Connections and Conversations
David Bland, Publisher
One of my favorite assignments as Publisher is interviewing leading executives in the channel to seek their insights from the C-Suite. The Getting Real feature, published about six times per year, allows me to do that in the most fluid way possible: a Q&A format.
What was your cause or foundation’s biggest win this year?
This fall, MONAT Gratitude launched an initiative to help narrow the achievement gap in underserved communities around the world by pledging to donate $1 million through grants to eligible nonprofit organizations. We are focused on supporting K-12 programs that provide arts, music, sports or entrepreneurship opportunities to help students grow into knowledgeable, well-rounded adults. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to explore their talents and achieve their full potential. We are proud to expand our efforts through this program and hope these grants open doors to brighter futures for thousands of talented young people around the world.
— Lu Urdaneta, Founder and CEO, MONAT Gratitude
Mark Schissel, HerbalifeHerbalife Nutrition Ltd. has appointed Mark Schissel as chief operating officer. Schissel will oversee worldwide operations for the company as well as global business services, finance, IT and infrastructure, and cyber and global security. Most recently, he served as executive vice president of worldwide operations.
Ryan Reigle, Regal WareRyan Reigle has been named president and CEO of Regal Ware Inc. He will succeed his father, Jeffrey A. Reigle, who will become chairman of the board. Ryan Reigle began his career with the company in 2007 and moved up to senior vice president in 2019. He was elected to the board in 2018.
“The only constant is change,” said Greek philosopher Heraclitus about 2,470 years ago. Wise words that capture the reality of our times.
For the upcoming year, there are many changes we are wondering about in our channel: Will the new administration encourage more regulation of direct selling companies via the Federal Trade Commission or other regulatory bodies?
How will the pandemic influence in-person gatherings and person-to-person selling in the coming months?
Will the vaccine allow us to “get back to normal?” What is normal?
By: Teresa Day Craighead
Founded: 1973
Executive: Bob D’Loren
Location: Dresden, Ohio
Website: Longaberger.com
SSN: What motivated you to acquire Longaberger last year?
At Xcel brands, we were looking for something in the home sector to diversify our category offering and reach the consumer directly, and I saw the opportunity to acquire the company. I’ve always been excited about iconic brands. I like to say that icons live forever. Sometimes they just need a little bit of tender, loving care to get people reengaged with the brand.
Xcel Brands Inc. today is launching a new digitized business model for Longaberger, transforming the traditional multi-level platform of the artisanal and handcrafted home decor business it acquired in 2019, into a state-of-the-art, peer-to-peer social commerce community with expanded home and lifestyle categories.
“The plan is to become the largest social commerce community in the world,” chairman and CEO Robert D’Loren said in an exclusive interview. “This could be a $1 billion platform in five years. This can be replicated throughout the world. That’s the goal. ” Full story on Forbes.com.
The direct selling company JRJR Networks Brands or JRJR33 LLC has filed for chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Dallas.
The company was the majority owner of eight different direct sales companies, including Longaberger Co., Agel, Kleeneze, Betterware, Tomboy Tools, Paperly, Uppercase Living, and My Secret Kitchen.
In 2013, JRJR Networks Brands acquired a 51.7% stake in Longaberger. The parent company, founded by direct-sales veteran John Rochon, also owns Tomboy Tools, a direct seller of tools for women and Agel Enterprises, which sells a line of nutritional gel products, among others.
In April, JRJR was delisted from the NYSE due to its inability to provide audited financial statements on time. JRJR33 and Longaberger listed between $1 million and $10 million in both assets and liabilities, court papers show. A lawyer representing the companies in the bankruptcy case couldn’t be reached for comment. Judge Harlin DeWayne Hale has been assigned the case, number 18-32124.
Full story at WSJ.com