Close To My Heart Review: Is This Scrapbooking MLM Legit or a Pyramid Scheme?
When it comes to multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, Close To My Heart is almost in a league of its own. The company sells products that are designed for scrapbooking, and many distributors swear by the products and the income opportunity. In this Close To My Heart MLM review, we’ll take an in-depth look at how the company works, what you can expect as a distributor, and whether or not it’s a pyramid scheme. We’ll also compare Close To My Heart to other MLM companies to help you decide if it’s the right opportunity for you.
Who launched Close To My Heart and when?
Close To My Heart was founded in 1987 by Jeanette Lynton. She introduced her first scrapbook products in 1996, and the company has been growing ever since. Close To My Heart is headquartered in Utah, and it has a global reach with distributors in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa, the Philippines, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and more.
Lynton is a self-made millionaire who started Close To My Heart from scratch. She was born in England and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 8 years old. Jeanette’s first job was working at a fast food restaurant, and she eventually became a flight attendant. She later started her own business selling products out of her home, and she eventually launched Close To My Heart.
Lynton was inspired to start Close To My Heart after attending a scrapbooking party. She was amazed by how much the products could transform a person’s photos and memories, and she wanted to make scrapbooking more accessible to everyone. Close To My Heart’s mission is “to help people capture, preserve, and share life’s most precious moments.” The company also has a commitment to social responsibility, and it gives back to communities in need through its Close To My Heart Foundation.
The name Close To My Heart comes from the fact that the company’s products are designed to help people preserve memories and keep them close to their hearts, according to the company’s website.
What products does Close To My Heart sell?
Close To My Heart sells a wide range of scrapbooking products, including paper, stamps, ink, embellishments, and more. The company also sells a line of products called Cricut, which are machines that can be used for cutting paper, vinyl, and other materials. Close To My Heart also offer a variety of kits that include everything you need to complete a scrapbooking project.
- Paper: Close To My Heart sells a variety of paper products, including patterned paper, cardstock, and specialty paper.
- Stamps: Close To My Heart offers a wide selection of stamps, including rubber stamps, clear stamps, and stamp pads.
- Ink: Close To My Heart sells ink in a variety of colors, as well as ink refills.
- Embellishments: Close To My Heart sells a variety of embellishments, including stickers, die cuts, ribbons, and buttons.
- Cricut: Cricut machines, which can be used for cutting paper, vinyl, and other materials. Close To My Heart also sells Cricut cartridges, which are cartridges that can be used with Cricut machines.
- Kits: Close To My Heart offers a variety of kits that include everything you need to complete a scrapbooking project. Kits typically include paper, stamps, ink, embellishments, and more.
How does Close To My Heart work?
Close To My Heart operates like most other MLM companies. Distributors can earn money by selling products and recruiting other people to become distributors. Close To My Heart does not require distributors to purchase inventory, but they must purchase a starter kit in order to become a distributor. Starter kits cost $99, and they include a selection of Close To My Heart products.
As a Close To My Heart distributor, you'll earn a commission on the products you sell. You'll also earn commissions on the sales of the people you recruit, and you can earn bonuses and other incentives by meeting certain goals. Close To My Heart does require distributors to maintain a minimum order volume in order to receive commissions, but there is no minimum purchase required to become a distributor.
Ways Close To My Heart distributors earn an income:
- Sales commissions: Close To My Heart distributors earn a commission on the products they sell. The amount of the commission depends on the product, but it typically ranges from 20% to 25%.
- Recruiting commissions: Close To My Heart distributors earn a commission when they recruit someone to become a Close To My Heart distributor. The amount of the commission depends on the person’s starter kit sales volume.
- Bonuses and incentives: Close To My Heart distributors can earn bonuses and other incentives by meeting certain goals, such as sales volume goals or recruiting goals.
Close To My Heart has ranks. There are five ranks in the Close To My Heart compensation plan:
- Consultant: To qualify as a Close To My Heart consultant, you must sign up as a distributor and purchase a starter kit. As a consultant, you’ll earn commissions on your own sales and the sales of the people you recruit. You’ll also earn a commission on the sales of the people your recruits recruit.
- Director: To qualify as a Close To My Heart director, you must maintain a minimum monthly order volume of 500 PV. Directors earn commissions on their own sales and the sales of the people they recruit. They also earn overrides on the sales of the people their recruits recruit.
