Spellbound: My Journey Through a Tangled Web of Success

By Robert Morgan Styler

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966237307
• ISBN13: 9780966237306
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Sandy Creek Publishing
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book....

I stupidly was involved with Equinox for a few short months back in the spring of 1994, I'm embarassed to admit. A good friend of mine had gotten me into the company (he had already been involved for a few months himself at that point). I can't remember how much money I put up but I believe it was about $2,500. Anyhow, I never really made any money. I did sell some products. But my friend very quickly got a bad feeling about Bill Gouldd & dropped out (plus, it was causing problems at home & his wife was almost ready to leave him over it). I stuck around for a few months & then realized it wasn't for me. I have only read the first 3 chapters of this book but it is an excellent read & reminds of some of the "atmosphere" of a typical Equinox office. I was located in the New Haven, CT office. I remember one of the top guys there was a young guy named Dave Campo. I wonder what ever happened to him. I now wonder if he ever made any money with the company himself. And another guy named Mario. They seemed like nice guys, who believed 100% in Equinox. Maybe they were just good liars...? I don't know. I'd like to believe that they WERE good guys who just got caught up in this "scheme" like everyone else. Hopefully they didn't lose their shirts. I remember a few other names as well, Beta, Katie, Mike... Anyhow, I do believe the products were of good quality but it seems like the products were almost an afterthought to these people. It was all about bringing in more & more people. I would always wonder, "if I'm just bringing in more people & then they bring in more people, who is actually SELLING PRODUCTS??" Nobody ever seemed to be doing any selling. The last thing I have read about Bill Gouldd is that he had some new seminar company. But that was back in 2003. I wonder what he is up to these days. And how much money he has left. I seriously doubt he can be doing as well as he was in the mid-90s. I still don't know what to think of that guy. Was he a good guy who let money corrupt him? Or was he a bad guy all along? All I know is he should be in jail for all the people whose lives he ruined. Whether intentionally or not. His company's principles were built on quicksand. Anyone who was ever involved with Equinox or any of these other pyramid schemes, should read this book. And stay away from companies like these. If it's too good to be true....

Everything sounds so familiar....

Once you start reading it, and re-live everything you experienced personally in every chapter, you can't put it down. Really easy and entertaining to read. Makes you laugh and cry at the same time. I worked Equinox fulltime for a full year ... making little money and spending a whole lot more. It is amazing, what a good time you can have while going broke. I still think, network marketing is a great idea - the ultimate form of pure capitalism, but it is ultimately the integrity of the company and especially its leaders, which set the ethical standards. Whenever using half-truths and lies sneek into the culture of a company, it is doomed for failure - as Winston Churchill put it: "The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. Ignorance may deride it. But in the end, there it is." Great book, that might help you understand some things about MLM better.

A "must read" for anyone involved in the mlm industry!

I was involved with Equinox for several years. Since I lived on the West coast at the time, I met and/or knew many of the people in Rob's book. He gives an honest account of his experience with NSA, Equinox and Bill Gouldd in particular. Most mlm books are either pro-mlm or anti-mlm. Very few things are all good or all bad. This book shows both sides and exposes the reason for the eventual downfall of what once was the fastest growing company in America. It is a real eye opener for those folks who think that network marketing doesn't require any real work. It also shows you the warning signs of bad leadership.Read, learn and enjoy! It's a real rollercoaster ride!

Honest

I did a short stint with Equinox and quickly got out after realizing the company is all about getting someone to cough up $5,000, and having them ask their friends and family to do the same. Robert Morgan Styler shares his Equinox story with honesty. It doesn't read like victim fiction; he tells honestly of his own shortcomings, his desire to make money, and where that road led to with Bill Gouldd "guiding" him. The anecdotes about Bill Gouldd would be shockingly unbelievable if you had never listened to the man in person. I saw him at a conference and he's exactly as Styler describes him: arrogant, cruel, power hungry. He may have money, but he has no class, and I'd be surprised if he has any real friends, with the way he abuses people. If you've ever been in Equinox (or still are), you must read this honest account of what one man went through to get to the top, and what he found once he got there. I admire Robert Morgan Styler for being willing to be so transparent in his book.

A great quick read to relive the Equinox experience

I worked with Rob Styler briefly in Atlanta while in Equinox International. Beginning with the title of the work, Styler captures the heart of the experience while revealing the underlying evil within. This book took me back through the entire rollercoaster of emotions. This book is well written and a must read for anyone interested in network marketing!