The Case Between YL and doTERRA
This article is boldly spoken and may offend some. It is not my intent to be offensive. I am stating my opinion and facts known generally to the public.
The 6 year old court case between Young Living and doTERRA was finally concluded recently.
First, I’m very happy the courts resolved it in favor of doTERRA but the fact the case even started is troubling. There are so many things about this case that cause me concern. I started a small business while I am still working in the corporate world. This case is exactly why I want out of the corporate world! The behavior and extent some companies will go to for their own gain is unethical and damages not only their reputation but the reputation of the industry, their employees and those who use their products.
It all started…
It all started when Young Living sued doTERRA for allegedly stealing secrets that were allegedly used to start the now global leader in essential oils, doTERRA. After millions of dollars and time spent sorting through this situation, the courts found Young Living acted in bad faith and the original claim for this case was false. They now need to repay damages and fees to doTERRA.
In a time when direct marketing already has a negative impression for many people and is often compared to pyramids, this lawsuit did nothing to improve the reputation of the industry.
For that I say, Shame on you YL. You hurt a lot of good people beyond those at the doTERRA leadership table who depend on direct marketing for their incomes. You hurt our industry and were not good stewards of this business.
YL – Just Another Corporate Bully
Young Living has a sorted history. Their original founder and president Gary Young was recently replaced by Jared Turner in January 2018 due to Young’s illness that ultimately took his life in May 2018.
While running Young Living however, Young was known to have cut several corners to favor profit over quality. This was one of the reasons the leadership that would form doTERRA left the company.
I will not describe the acts for which Young was charged and accused as a simple Google search will show you that information. I will however say that type of general corporate behavior for a complete lack of integrity is one of the reasons I started my own side business in order to get away from that sort of thing. I thoroughly researched companies to find a direct marketing company that was truly different from what I was experiencing in my own corporate work life and wanted something that aligned to the principles of right and wrong, integrity, trust and respect that I believed in.
Quality & Cost
The point of using essential oils is to improve your health with natural solutions. When you use a product that is less than pure or made by a company that lacks integrity, such as YL with this lawsuit, it should make you wonder about the quality of their products and how much benefit you are getting from their products.