Since your friend has so much success with her business, maybe she would allow you to use her as a refernence to these doubting people. Say, here is my friend who is doing the same things, she is a success, please join and help me be a success and your business will benefit.

It seems that there are so many SCAMS out there nowadays, that people are very skeptical. They don't know you or trust you yet. Why not get some references from people who you've done business with before. Set up in a weekend farmer's market, expose yourself to lots of people, set up at a flea market. Just get your name out there.