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Equinox International was a multi-level marketing company founded in 1991 and headed by Bill Gouldd. In 1996, Equinox was listed #1 on Inc Magazine's list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

The company and its founder came under scrutiny for its business practices; starting in 1997, investors, the FTC, and several states brought suit charging Equinox was an illegal pyramid scheme rather than a legitimate business.

On 25 April 2000, the Federal Trade Commission issued a notice that Equinox International settled a court case with a penalty of $40 million in restitution. Gouldd was required to surrender substantial holdings, but retained (among other things) over a million dollars worth of real estate.

Equinox International was ordered dissolved in April 2000. As part of the settlement, Gouldd was also "permanently restrained and enjoined from engaging, participating or assisting in any multi-level marketing program."

References

1. Donna Fenn (15 October 2000). "Fast-Sinking Star". Inc. magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
2. http://www.mlm-beobachter.com/pdf/equinoxorder.pdf
3. "Equinox fraud trial starts - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". 4 April 2000.
4. "Equinox International Settles Case with FTC, Eight States Nearly $40 Million in Restitution for Alleged Pyramid Victims | Federal Trade Commission". Ftc.gov. 25 April 2000. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
5. "All That Glitters Is Definitely Not Gouldd In Boca". Sun Sentinel. 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
6. ^ https://files.hawaii.gov/dcca/sec/news-releases/breg_pressrelease_equinox.pdf

• Defunct companies based in Nevada
• Defunct multi-level marketing companies
• Pyramid and Ponzi schemes