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!
Can anyone answer what the status of the lawsuit/arbitration is. I’m thinking of joining the AAFD and with BFL unable to sell any new franchises I’m worried. (Sean could you please pass on my email to the person I should speak to)
Regarding the question of Beth Shaw being removed from the website, it does state in the old UFOC that BFL can use her DVD’s in perpetuity but otherwise agree to cease using her image and likeness in promotional materials after Dec. 31, 2007. She was removed from the website on or around that date.
It is no surprize to me that someone with
Beth Shaw’s reputation should want to walk away
from these sleazy operators. She has built a
top notch Yoga empire and is highly regarded
in the fitness industry. Good for you Beth Shaw!
I’d love to read her 2 cents on this blog.
Again, referencing the old UFOC, Beth Shaw had filed suit against them in 2005….seems her original contract alledgedly ended in Oct. 2004 but BFL continued to use her image after that date. As part of the settlement, she allowed them to use her imagine until Dec ‘07.
In reference to the Beth Shaw ordeal ~~~ we (club owners) were never told to stop using her DVD’s after Dec ‘07. Are the clubs still using them? Or was it just her image on the website and the pitch regarding her to perspective owners that had to stop?
It appears that they can continue to use her DVD’s but they cannot use her image in promotional materials (website, sales materials, advertising, etc.).
Wondering-If Beth Shaw’s image could not be used after Dec. 07-then why are her posters in the windows of the remaining open clubs? Should she be alerted of this? Could someone tell me the name of her business?
I want to express my deepest sympathy to Cynthia Holt’s family, friends and co-franchisees. The news of her dealth is sad.
Beth Shaw is the president of YogaFit.
Stay focused people. This blog is not about Dr. Wideman or Beth Shaw. It is about those crooks at BFL ruining peoples lives. BTW I hope Cindy’s family sues the pants off their cowardly little asses for wrongful death. Bastards!
BUTTERFLY LIFE FRANCHISEE INTERVIEWS
At UnhappyFranchisee.com, Butterfly Life franchisees Jeff Marks, Carol King, Linda McBride, Julie Franco, Lisle Head, Michael Motes share their experiences at:
http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/2008/08/butterfly-life-franchise-discussion/
You can contribute by:
- Adding comments and encouragement
- Emailing the link to interested parties
- Linking to the BL page whenever possible
- Visiting site sponsors
- Adding your own story. Contact unhappyfranchisee[at]gmail.com for interview form.
I’ve done some research and you can issue complaints against your franchisor online at
the sites below:
CA Dept of Corp:
http://www.corp.ca.gov/about/complaint.asp
CA Assemblymen:
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset7text.htm
Governor Schwarzenegger:
http://gov.ca.gov/interact
Dept of Justice
http://www.usdoj.gov/contact-us.html
Dept. of Consumer Affairs:
dca@dca.ca.gov
Federal Trade Commission:
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
U.S. Better Business Bureau:
(There are no complaints listed!)
https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/GetStarted.aspx
ON THE LIST AT THE bbb SITE THEY ARE: Butterfly Life
2440 San Ramon Valley Blvd Ste 155
San Ramon, CA 94583-1602
http://www.butterflylifehome.com
If you need an example of letters to send,
contact Sean & ask him to give your email
address to one of the BFL trustees. Email: unhappyfranchisee[at]gmail.com
I’ve compiled a list of government agencies for
you to email your complaints to:
CA Dept of Corporations (DOC)
http://www.corp.ca.gov/about/complaint.asp
Governor Schwarzenegger
http://gov.ca.gov/interact
CA Attorney General
http://ag.ca.gov/contact/complaint_form.php?cmplt=CL
US Attorney General
http://www.usdoj.gov/contact-us.html
List of CA assemblyman
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset7text.htm
Federal Trade Commission
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
Better Business Bureau (No Complaints Currently Listed)
https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/complaintlink.aspx
Name: Butterfly Life
Phone: (800) 288-8373
Fax: (925) 743-8820
Address: 2440 San Ramon Valley Blvd Ste 155
San Ramon, CA 94583-1602
Principal: Mark Golob, CEO
· http://www.butterflylife.com
If you need an example of a letter already sent
to these agencies about BFL ask Sean to give your email one of our Trustees & she’ll email you one. Email: unhappyfranchisee[at]gmail.com
Lets make as much noise as possible
Did everyone go on holiday? No blogging since
Monday . . . Everyone must be writing
their letters as suggested in the last blog!
I’d like to see an Area Rep put in their 2 cents
on the blog – I’m sure you are reading this -
tell us your side of the story!
I just looked at the BFL website, Dr. Wideman is still there.Has anyone else tried to contact any if the other “experts”
Just wondering…..
With all the information on BFL and the sad loss of a Cynthia Holt. Does anyone know if BFL corporate is able to sell franchise’s at this current time and are people actually still interested in this franchise?
I see no activity towards new clubs opening here in CA. They just keep closing. There are only 12 left. Anyone that asks my opinion….I tell my story and it’s not pretty!
I just checked the BFL website and E. Regina Widman, M.D. profile is no longer on the website. Thank You Dr. Widman for having the courage to stand up for your beliefs and strength to do the right thing. I am sure everyone on this blog is thankful!! I hope the word reaches out to the other advisors to do the same thing and remove themselves from BFL Corporate.
