Live longer, be more energetic, get rid of muscle aches and pains and make money in your own home based Multi Level Marketing business. Sounds wonderful, right? Some of the Mona Vie distributors will agree.

The company is based in Salt Lake City, Utah and was founded by Dallin Larsen. The business plan is hailed by some industry professionals as very generous and the most innovative and lucrative plan ever devised. The plan allows for multiple ways to earn weekly income, listing numerous levels: direct sales, bulk order bonus, first order bonus, star maker bonus and team commissions for a start. If you get that far, the bonuses get more complicated, but supposedly will steadily increase your income.

The arrangement seems to place juice costs at about $30-$40 per 25 ounce bottle. You may purchase at wholesale and sell at retail, for about a 15 percent mark-up. Distributorship prices are lower yet, and purchasing wholesale and distributorship pricing, will earn you bonus points and you will progress up the levels. If your customers should purchase in bulk, you will also get bonus points.

The recommended dosage of the juice in order to achieve the claimed benefits is one to two ounces twice daily. At that rate, a bottle would last about a week. The key ingredient is acai berry, from the Brazilian Amazon. Acai is considered to be a super-food due to high levels of antioxidants. Other fruits are added to created a juice blend which tastes great to some people.

The products reportedly give you increased energy, boost your immune system, rid you of any joint pain, and reduces your chances of illness from: heart disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, blindness, cancer and other chronic illnesses. Some of the more aggressive claims one hears are probably from independent representatives and may not be claims endorsed by the company. Reports also claim that the juice is a potent source of anti-aging antioxidants.

Many people in the USA fail to consume the recommended servings of fruit and produce daily. It follows that nutritional supplements can be a benefit when diet does not deliver all the needed nutrients. Attention to detail is important in comparing nutritional products. I noticed that the Mona Vie literature lists relatively few nutrients compared to a multi-vitamin product.

Although the primary benefits of the Mona Vie product are said to stem from antioxidants, the ORAC score of a serving of Mona Vie was not stated in the material that I read. Clearly, acai berry has high ORAC value but it is still important to know the ORAC value per serving. As for vitamins and minerals, the Mona Vie literature indicated that one serving contains 20% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, 1% of the sodium and 3% of total carbohydrates.

Based on what I had heard about Mona Vie, I expected it to be a complete nutritional product. However, based on the literature, it is primarily an antioxidant product and you have to go elsewhere to get your vitamins, minerals and so on. Considering the high price and narrow coverage, I am not impressed Mona Vie. A liquid supplement product that I use from an MLM company costs only $30 per month delivered and covers all the vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants (2500 ORAC). That beats Mona Vie hands down for value.

I also enjoy Xocai Healthy Chocolate, another MLM product which has acai berry as well as potent antioxidants from specially processed cocoa. One little Xocai Power Square has an ORAC value of 3,582.

I think that Mona Vie strengths may lie in marketing and distribution rather than in the value equation when it comes to the product. Consumable products are an advantage when you are trying to build residual income but it is best if the products are value priced. I know of several products that offer better value to the consumer and that raises a red flag in my mind when it comes to Mona Vie.

From a product standpoint, I find the Mona Vie business opportunity to be less desirable than other options due to concerns about the price of the product relative to its limited set of nutritional components. The products are probably of high quality but may be a tough sell in todays economy where more and more people are having to tighten their belt.

On balance, I think that people seeking a home business opportunity can find better alternatives than Mona Vie that will be easier to promote and will have better customer retention.

It can take years and years to build a solid brand that consumers trust. When evaluating home business opportunities don’t overlook the benefit of a solid brand name. It is easy to be swept up in the excitement over the latest start-up but it is important to also look at the benefits of having a proven company, marketing program and product line.

In 1946 Earl Silas Tupper developed his now famous line of airtight preparation, serving and storage items for the kitchen and home. In many countries these products come with a lifetime guarantee. Of all of the hundreds, perhaps thousands of direct marketing business opportunities, Tupperware Products Company provides a solid, reliable track record, in a simple, affordable home based business.

Tupper was a pioneer in direct marketing, and his product is sold today in almost 100 countries around the world. After World War II, many women returned home after working. At that time and since then, it is a symbol of independence and empowerment for women, giving them an opportunity in the business world. Products are sold through variations of the party plan with commissions for consultants and the hostess.

Providing flexibility and freedom are important elements of the business philosophy. Consultants can choose one of several marketing approaches. Starting with the first level, Membership Only, participants purchase at discount prices. Book Order Specialists take orders or offer catalog parties to customers, friends and family. Fund Raiser Specialists offer the line as a fundraiser to churches, schools and organizations. Internet Specialists open Internet websites. Demonstration Specialists hold in-home parties and do some of all the previous types of sales. The Royalty Program is available for those who are interested in recruiting additional consultants.

You may purchase a full-size Executive Business Kit, for $129.99 which includes everything you need to launch your own home-based parties, or their Quick Start Business Kit, which costs a little less but includes products, business supplies and support materials to get your started.

The Tupperware commission plan is generous at up to 35% of sales. Reps receive free training and support. You can earn royalties on new people that you recruit and there are other benefits and incentives such as free products, trips, cars and jewelry for meeting sales goals.

Direct marketing experts say to look at the reliability and reputation of the company you are considering. This company allows you to take charge of your life and your potential earnings-they want you to achieve the success you are looking for.

The one reservation that I have about Tupperware is the fact that it lasts a long time so how do you get repeat sales? I would be tempted to have a nice consumable product to promote alongside my Tupperware. For instance, how about Xocai Healthy Chocolate? It’s a chocolate health food that everyone loves…and they reorder it.