Reading the article “LuLaRoe Was Little More than a Scam, a Washington State Lawsuit Claims” brought back memories from when I was a kid. I remember one of my parents’ close friends selling LuLaRoe when I was in elementary school. Back then, I didn’t really understand business or what was ethical or not. What I did notice was how excited they were about having their own “boutique” and being able to sell clothes in their own way. To me, it just seemed really cool—like a grown-up version of running a lemonade stand, but with bright, colorful leggings. I admired the independence and creativity it seemed to give them, without thinking about any potential problems.

Reading about the lawsuit from Washington State years later gave me a whole new perspective. The article explained that LuLaRoe’s business relied more on recruiting new sellers than on selling products, which is what makes it a pyramid scheme. As the article states, the lawsuit claimed the company “duped consumers into buying large amounts of inventory while promoting unrealistic earnings” (Jones). Many people who joined ended up with inventory they couldn’t sell and made very little money, even though they were promised they could earn a lot. Looking back, I can see that the excitement I felt as a child came from something that wasn’t fair for most people involved.

Thinking about it now, I realize how our personal experiences can shape what we think is okay or exciting. As a kid, I just thought it was fun to see someone run their own business. Now I understand that it’s important to think carefully about opportunities and see if they are really fair and honest. This experience reminds me that things that look exciting on the surface aren’t always what they seem, and it’s important to look deeper before jumping in.

Jones, Charisse. “Lularoe Was Little More than a Scam, a Washington State Lawsuit Claims.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 29 Jan. 2019, www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/01/28/lularoe-pyramid-scheme-duped-consumers-washington-suit-says/2700412002/.