IS BUTTERFLY LIFE A GREAT FITNESS FRANCHISE?
May 10, 2007 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
Read interviews with Butterfly Life franchisees at UnhappyFranchisee.com
We sent out emails to fitness franchise owners, managers, employees, and customers asking which fitness franchise is best, and why. Our first responses were regarding a fitness franchise called “Butterfly Life.”
One commenter wrote:
Butterfly Life is the hottest new fitness franchise to hit since Curve’s… With all 3 aspects of health and wellness under one roof. Diet, Exercise and Well-Being is the combination to SUCCESS!!! Join the movement to make Butterfly Life the #1 Fitness Franchise across the Country!
Phil Gerst said:
The best fitness franchise for Women’s Fitness is Butterfly Life. We’ve been open for 8 1/2 months and have signed over 200 members. Our members are seeing results – losing weight and inches, feeling better and having more energy. The excerise equipment is designed by a women for women and use stacked weight with 12 levels – not the cheap hydraulic stuff. The members really like group exercise classes – and with more than 40 different classes – including step, dance, kick/box, and ball – cardio classes, Pilates and yoga classes and sclupting classes – there is something for everyone. Add BFL’s excellent diet program and nutrition counselling and you have a winning formula for members’ success and ours.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? IS BUTTERFLY LIFE A GREAT FITNESS FRANCHISE? LEAVE A COMMENT AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
To Doing My Best, and all:
The fact needs to be said those “some misrepresentations” that Doing My Best alluded to could be fraud in this country. If those little misrepresentations cause some one to sign on the dotted line, fork over the money into a venture that was not properly sold, what does that say? Those of us who have been around for longer that one year have seen the corporate drill over and over. And to “Doing My Best” We have gone out there and worked out backsides off. Why do you think we are still here after two and three years? Our own efforts and surprise OUR OWN MONEY going into promoting a non existent brand! Plus stepping outside the box not in the model to find other ways to generate revenue. I have spent more advertising $$ in my area than corporate. My marketing area knows me and my club more than my brand name. I could be Joe’s Gym and they will still come. Has nothing to do with the sign on my building! I still ask where’s Martha? An area rep told me in a phone conversation that that was a done deal!! And she would help me anytime. Of course the conversation started with her calling me under false pretences. When are THEY going to quit the Kool -Aid and smell the coffee? We are not dragging any one down. We just have seen the light sooner and want our money back. WAS THERE FRAUD IN THE INDUCEMENT?
Sean you asked about training and guidelines that Corporate has provided. I will be in touch.
I am still trying to figure out why I get and e-mail from Corporate that the Wed. training call has been cancelled but never get the one where it was scheduled!
BFL Corporate office consists of a ‘SLICK CAR SALESMAN’ who hired a bunch of ‘CHEERLEADERS’ who are willing to lie for him – (they must be paid very well).
When the franchisee tells the ‘CHEERLEADER’
“I’m worried I need more members & I’m running out of money – -I’m doing everything you told me to do”. The ‘Lying Cheerleaders’ say:
“Oh you must be doing something wrong
because you are the only one having this problem – the other clubs are doing great”.
This leaves us to think what failures we are
when in reality if there are successful clubs out there they should ask that club owner to outline for the rest of us how they did it. I guarantee you that IF they did it “outside the Model”.
Those clubs only exist in the lies of the car salesman and the cheerleaders. I’m wondering how they sleep at night.
Another question I have is since when is break even a ’successful club’. I got into this business to make money and pay my bills not to work
14 hour days only to come out of pocket 6 to 10 thousand dollars each and every month.
I would have never got into this business if I would have been told you’ll need at least $200,000 or more to sustain until you are break even. I knew I didn’t have that kind of money so just like I don’t buy the Corvette when I can only afford the Cavalier, I would have looked for another business I could afford to make successful.
I believe Area Rep club owners are the ones who are posting the possative blogs on this site because they have paid corporate $250,000 for a 50 club sales area. With this purchase they have the right to open their own club. They have invested I would guess around $350,000 by the time they buy the 50 club sales area and open a club of their own.
They have a lot of money invested and if this Brand fails – they walk away losing even more money than the rest of us so they need to paint a rosey picture just like the Car salesman and the Cheerleaders do.
I just want to state that we franchisees are not stupid people we have experience in running successful businesses-we are educated and successful people.
If BFL corporate delivered what they promised us in branding – people would know who we are – If we were on in the Oprah – Dr Phil slot as promised, we would be branded and a huge percentage of the women would know who we are.
If Chevrolet promised a 50,000 bumper to bumper warranty on the car you purchase – you know you are going to get that bumper to bumper warranty because you can take them to court if they don’t honor it. So why are the people who blog on here so upset when they hear half the franchisees are planning on taking BFL corporate to court to make them honor what was promised in the sale?
I believe it is the area reps who have $250,000 to $350,000 on the line who want to paint the rosey picture because they too are worried about losing their entire investment. If corporate really wants to make this model successful they would right their wrongs own up to their lies and go on to be a successful model.
If they don’t just like the Titanic – - – in the end it sank.
Titanic said: …If we were on in the Oprah – Dr Phil slot as promised, we would be branded and a huge percentage of the women would know who we are…
There are two separate topics of concern here that should, IMHO, be handled separately. One is whether the FR has not fulfilled the obligations as agreed to in the franchise agreement. That’s an issue to discuss with an attorney. Let’s put that aside for the moment.
The second issue is: What can existing club owners do to boost membership and retention in a competitive market? And how can they pay for it? This IS my area. Usually I’m hired by franchisors but I work for the franchisees, as I’m generally paid out of the ad fund which is their money. (Plus, if franchisees don’t buy-in or understand marketing, I won’t get results.) Often, I establish the purpose & use of the ad fund and police its use. I don’t kiss either FRs or FEEs heinies, either privately or publicly. I often offend both sides simultaneously… because that’s what’s usually needed.
If I came in to Butterfly Life as a marketing consultant, my first suspicion would be that neither the franchisor nor most franchisees have a clue about how to market their business. The first clue is the name, which is a marketing albatross. The second is all this talk about tv commercials, a tv show on NBC, Oprah, Dr. Phil. (That talk might sell franchises, but not memberships) Add to that other classic bad marketing moves: Comparisons to Curves, bragging about your equipment vs. hydraulics, etc. My point to both sides would be: put aside who’s to blame and focus on fixing it… NOW. If the FR isn’t moving in that direction, franchisees and reps need to work together to do it on their own. If they don’t just like the Titanic – - – in the end it sank.
