FreeLife: Difference between revisions
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Using the Multi-level Marketing model, Freelife has grown into an international company and does business in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Anguilla]], [[Antigua]], [[Barbuda]], [[Australia]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[Bermuda]], [[Brunei]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Fiji]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Macau]], [[Mexico]], [[New Zealand]], [[Philippines]], [[Singapore]], [[St. Kitts]], [[St. Lucia]], [[St. Martin]], [[The Grenadines]], [[Trinidad]], and [[Tobago]]. |
Using the Multi-level Marketing model, Freelife has grown into an international company and does business in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Anguilla]], [[Antigua]], [[Barbuda]], [[Australia]], [[Bahamas]], [[Barbados]], [[Bermuda]], [[Brunei]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Fiji]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Macau]], [[Mexico]], [[New Zealand]], [[Philippines]], [[Singapore]], [[St. Kitts]], [[St. Lucia]], [[St. Martin]], [[The Grenadines]], [[Trinidad]], and [[Tobago]]. |
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==Controversy== |
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[[Image:Mindellcbc.jpg|thumb|Earl Mindell accosts CBC reporter [[Wendy Mesley]].]] |
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Freelife's spokesperson, Earl Mindell, has made several claims about the health benefits of [[wolfberry]] juice (commercially known as "goji" juice) on behalf of his partner company, FreeLife. Mindell's claims regarding goji juice include supposed benefits for cancer patients. |
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In a hidden-camera investigation and an interview by [[Wendy Mesley]] on the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] consumer television program ''Marketplace'' (aired 24 January, 2007), H. Leon Bradlow, the author of a study that Mindell cites as support for this anti-cancer claim, says that his original research does not, in fact, show that goji juice has any anti-cancer properties, and states "I don't have proof that it would have that effect in a tumor in a mouse, let alone a person." |
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In addition, Bradlow's study was carried out at [[Hackensack University Medical Center]], not the "prestigious" [[Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center]] as Mindell had repeatedly claimed. |
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Mesley then went on to confront Mindell, whom Freelife refers to as "Dr. Mindell" about the validity of his Ph.D from [[Pacific Western University]] and whether or not he is a medical doctor. Mindell asserted that his degree is "accredited in every state in the Union", a claim that is clearly contrary to fact <ref>[http://www.GojiJuiceNewsCenter.com Goji Juice News Center] - A partial transcript from the CBC Freelife Report</ref>. Shortly after this comment, he ejected Mesley and her crew from his house and threatened to call the police.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2007/01/goji.html CBC Marketplace Freelife and Goji Juice Report] Getting Juiced</ref> |
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Freelife has disputed the information revealed in this investigation. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 22:55, 25 September 2007
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Multi-level Marketing |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Phoenix, Arizona |
Key people | Ray Faltinsky Kevin Fournier Earl Mindell |
| Products | Himalayan Goji Juice |
Number of employees | 200 |
| Website | www.FreeLife.com |
FreeLife International is a Multi-level Marketing company established in 1995 by Ray Faltinsky, best known for promoting Himalayan Goji Juice, made from goji berries.
History
When Ray Faltinsky was young, he discovered that his mother was ill with osteoporosis and could eventually be confined to a wheelchair. The Faltinsky family was concerned until Ray’s older brother, who was deeply involved in nutrition, gave her a vitamin rich drink which she agreed to try. It is said that over a period of months, the pain eased, and her mobility increased. This event inspired Mr. Faltinsky, and after studying Direct Sales and Multi-Level Marketing, founded Freelife International together with his friend Kevin Fournier in 1995.
Freelife was backed by investors, including Anson Beard of Morgan Stanley/Dean Witter, and with leading nutritionist and author of the best-selling nutritional book, the “Vitamin Bible“, Earl Mindell. FreeLife has since grown into a large multi-million dollar international company, [1] and has been ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the nation.
Products
Freelife’s product line initially consisted of vitamins, weight loss products, shampoo and personal care products. Freelife has since changed its product lines and now focuses on a juice made from wolfberry and sold under the name of Himalayan Goji Juice Some claim Freelife’s special wolfberry juice has strong nutritional properties, helps with cancers, and has anti-aging properties. [2]
Freelife has teamed up Earl Mindell, a nutritionist known throughout the United States and Canada for his book “The Vitamin Bible”[3]. Earl Mindell has since written a book entitled “Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret”. Earl Mindell claims Goji Juice, which is made from goji berries, will help Americans "look and feel 20 years younger," a claim which has caused controversy.[4]
Business model
FreeLife operates as a Multi-level marketing company where commissions are paid on multiple levels for recruiting others to buy and sell the product. Getting started includes an initial financial investment plus getting set up on a monthly 4-pack shipment of Himalayan Goji Juice for about $129.95 +taxes & shipping (about $200.00 per month). By recruiting others to buy and sell the product, an individual can reduce their product expenses and earn additional revenue.
Using the Multi-level Marketing model, Freelife has grown into an international company and does business in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brunei, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Hong Kong, Macau, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Martin, The Grenadines, Trinidad, and Tobago.
References
- ^ The Truth About FreeLife International Review - From an Internet Opportunities website
- ^ ABC News highlights Freelife's Goji Juice
- ^ The Vitamin Bible
- ^ Oat, Brittany (July 14, 2006). "Goji: Health Elixir or Pricey Juice?". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
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