From scantily clad baristas in Sexpresso drive thrus to aphrodisiac instant coffee, entrepreneurs are trying to cash in by making the beverage associated with Juan Valdez and Mrs. Olsen sexy.
Aphrodisiac instant coffee?  Yes, you read that right.  That’s the claim made by Bedroom Coffee, purveyers of Magic Power Coffee.  According to the Bedroom Coffee website:
Magic Power Coffee is the world’s first “fantasy” beverage. It’s like someone dropped two Viagra® in a
Starbucks® latte!… then stirred in a potent “passion elixir” for her! Increase the sensation and the satisfaction of your love making, every time…
All Natural – Magical Ingredients.
Magic Power Coffee’s combination …read more

Joe Angelo of Lynnfield, MA-based Lease One Corporation claims that for a one-time fee of $19,900,  you can begin servicing a $270 billion industry as a leasing broker and part of the “Lease One Family.”
On the Lease One business opportunity website, Joe claims that, as one of the 200+ Lease One brokers,  “you’ll be in business for yourself, but never, ever by yourself.”
As 8 out of every 10 businesses lease equipment, our Associates are right there providing those customers with top notch service and the money they need to make their businesses flourish. With a low investment cost it …read more

(FranchisePick.Com)  This past August, STLToday reported on the charismatic leader of YTB International whipping his YourTravelBiz.com “agents” into a frenzy at their sales meeting in St. Louis:
“I believe we’ve become the hope for tens of thousands of people pursuing their dreams,” said Chief Executive J. Scott Tomer. “We’re going to become the hope for millions of people around the world.”
The 18,000 roared.
But is the hope that YTB is selling a false one?
Is it offering a tremendous opportunity? Or just peddling an illusion?
Those are the questions facing the Wood River-based travel company, which is led by a small-town pastor turned …read more

Teresa Osborne is a bookkeeper in Ontario, Canada who blogs at Georgian Blues. She formerly had several Mary Kay Associates as clients. She recently decided to fire them all, as she explains in her post The Cult of Mary Kay.
Here are a few excerpts from her colorful blog post:
…I am afraid of Mary Kay Ladies. My apologies…no wait…My condolences if you are one. I don’t mean to offend, but you scare the shit out of me.
Have you ever dealt with any of these freaks? They are like some scary screwed up cult. They try to sell you …read more

Defenders of Mary Kay have vociferously defended the cosmetics company that seems to be taking a lot of heat on the Internet of late. Most of them contend that the problem is not Mary Kay, per se, but with the overzealous consultants who try to “fulfill all their needs” through the sales program.
MK RULES says
MK is not a cult! The problems arise when ladies look to MK to fulfill all of their needs…financial, social, and spiritual. You are told you have unlimited earning potential, but not that you will be rich as can be with no work in no …read more

Franchise Pick reader Laura has a lot to say about whether or not the Mary Kay cosmetics sales organization is a “Cult of Greed” as some have alleged. She contends that there is a “dark side” to the Mary Kay organization, and a dirty little secret not shared with the outside world. Here are her comments:
…I believe there are very good women in Mary Kay who are enjoying selling the product and NOT scamming women. There are those who can glorify God by being honest about what to expect about the opportunity. Friendships can surely enrich women’s …read more

In a recent post (which was prompted by disturbing comments left on Franchise Pick), we asked: “Is Mary Kay Cosmetics a Cult?” This prompted a number of comments that can be viewed on previous posts (”Does Pink Stink or Is Mary Kay OK?” and “Is Mary Kay Cosmetics A ‘Cult of Greed’?”)
A Franchise Pick reader who goes by the name “Mommy” shared this account of her experience as a Mary Kay Consultant and Director. Her advice to prospective Mary Kay consultants is “run the other way and don’t look back.”
“Mommy’s” Comments on Mary Kay Cosmetics:
It’s not …read more

According to CultWatch.Com:
The modern definition of a mind control cult is any group which employs mind control and deceptive recruiting techniques. In other words cults trick people into joining and coerce them into staying. This is the definition that most people would agree with. Except the cults themselves of course!
HowCultsWork.com separates cults into three categories: Religious, Commercial, and Self-Help/Counselling. Of “Commercial” cults, they say:
Cults that use commercial gain as their base are called “cults of greed“. They will promise you that if you join them and follow their special programme for success then you will become very rich. …read more

What do you think?
Visit the Mary Kay Cosmetics website and you can read about an inspiring company and an empowering business opportunity for women. Here is how Mary Kay describes itself:
Achievement. Success. The realization of dreams. Mary Kay Inc. was created from one woman’s desire to enrich women’s lives. She began by offering quality products to enhance a woman’s image and a perfect business opportunity to help women earn extra money, enjoy more flexibility and grow as independent business owners. The result is a company that, more than 40 years later, still embodies the core philosophies of its …read more