high, with minimal product complaints across their extensive catalog. While their 4-million-distributor network appears impressive, the vast majority struggle to generate meaningful income. Membership makes sense for those seeking essential oil discounts, but anyone hoping to build a substantial income stream should explore alternative opportunities.