- Executive Director: To qualify as a Close To My Heart executive director, you must maintain a minimum monthly order volume of 1,000 PV. Executive directors earn commissions on their own sales and the sales of the people they recruit. They also earn overrides on the sales of the people their recruits recruit. In addition, executive directors earn a monthly bonus.
- Senior Executive Director: To qualify as a Close To My Heart senior executive director, you must maintain a minimum monthly order volume of 2,000 PV. Senior executive directors earn commissions on their own sales and the sales of the people they recruit. They also earn overrides on the sales of the people their recruits recruit. In addition, senior executive directors earn a monthly bonus.
- Elite Executive Director: To qualify as a Close To My Heart elite executive director, you must maintain a minimum monthly order volume of 3,000 PV. Elite executive directors earn commissions on their own sales and the sales of the people they recruit. They also earn overrides on the sales of the people their recruits recruit. In addition, elite executive directors earn a monthly bonus.
Close To My Heart also has a program called Close To My Heart Leadership Development Program. The Close To My Heart Leadership Development Program is a training and development program for Close To My Heart consultants who want to improve their skills and grow their business.
The Close To My Heart Leadership Development Program has three levels:
- Close To My Heart Leader: To qualify as a Close To My Heart leader, you must maintain a minimum monthly order volume of 500 PV. Close To My Heart leaders earn commissions on their own sales and the sales of the people they recruit. They also earn overrides on the sales of the people their recruits recruit. In addition, Close To My Heart leaders earn a monthly bonus.
- Close To My Heart Senior Leader: To qualify as a Close To My Heart senior leader, you must maintain a minimum monthly order volume of 1,000 PV. Close To My Heart senior leaders earn commissions on their own sales and the sales of the people they recruit. They also earn overrides on the sales of the people their recruits recruit. In addition, Close To My Heart senior leaders earn a monthly bonus.
- Close To My Heart Elite Leader: To qualify as a Close To My Heart elite leader, you must maintain a minimum monthly order volume of 2,000 PV. Close To My Heart elite leaders earn commissions on their own sales and the sales of the people they recruit. They also earn overrides on the sales of the people their recruits recruit. In addition, Close To My Heart elite leaders earn a monthly bonus.
Is Close To My Heart a pyramid scheme?
No, Close To My Heart is not a pyramid scheme. While Close To My Heart does have a multi-level marketing structure, the company is legitimate and sells products that people want and need. Close To My Heart is not a pyramid scheme because it has a product to sell and members earn commissions based on their sales, not on the number of people they recruit. Under a pyramid scheme, members would earn commissions based on the number of people they recruit, regardless of whether or not those recruits actually sold anything.
How about complaints or lawsuits?
Close To My Heart has been in business for over 25 years and we could not find any complaints or lawsuits against the company. This is a good sign that Close To My Heart is a legitimate company that sells quality products.
What we like about Close To My Heart
- Close To My Heart has been in business for over 25 years.
- Close To My Heart sells quality products.
- Close To My Heart is not a pyramid scheme.
What we don’t like about Close To My Heart
- Close To My Heart is a multi-level marketing company.
Are there alternatives to Close To My Heart?
There are many alternatives to Close To My Heart, including:
- Scrapbook.com
- Creative Memories
- Stampin’ Up!
- Herrschners
- Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts
Our verdict
Close To My Heart is a legitimate company that sells quality products. Close To My Heart is not a pyramid scheme. If you’re interested in joining Close To My Heart, we suggest that you speak with a Close To My Heart consultant to learn more about the company and the products they sell. Close To My Heart is a multi-level marketing company, so keep in mind that you will be expected to sell Close To My Heart products and recruit other Close To My Heart consultants if you want to be successful. While Close To My Heart is not a pyramid scheme, it is a multi-level marketing company, so we suggest that you research the company and the products they sell before you join Close To My Heart as a consultant.
What to look for in a multi-level marketing company
- A company that has been in business for many years.
- A company that sells quality products.
- A company that is not a pyramid scheme.
- A company with few or no complaints or lawsuits against it
The No. 1 source of information on multi-level marketing companies and other online money-making opportunities is I Buy I Review. I Buy I Review is a website dedicated to providing unbiased reviews to let you know if we think a company or program is legitimate or a scam.
I buy and review courses so you don’t have to. Sometimes, I even find courses that are legitimate and worthwhile; and that’s how I accidentally came across one that led me to building a 6-figure business in a little under 5 years. Now, I still review courses because it’s my favorite hobby. 🙂 Learn more about me here.