Affiliate Programs
Empower Network Review 2026
⚠️ BANKRUPT 2017 — Pioneer internet marketing MLM, co-founded by David Sharpe (Legendary Marketer)
1.0
HomeBusinessWatch Rating
Last updated: March 20, 2026
What is Empower Network?
⚠️ BANKRUPT 2017. Blogging and internet marketing MLM founded by David Wood and David Sharpe in 2011. At its peak had 100,000+ affiliates promoting viral blog posts and digital training products. Filed for bankruptcy in August 2017 following David Wood's highly publicized personal struggles. David Sharpe later founded Legendary Marketer (also now closed).
Pros
- Was genuinely innovative — pioneered viral blog-based affiliate marketing in 2011
- Provided income for some early affiliates before collapse
- David Sharpe's teaching was considered valuable by some members
Cons
- ⚠️ Filed for bankruptcy August 2017 — all affiliates lost income overnight
- Co-founder David Wood experienced public personal breakdown before bankruptcy
- David Sharpe left in 2015 amid personal and professional conflicts
- Illustrates the catastrophic risk of building income on someone else's platform
- Many affiliates lost significant income when the company collapsed
- Successor Legendary Marketer (David Sharpe) also closed in February 2026
Rating Breakdown
Residual Income
1.0
Potential for ongoing passive income
Simplicity
1.0
Easy to understand and execute
Transparency
1.0
Clear about costs, requirements, and income
Community & Support
1.0
Quality of training and community
Value for Money
1.0
Worth the investment
Overall Rating
1.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Empower Network
Why did Empower Network fail?
Empower Network filed for bankruptcy in August 2017. Co-founder David Wood cited an accounting error and his own personal struggles (which became very public) as contributing factors. The company had been declining for years before the final collapse.
What happened to David Sharpe after Empower Network?
David Sharpe left Empower Network in 2015 and went on to found Legendary Marketer in 2016. Legendary Marketer grew significantly before David Sharpe announced its closure in February 2026 — ending another 9-year run. Two major internet marketing platforms, both gone.
What happened to Empower Network affiliates?
When Empower Network filed for bankruptcy in 2017, all affiliate agreements and income streams ended immediately. Affiliates who had built significant income from the platform lost everything. This is one of the most cited examples of the risk of MLM income dependency.