Trades of Hope Review: Is This a Legitimate MLM Opportunity?

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Trades of Hope

If you’re looking for a new opportunity to make money from home, Trades of Hope may be worth considering. This multi-level marketing company sells jewelry, bags, apparel, home decor and body products made by “artisans” from around the world. In this Trades of Hope MLM review, we’ll take a look at who founded the company, when it was launched, what products are sold, how Trades of Hope works, how to join Trades of Hope, the company’s compensation plan and whether it has faced any complaints or lawsuits. We’ll also share what we like about Trades of Hope and what we don’t like, as well as some alternatives to Trades of Hope.

History of Trades of Hope

Trades of Hope was founded in 2011 by Gretchen Huijskens, Chelsie Antos, Elisabeth Huijskens, and Holly Wehde. Gretchen Huijskens is Trades of Hope’s president and CEO. Trades of Hope was created with the mission to “empower women around the globe”. The company’s headquarters are located in St. Augustine, Florida.

The idea for Trades of Hope came from Gretchen Huijskens’ experiences working with women in developing countries. She saw how these women were affected by poverty and exploitation, and she wanted to help them break out of the cycle. Trades of Hope was created as a way to provide employment opportunities for these women and to give them a chance to earn a fair wage. Trades of Hope works with over 20 different artisan groups in 35 countries. Some of the countries are:

  • Haiti
  • Guatemala
  • Peru
  • India
  • Thailand
  • The Philippines
  • Kenya
  • Uganda
  • Ethiopia
  • Cambodia
  • Nepal
  • Vietnam
  • Indonesia
  • Mexico
  • Bangladesh

Trades of Hope’s mission is to “empower women around the globe”. The company does this by working with artisans from around the world to create products that are then sold by Trades of Hope distributors. The name Trades of Hope comes from the idea that by working with artisans around the world, Trades of Hope is giving them “hope” for a better future.

What products does Trades of Hope sell?

Trades of Hope sells a variety of jewelry, bags, apparel, home decor and body products. These products are made by artisans from Trades of Hope’s partner countries. Some of the items you’ll find for sale include:

  • Necklaces
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Rings
  • Anklets
  • Scarves
  • Hats
  • Tote bags
  • Clutches
  • Crossbody bags
  • Picture frames
  • Wine glasses
  • Coasters
  • Placemats
  • Table runners
  • Pillows
  • Soaps
  • Lotion bars
  • Sugar scrubs

Trades of Hope provides the artisans with training, resources and access to fair trade markets. It also helps the artisans connect with other Trades of Hope distributors who can sell their products. Trades of Hope does not own any factories or manufacturing facilities.

How does Trades of Hope Work?

How does Trades of Hope Work

Trades of Hope is a multi-level marketing company. This means that Trades of Hope distributors earn commission on the sales of Trades of Hope products. They also earn commissions on the sales of Trades of Hope products made by other distributors in their downline. In order to become a Trades of Hope distributor, you must purchase a Trades of Hope starter kit. The cost of the starter kit varies depending on which country you live in.

Once you've signed up to become a Trades of Hope distributor, you'll have access to Trades of Hope's online platform. This is where you can place orders for Trades of Hope products, track your sales and downline, and manage your Trades of Hope business.

As a Trades of Hope distributor, you’ll be able to earn commissions in three different ways:

  • Retail sales: You’ll earn a commission on the retail sales of Trades of Hope products. The commission rate is 25%.
  • Party plan sales: You can earn commissions by hosting Trades of Hope parties. The commission rate is 20%.
  • Recruiting: You can earn commissions by recruiting other people to become Trades of Hope distributors. The commission rate is 15%.

Trades of Hope also has a few different bonus programs that you can participate in to earn additional income.

There are five different ranks that you can achieve as a Trades of Hope distributor:

  • Consultant: To qualify for this rank, you must have at least $200 in monthly sales. You’ll also need to have two active downline consultants.
  • Director: To qualify for this rank, you must have at least $600 in monthly sales. You’ll also need to have four active downline consultants.
  • Executive Director: To qualify for this rank, you must have at least $1,200 in monthly sales. You’ll also need to have eight active downline consultants.
  • Regional Director: To qualify for this rank, you must have at least $2,400 in monthly sales. You’ll also need to have sixteen active downline consultants.
  • National Director: To qualify for this rank, you must have at least $4,800 in monthly sales. You’ll also need to have thirty-two active downline consultants.

Is Trades of Hope a Legitimate Business?

Trades of Hope is a legitimate multi-level marketing company. It has been in business since 2011 and is headquartered in Florida. Trades of Hope is a member of the Direct Selling Association and abides by its code of ethics. It is not a pyramid scheme. Under a pyramid scheme, participants only make money by recruiting other people to join the scheme. With Trades of Hope, participants can earn commissions through retail sales, party plan sales, and recruiting.

Has Trades of Hope faced any complaints or lawsuits?

Trades of Hope has faced some criticism.

  • In 2013, Trades of Hope was sued by a former distributor who claimed that she was recruited under false pretenses and was promised a certain level of income that she never achieved. The lawsuit was later settled out of court.
  • In 2015, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) revoked Trades of Hope’s accreditation due to a pattern of complaints. Trades of Hope did not respond to the BBB’s requests for comment.
  • In 2016, Trades of Hope was accused of being a pyramid scheme by the news website The Daily Dot. Trades of Hope denied these allegations and said that it is not a pyramid scheme.
  • In 2016, Trades of Hope was again sued by a former distributor. The distributor claimed that Trades of Hope is a pyramid scheme and that she was misled about the company’s business model. The lawsuit is still pending.
  • In 2018, Trades of Hope was sued by one of its distributors for breach of contract. The distributor alleged that Trades of Hope had failed to provide her with adequate support and training. Trades of Hope denied these allegations and the case was settled out of court.

Over the years, other complaints have come from Trades of Hope distributors who claim they were misled about the amount of money they could earn, that Trades of Hope products are overpriced, and that it is difficult to sell Trades of Hope products.

What we like about Trades of Hope

There are a few things we like about Trades of Hope:

  • The company has been in business since 2011 and is headquartered in the United States.
  • Trades of Hope is a member of the Direct Selling Association and abides by its code of ethics.
  • The company sells a variety of products made by artisans from around the world.
  • Trades of Hope has a few different income streams, including retail sales, party plan sales, and recruiting.

What we don’t like about Trades of Hope

There are a few things we don’t like about Trades of Hope:

  • The company has faced criticism for being a pyramid scheme.
  • Trades of Hope has been accused of misleading distributors about their earning potential.
  • Some Trades of Hope distributors have complained that the company’s products are overpriced.
  • Trades of Hope has been sued several times.

Are there alternatives to Trades of Hope?

If you’re interested in multi-level marketing companies that sell jewelry, here are a few alternatives to Trades of Hope:

If you’re interested in multi-level marketing companies that sell a variety of products, here are a few alternatives to Trades of Hope:

Do we recommend Trades of Hope?

we recommend Trades of Hope

After reviewing Trades of Hope, we do not recommend the company. Trades of Hope has been accused of being a pyramid scheme and has faced criticism for misleading distributors about their earning potential. While we like that the company has been in business for a few years and sells products made by artisans from around the world, there are too many red flags for us to recommend Trades of Hope.

It's always to do thorough research before deciding to join a multi-level marketing company. We recommend reading our reviews of MLMs, as well as checking out the Direct Selling Association's website to learn more about Trades of Hope and other multi-level marketing companies. You can also check out our list of legitimate ways to make money from home if you're not interested in joining an MLM.

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