Does MASTER NETWORKS Promote Liars & Bullies? Episode 1 Part 2 Focuses on Enablers
With the debut of the Liars & Bullies Initiative’s spotlight on the business practices of Sometimes Spouse, Waco, Texas, and its owners Max and Christy Ogle. Many people asked “How do they continue to get away with this?” In Episode 1 Part 2 we explore the role promoters and enablers play in protecting liars & bullies and perpetuating their destructive practices. We explore why business networks may unwittingly provide a safe haven for Master Liars & Bullies. The short video below spotlights Master Networks, the organization which has recently provided the Ogles with their own little fiefdom in Central Texas. We welcome comments from those familiar with how this and other business networks operate. by Jack Skidmore, Producer, Liars & Bullies Initiative.
(Special to UnhappyFranchise.Com) Welcome to the Liars & Bullies Initiative: An Interactive Exploration & Discussion.
UPDATE: Master Networks has informed us that as of 2/4/21, Max & Christy Ogle & Sometimes Spouse are no longer members of their organization.
In Part 1 of Episode 1, we introduced Sometimes Spouse, the controversial Waco, Texas handyman and household services company currently facing multiple lawsuits, allegations of bankruptcy fraud, nonpayment of vendors, consumer complaints and retaliatory bullying of those who speak out against them. [See Liars & Bullies Episode 1: Sometimes Spouse, Waco, Texas ]
In Part 2 we shift focus to individuals, companies and organizations known as “enablers” of local liars and bullies.
“Enablers” range from those who actively cover for or even promote these bad actors (often out of their own self-interest) to those who simply look the other way (out of indifference or fear).
In addition to Master Networks, we’re looking at possible enablers Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce [See Beware of Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors! ), 1 Million Cups Waco (Marion Kauffman Foundation), and local advertising company Locals Love Us (See LOCALS LOVE US! A Pants on Fire Franchise? )
While at least two local networking groups (Women of Waco, BNI) have parted ways with Sometimes Spouse owners Christy Ogle & Max Ogle (for reasons unknown) , the Ogles seem to have found a home with Master Networks.
[Video] Does MASTER NETWORKS Promote Liars & Bullies? Spotlight on Promoters & Enablers of Sometimes Spouse
There are undoubtedly many fine individuals who belong to Master Networks, and likely many chapters that help their members be better people as well as better businesspeople.
But fine people of Master Networks: What happens when a business with not-so-fine practices gets into a position of influence?
Are their safeguards in place?
Are you troubled that this video and post are a result of receiving no response to our inquiries?
Please share with a comment below or by emailing LiarsNBullies [at] Gmail [dot] Com
What is Master Networks? Why Might it Be a Safe Haven for Liars & Bullies?
Master Networks was founded in in Rochester, MN, in March, 2011 by Chas Wilson & Ed LeQuire .
In 2015, Master Networks corporate office relocated to Plano, TX. Master Networks boasts 126 local chapters in 18 states.
They claim to have 3,000 members and to have paid $1.24 million through its internal affiliates reward program.
As we are discovering, business networking groups like Master Networks may be perceived (correctly or incorrectly) by Master Liars & Bullies (MLBs) as safe havens where they are free to spin their fanciful stories and claims of success unchallenged.
All of these networks, to varying degrees, indirectly and directly pressure their networking members to refer business and provide endorsements and support for fellow network members. For this reason, the quality and reputation of a network, long term, will be determined by the selectivity, requirements and quality control the organization has over its membership.
While founder and motivational figurehead Chas Wilson cites TRUST as a key principle in successful networking, Master Networks has not only accepted Christy Ogle and Max Ogle as members, it has recently bestowed on them positions of authority over some or all of its Central Texas region.
Christy Ogle has been named Area Developer and she and Max are Presidents of multiple chapters and groups. As such, they recruit new members, oversee weekly in-person and virtual meetings and manage member activities as well as issue perks and rewards. It appears that they will be allowed to operate as they see fit, with little supervision and oversight. While most of the Master Network local chapter Facebook groups are publicly viewable, the Ogle-run Central Area Facebook pages were recently made private.
The Ogles Have Atttached & Burrowed into the Scalp of Master Networks Central Texas
As we are discovering, business networking groups like Master Networks may be perceived (correctly or incorrectly) by Master Liars & Bullies (MLBs) as safe havens where they are free to spin their fanciful stories and claims of success unchallenged.
All of these networks, to varying degrees, indirectly and directly pressure their networking members to refer business and provide endorsements and support for fellow network members. For this reason, the quality and reputation of a network, long term, will be determined by the selectivity, requirements and quality control the organization has over its membership.
