Jonathan Budd launched his new app, MyStand, into beta on March 19th, claiming three and a half years of development. This release followed the official collapse of his previous venture, Rippln, in January, raising questions about Budd's involvement timeline with the new project.
Co-founder Shore Slocum's LinkedIn profile indicates MyStand's history dates back to September 2011, with a WordPress site live by November 2013. This suggests the project had roots before Rippln's demise. The timeline does not fully align with Budd's three-and-a-half-year claim made in a YouTube video.
MyStand shares several striking similarities with Rippln. It operates as a mobile application. Budd uses the same "ripple effect" language that defined his promotion of Rippln. The app also includes a social network component featuring downline tracking, elements that previously flagged Rippln as a multi-level marketing scheme.
Users of MyStand complete daily tasks assigned through the app. They verify completion and earn points for their efforts. The system also rewards users for making company-recommended purchases. While Budd has not released a full compensation plan, the structure clearly centers on points driving the entire system.
Budd presents MyStand as a force for good, prioritizing mission over profits and aiming to "change the world" through gaming. But the app's mechanics tell a different story. It tracks downlines. Affiliates earn points for completing tasks and for spending money on recommended products. This architecture closely mirrors a typical multi-level marketing model, despite the feel-good framing.
Compensation details remain unclear. Budd stated some tasks require spending money, with the company providing estimated average dollar amounts for each. He has kept the actual commission structure and payout formulas private. This opacity matters greatly for users, as such details often reveal the true nature of MLM schemes.
The speed of Budd's pivot from Rippln is notable. Rippln promised users earnings by sharing videos and building networks before its spectacular collapse. Barely two months later, he returned with MyStand, an essentially identical model presented in a different package.
The app format shifts the mechanics slightly; users complete tasks instead of sharing videos. But the underlying incentive structure remains the same: build a network, make purchases, and earn points based on downline activity. Users positioned at the bottom, as expected, will likely struggle to profit.
MyStand claims to be a "leading edge Mobile Gaming platform" that saves the planet while users play. No evidence has emerged to show it does anything beyond funneling money upward through its point system. Users should approach MyStand with extreme skepticism until Budd releases its full compensation plan.