The Tools Cult: The History of the Amway Motivational Scam

Multi-Layered Grifting

Overview

For over 50 years, a tiny elite at the top of a giant pyramid of grift have been enriching themselves by selling "motivational tools," mostly cassette tapes, to Amway distributors. The behavior-altering effect of these tapes and their associated events are part of why many people refer to Amway as a cult. This in-depth history of the tools business is a story that lies at the very heart of American business, political and even religious history of the past few decades.