It’s not rocket surgery. Members are not willing to drive more than 12 minutes – generally 3 miles – to a health club. The three mile radius around your club is your universe, and the “deconditioned” women within that circle are the only ones you should be concerned with. Those are the only ones who need to understand your brand. You don’t need to be on Oprah to tell your neighbors what you do.
Second, you never sell against your competitor. You look like losers.
Third, your prospects (especially deconditioned prospects) don’t care about your equipment. They care about how they imagine you are going to make them look and feel. Revlon’s Charles Revson said “In the factory, we make cosmetics. In the store, we sell hope.” Too often, BL is selling cosmetics.
The fact that it’s simple doesn’t make it easy. Because your potential membership pool is so limited, you’ve got to have great, not just good, programs for trial, conversion and retention.
Titanic makes two good points. The first is that the area reps have the most to lose. In my opinion, the key is for the area reps to realize that they’ve got to work with the franchisees to fix the problem and develop those programs. You need to hire a professional to put together measurable, effective marketing and end the silliness. The clock’s ticking, as you all know.
The second point is that you’ve got to find out what’s working for others, even if it’s outside the model. You all need to be health club marketing experts, fast, and stop dreaming of Dr. Phil.
Last week I spent two days at a healthclub marketing conference where a lot of successful owners shared their secrets. No one from BL – corporate, AR or franchisee – were in attendance.
In regards to the membership advertising on
the Oprah/Dr.Phil segment:
The way it was sold to me by the car salesman
was that it wasn’t a commercial but a
motivation segment and diet were
going to be promoted and the 3rd part of the
Butterfly Life Plan was to get in to the Club
in your area to get the complete package of
exercise and personal care. This was all
to be followed up by a Butterfly Life book
to complete the package.
In your professional opinion, would a
marketing plan such as this work?
By the way I once voiced concerns to the
car salesman about the advertising
which seemed to me to be downgrading
Curves and he became extremely
defensive.
…I once voiced concerns to the car salesman about the advertising which seemed to me to be downgrading Curves and he became extremely defensive.
(I’m sure he’ll feel warm & fuzzy reading my last comment.) Could you imagine Mercedes running ads saying how much better their spark plugs are than BMW’s? Not a chance. They’re classy enough not to whine about a competitor, smart enough not to use logic in an emotional sale, and savvy enough to know the difference between “features” and “benefits.” If a woman feels that you can make her look better, feel better, live longer, be happier and have more energy, why wouldn’t she give your club a try? And if you really provide those benefits, why would she ever quit?
A book, show, etc. might be a great idea if there were thousands of units. I’d rather have the name, address and phone number of every woman within 3-5 miles of the club, and a cost-effective way to communicate with them directly on a regular basis. (Also, a powerful retention strategy and strong referral program.)
Why pay to broadcast to an entire tv market when 98% of the viewers aren’t potential prospects?
Here’s an interesting story about the franchisor of a celebrated “hot new franchise” whose franchisees were failing left and right. He (allegedly) gave them each a chance to buy their way out of their Franchise Agreements for $2K apiece and operate as independents.
Cuts Fitness Franchisees “Bought Their Way Out,” Ex-Owner Claims
Sean,
You have made several good points here and offered a lot of very good advice. If someone wanted to hire you as a marketing consultant..say for a period of a year….for a fitness franchise that gets no support from their Corp. office, how would one do that? How can someone contact you outside of this forum?
Sunshine: my email is info[at sign]ideafarm.net. Phone: 717-656-2107 x 24. website: http://www.ideafarm.net.
All quiet on the Western Front….actually, north, south and east also. Since Tom Gergley sent out his accusatory email about the AAFD to the franchisees, I believe most feel threatened to speak with anyone for fear of repercussions. (I thought free speech still existed) There were some franchisees who had no idea of the problems surrounding Butterfly Life…………but they do now thanks to his letter. He definitely opened Pandoras Box. There are a few coming forward (and I’m sure more will follow)They have been enlightened by the history surrounding BFL and now feel they can share their frustrations with others who have gone before them. Titanic – maybe Captain Mark decided “not to go down” with the ship…….hopefully there are life rafts for everyone else. Oh yes……we have yet to hear the stats from the “profitable” clubs who are able to support their families…….share your wisdom……many could use it. I know I bought this franchise to make a living, not to drown in debt…..I guess it IS the Titanic!
Linda,
Some are still in the dark because not EVERY franchise owner received that letter. Wonder why that is? Could it be because Corp.picked who got what just like they picked whose “positive and successful stories” to post. Wouldn’t it be nice if they(Corp.) are forced to be totally honest with everyone!
I can not believe all the negative stories you all are writing about the Butterfly Life franchise. Some of you must be the one calling me frequently at my club to solicit for negative stories about Butterfly Life corporation!?? You totally disrespected my wishes of not to be called and not to receive any e mails from you guys.
I have to write my story.
I purchased my Butterfly Life club from the initial owner (owned other business as well) who was struggling with low membership and ready to close the door. She had several part time employees including teenagers. I had to let all those employees go and started over. I totally turned around my club within 7 months and now have over 250 very happy members and still going strong. I am about to sign up 38 members from my school district tomorrow. I am totally devoted my time to Butterfly Life with one part time employee. I do not own other business like some of you did, I do not have many employees like some of you did, and the list goes on …..
Because I didn’t have any previous business experience, I had to follow the Butterfly Life District Manager, Jeanne Spatola’s advice and suggestions in marketing and member retention strategies. San Ramon, Butterfly Life corporation gave me all the support I need and in timely manner. Cathy Galli, Director of Franchise, helped me and supported me so much until I opened the door.
Yes, I volunteered to write my very positive success story to Tom Gergley, Chairman of Butterfly Life, because of people like you keep soliciting for negative story and harrassing me through telephone and e mail. Nobody forced me to write positive letter!! I volunteered.
I am sorry for your financial loss you had to endure but there are many of us doing well and happy being a Butterfly Life club owner. I am quite tired of getting phone calls from you guys and listening to all the negativity.
Can you LEAVE US ALONE? We are happy being a Butterfly Life club owners!!!!
Eliza, you never said if you where making a living for your family. You just said you were happy. Money must not be that important to you. What does you spouse do for a living?
