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Versativa/ForeverGreen: The truth about this MLM!

2/23/2011

9 Comments

 
Greetings,
     First, let me say that it is not my intent to speak badly about any company that looks to promote a hemp product, but rather to make sure community members know the facts regarding solicitations some people are getting from a “new” company called “Versativa.”
     I have been asked just “who are” these guys and “why” are some hemp networkers now promoting them and not the hemp network. So I really had no choice but to help reveal some facts about “Versativa” so do not make the mistake of falling for the hype.

Fact #1: Versativa is NOT a company. It is a brand name. 
     To start, let it be known that “Versativa” is NOT a new company at all; it is a “brand name” given to a new product line that will soon be offered by an MLM Company named ForeverGreen. On January 18th 2011 ForeverGreen applied for a trademark for the Versativa name to be used on this new product line.
     Their products? Well the flagship product is a 1lb bag of what contains a product that looks like tar balls consisting of Hemp and Fruit that comes in 3 flavors, and you eat it like a snack... watching a video of one of their reps was actually kind of funny. If you looked at their face and did not listen to their forced praise it looks like they were eating sour gummy bears! Could be a great product, what do I know. But I would much rather sell traditional hemp products (seed, flour, coffee), nutritional products (omega, protein), and of course clothing/accessories (belts, bags, etc) than bags of hemp fruit snacks. But hey that is just me.
      So when you get a solicitation from someone telling you about this exciting “new company” that is going to be the next “big thing,” realize that there is no new company but rather a new hemp/fruit product being offered by an "old" company.

Fact #2: ForeverGreen is a Financially Struggling Company
     If the “old” company was in fact a successful company with a solid track record perhaps I too would still be excited. But it is not; In fact it’s just the opposite.
      Who is ForeverGreen? Well to be brutally honest it is a failing network marketing company that has lost money every year since 2005 except one (when it broke even). These are not my personal opinions these are facts as shown in their public financial records.

 Here is a quote from the last publicly available Quarterly Report:
      “At September 30, 2010, cash decreased to $56,603, we recorded a net loss of $228,730 for the 2010 nine month period and a net loss of $76,718 for the three month period ended September 30, 2010 (“2010 third quarter”). We also had negative working capital of $2,868,824 at September 30, 2010. Our net loss was minimized through effective management of our resources and cost reductions through financial and operational efficiencies.”
     “However, the losses and negative working capital raise doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.” http://biz.yahoo.com/e/101115/fvrg.ob10-q.html
     Again, these are not my words this is an official statement from the management of ForeverGreen themselves. Note this is not just one “bad year” you can look at their financial statements going all the way back to 2005. With the exception of one year they consistently lost money. It is using these facts that I can say they were a “failing company” without feeling as if I am being overly critical. It certainly is not a successful company! So while they have been unsuccessful selling every other product they offer, somehow they are now going to be the “next big thing” selling a new Hemp/Fruit snack? Really, what would lead anyone to believe that?
     While perhaps they can turn things around, their track record is not one that anyone who runs a business should be proud of. And I for one would not look to try to build a “hemp business” using a product being offered by a company who by their own admission may not be around that much longer!

     Note, if you spend money, time, and energy building a Versativa business and for whatever reason they do not sell enough bags of hemp/fruit gummy bears to overcome the 6 year trend of losing money almost every year... well when they shut the doors and you go out of business too.

      It is a harsh reality that many MLMers have built a business only to see the company they were working with go out of business, and they have to start all over.

Fact #3: MLMers “Leaders” are like Pied Pipers

     OK, now I will likely step on some toes (sorry) but there is a reason many (if not most) individuals have a bad impression of the network marketing industry. It is the actions just like of those who were once “leaders” with the Hemp Network that turn off most people to the industry as a whole. They basically used the hemp network "idea" and presentation to attract hundreds to the network, then when they were not happy (for whatever reason)  they “jump ship” and then openly solicit those who joined the hemp network to join them at some “new deal” where... it just so happens they will financially benefit. Sadly, the “grass is greener” recruiting technique works well in the MLM industry. This is why most never succeed. Many are seduced by the “pied pipers” and follow them from one “deal” to the next and ultimately get burned out and do not even try anymore. Does this matter to the “pied pipers”? Not really. They make their “fast start” profits when they get YOU to join THEM at their new deal.

