Ex-Con Creates Charity Franchise? Or a Con?
March 13, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
The press release says ex-con Tristan Dunn has created the first charity franchise.
Or it may be an un-franchise.
Actually, it may just be a press release that says he created the first charity franchise.
Or it may be a con job.
This press release appeared on PR.com:
Ex Con Creates Charity FranchiseTristan Dunn, a Wisconsin man who spent 7 years in prison, has created the first charity franchise, a fund raising company that benefits schools, churches, and other non profits.Milwaukee, WI, March 13, 2009 –(PR.com)– Fundraising System Benefits Schools and Non Profits.Tristan Dunn, a Wisconsin man who spent 7 years in prison, has created the first charity franchise, a fund raising company that benefits schools, churches, and other non profits.
Dunn’s company is called “www.Your Charity Shop.Com.”
“We give 60-85 % of the profits from our sales to the charities,” he said.
“Most companies, if they participate, give an average of 50 %,” he said.
“It’s a way of giving back,” he said.
An internet brokerage firm that leverages with the largest retailers in the country, customers shop through Dunn’s web portal, with the majority of the profits going to the charitable entities.
So far, Dunn said, over 50 schools have signed on board. More are sure to follow, he said.
“The economy is challenging all aspects of our country—particularly for those entities that depend on discretionary dollars.”
“It’s a win-win for everyone,” Dunn said.
For more information contact Dunn @ 1-800-806-6857.
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Contact: Tristan Dunn @ 262 707 9062
I don’t know what’s more intriguing: A guy who leads with his unexplained prison record, a franchise that gives money away, or a franchise press release that leads to a website touting the “un-franchise.” On the website, there’s no mention of a franchise opportunity or information about Mr. Dunn.
At the bottom of Mr. Dunn’s alleged website are tiny letters “Independant [sic] UnFranchise Owner © and Independant [sic] Distributor for Market America.com”
Anyone familiar with Mr. Dunn’s “YourCharityShop” franchise, Market America or MarketAmerica.com?
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
I know a few people involved with Market America, and it’s a MLM. I think they try an use that term, un-franchise, just to promote it saying its better then a franchise. As we all know, MLMs got a real bad reputation a few years back and this one seems to be the only one I ever hear about any more. I guess just like with franchising, crooks got involved with it and turned it bad, perhaps in a few years, people will react the same way to the word “franchising” as they do “multi-level marketing” and run when they see anyone talking about the, “opportunity”.
Hi,
I am responding to your recent article, I have set up our schools PTA with your charity shop and my parents love it. The products are great and we earn 70% of the profits. I think everyone deserves a second chance and the people that I have spoke with at your charity shop have been very helpful and friendly.
Thanks,
Mary Levins, Florida
I think it’s great that this individual is trying to make a difference. At least he is trying, I work with ex-cons and for this guy to set this up is outstanding in my opinion. Rather than condemn him we should promote him, thats why most of these guys go back is that society won’t give them a second chance.
I don’t even know what MLM is, but I checked with the company and I guess its been around for over 15 years and what impressed me is that they publish their “audited” company financial statement, which they don’t have to do. Do your research with this company and you might be surprised.
Tom Baxter
Small Business Coach
New York City
This concerns the article on the Charity Franchise and Ms. Dunn. I think it takes a lot of guts to for this woman to come out and tell the world that she is a former inmate. I wish more people had the gumption to admit their mistakes and are now trying to make the world a better place. I know people in Market America too and they are all friendly people who are very positive. To MA’s credit I did learn that the only way people make money in that company is by helping other people make money. If you just care about yourself than you will not make it. Some of my friends make a lot of money with Market America and I respect them immensely. I did Amway years back and MA is not a MLM, learn what the word means and than study MA’S compensation plan, if everyone gets 100% credit for everyone else’s efforts and there are no levels than how is it Multi-level?? I don’t personally work with Market America, but I did see their business plan and it is world’s apart from what MLM is. Do your homework before you post.
Hello,
I am a CPA from Arizona and have a few clients that own a Market America Unfranchise, I actually do their taxes and was very skeptical about this and thought it was a scam. Because I am responsible to the IRS I did a lot of research regarding Market America and I think this gal is on the right track. The more I looked at MA the more confident I got. I poured over their financial statements, they have been audited for accuracy, and the company has quite a postive record. I took a look at their top money performers and I was blown away by all the people that are millionaires becaue of this company. It goes to show you what prejudices we have, I was the same way until I actually researched the company. Kudos to this person and what their trying to accomplish.
I am writing a story on Mr. Dunn for the AP News and have spoke with him at length, researched his company and him, and found his story quite compelling. As a journalist my job is to report the facts and as far as I could find he is legit, he was very open about his past, explained at length and everything he said matched up to my investigation. One thing about Mr. Dunn is he went to great lengths to inspire confidence with his company. He has an open-book policy where everything is laid out for the public to verify, all the sales, all the figures, and all the profits going to the right place. I was even privy to examining all of these documents, I also had our IT guy verify to make sure.
One thing that people should understand is that people like Mr. Dunn don’t have to come out and announce their past, he could have easily hid behind a front. It took a lot of courage for him to initiate this release and as far as Market America, we have done numerous stories on their company and product line. MA’s product line in particular was a focus for our health and wellness series. We took a look at Antioxidants and Market America’s OPC-3 was a huge hit with a lot of our viewers. We had one woman claim that her Multiple Sclerosis went into remission with this product. All in all, I believe that Mr. Dunn is on the right track and everyone should give credit where credit is due.
Aother Michael Milken?
On another note, Sean, I’ve awarded you the Lemonade Award. Click here to see what that means and what happens next.
“Gloria Tapia” writes I am writing a story on Mr. Dunn for the AP News and have spoke with him at length…
Ms. Tapia, I would love to talk to you but am unable to find any contact information or even any of your new stories. How can I get in touch?
I am writing a story on Mr. Dunn for the AP News and have spoke with him at length…
Why did he spend 7 years in jail? His crime wasn’t disclosed in the release or on the website.
He has an open-book policy where everything is laid out for the public to verify…
Is he offering a franchise opportunity, as the press release states, or an “un-franchise” MLM opportunity, as the website states. I’m confused.
we have done numerous stories on their company and product line. MA’s product line in particular was a focus for our health and wellness series. We took a look at Antioxidants and Market America’s OPC-3 was a huge hit with a lot of our viewers.
The Associated Press health & Wellness series, or some other? Can you provide a link to these stories?
Looking forward to learning more about this inspirational entrepreneur, Mr. Dunn.
Thanks for the Lemonade award, Miki!
Your link wasn’t working for me, so here it is again:
http://mappingcompanysuccess.com/2009/03/we-won-the-lemonade-award/
Gloria… Charles… Kathy… Tom… Mary…
Wow! Tristan Dunn has quite a fan club!
In 2 years I don’t think any other entrepreneur has garnered such immediate, positive support as Mr. Dunn. He must be quite a guy.
Why’d he go to prison for 7 years?
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