Eliza,
Not sure if you are keeping up with this blog….from what you said I would think not. However, I’m going to write to you anyway. First of all, I truly do not believe that anyone wanted to get “negatives” from you….there are many of us struggling and are looking for the successful club owners to tell us their stories so that it may help them (us) get the ball rolling and become successful as well. I don’t know where your club is so I can’t tell if 250 members would be enough to even be what we would consider successful…..we are in CA and need about 400 -450 members at least. I’m sorry that you felt that you were being harassed, I don’t believe that was the intent.
If one of your own peers gets upset at you for wanting help, I can see why Corporate is just as unsupportive!
Eliza,
We are happy that you are doing so well and are happy. It is the EXACT same thing that all club owners wanted for themselves. If you are so busy and successful with your club all by yourself, then tell the rest here how you find the time to post to a blog and look down at those posting here when you do NOT know the whole story. Was it a club owner that called you looking for “negative remarks”…or was it a call from the Area Reps that called club owners pretending to be someone else. They wanted to know all about the support you receive from Corp. or don’t receive. BTW….you are one of the lucky ones…first you are in Corp. back yard not 2500 miles away, you have by far the best District Manager that BFL Corp. has at this time and thankfully for her she only has part of Calif. But there are many other club owners that went 2-3-4 months before they ever saw any one from Corp. in their club. There were many that got great press releases..some got none…there are many that get great support….some get none……. and the story goes on. There are so many happy “club” owners…that are just as disappointed. Come back a year from now and tell the others that you have made back all the money you invested and are turning a profit every month and we will stand up and cheer for you! There is NOT one person that has posted here hoping that every one will fail…it is quite the opposite…but many do not live in a dream world either. Some of us have to live and except reality for just what it is. No one here is mad because you are doing a great job..so why are you mad because other people have a place to vent and share their experiences…..good, bad or ugly?
This would be my last time posting my response to all your non productive group of blog people.
To FYI, yes I am starting to make profit since last month. I adjusted my membership rate based on my community norm since I took over.
My members are supporting me all the way.I just started our 3rd Weight Loss Express classes 2 times a day because of my community interest. By the way, I brought total 42 signed membership agreement from my school district today after 1hr presentation. Tomorrow lunch hour, I am heading to one of hospital to market this wonderful product you guys’s been complaing about.
To Pam, thank you for understanding my frustration. I just want to be left alone by your group and AAFD(?). Your group just assumes I am telling you the lie when I tell you I am very happy with Butterfly Life corporation.
To sunshine, you (you know whom I am referring to) insisted for me to check this website so I would feel like I am a failure. I wrote my story here last night because I felt the obligation to correct your lies for many of us do not wish to be contacted by your people nor AAFD. Example, you listed my club as one of failed club in your list but I am alive and well. By the way, sunshine, I do not live in dream world. I am very real, using my common sense, work very hard and creative in many ways with Butterfly Life.
I really hope you all would find some peace in you!! Good Luck to you all since I would not check in to this website any more.
Once again…Eliza, you may not get this but…here goes anyway…….we are NOT complaining about the product….we all LOVE the product ~~~ it’s the fact that our clubs are not selling memberships that we are complaining about. You bought your club up and ready to go you didn’t go through the anguish of setting it up with no help…..maybe you would feel a bit differently if you had to invest in the set up and then have little in return ~~~it’s a whole different scenario for those of us that did. We ALL want to be successful……no matter what we try it’s not happening…..for those of you that it’s happening for…all we ask is for you to tell us what you did to make it work.
Eliza:
Congratulations on your success. It is heartening to hear some positive news. I appreciate your sharing the details, and wish you continued success.
Question: did the previous owner of your club recover her full investment? My guess would be “no.” That would be why that location should be included on the “failed” list because for the first owner it was a failure. Remember, you came in (I assume) at a lower investment than you would had you started from scratch, so profitability will come easier for you than some of us others.
I have discovered that there’s a practice called “churning” in franchising. The initial owners can’t make it work with their costs so they sell at a steep discount. Sometimes the second owners have to also. Eventually it goes so cheap someone can make it profitable, but the loss has already been absorbed by the first two owners who got hurt. So two families lost their investments, but it doesn’t ever show up in disclosure as a closed franchise, just a harmless resale.
The fact that you were able to get in cheap through somebody else’s misfortune takes a little of the shine off your halo, at least for me. Sorry people have imposed by honestly asking those who are succeeding to lend them a hand, which they thought they’d get from corp. or ARs. You obviously can’t lend a hand, since you need both to keep patting yourself on the back for making your distress sale club profitable.
Not reading this blog won’t make the problem go away, and neither will pretending struggling owners are just lazy slackers or that a problem doesn’t exist. This list says otherwise:
http://www.franchisepick.com/will-the-real-butterfly-life-franchise-please-wave-its-wings/#comment-12393
Need to update. from Oct 3, 2007
Glendora,Ca. out of business sign up, closing.
Claremont , Fla. Closing
Foster City Ca. closing
We hear that there are an unbelieveable number of profitable franchisees out there. Tell your story I’d love to have another list of profitable making back my investment franchisees contrary to the criticism here. Send your name and location We need an open date and current status and we will verify and post. We would love to hear your emotional story but this list is the financial facts. Profitable or not and did you just solely go by the model. We know of clubs that are breakeven but stepped way outside the box to get there. And we applaud their success. They had the smarts to take matters in their own hands to make their situation work regardless of the safe line.
So Butt Believer give me your location open/re-purchase date and we will go from there.
I wish we all could have succeeded because the product could have been a viable one. We believed and worked for something that was opposite our corporate objective.
Let me hear from you sucessful franchisees. We will verify all stories. “The truth will set you free”
BL must be good. Look at all these new openings!
September 18, 2007 Brooksville, FL
http://www.thefranchisemall.com/news/articles/19601-0.htm
October 15, 2007 Palm Desert, CA
http://www.franchising.com/butterflylife/press/2058/
October 15, 2007 Cypress, TX
http://www.franchising.com/butterflylife/press/2073/
October 22, 2007 Chambersburg, PA
http://www.franchising.com/butterflylife/press/2125/
Interesting that the press releases are identical & are posted to franchise sales sites. No mention of the franchise locations, addresses, phone numbers, or any info about the owners. Hmmm… wonder if they’re designed to promote the club’s membership or sell franchises?
