It’s likely that you have come across Damsel In Defense through an email list, on social media or got it recommended by a friend or family member.
Is Damsel In Defense a scam? The reasons why you’re here is because you have want answers right so, that’s what I’m going to provide for you within this Damsel In Defense review.
First and foremost I must commend you for actually doing a bit of extra research before committing to joining Damsel In Defense. For all you could have known, the product could be a major scam so the fact you’re here right now, researching whether or not that’s the case is a pretty smart move on your part.
To be fully transparent with you, I am personally not a member of Damsel In Defense so I can assure you that I will not attempt to sell you it unless of course it’s worth investing in.
What I will aim to do is provide you with an unbiased 3rd party look at Damsel In Defense that will hopefully help you to make the best decision you can in the end.
PRODUCT NAME: Damsel In Defence (DID)
OWNER/S: Mindy Lin and Bethany Hughes
TYPE OF PRODUCT: Self defence MLM
PRICE: $99
SUMMARY: No, DID is not a pyramid scheme or a scam, it’s a legitimate MLM company that may be worth pursuing if you’re seriously interested in promoting self defense equipment however, it’s still not an opportunity I would easily recommend for most.
This is because of the fact you need to be both good at sales and recruitment, the issues with certain items being prohibited in certain regions and the fact that it is a MLM means the chances of finding success is still likely to be very low.
Don’t get me wrong, there doesn’t appear to many problems with the company as a whole but, as a business opportunity and a MLM one at that, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend it. Of course if you really want to join, DID does seem to be a lot better than other MLM’s I’ve reviewed.
FINAL RATING: 3/5
RECOMMENDED: No
WHAT IS DAMSEL IN DEFENSE?
DID is quite the unique MLM opportunity, it’s a company that offers individuals the ability to purchase products which can be used for self defence purposes and in light of modern panic regarding these issues, particularly for woman, DID can be a very appealing company to work for or buy from.
DID was founded all the way back in 2011 by Mindy Lin and Bethany Hughes. These 2 entrepreneurs started the company for 2 main reasons, one is to create a successful business and second, as stated by their company mission statement :
“it is to equip, empower and educate women to protect themselves and their families. Their Independent Damsel Pros are not only arming others and experiencing financial freedom, but also offering empowerment and healing to those affected by assault”.
I’m completely for such a goal because it does aim to make the lives of individuals a lot safer if they have self defence on them at all times however, whether or not DID will actually be great business opportunity to pursue, hopefully I can help you out in making that decision within this review.
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DAMSEL IN DEFENSE PRODUCT LINE
They have a variety of products on offer, some of which may be prohibited in certain states but, if it is available in your state and you feel as if you’re in need of any of DID’s items, it may be worth looking into them.
Anyhow, as for the type of products they sell, it includes the following :
- Stun Devices : This can come in various shapes and sizes and are also discrete enough to not be easily be noticed by any would be attackers. A few different variations of the stun devices include Little Ringer Stun Device, Get A Grip Stun Device, Striking Distance Stun Device, Gotcha Stun Device, and Bling It Up Disable Pin.
- Pepper Spray : This item is a spray that you’d unleash around the eye region if someone were to trying to hurt you, I’ve never been on the receiving end on one of these even as a test but, I hear and have seen that they’re very uncomfortable.
- Security On The Go : This package provides you with a lot of gadgets that you can wear in case you need to bring something out in an emergency. The items that you’ll get within include The Sock It Slim Striking Tool, Sock It To Me Platinum, Hear A Pin Drop, To Whom It May Concern Tactical Pen and Breakaway Braid. They also have other items such as the leaf me alone necklace, Pearls of Wisdom Necklace and Sassy Spray Keepsafe.
- And more!
The company has a fair few products within its line up so I don’t really want to list everything down here. Of course if you’re curious about what else DID offers, click here to check them out.
HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY WITH DAMSEL IN DEFENSE? ?
As is the case with pretty much all MLM businesses there are 2 ways to make money with them, DID being no exception.
1. The first method is by directly selling the product to other individuals and in return make a commission for the sales
2. You make money through your recruits and downline, by getting residual income by following and meeting certain criteria as well as make money through bonuses and incentives due to meeting company set goals.
HOW TO GET STARTED
If you want to join DID, you’ll need to first sign up under an existing member before spending an extra $99 on their starter kit.
This kit comes with a personal alarm, an emergency tool, a concealed carry purse, a tactical pen, a SAFE Hearts Storybook and a Digital Defense Family Plan
You’ll also receive other marketing resources, which includes catalogs, business cards, hostess guides, invites, order forms, sales scripts, and an Ask Me About My Purse tag. And if a potential affiliate wants to add an extra pepper spray and stun gun, they can choose to invest another $60 to get them.
COMPENSATION STRUCTURE
In this section I’ll briefly go over some of the money making methods DID offers so that you have a rough idea on how you’ll be able to earn with them, if you decide to become a consultant.
Firstly I’ll breakdown the ranks you can achieve within DID , of which there are 9, along with how you can qualify for them.
- Recruit – sign up as a Damsel In Defense affiliate
- Protegé – generate $1000 in accumulated PV
- Junior Mentor – generate $150 PV a month and recruit and maintain at least one active affiliate
- Mentor – generate $500 PV a month, recruit and maintain at least one qualified affiliate and have a total monthly downline volume of $2000 GV
- Senior Mentor – generate $500 PV a month, recruit and maintain at least two qualified affiliates and have a total monthly downline volume of $4000 GV
- Director – generate $500 PV a month, recruit and maintain at least four qualified affiliates and have a downline generating $7500 TV a month
- Crystal Director – generate $500 PV a month, recruit and maintain at least four qualified affiliates (one at the Director or higher rank), have a downline generating $7500 TV and $15,000 GV a month
- Pearl Director – generate $500 PV a month, recruit and maintain at least four qualified affiliates (two at the Director or higher rank), have a downline generating $7500 TV and $30,000 GV a month
- Diamond Director – generate $500 PV a month, recruit and maintain at least four qualified affiliates (four at the Director or higher rank), have a downline generating $7500 TV and $75,000 GV a month
Retail Commissions
Everytime you make a sale, you’ll be able to earn a 25% commission from the sale. For example if you sold a $100 product, you’d make a $25 commission. The commission rate does increase to 30% If you achieve a rank of protege and above.
