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I'm not surprised at all that the roof finally caved in at arb()nn3. I knew this would happen with the way the company was run. They turned the other way when pyramids were built, people like me were taken advantage of and profits soared.

But greed and deception caught up with arb()nn3 and its former owners, Harvest Partners. Despite countless people like me, now without a husband but with a garage full of RE9, the roof caved in. Management encouraged frontloading, and I wonder how many people it affected like me. Management didn't seem to mind when my upline told me I needed to buy in for $2,500. I guess karma finally caught up with these guys, and that's why they're out.

My NVP told me earlier this week that everything is great, that arb()nn3 is on its way to $2 billion. Really? I guess the reason the banks took over the company and Harvest is out is because the company is about to experience growth? I'm sure Harvest left it for dead for some reason other than what my NVP is telling me. Surely they had a reason to hang on to a company that's really on its way to $2 billion.

On Wednesday, arb()nn3 posted this on their website, but then took it down the same day!

Dear Consultant,
You may have heard rumors or seen media reports in recent days speculating about arb()nn3’s financial condition and outlook.

I joined arb()nn3 because I believe it has a very bright and exciting future, and everything I have seen and learned since arriving at the company has only deepened my enthusiasm and excitement. I look forward to continuing to work closely with you, President Rita Davenport and the other members of the management team as we pursue our strategy and business plan to drive our company forward in the years ahead. Rita and I are convinced that what we have coming in 2010, with product utilizing state of the art technology, will make it a banner year for arb()nn3.

Since being named CEO in August, I have been closely reviewing our business strategy and operations, and meeting with employees, Consultants and Clients. These meetings have been terrific and have underscored for me that arb()nn3 is a very special organization, with committed employees and the best Consultants in the MLM industry.

As I’m sure you would expect, I have also devoted time to familiarizing myself with and studying the company’s financial situation. I view keeping our financial house in order as an important component of our strategy for success. In recent weeks, I—along with CFO Mark Lehman and our financial advisors—have been meeting with our lenders to discuss constructive ways in which we can strengthen the company’s balance sheet, and thereby enhance our future financial performance, as well as be in a better position to invest in business building ideas.

As we are about to celebrate our 30th anniversary, you are to be commended for building a strong, profitable company over time. You should be confident that your compensation from commissions and overrides is secure. All planned trips and incentives such as: ROAR, AAT, Areas in Paradise, NYC Trip, ASAP 2010 Caribbean Cruise, and NTC 2010 will remain as scheduled. In addition, we are planning even more activities and events in the upcoming year.

To the extent that we ultimately pursue financial restructuring with our lenders, the intent is merely to convert debt to equity, namely ownership. Such measures will have no impact on our day to day operations. The company has more than enough positive cash flow to continue our normal operations, and we expect there will be no disruptions to our relationships with arb()nn3 Independent Consultants, employees, suppliers or vendors.

In summary, I am very bullish on what I’ve seen and learned since becoming CEO of arb()nn3. We have
outstanding people and products—and a very bright future. I look forward to reporting to you on our progress as we continue to focus on opportunities to position arb()nn3 to achieve all of its goals and continue to prosper long into the future. In the meantime, you can help the future of arb()nn3 best by continuing to deliver your outstanding performance in the field, and in carrying this same message of optimism and belief in the future. I am calling on all Consultants to unite and help create anew the excitement needed to help arb()nn3 grow now more than ever. We are “Going for Glory” in 2010.

Most sincerely,

Kay Napier
CEO

Doesn't sound like a company headed for $2 billion. Sounds like a company salvaging the scraps, begging to keep people around while they pull cash out one last time.

Well, sorry arb()nn3. Your PIN number is no longer valid at my ATM. You fooled me once. Shame on you. :(:(:(

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with your upline. I can understand why you are hurt, disappointed and even angry! You should be upset with your upline though, not the company. My upline/ENVP, on the other hand discourages any big purchases up front. Actually we recommend signing up for $29 as a PC and getting the free upgrade to consultant through activity to keep costs as low as possible when starting out. Quite oppostite of what you have experienced. That is unfornate that you felt that you needed to do that. It is definitely not the philosphy of the company itself though. I can assure you.

The company IS headed toward becoming a $2 billion company. It is quite exciting. While you may misunderstand what is happening, this is a good thing that is going on and they will be stronger then ever.

My heart goes out to you for the experience that you had and the pain you have gone through necessarily. Hopefully in time you will be able to forgive and recover from your experience.

Blessings to you,

Yes, you are reading negative into something that is a positive for the company because you are hurt. Do not blame the great company that Arbonne is for something that your up line did to you. Front loading is not something that Arbonne advocates and many have been reprimanded or had their consultant ID's taken away for doing so. I am an ERVP and have been with the company for over 6 years. This business has allowed me the blessing of leaving a corporate job and working from home for over 4 years. My team is more excited than ever before and for good reason; we are the best!