     It saddens me when I see otherwise “good people” fall for these techniques, with promises of becoming “founders” or getting in “at the top”. They in turn do the bidding of the “pied pipers” suggesting how exciting everything is with the “new” deal. But note, the "leaders" that jumped ship, well they have been with ForeverGreen for years before they joined The Hemp Network. So the fact that they “jumped” back does not indicate any wisdom on their part... but rather is par for the course. MLMer trend to move from company to company, disrupting entire hierarchy's to attract pre-qualified individuals from one deal where they do not profit from them to a NEW deal where they do. They do this over and over throughout their “MLM career”.

      So you now know who they are (an old MLM company on the verge of going out of business and NOT a new company) you should be better prepared to deal with anyone misrepresenting Versativa as a new company or anything other than “just another MLM deal”. Just trying to keep it real...

     Fact is The Hemp Network may not make it! Who knows what the future holds, but when you are being asked to invest time, money, and energy building a business you want to make sure you know the facts as they relate to the financial ability of the company you are helping to build to stay in business to reward you for your efforts.

     With The Hemp Network you are indeed working with a “new” company and there are risks (and potential rewards!) for helping to get it started. With Versativa you are trying to save a failing company whose own management is questioning its ability to remain a viable business. Knowing the facts can help you make a good decision and not be misled by hype and the "grass is greener" presentation.

Live Free...Peace, Love, and Hope

Your webmaster,

Sean Crystal

Join me at http://thehempnetwork.com/hemp4victory to be part of a “movement”

9 Comments
Susan L.
3/3/2011 03:47:19 am

I am a part of Versativa, and was once a part of Hemp Network. I do not agree with any of this... I've been receiving emails from both companies, and I can tell you that I am so much more impressed with Versativa than I ever was of HN. I was once a stock broker when I lived in Long Island, and I can tell you that these numbers Sean is sharing are nothing bad. Every company, when they are publicly traded, will show their debt. I won't get into this money debate, but I can assure anyone reading this that this is all a part of a bigger agenda for Hemp Network. They are playing dirty to the minds of ignorant people, and that's not right.

The professionalism I see from HN is the reason why I am no longer a part of that company. It sounds to me like Toyota employees are going into the Honda dealership and talking trash. I haven't heard anyone from Versativa say anything bad about Hemp Network... Is this company afraid of competition? It sounds to me like the people with HN are desperate and trying to say/do everything they possibly can to convert people to their company. I hope they know their actions are making them look worse.

At the end of the day, anyone reading this should do their own research and come to their own conclusions. All of this stuff sounds like schoolyard stuff. Personally, I chose to walk away from Hemp Network because I became extremely unhappy with their lack of communication and products that had nothing to do with hemp. I have tried some sample product from Versativa, and to say I was impressed is an understatement.

I will continue supporting anyone that supports hemp, but I will also stand up against a supporter if I feel their agenda is to do nothing but bash, mislead, and misguide. I believe Versativa is a good company with good people running the show. I believe Hemp Network, while at the beginning seemed genuine, is now a company trying desperately to do anything they can to stay afloat, even if it means talking trash about a company that they know is better than them.

I apologize if I offended anyone here. My intention is not to offend, but rather inform. I do not agree with this article at all, but that's just my opinion. I've done MLM's before, and I can tell you that HN did nothing but disappoint while Versativa has done nothing but impress.

So far. Who knows. All I know is that I think this article sounds like it's being written by people that can't handle competition. May the best company win.



Reply
Sean Crystal link
3/3/2011 07:49:35 am

Hello, you're webmaster here to clear a few things up that Susan mentioned; but first I would like to thank her for commenting and voicing her opinion! Also I'm not going to get into full detail because I don't have 100% of the facts.

I received these comments from someone at Versativa after posting their financial reports and the story that you read here on my blog:

Versativa wrote: “Oh yeah did I tell you many people you know made $1,000 their first month. Crystal, Amir everyone. So we'll be partying in Cancun (the trip we won while your watching us legalize hemp production in the USA!”

Versativa wrote: “And yes the company you are (I am under the assumption they were inclining THN) has been evicted , has no offices and was raided by the feds!! Good luck with that :)”