The overwhelming mandate of cheerfulness and positive thinking by charismatic leaders like Chas Wilson add to an environment where hard scrutiny and criticism are resisted.
While founder and motivational figurehead Chas Wilson cites TRUST as a key principle in successful networking, Master Networks has not only accepted Christy Ogle and Max Ogle as members, it has recently bestowed on them positions of authority over some or all of its Central Texas region.
Christy Ogle has been named Area Developer and she and Max are Presidents of multiple chapters and groups. As such, they recruit new members, oversee weekly in-person and virtual meetings and manage member activities as well as issue perks and rewards. It appears that they will be allowed to operate as they see fit, with little supervision and oversight.
While most of the Master Network local chapter Facebook groups are publicly viewable, the Ogle-run Central Area Facebook pages were recently made private.
Like other burrowers, the longer they are left to dig themselves in, the more difficult it will be to remove them.
Master Networks May Have Been Unaware of the Ogles’ Reputation Before. Now They Know. And Are Silent.
Spend a little time watching Master Networks videos and you’ll realize it must take a lot to leave them speechless.
I mean, this is an entire organization of people who take their spiels serious.
They craft their spiels.
Hone their spiels.
Critique and fine-tune their spiels.
And share their spiels at every possible opportunity.
And yet when we contacted the home office with our questions and concerns?
Crickets.
We sent out emails to key Master Network chapter presidents… and got no response.
One exception: ever since when we downloaded the free eBook (8 half-pages is a book?) we have been getting really nice emails from Chas.
(I think we’re connecting!)
Those Who Talk the Talk Sometimes Gotta Walk the Walk
We checked the Central Texas Region page and saw that Chapter Presidents’ names are no longer listed on the meeting schedules.
We noticed that the Central Texas FB pages have been made “Private” to keep out prying eyes.
Burrow… burrow… burrow…
This week we will share the video and this post.
Hopefully, Master Networks will realize that that itching feeling these videos may have started only gets worse when ignored.
Liars & Bullies:
Liars & Bullies Episode 1: Sometimes Spouse, Waco, Texas
Beware of Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors!
LOCALS LOVE US! A Pants on Fire Franchise?
YouTube Links:
Liars & Bullies Episode 1 Part 1: Sometimes Spouse, Waco, TX
Liars & Bullies Episode 1 Part 2: Does Master Networks Promote Liars & Bullies?
UnhappyFranchisee Posts:
Sometimes Spouse – Index of Posts
Christy Ogle / Sometimes Spouse FACT CHECK Initiative
Will This Waco Couple Get Away With Fraud? Watchdog Website Needs Your Help.
SOMETIMES SPOUSE Christy Ogle Max Ogle Bankruptcy Filing
FRANCHISE WARNING: Sometimes Spouse, Christy Ogle
FRANCHISE DISCUSSIONS by Company
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH SOMETIMES SPOUSE, MAX OGLE, CHRISTY OGLE? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: Master Networks, Master Networks Texas, Chas Wilson, Master Networks Waco, Sometimes Spouse, Christy Ogle, Max Ogle, Liars, Bullies, Liars & Bullies, Ogle bankruptcy, Ogle lawsuits, 1 Million Cups, Waco, Greater Hewitt Chamber, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Liars & Bullies Initiative
I noticed shortly after my bad experience with Sometimes Spouse that many of the “winners” in the Locals Love Us program around that time were also members of the local BNI group.
M: thanks for your comment. This raises interesting questions about the honesty of some seemingly harmless programs. It seems harmless for a networking group to rally to promote a friend and colleague. And advertising gimmickry like Locals Love Us seems harmless. But when combined with a bad actor trying to hide a terrible reputation, it feels like fraud.
I noticed the same thing on Alignable. Nowhere else are there such universally glowing reviews.
Sometimes Spouse has also offered $25 gift cards for positive reviews and also for subscribing to them on YouTube.
Perhaps if they focused their energy on doing a great job instead of daily videos with 2-4 views, and if they paid subs like Alex Lopez, Locals WOULD love them.
I realize the tool business wasn’t the main focus of this article.
However for years I thought eBay should have a category called “s#!t I stole from work”.
You see some listings and it is just obvious that one way or another some items found their way from the jobsite to the website.
Electrical items (breakers, outlets and the like) are popular items in this category.
Few customers are going to notice on a large job that they payed for 20 breakers and only 15 were installed. These items don’t have serial numbers and can sell for $30 or more depending on type. You can also fit quite a few in a backpack or toolbox.
I guess “s#!t I stole from a friend needs to be its own category as well.
It is very easy to do big numbers when you cost of goods sold is $0.