8 episodes

In 2015, thousands of hopeful retailers bought into LuLaRoe, one of the largest MLM clothing companies, only to have their dreams dashed. Before long, lawsuits and allegations that LuLaRoe was operating a pyramid scheme started filing in from retailers, many of them women and stay-at-home moms who had risked their homes, their bank accounts, and their relationships with close family and friends in an effort to be their own boss by selling LuLaRoe leggings.

Join BuzzFeed News reporter Stephanie McNeal as she chronicles how so many people got caught in this scheme of leggings and lies with expert interviews and first-hand accounts from the recruits who lived it—and are fighting back.

Want more of the LuLaRoe story? Stream "The Rise and Fall of LuLaRoe" documentary on discovery plus. Go to discoveryplus.com/lularoe to start your 7-day free trial today. Terms Apply.

The Rise and Fall of LuLaRoe discovery+

    • Society & Culture
    • 3.2 • 304 Ratings

In 2015, thousands of hopeful retailers bought into LuLaRoe, one of the largest MLM clothing companies, only to have their dreams dashed. Before long, lawsuits and allegations that LuLaRoe was operating a pyramid scheme started filing in from retailers, many of them women and stay-at-home moms who had risked their homes, their bank accounts, and their relationships with close family and friends in an effort to be their own boss by selling LuLaRoe leggings.

Join BuzzFeed News reporter Stephanie McNeal as she chronicles how so many people got caught in this scheme of leggings and lies with expert interviews and first-hand accounts from the recruits who lived it—and are fighting back.

Want more of the LuLaRoe story? Stream "The Rise and Fall of LuLaRoe" documentary on discovery plus. Go to discoveryplus.com/lularoe to start your 7-day free trial today. Terms Apply.

    Introducing Hillsong: A Megachurch Shattered

    Introducing Hillsong: A Megachurch Shattered

    If you enjoyed The Rise and Fall of LuLaRoe, check out a new podcast from discovery+: Hillsong: A Megachurch Shattered. Listen to episode 1 here and follow Hillsong: A Megachurch Shattered wherever you get your podcasts.

    • 31 min
    Ep.6: Life After LuLaRoe

    Ep.6: Life After LuLaRoe

    For many in LuLaRoe, building their business became their entire life. Their work. Their community. And their sense of self worth. After leaving, it can feel like starting from scratch again.

    • 27 min
    Ep.5: The Psychology of MLMs

    Ep.5: The Psychology of MLMs

    This week we look at the psychology behind the foundation of LuLaRoe and other MLMs, including ideas like deceptive recruitment and “lovebombing.”

    • 32 min
    Ep.4: Building the Anti-LuLaRoe Movement

    Ep.4: Building the Anti-LuLaRoe Movement

    How did the anti-LuLaRoe movement start?  Much of the pushback began with women sharing their stories online after receiving defective products.

    • 28 min
    Ep.3: Targeting Women, Targeting Moms

    Ep.3: Targeting Women, Targeting Moms

    LulaRoe targeted stay-at-home moms as their primary demographic. The company would market to these moms directly by touting flexibility and the idea of “full time pay for part-time work.”

    • 30 min
    Ep.2: #BecauseofLuLaRoe: The Dream Vs. Reality

    Ep.2: #BecauseofLuLaRoe: The Dream Vs. Reality

    So how did LuLaRoe retailers build their followings online, and what was the reality vs. the image they were creating? Author and Under the Influence podcast host Jo Piazza joins us this week to break down how social media and influencer culture contributed to LuLaRoe’s success.

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

3.2 out of 5
304 Ratings

304 Ratings

EHa2010 ,

Missing a lot

Great podcast in terms of MLM’s in general- however, it really only covers 2016-2018 from a handful of retailers perspective. Accurate, but not the whole story. There’s SO much more to cover from 2018-2020ish especially with “lularoe 2.0” clothing supply chain issues, more cult like toxic behaviors and brainwashing, the many retailers who DID make money and without building a team (myself included)- but how the other side became individual boutiques instead of going back to work for many. There’s a whole other level to tell. But for a podcast just about MLMs and those first crazy couple years, this is very well done.

hipster53728582 ,

Disappointing

Only listened to first episode but all I got is this: Heidi did very well selling lularoe. Made lots of money!! But didn’t like the leaders. They were too happy for her apparently. Also she was mad because they didn’t buy back her product. What?? They didn’t actually have to!! Lol. It was her choice to join. Her choice to go to the conference and her choice to buy a ton of product. She knows nothing about entrepreneurship or being self employed even if it is under a mlm. I don’t like mlm’s either, but this is all by her choice!! Then she’s mad about it. Why?? She was making good in fact, great money!! I don’t see the problem for miss Heidi. Lol. I just want to know what actually happened to the LulaRoe business model and I don’t think this series gives it. More of just bad-mouthing a business. Confused

Corrine54321 ,

Vocal Fry!

Avoid if vocal fry sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

iHeartPodcasts
This American Life
Dear Media
Louie and Yoatzi Castro & Studio71
Glennon Doyle & Cadence13
New York Times Opinion

You Might Also Like

Roberta Blevins
discovery+
Kast Media
Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
Wondery
PodcastOne