To all who want successful franchises – We would love to hear all the positive stories of profitability –but let me be clear that profitability means that you can pay yourself and support yourself from the fruits of your labor. We all love our members and the BFL concept, as we have stressed a number of times!!!! The problem is that for the vast majority of franchise owners, the profitability issue is not even close to happening. For many many franchisees, the results of their investments has taken them close to or into bankruptcy. Clearly, for the majority, the model does not work and it needs fixing. For some, this means better branding, corporate support, and a re-evaluation of the entire structure. For others, the only thing that can help is for BFL corporate to understand the position their actions have placed many franchisees in, and to take responsibility for what they have done. But in any case, BFL corporate needs to provide a change, leadership, and real open discussion (enough of divide and conquer by corporate) resulting in actions between franchisees and franchisor, to turn this model around… and they need to do it quickly.
To make sure that the above happens fairly and expeditiously with more than just words, but with actions, is the goal of the Butterfly Life Chapter of the AAFD.
The more membership and support that can be gathered in this effort, the better. Our goal is to begin that process one way or the other, very quickly. To participate in that process, you must be a part of the organization. Anyone who is not a participant at that time will be on their own…….good luck to all of you.
Another announcement for Tulsa. Are all these clubs really opening now, or are they flooding out press releases in response to this discuss? Seems like an Internet pr blitz.
http://www.franchising.com/butterflylife/press/2153/?ref=rss
Eliza – Come on, share your success and how you’re doing it with all your fellow franchisees….that’s the least you could do!
As an outside observer, I have to say that I can see why people wouldn’t want to post anything positive. Every time someone does, you failed franchisees try to invalidate what they say or blatantly attack them like a bunch for vultures. Why don’t you be responsible for your failure and spend your time and energy making back what you lost instead of stewing and wasting your life being resentful? There are other streams of income and more productive ways to spend your time. And as for the person who listed all of the clubs closing and selling…that is really a lame excuse for listing Eliza’s club as a failure just because it was resold. Apparently it is not a failure so you are being misleading. And isn’t that kind of inconsiderate of the clubs you listed who are selling? Maybe they want to keep it confidential from their members, and you have no right to list their clubs at this website (unless they agreed to it which I doubt). And just because they are selling does not mean it’s because they are failing. It’s the crab theory at work. You put a bunch of crabs in a box, and if one gets close to climbing out, the others bring it down. You are a bunch of crabs who are just hurting existing franchisees and that is really sad. If you failed, then give advice such as “I failed because my rent was way too high. Don’t make the same mistake I did!” Don’t act like success is not a possibility at all, try to tear down everyone with you and kill the enthusiasm of new franchisees who can succeed if they don’t allow you all to affect them.
Outside Observer: You sure are steamed up for an “Outside” Observer. With logic like yours, you must be Corporate.
You said “…that is really a lame excuse for listing Eliza’s club as a failure just because it was resold. Apparently it is not a failure so you are being misleading.”
You’re right. Let’s list it as a failure because Eliza said: “I purchased my Butterfly Life club from the initial owner… who was struggling with low membership and ready to close the door.”
You said: “Maybe they want to keep it confidential… just because they are selling does not mean it’s because they are failing.”
No, I’m sure they’re selling because they made a fortune and don’t want to be greedy. But I do like your analogy of the franchisees as crabs clawing over each other to get out of the box. I get your message: keep still and maybe you can get out of the damn box before the new butterflies realize they’re crabs.
Why don’t you tell us what Corp. is doing to fix the branding problem? Producing another TV show you can’t afford to air? Hiring some more relatives?
Never blooged before…but couldn’t help myself tonight. Those of you that are wondering if you will ever get your money from those BFL guys…forget about it! I worked for the company for a long time…back when they were running women’s clubs. Mark Golob will never admit that he doesn’t know anything about marketing. He is a control freak who couldn’t run a lemonade stand. Tom Gergley…for the record…is a good guy and an excellent club operator. Your issues regarding Butterfly Life’s inability to be branded in the marketplace will never be solved because Mark will never admit that he is wrong about what it takes to market women’s clubs.TV shows and celebrities are not going to help BFL. Yes…you have to grass roots market in your clubs BUT marketing is driven by momentum. As franchisees, you should expect help from corporate in terms of generating momentum.
Exact;y how many clubs have closed? I jumped ship a few years back…just as they were launching the BFL concept. Have not heard anything about them in my area.
By the way…to all of you who have lost your livelihood, I am truly sorry. For your sake, I hope you can make these guys be accountible.
I just received an email from another franchisee who just closed her doors this week – guess what? Corporate threatened her not to talk or join to the AAFD.
I thought this was America – a free country – where you can join any association you wish.
I for one am sick of being pushed around by corporate – so are dozens of others and we have more than the AAFD in our corner – I for one can’t hardly wait to push back.
Titanic…looking at a blog from Hotel CA…it looks like at least 50 or more facilities have closed. What exactly has been done by the AAFD?
Which location(s) have recently closed? Do you know of more that aren’t on Hotel CAs list?
“BUTTERFLY LIFE – PARKWOOD, a health spa located at 5500 North Tarrant Parkway, Suite 124, Keller, Texas, will close on September 15, 2007. ”
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/healthspas/091407closing.shtml
“Due to financial difficulties, Butterfly Life of Ashburn has had to close as of February 28th, 2007.”
http://www.butterflylifeofashburn.com/
I have to say I have been doing nothing but thinking about how how wrong this situation is for so many of you that invested in this brand and spent your hard earned money thinking that this was a good product and a good company.One of the reasons I left the company when I did, is that it appeared that the only focus was on selling franchises to ANYONE who could pay the steep franchise fee. It was clear back then, that yes…these clubs could be profitable however a lot of things would have to be present in order for that to happen. The truth is that you are all correct…it is an excellent product and it should have been able to go up against concepts like Curves and Contours and perform well. The problem is the overall financial structure of the project for the franchisees. As a franchisee, your biggest expenses with a club like this will be your rent, marketing and your payroll. It sounds like most of you eliminated the payroll issue by working tirelessly to market, service and sell memberships in your facility. That leaves your rent and marketing. If corporate is not going to assist with the marketing, then you as a franchisee need to be able to market any way that you need to including using your own vendors, to keep it cost effective. (ADVO burns out very quickly by the way-you will get a few good pops in terms of lead traffic but then it has a very poor return in terms of cost per lead). With the way this model is structured AND the fact that the marketplace is flooded with clubs that may offer a similiar product with stronger branding, it just is not realistic to think that those little clubs would easily sell 500 memberships which would allow you to pay the bills and pay yourselves.
