Story of my wife and Smart Circle
I just want this to serve as a cautionary tale for anyone visiting this subreddit looking for answers.
For six years, my wife and I had a happy relationship. Our relationship seemed like it never left the honeymoon phase. Three years ago, she joined a Smart Circle company. Eventually, she trained, became an owner, and I genuinely believed everything would work out. The promises of the payoff were always just over the horizon.
About three months ago, something changed.
She told me she would have to go to Cincinnati. She left with a male employee because she didn't have a car of her own at the time; it had been repossessed. I told her I was uncomfortable with the situation, but I still wanted to support her and her career.
As time went on, she started talking to me less and less.
Eventually, I ended up in the ER and was diagnosed with stage 2 hypertension and diabetes. I asked her to come be with me. She told me she would book a ticket, but she never did.
When I confronted her about it, her "mentors" told her that I was toxic and controlling. I was told they were actually coaching her on what to say to me during our arguments.
At that point, I had already tried talking to her and had already argued with her about what was happening. I didn't know what else to do, so I eventually stopped communicating with her.
In the end, I found out that she had cheated on me with her employee. Since then, I've felt like I've been gaslighted about what happened.
I'm not writing this because I expect strangers on the internet to fix my marriage. I'm writing it because I want anyone considering getting involved with this industry to understand what it can potentially cost you.
My wife has no car, no house, and no credit, yet she remains convinced that her mentors genuinely care about her and have her best interests at heart.
I've personally heard these people say things on calls that I found deeply disturbing, including statements about not hiring people over 30.
Maybe someone reading this will recognize the warning signs before they get as far into it as we did.
Whatever you do, research this industry thoroughly before you commit your time, money, relationships, and future to it.
Run as far and as fast as you can.