Residual Commissions
DID consultants will be eligible to earn commission via their team through a unilevel based structure. If you don’t know what a unilevel structure is, in short it is a structure through which a consultant will be able to recruit infinitely horizontally but, the levels are capped vertically. In this case the unilevel structure is capped at level 4.
The residual commission is paid out based on the percentage of the sales volume generated on each level of the unilevel team.
The amount paid includes the following :
- Junior Mentor – 4% on level 1
- Mentor – 4% on level 1 and 3% on level 2
- Senior Mentor – 4% on level 1, 3% on level 2 and 2% on level 3
- Director or higher – 4% on level 1, 3% on level 2, 2% on level 3 and 1% on level 4
Party Bonuses
Much like Mary Kay, Tupperware and Thirty one gifts, DID consultants are encouraged to host parties because they’ll actually be compensated for their efforts if the satisfy the bonus criteria. In this case if a consultant’s party sales hit $400 to $599, the consultant will be credited $60 to $89.85 and will also get 3 half-price items.
If they are able to sell an accumulated product value of $1,000, the consultant would be credited $200 and six half-price items.
There are also other elements to earn with the company such as the team bonus or the generation bonus but, I don’t believe it’s absolutely necessary to learn about them right so I’m not going to cover them here.
THE NOT SO GOOD THINGS
You Need To Be Great Recruiting And Sales To Succeed
If you want to succeed with DID, you have got to be good at both sales and recruitment otherwise there won’t really be any point in starting this business up.
Of course if you’re some one who’s also willing to learn how to get good at the sales and recruitment element and aren’t just blindly thinking about becoming a consultant because a friend told you to, DID may still be worth it.
If you’re passionate about this self defense scene and also are hard working enough to make DID work, I don’t see why you shouldn’t give it a shot but, if you’re unsure about the opportunity, I can assure you that there’s a very very high chance you’ll fail and possibly even be in the red (financially) afterwards.
In the end of day DID is still a MLM therefore, much like most other MLM companies, you probably will fail if you don’t excel at these 2 skills.
Some Of The Items In Store Are Prohibited In Certain Regions
Another thing that may set you back is the country or state you live in. Some states prohibit the use of some of the more popular items (stun guns) therefore, if you live within a state which prohibits the stun gun, it probably won’t be worth joining DID anyways as your opportunity to make money will be a lot more limited.
Most People Will Fail
Although I couldn’t find an income disclosure statement by DID depicting how much consultants make with them annually, I’m still very certain that most of them are failing.
Over the years I’ve seen many many income disclosure statements and the majority of them tend to display the same pattern.
This pattern is of course is that the large majority of consultants fail, we’re talking 75%+, and as for the number of members succeeding, it’s pretty small.
I’ve found that only around 5% of all members are making decent income of around $1k/month whilst only the top 1% are able to generate at least a minimum wage full time income.
Maybe DID consultants may do a little better than the numbers above however, even in such a case, I can guarantee you that the majority of members are still failing.
THE GOOD THINGS
It’s A Unique Company
The idea behind DID is unique and attacks a pretty distinct market, a market that may resonate with a lot of females or individuals who may suffer regular harassment. I do kinda like the idea behind the company which is why I believe it’s one of the positives DID offers.
The Items They Sell Are Designed Well
The items they sell are very discrete and easy to carry around. In fact most users of the items have found them to be really good so at least in this front, the company isn’t cutting many corners.
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IS DAMSEL IN DEFENSE A PYRAMID SCHEME/SCAM?
No, DID is not a pyramid scheme or a scam, it’s a legitimate MLM company that may be worth pursuing if you’re seriously interested in promoting self defense equipment however, it’s still not an opportunity I would easily recommend for most.
This is because of the fact you need to be both good at sales and recruitment, the issues with certain items being prohibited in certain regions and the fact that it is a MLM means the chances of finding success is still likely to be very low.
Don’t get me wrong, there doesn’t appear to many problems with the company as a whole but, as a business opportunity and a MLM one at that, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend it. Of course if you really want to join, DID does seem to be a lot better than other MLM’s I’ve reviewed.
MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION
I personally will always recommend against using a MLM business model to make money, not because you can’t make money through it (you totally can) but, the system has always seemed shady to myself and is kinda synonymous with the likes of a pyramid scheme or scams (MOBE and Digital altitude).
Instead I prefer working with something created through ones own means and is ultimately dependent on yourself and your work ethic alone.
This method I’m talking about is affiliate marketing.
The reasons as to why I recommend it over MLM based structures are because
– there is no need to recruit constantly
– it is a legitimate method that has been working consistently and continues to grow as more businesses want individuals to promote products
– and because it is free to start up, no unnecessarily large start up funds needed.
The service I recommend is Wealthy Affiliate. It’s free to sign up to and will get you set up and ready to start your affiliate marketing journey within minutes, as it did for me when I begun my journey.
If you have any questions that you would like to ask me regarding DID, feel free to do so in the comments section below and I will get back to you as soon as I can. If you have your own thoughts about DID and would like to talk about it, again feel free to do so in the comments below!
Thanks
Amhil