For those of you that still have clubs: if you need help, I am avaialabe and can probably help to some degree. I will gladly offer my services with respect marketing, sales training, club operations etc. and will start the process of helping you free of charge. I feel badly for you all. Unfortunately, I have way too much experience with this company.The signs are all there…the layoffs at corporate, the empty promises, the over-sell and under-deliver. Believe me when I tell you, these guys will spend every penny that business brings in ….your money is long gone. In any other company, you might find a group of people that will take feedback from their customers (that would be YOU…the franchisees) and start making some adjustments. Unfortunately, that is not their management style. They are not going to change what they do because they don’t believe that it is their responsibility to help you make your business successful. They need to be stopped from selling more franchises and be accountible for the ones they sold by misrepresenting the expense and performance aspects of the concept. Those of you that still have clubs…you can hang in there, get some help and see if things will turn around OR you can cut your losses now before your own personal financial situations become worse. I was there during the Linda Evans Fitness Centers days…those clubs could have been saved…no one cared enough to do it…it was easier to bail and start over with something new.
Franchise123,
Actually the club that just closed is not listed
on any list yet. Corp. doesn’t know it closed yet.
She opened nearly a year ago and we’ll be able to tell you more after her information is known.
We really appreciate your information. If you
think you wish to share more information, you can email the Chairman of the AAFD at
rpurvin@aafd.org and he can put you in touch
with out trustees. Also, we would like to share your offer with clubs that are still open so
if you give it to him (Bob Purvin), we can share it with them. We truely want to do anything we can to make them successful. THANK YOU!
Fitness123 – I would love to get in contact with you. If possible, can you let Sean know what your contact information is and he can forward it to me. He has my permission to release my information to you if you request it. We have a lot to talk about. I am a former owner and will stop at nothing to get restitution for those who have lost so much. I have nothing to lose! Thanks so much for your input, unfortunately, you verified what so many of us already knew but didn’t want to believe.
Linda
I have been in touch with Sean and requested your contact information. Once I receive it, I will reach out to you directly.
Fitness123
I believe more club owners would reach out for your(or just about anyone’s at this point) help and assistance if they had some way of knowing that you are NOT corp. Several bloggers know that BFL Corp. is monitoring this site daily. There are some club owners that have been threatened (recently) about blogging negative remarks, about being any part of the AAFD. How are the franchisee’s suppose to operate their clubs with a smile on their face and a desire to help so many women, when they feel the ax is about to fall upon them? Will BFL “cut and run” with everyone’s ( AR and franchisee’s) money?
My advice…….don’t blink your eyes!
Sunshine,
At this point, I am not sure what I can do to prove that I am not part of corporate. I left BL a few years ago and now run my own company. It has been a grueling, at times very frustrating and now extremely rewarding experience…exactly what you all were chasing when you first purchased your franchise.
I left BL because I wanted the opportunity to create something special and make a difference in a community and the industry. Sean knows I am not part of “BL corp” as we have been in touch.
My offer to help is on the table. I am an experienced health club marketer and have a strong background in club operations, member billing and collections ( I can trouble-shoot the RCM/Checkfree process pretty well),fitness and personal training. I can design collateral for you, develop some effective grass roots marketing campaigns and give you help with developing some ancillary revenue streams that could boost your revenue. BL corp may not approve of me helping you. I am not anxious to tangle with Tom and Mark but I couldn’t just sit back and not do anything to help. At this point, all I can offer is my industry experience and my time and I am willing to do it for FREE…at least for now.
“Will BL cut and run with everyone’s money?”
I have no idea. Like you, all I can do is speculate. I have been out of the BL loop for a very long time and only now know what I do from this web site. Look at the company’s history with the Linda Evans club sales and closures, their franchise sales practices and whether have kept the promises they have made to you and others, verbal or otherwise. That alone will speak volumes.
To all of the Butterfly Life Franchisees who do want some help, drop me a blog. I’ll reach out to you through Sean.
And yes…since I started posting on this blog, I am sleeping with one eye open:)
After the Mountain and Mohamed meeting we have learned ALOT! Oh my all of you BFL franchisees out there, if you are not succcessful it is because you are all bad business managers. There is nothing wrong with the model!! Given that the updated list of closures etc. is coming. There are alot of bad business managers out there!! Or could it be no qualifying , if your check clears your in ,but Corporate forgot to mention on your own.
We still challenge BFL Corporate. Where are the successful clubs who followed the model per financial, marketing and advertising? What percentage of your 90?? open clubs falls into that category?
To any and all who bought , opened and failed, opened and struggling, bought never opened(we know there are many), about to those looking/thinking of buying. Contact the Butterfly Life Chapter of the AAFD for the latest update. http://www.aafd.org
If you believe the MO of this company has changed think again. Same con that has been running since Woman’s Workout World and Weight Loss Centers. We have inside knowledge and facts.
Coming soon the latest on the California Dept. of Corporations complaint filing!
More to come! The mystery of the former? CEO
What has become clear over and over again in actions and words, the problem with Butterfly Life Corporate is their inability to focus on the most critical issues…. the success of franchisees. And when the franchisee fails as have so many, the blame is squarely placed on the shoulders of the franchisee and their inability to run a business. The words can vary, but inevitably they include phrases such as … you are the only franchisee having these types of problems. Are these new behaviors for the BFL. No, as can be verified by the following.
“Golob and Gergley denied the corporation is culpable for any of the franchise failures and say they have a great business model for the right kind of owner. “Franchising is not for everybody,” Golob said. “When franchisees don’t make it, they always blame the franchiser.” The fitness business is highly competitive, Gergley said. (later telling me that not all owners are ready to commit the time and energy required). ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, June 16, 2005, by Frank Mickadeit
And yet, two months earlier, the story was quite different.
“For the franchise owner, Golob believes that Butterfly Life’s most attractive features are its affordability, the fact that no building permit is required because it’s all built out of fixtures, and the ease in which it can be run.
The franchise fee starts at $29,500 plus build out costs, which usually run between $15,000 to $20,000.
“Our experts help the franchise owners in every aspect of the business so they literally wouldn’t even need a high school education to run it,” Golob said. “They could own a franchise for a price less than it costs to buy a Ford Blazer.” SAN MATEO COUNTY TIMES, Saturday April 30, 2005 by David Morrill, Business Writer.
And the beat goes on. Who gets hurt? Franchisees and area reps get hammered. But not corporate…the guys who with more than “100 years of proven success in the fitness industry”, and who came up with this wonderful business model that has proven so very successful.
Dear Stay Tuned,
I’m waiting impatiently to see the Closure List and the
Update on the Dept. of Corporation Filing!
