MLMs are not new. The first MLM began in the 1880s and is still in operation today. Avon initially began when a traveling book salesman offered beauty products as a free gift with purchase. When he realized customers were more interested in the beauty products than the books, he started a beauty company and recruited a team of women to be sales representatives.

Today, the Direct Selling Association, the national trade association for MLMs has nearly 200 member firms, though it is estimated there are more than 1,000 firms selling via this model in the US alone.