There is no reason for me to try to convince anyone to stay with “The Hemp Network”... the majority of the growth will be from those who have not heard of V or the network yet. So my focus should be on attracting new members not trying to keep any existing ones.
Making money selling product bundles with a price tag of $150-$300 is easy...especially when you make the sales to those who have already been pre-sold on an “idea”. So those who built a large customer/member base with the hemp network...who then solicited them and sold them a $300 product bundle should indeed have been able to make a good commission check for that initial wave.
Fact is, if the hemp network products came out faster...those same individuals would have made the same (or more) with the network. So it was not the product or the company that provided any unique opportunity to profit, but rather individuals who already had dozens of customers lined up courtesy of the network whom they sold too.
But again, spending time engaging in such debates/conversation is pointless to what we are trying to achieve.
The hemp network never had an official office, but was rather a house that those who stayed or visited referred to the “hemp house”. It was occupied and “run” by a few of the very individuals who are now calling themselves the founders of V. So if there was any trouble at that residence it was due to the activities of some of the “V” founders themselves as they were allowed for a time to be the “leaders” of the network.
Again... something we need not spend time on explaining as it is not relevant to what we are doing but represents the mistake made by letting those who occupied the house be referred to as the leaders of the network (it was used more as a party house from what I understand) and the house as the “home office.”
So I intend to stop antagonizing Versativa members and simply look to share whatever info I can with those who seek information from me or my website...because no one will ever have the time to fully explain any of the rebuttals or cross talk.

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cody
4/21/2011 06:20:34 am

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Richard B. link
5/6/2011 01:53:21 am

Sean, I must say that I was once part of the HN because I was looking to be part of a movement to change the world. I thought that HN was on that path. However, zero communication and just a "pill" with a hemp leaf on the bottle is not a movement. When I founf that the HN was bought by CanaBank and the focus was to be moved towards the mass production of medical marijuana (not good a spelling) I started to try to find answer from the HN. Sadly I got none and started to look for another opportunity... I found Versativa and it has been a plesure to be involved in a movement that actually appreciates its members and has a constant flow of communication. I will not get into the money debate because it can be said of any MLM, here today gone tomorrow. However, I do know that Forever Green stock has remained steady since I became a member and HN stock has been in a fall and has lost $0.03 this week alone. I am glad that I am part of Versativa and still wonder if the HN has come together even to this day.

Reply
ME
5/7/2011 11:44:02 pm

So what happened to your company... Versativa is growing and taking the world by storm.. it is growing with all the biggest networkers joing at un for seen pace... We are a company part of the forevergreen family... lets get the story straight... and where did your company go to anyway.. so you joined up with us... great job!

Reply
Cindy
5/7/2011 11:49:09 pm

You should just delete this whole story...
get on with life ! No more bad mouthing...
Cut your losses and move on, The hemp network, I think it is gone, by by..see ya.? I couldn't find it any where!.. I know you will reap what you sow so spread peace love and happiness.. no more attacking.. Hemp Hemp Hooray

Reply
Sean Crystal link
5/8/2011 10:43:26 am

Trolling is not tolerated on my site. Before you accuse me of attacking Versativa why didn't you contact me to get the rest of the story?

First off The Hemp Network is not dead! The new owners have a much bigger vision then your so called team leaders at Versativa (The same people who called themselves the leaders of HN). Yes there have been some issues at The Hemp Network, but things are getting right back on track. The recent merge of the parent company Medical Marijuana Inc (MJNA) with CannaBANK LLC is the greatest thing that has happened to the network. Since this merge MJNA stock went from $.03 per share to maintaining above $.15 per share. That's a 500% increase and it's been as high as 700%.

My posting on this is from my personal experience in both companies, and yes I have exposed a negative side of Versativa, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't still like to see the company succeed!

You will not get your wish of me deleting this post as I do not promote censorship in any form, except when the behavior is completely rude and uncalled for. Consider this your warning!

We’ve all heard the sayings “Silence is Golden” and “No News is Good News.” Well there is some truth to both those sayings as it relates to the transition of the networks' new owners/partners!
But do not let the silence be misinterpreted as non-action, quite the contrary I can assure you. There has never been so much movement and focus on bringing the network vision to reality than there has been in the last 2 weeks, and even that activity level is ramping up.

Here is what I can tell you...the website is being completely redesigned with a new look and feel, a front-end retail store is being created so that new products can be purchased directly from your website. The focus will be on movement first, product second! There are lots of new product to be immediately released (those left over from the past owners including all the basics), an incredible amount of new products already sourced that will be released over time (almost too many products since the decision has been made to offer other popular hemp brands through the network!), new simplified compensation plan allowing for higher commissions to members actually making the sale or referral, products being priced at real market pricing so making sales through your website (or distributor business) will be easy, and that is just scratching the surface!

Peace, Love, and Hope!
Your Webmaster,
Sean Crystal

Reply
Tubby link
6/4/2011 11:35:53 pm

Hey there,

Good points/arguments by both sides. I went to the link for "The Hemp Network" through this site and went to the products tab. I only see 2 things: a pill, and mushrooms. Are these the ONLY 2 thinks "The Hemp Network" is marketing or did I miss a section?

Thanks!

Reply
cherylmiller webcam link
9/27/2013 02:28:48 am

I'm just browsing around your site for the first time, interesting read

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