In the 2 years I have been involved with BFL,
I have met and talked to many club owners.
Many have been very successful business owners, others
have had very interesting professional careers,
myself included. I for one take offense to
their allegations that we are bad business
managers – we followed their lead (their model),
Could there be something wrong with the model?
The training? The Brand?
A while back, Sean wrote “…If I came in to
Butterfly Life as a marketing consultant, my
first suspicion would be that neither the
franchisor nor most franchisees have a clue about
how to market their business. The first clue is the
name, which is a marketing albatross…”
I had a booth at no less than 8 health fairs and other
events and the question I heard most is “what is
Butterfly Life?”. The name did nothing to tell the
potential member what we even were about.
Curves, Contours Express, Lady Fitness, Fitness 19
They all tell you something about your body or fitness.
Sean also said “Often, the entrepreneurs who start
companies and the sales people who sell opportunities
often have the “It’s only business” viewpoint. To many
of them, this is just a game, with winners and losers…
nothing personal. To most franchisees, it couldn’t
be more personal: Their savings, credit rating,
credibility, self-esteem, marriages and happiness
are on the line. You will survive and emerge stronger…
karma will prevail.”
I do believe in Karma, Sean and I believe it will prevail!
The AAFD really opened my eyes and gave me validity!
I Thank God for the AAFD! BFL loves to keep club owners in the dark as to how other clubs are doing. In training meetings I’ve attended, clubs that had received accolades for being the Star club for successful membership sales are on the closed list
Hotel California posted. How do you go from being the
star club to being the closed club? I think there is a
lot of wool being pulled over club owner’s eyes!
I can’t wait to hear the mystery of the missing CEO!
I’m also waiting impatiently to see the updated Closure List and the update on the Dept. of Corporation Filing!
Question:
What’s the average life span of a butterfly?
Answer:
The life span of the adult Monarch varies, depending on the season in which it emerged from the pupa and whether or not it belongs to a migratory group of Monarchs. Adults that emerged in early summer have the shortest life spans and live for about two to five weeks. Those that emerged in late summer survive over the winter months. The migratory Monarchs, which emerge from the pupa in late summer and then migrate south, live a much longer life, about 8-9 months.
Lesson:
Don’t be a butterfly!
Moral to the story:
People at BFL corporate have no moral consciousness.
Bonus mystery question:
What’s Mark Golob CEO?
Answer:
Just sold his home in Orinda for close to $2 Million and now building his retirement home on 40 acres in Ukiah with all the dead and/or dying butterflies’ money.
The Mark Golob I know would NEVER leave voluntarily…way too much ego there. Someone forced him out and that means that if you look under the rug…there is going to be something REALLY BIG under there. How does Mark Mastrov figure in all of this? Until recently the trade rags have him as one of the founders of Butterfly Life. The real question is….who forced Mark Golob out of the company and why? There is definitely a few skeletons in that closet!!!!
Well…..with Mark finally getting caught “allegedly” sexually harrassing one of his employees would explain that question. We figured that after Tom and Mark’s big blow out in the office, that Tom probably bought him out with the company’s cash and/or shares.
The skeletons are starting to come alive and talk…….
Watch out!! Deception is rampant among many associated with Flies in the Butter!! Bizjournal’s web site sports an advertisement for Flies in the Butter franchise sales that features a “franchise owner testimonial” from three people who say, “The thing which impressed us most was that the system itself has been so well prepared that it truly is a virtually turn-key process.”
What the ad doesn’t disclose is that the three people featured are also F’in the Butter area reps whose motive is to sell franchises. A visit to the F’ in the Butter web site reveals that the three own & operate a club in the Pacific Northwest that features its own specific web site that today, two days before December, advertises October promotions and an August class schedule (Oops! Seems someone forgot to “turn the key” on the web site updates there … or maybe the owners are so busy signing up new members that they don’t need “no stinkin” current promotions or current class schedules listed on their web site … or maybe they know the truth: No matter how much time & effort they spend to acquire new members, their club will never sustain itself because Flies in the Butter is a loser).
So, the question is: After the “key is turned,” then what happens? Does all the promised and insinuated success come to fruition? So many people are waiting to know the answer! Where is that “elusive butterfly” of success (apologies to Bob Lind & Glen Campbell – http://www.shalimar12.com/butterfly/butterfly.html)?
Is there anyone out there who can name one F’ in the Butter club that is or was financially viable after following the “so well prepared” system and corporate model?? Anyone?? Anywhere?? Seems that “turn key” just might be the twisting of the proverbial “knife in the back.”
Just incase you didn’t read the “will the real BFL wave it’s wings” blog, “Stay Tuned” posted the following and Ret
added a few too – OMG can you believe this list!
This is a tragedy – Each listing could mean another family or 2 in bankrupcy, retirement savings gone,
& I have heard many stories of failing health due to the
stress of failure. Please remember these people in your prayers!
Stay Tuned Writes: onNov 28, 2007 at 11:18 pm
The Department of Corporations complaint is allive and moving forward. Responses to the DOC’s questions are in process as of this posting . They are very interested in the history of this franchise system
These closures are as we are aware 11/28/2007,
We know there are more coming.
Butterfly Life Franchise Closures
City/Open/Closed/Change Info.
ARIZONA
Glendale, AZ. 04/04-04/05 Corporate resale
Glendale, AZ Mesa, AZ 04/06-08/06 2nd owner
Mesa, AZ 04/06-08
CALIFORNIA
Antioch,CA. never opened (pd $30K)
Brentwood, CA. 2/04 – 03/05
Clayton, CA. pd. $10k never opened, Corporate resold territoryy
Cameron Park, CA. 11/04- now debranded
Clovis, CA . 08/06-03/07 (3purchased 2 never opened)
Clovis, CA .(North) (3purchased 2 never opened)
Cupertino, CA (Pd $10K – never opened)
Fairfield, CA 6/04 – 12/05
Foster City Ca. Open 2005? Closing 11/30/07 (3purchased 2 never opened)
Fremont, CA. Spring/05-Summer/07 Corporate resale
Fresno, CA (3purchased 2 never opened)
Glendora, CA.12/04-02/05(1ST Owner pd corporate $50K) sold- 2nd owner out of business sign up, closing.
