The Company and Products

Univera is the central piece of a larger global organization called ECONET, started in 1976 to integrate the research and development, manufacturing, and sales of health and wellness products for consumers.  It was created by YunHo Lee, a successful Korean businessman who had suffered from poor health and had found no relief from traditional medicine.  When he was given the juice of an aloe vera plant he had a “miraculous” recovery, and decided to use his financial success to extract the best of nature and bring the benefits to the world – by investing in the ethnobotanical properties of the plant kingdom.

The Program and Compensation

Univera decided to market their products with a direct sales approach through a traditional multi-level marketing system.  Commissions are paid on sales generated by customers, down-line commissions of 15% on people you personally enroll, 10% on those they enroll, and commissions paid up to four levels deep, plus other bonuses and incentives.  To become an associate you must purchase a starter kit ($40), sign up for a Convenience Plan (personal monthly product order that is automatically delivered to you), and order the number of Renewal Gift Packs you desire (product samples plus Univera overview literature — $125 to $750 and up).  The chosen business model is called Relationship Marketing, which is basically using your warm market of friends and family for product sales and prospecting.  They call their particular method the Gift-Team-Enroll model.  Associates give a gift pack to a prospect, then follow up with them if they are interested in becoming an associate (watch a DVD or attend a party), and then enroll those who choose to join.

Analysis

The Health and Wellness industry continues to thrive despite a down global economy, and the Univera products are well regarded in the industry, especially with the emphasis on natural healing.  The cost of entry is relatively low as well, so this opportunity is something that is financially within reach of the average person.  But the model of Relationship Marketing is dated and minimally effective in a global economy powered by the Internet.  Many people are uncomfortable selling to and prospecting their friends and family, and the warm market is extremely finite even for those skilled in sales.  Also, members are required to buy a rather substantial amount of the product monthly for personal use, so this must be a consideration.  Finally, aside from some conferences, training and mentoring is generally left up to the associates — so those who have an up-line that chooses to help you may find greater success than the average member.  If you are a skilled sales person who doesn’t mind selling to your friends and family, attending home and hotel meetings, and buying and using the Univera products on a monthly basis, then this opportunity might be the answer to your home-business search.  If you are looking for a more modern marketing method, personal coaching and training, and a step-by-step process to build success, then you should continue your research.

**Keith Hartung strives to be a servant of God, a committed husband, and a loving dad.  He is also an internet marketer and home business coach, working with people around the world to create financial success in their lives by leveraging the power of the Internet. To see how Keith is making money online enter your information in the form on the right.