Because of our new CEO’s business savvy, we are now debt free and have new owners! At a time when other companies have to pull back, we now have the resources for new research and new product development. In fact NTC 2010 will be our largest and most fantastic product launch ever. The reason that the letter was taken down is because Kay inadvertently mentioned the destination of our 2010 ASAP Trip which was not to be announced until December 1st.

I know you are hurting but trying to hurt others will not make you feel better. If you have so much RE9, why do you not sell it? It is the best product on the market and is liquid gold to so many! Take a negative and turn it into a positive!

I am thrilled and excited about the direction we are going in! I absolutely HATE to read that someone has had a bad experience due to a very misguided and unscrupulous upline. It simply isn't right to do that to someone. I met with my NVP last week and she is in constant contact with corporate about many things. She and many of the other Atlanta VP's met with some from corporate in a loooong meeting to discuss some things that they have been upset with. They fought very hard for our rights as consultants and let them know the things we needed from them and what simply wasn't working. As a result there have been some very positive changes come about and there are more in store! My NVP has said that they have effectively done a "house cleaning" from top to bottom and the people we have in now are working very hard to take the company to a higher level than ever before. I am under the group that started the Results approach. That is what attracted me to the business. I didn't want to have parties- ever! When other teams started to notice the success the Atlanta group was having, they incorporated that approach into their business and @rbon eventually accepted it at the corporate level. Unfortunately, many consultants misunderstood the approach and decided to tell people that you HAD to come in with a certain amount which was and is completely untrue. I was never told I had to buy a certain amount of kits to be successful. I did understand however, to do the business the way I wanted to, I would need some tools so I bought 4 kits. I WOULD NOT have done this if I couldn't have afforded to. Some people miss that crucial point. Our team can work with anyone's budget. Bottom line is, this business is open to everyone regardless of your financial situation now. After all, isn't that why most of us join @rbon?? To improve our finances? I'm more excited about where @rbon is headed now than I ever have been before! Sorry for the long post!

I'm a Pref. Client - but what are the bare minimums to be a consultant? Is it just a sales min. or do you have to sign up a certain amount of PC's too? I should shoot myself for asking - I've given up direct sales - but old habits die hard...

I am sorry,too that you had a bad experience with your Upline.
It is unfornate...
But the blame is with your Upline,not the company.
The company is one of the best out there!!

I joined a very successful team that shows us how to be successful at a the bare minimums..we can "earn" our kit by scheduling some Spa parties and earnig $$ for our kit...that way it costs no $$ upfront and we show you how to do these buy doing your 1st 2 or 3 parties for you so you can learn
or you can join for $29, and get started that way or you can start at $109 and get the business supplies if you are entreprenaural and want to get a fast start,
No way do you have to buy $2500 in products ever!! Your upline was $$ hungry,I'd say!
Too bad.
Our's is not and teaches us how to earn $$ not spend all of it!We have no monthly autoship either as there's no need to when we are doing parties and getting volume that way.
Thats why we do parties-it does 3 things- we get to share amazing products,while letting people experience these products for Free, and we get Business Builders from our parties and also we get Preferred Clients too.
it is so simple...and duplicatable.

When I first started I joined a team that did the 'Puppy dog 'or whatever it was called- style.
It did not work for me, I lost alot of $$ (spent way too mush $$ upfront on 4 kits and hardly no one could duplicate that and esp,in todays economy it is very hard for people to come up with even $800 or more to start a Home biz.
We work smarter not harder and it is cost effect.
Plus, we have a 45 day $$ back guarantee,why did you not send back your products in the alotted time?
Or sell them? Makes no sense.

ArBonne has a rule No frontloading..it is very discouraged.
Hope you find a company you like and works for you!!


There are so many exciting things coming it is so exciting!
We have a new product line coming that will have clinical trials done...and a ASAP trip anbd so much more.
I want to be around for all that!!

I was in Arbonne from 1989 to 2000. Before what seemed to me to be a handful of very over zealous team members taking it upon themselves to build Arbonne up on some seriously "shifting sand."

I don't think Arbonne corporate was to blame as much as a few people who just promised too much and had dollar signs in their eyes at the time.

I'm sure Arbonne can recover from this and that the new CEO can help folks see and experience the company in a whole new light.

Good luck reps. I enjoyed my time with Arbonne and still purchase some from a friend in the business!

I'm not with Arbonne but have many friends here in the Houston area who are or were in the business. The products are wonderful. I was a little bit interested in the business so I went to a biz opp meeting. And yes, the encouragement to frontload a lot of product was very much there. I did a lot of research and decided not to join at that time. In my research it did seem apparent that corporate knew what was going on and yet was turning a blind eye to it.

I'm glad to hear they have new leadership that is cleaning this up. I hope Arbonne continues to do well and that their leadership takes the company in an prosperous and ethical direction!