Hemet , CA – 4/07 never opened
Hunnington Beach, CA. 11/04-06/05
Jackson, CA. late 06-05/07,club sat unmaned for 2-3 monthss, supposed corp. buyer
Lincoln, CA. 02/07-08/07, Corporate resale, due to massive financial losses of 1st owner
Martinez, CA. (pd corporate $10K) never opened
Murrieta, CA- 4/07 -never opened
Pacifica, CA. Spring 05-Spring 07 (indep. sale)
Roseville, CA – Opened 7/04 closed 9/04
9 (NINE!) Sacramento, CA – never opened 2004 (pd $125K)
San Francisco, CA (Marina District) 1/06-03/06
San francisco, CA. (Downtown) still open but corporate removed from website ! ?
San Jose, CA. pd $50K never opened
San Leandro,CA. Summer 04 – 4/06
San Mateo, CA. Fall2006/closing
Sausilito, CA. 10/05-05/07
San Jose, CA. pd $30k never opened
Temecula – April 07 – never opened
Vacaville,CA. 06/04-01/06
Walnut Creek, CA (Treat Blvd) (purchased from Linda Evans) 3/05 – debranded 9/07
Walnut Creek, CA (Ygnacio Valley Rd) , sold never break even
Walnut Creek, CA. 07/04-06/05 sold 06/05-07/06 2nd owner
Woodland, CA. Spring 2004/sold 12/05(corporate resale) 12/05-08/07 2nd owner Closed
Woodland Hills, CA. 10/04-04/05
COLORADO
Boulder, CO. 06/06-08/06
CONNETICUT
Groton, CT. Spring 05-selling Groton, CT closed 10/07, corporate star of the program
Norwich,CT. Early 06 – 09/07
Southington, CT. closed 09/07
FLORIDA
Claremont, FL Closing
GEORGIA
Atlanta, Ga. Fall/05-Early 06
Atlanta, GA – Pd $10K never opened
Atlanta, Ga. Fall/05-05/07 Corporate resale
Atlanta/Roswell/Alpharetta, Ga. 2/ 04 – 11/05 (3 clubs)
Buford, Ga. whose club closed 10/07
Lithonia, Ga. 05 pd. $10k never opened or rec’vd UFOC
Roswell, GA. 04 Pd. $10k never opened
IDAHO
Bosie, ID. Pd. never opened
Meridan, ID Fall 05-07/07
Meridan, ID Pd never opened
Meridan, ID Pd never opened
IOWA
Johnston, IA 1-07 – 10/ 07
NEW JERSEY
Audubon, NJ opened 11/05 – closed 07
Blackwood, NJ – Opened Aug 06 – Closing soon
Cherry Hill, NJ – Pd. $10K never opened
Cherry Hill, NJ 7/06 – closed 5/07
Glendora/Blackwood – Pd. $10K never opened
Howell, NJ Pd. $10K never opened
NORTH CAROLINA
Cary,NC. Pd $30k never opened
Cary, NC. 12/06-sold 09/07
Raleigh, NC. Pd. $10K never opened
OREGON
Medford, OR. 04/06-03/07
PENNSYLVANIA
Palmerton, PA 5/06 – closed 4/07
West Hazelton, PA 11/05, sold 9/07 (for a song)
RHODE ISLAND
Westerley, Rhode Island 09/07
TEXAS
Arlington, TX. selling
Irving, TX. Spring 06-Summer06
Keller, TX 04/07-09/07 Corporate resale -( because of lease)
VIRGINIA
Ashbun, VA. 11/06-02/07
WASHINGTON
LONGVIEW, WA – Opened Dec 06 – Closing soon
OMG………where are all the dedicated and loyal club owners that were here just a couple of weeks ago raising hell with the “few disgruntal franchisees that are now being referred to as “bad business managers”. Have ya’ll nothing to add to this blog? Can the 1(one) profitable club owner please come forward? My mistake, Corp. never could produce that 1 (one) club. Could some of those dedicated franchisee’s have changed their attitude, could they be amoung the 30+ additional calls the AAFD has received since the mediation( not a total waste of time!) with Corp. Let me see……does this mean some people have FINALLY opened their eyes and ears?
Maybe they called their accountant and got their P/L’s……..maybe they have nothing more to say here because they are all busy trying to find an attorney. The best as already been retained….don’t miss the boat again…call the AAFD today because tomorrow or next week could be too late. Get on board before all the “life” vest are gone. And if you still need more proof………..WELL CHECK BACK IN DAILY AS THE LIST OF CLOSING/DEBRANDING CLUBS GROWS. THAT LIST IS ALREADY LONGER THAN THE ONE FOR OPEN CLUBS!
CALIFORNIA
Foster City, CA–Opened 2005–NOW CLOSED
San Francisco, CA–Opened 11/07–closing soon
San Bruno, CA–paid–never opened
San Mateo, CA–paid–never opened
Burlingame, CA–paid–never opened
Menlo Park, CA–paid–never opened
San Jose, CA–paid–never opened
Richmond, CA–paid–never opened
As pressure continues to mount on the existing open clubs from bleeding every month, jumping ship and de branding may be your only hope. With this negative association with the name Butterfly, it would be wise to change your name.
With the advent of the Area Rep “confidential” conference call on last Thursday, I am anticipating more “panic mode” throughout the BFL system to continue and worsen. An implosion is immanent as the “deep throats” keep coming forward and have communicated their willingness to testify against corporate.
I would like to publicly thank all those that have come forward and identified themselves to the AAFD. Because of your integrity and ability to stand up, there will be countless other women that will be saved from the ruthless and greedy leadership that control BFL. Among the ARs that have come forward, joining the AAFD will probably be the only way to get back your or your investor’s $$.
God bless the souls that remain loyal to BFL.
Anonymous
Dear Miss Holmes,
It appears that the dissembling Flies in the Butter corporate jackals (and their “in house” sycophants) are without redemption, so revealed during the recent attempt by the very well organized group of Anti-Flies in the Butter warriors who sought restitution for the damage caused to them by the Lords of the Flies and their ilk. So, it appears to be inevitable that “plaintiffs” and “defendants” are the roles to come because honest business practices have been transmogrified into swindles by the unscrupulous crooks and their toadies.
Area Reps, heed! When the facts of the case are officially on record and published, not only is it going to be very difficult for you to sell any franchises (except on Mars, maybe!!), but you will no longer be able to ignore the 900 pound gorilla in the room … and that 900 pound gorilla is really loud & really angry!!! Flies in the Butt area reps are now nothing more than henchmen for a bunch of racketeers. The sales pitch you’ve memorized by rote can now be distilled for truth through the filter of documented facts. If you continue to lie, even one scintilla, about the merits of owning a Flies in the Butter franchise (I can’t think of one, can you?), you’ll be named, you’ll be liable. And you already know in your hearts and minds that if you tell the truth about owning an F in the Butt franchise, you couldn’t sell a single one, not even on Mars.
And the admonition applies to those current owners who are desperate to sell their failing clubs and who resort to using the corporate mantra to put lipstick on the pig. Don’t forget Koko’s boyfriend!! He’s not going away, not ever!!
So, which side of right and wrong do you want to be on?? We have a date with destiny.
My friend, Miss Pedagogue, reminded me of something Atticus Finch said at the end of To Kill a Mockingbird:
“Our courts have their faults… but in this country our courts are the great levelers …”
It Isn’t Personal, Is It?
“Offended” & Sean have admonished us contributors to “raise our standards” and “refrain from personal attacks.” Our moderator acknowledges that the CEO’s’ status as public figures affords us more protection against libel suits but still advises us to “keep it professional.” OK. For the sake of us all, I will try to ignore the fact that the thing that walks like a duck and quacks like a duck is really a duck. I will keep my comments focused on the CEO’s and ALL the other PUBLIC figures who have CHOSEN to associate themselves with the subject corporation.
The following professional women have put their reputations on the line for the subject corporation; they are currently featured on the subject corporation’s web site as contributors to the whole corporate “concept.” They are the field experts, LifeVisionaries, who purport to have the best interests of women at their fore, to wit (ALL of the below biographical information is taken from the Butterfly Life web site):
Dr. E. Regina Widman, M.D.- Mill Valley, CA. Family medicine “with a ‘special interest’ in women’s health and preventive health practices.” She “fully understands the Butterfly Life member and their [sic] needs …”
Dr. Diane G. Sanford, Ph.D. – St. Louis, MO. Psychologist, educator, and speaker “whose work in women’s health psychology [and her contributions to improving women’s health] has received national attention … an internationally recognized expert [who] has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows …”
Beth Thorpe, AICI, CIP – “Winning Ways Institute” Carlsbad, CA. “ … she empowers Butterfly Life members with her expertise and practical approach to inspire change … [showing members] how to make the most of what [they’ve] got.”
Cecily Guest – Fitness Expert [a google search reveals Ms. Guest’s publicly published class schedule and location] “I love to teach members as well as new instructors. I really believe that everyone has room to grow and we can all learn to love ourselves in the process.”
Lisa Bellini – Registered Dietitian and cardiovascular nutritionist. “Her expertise has contributed immeasurably to the success and growth of Butterfly Life. As an Advisory Board Member of Butterfly Life, Lisa is focusing her energy and influence to create diet program guidelines and instruction that truly fit into a woman’s lifestyle and mindset.”
Beth Shaw – Hermosa Beach, CA. Butterfly Life Yoga Advisor & Creator/Founder “YogaFit.” “[She] believes in empowering others to take charge of their health and well-being … [she is] a devoted community service advocate [who] hosts a variety of fundraisers at her YogaFit Studio [and has] created “Visionary Women In Fitness” a non –profit scholarship organization geared towards improving young women’s lives. She is the publisher of Angles Magazine and donates to various animal and human rights causes.”
If these six women have knowledge of the harm that has been done to dozens of women and their families by the direct and intentional actions of the corporation with whom they have aligned themselves and from whom they are most likely receiving monetary compensation, then their claims of dedication to the betterment of womankind are disingenuous at best, corrupt at worst. What good are their words of wisdom or prescriptions or recommendations to a group of people who have been stripped of their lifesavings, their retirement funds, their homes.
What can be said by the LifeVisionaries? “Be sure to have a nutritious breakfast before you meet with your bankruptcy attorney so that you won’t dry heave when the news makes you throw up.” “Be sure to wear pastels and muted make-up when you go to the welfare office to sign up for food stamps. Pastels evoke sympathy from public assistance bureaucrats.” “Be sure to stretch your muscles for at least ten minutes before you begin lifting all that heavy furniture as you move it out of your home that the bank has forclosed.”
Although the LifeVisionaries are not directly involved in the selling of franchises, the use of their credentials and their endorsements contribute to the perpetuation of the fraud. Do they carry vicarious liability?? That is a question for judge & jury. (Perhaps this question should be posed to the best attorney ever retained, aka “Fierro en Guerra”). However, what is not in question is the responsibility of reputable women everywhere to ensure that they, first, DO NO HARM! Oprah and Martha were smart enough to steer clear. Are the LifeVisionaries ethical enough to do the same or are they just charlatans at their cores?? Personal and professional integrity cannot be separated here. I urge you, my sisters, to do the right thing. Help heal & prevent the pain. Separate yourselves from the Butterfly Lie.
Can you imagine how the Fly Girls would react if a whole bunch of people showed up in front of their professional offices or at one of their studios or at one of their fundraisers or in front of that Vivaldi hotel with signs & pamphlets that informed the public that the Fly Girls are advocates for a company that operates in contrast to their oaths & their own press releases & mission statements!! What if there were peaceful, lawful assemblies, protected by our Constitutional First Amendment that exposed the truth about the company they supported!! Nothin’ like a good ole fashioned noisy demonstration, an information picket line, to get the media’s attention and expose blatant hypocrisy. WOW!! Maybe this is the answer to the unanswered question: Where’s the branding we were all promised?? “Butterfly Life” might become a household name after all. There’s nothing like a little negative publicity to put you on the map!!
I’m off to the garage to build & paint some signs … maybe I can borrow some from the Writers’ Guild …
To: It Isn’t Personal Is It?….You’re a great read!!! Better than most novels……..Never thought about those women who are the experts and life visionarieswe are suppose to rely on for great advice. I wonder if they are completely unaware of what is coming ……and possibly implicating them. Beth Shaw filed a lawsuit against BFL several years ago and they settled with her. It’s listed in the UFOC only as a settled lawsuit. No details……of course. This is their MO……..so the public is kept in the dark regarding their reputations. Lisa Bellini is Tom Gergley’s wife who is either kept in the dark or afraid she’s going to lose her big house. It’s amazing that the other experts are associating with BFL and putting their reputations on the line. Hopefully, they do the right thing and disassociate from BFL and come to the aid of their sisters who they believed they were helping. I am sure they are unaware that they are putting their personal and professional integrity on the line. Maybe the experts will do their homework and find that they are hurting the very people they are dedicated in helping. And the beat goes on…………….