Thank you for your kind words. I had no idea what was happening and had not been updated about any of the ongoing serious issues. I had hoped the association between myself, the other advisors and ButterflyLife would be a very positive experience for the women who were members of the clubs. The initial vision of the Butterflylife clubs was very comprehensive and positive and exciting. I am sorry that this has not been the reality for so many club owners and area reps.
Thank you Dr.Widman for doing the right thing and having your name removed from the BFL website. Please understand that so many franchisees have been financially ruined beyond repair and their anger that remains is understandable. Hopefully, the other BFL advisors will look towards their conscience and have ther names removed from this pathetic corporation that is only interested in taking your money. We, too, believed that this was a great concept and a wonderful way to inspire and motivate women to become someone they were proud of. Unfortunately, without Mark Mastrov and Bruce Fabel, Golob and Gergley had no business running BFL. You stated several times in prior blogs that you never received any compensation for your services. Truthfully, no one cares or has ever questioned that. We were just surprised that someone of your stature would be associated with these types of people. This should be a lesson to anyone who lends their name and reputation to a company to do a frequent status check. I believe we all assumed that your 30 year association with Mark Golob would have disclosed more than you described. Again, thank you for having the courage to come forward and respond to these serious issues.
Sadly enough the Butterfly Life program that was sold to me was an awesome one. The plan was good but the execution was terrible. I can’t blame Dr. Widman for believing in the program,
Mark and Tom are great salesmen. I imagine
Mark Masteroff and Bruce Fabel Were still involved at that time too.
Greed set in and rather than helping some
clubs become successful & profitible and
getting some brand name recognition out into the public – Mark and Tom spent all the advertising money on advertising to sell more franchises.
All of us agree that We got lots of attention until the ink Was dry on the contract then all We got Was ignored – they Were too busy finding more people that believed in the “plan” to sell to.
Sadly hundreds of us believed that these guys Would do What they promised at the time of the sale. Hundreds of us have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. Hopefully the DOC is doing What they are supposed to do
by making it impossible for Mark Golob and Tom Gergleyn to hurt other people both financially and psychologically. This failure has sent most of us into a depression -a feeling of failure that for Cindy Holt cost her – the ultimate sacrifice – her life.
One thing I can not forgive Mark and Tom for is the way they have made me hate them and the deceit they stand for. . . the fact that they continued to carry on business as usual – maybe they had the ball of deceit rolling so fast they didn’t know how to stop it. If Tom is the Christian he claims to be, I don’t know how he lives with his actions. I find it hard to believe that Mark Golob has ever had a conscience.
Dr. Widman… I would like to say “Thank you” for your courage and concern. Courage to stand up for yourself and your reputation, concern enough to read our blogs and find out the TRUTH about Butterfly Life’s finest boys! I say boys because I honestly believe that if Tom and Mark were real men-they would step up, admit their wrongs, and make the entire situation better for all concerned.
To any franchisee’s (past or present) that knew (by person, phone or email) Cynthia Holt- then you knew how happy and eager she was in the beginning. I can not imagine the turmoil of her last months, weeks, days and hours. Cindy-we are sorry and miss you.
Breathe-believe it or not-from the Aug. list of open and closed clubs-several listed as “opening soon” in Aug. are now open. One club in AZ. was contacted and ask why she chose BFL and if she knew the situation of today. Her reply was she believed in the concept,it was better than owning a Curves and she knew all about the good, bad and ugly-and still chose to open her club. A couple of the others are in their “charter member phase”. When these clubs were sold I don’t know, but believe it or not there are some still opening as of this month!
But then again, you go to FL. and it says Orlando opening soon-that has been there for over a year. Maybe we should all send our complaints to the DOC, maybe someone will start paying attention to us. I see nothing wrong with sending our complaints to the FTC either. The worst thing to happen would be for them to ignore us, the best thing could be just one person takes notice. We have nothing to lose, yet stand to gain so much more!
SBRONSON@corp.ca.gov – THIS IS THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR THE PERSON (STEVE BRONSON) IN CHARGE OF OUR COMPLAINT AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – ALL OF US SHOULD SEND HIM OUR STORIES BEFORE HE CHANGES HIS EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!! THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL TIME AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IF THEY WANT CHANGES MADE AND RESTITUTION FROM BUTTERFLY LIFE!!!!!!!! LET’S MAKE MORE NOISE…………
I sent an e-mail to Steve Bronson a few days ago, no response, I just hope he reads it!
Dr. Widman, I am sorry that you got caught up in the whole Butterfly mess…I’m sure you felt as we did….a way to help women become healthier and in turn happier people. They pulled a first class con game on us all!
BF — –You see that professionals who are used to shill NEW concepts can also be taken in because they TOO believe that a franchise is a “Proven Concept” and they don’t think in terms of the possible failure of the the proven concept in great numbers, as has been demonstrrated by BFL.
Because franchising is regulated to PERMIT OVERSEEDING in the initial offering of the concept to the public, and TIMELY disclosure of unit performance statistics is not mandated to be disclosed to new buyers under law, we see the great blood shed of BFL franchisees.
Who is the enabler of all of this blood shed?
My fellow bloggers. Why are we wasting time congratulating a woman who admits she has had a 30 year relationship with Mark Golob. Who still has a job, a home, a reputation when there are so many who are one step away from following Cindy. All the other experts probably don’t even know they should come forward. I mean no disrespect to Dr. Widman. Could she help by contacting her fellow experts and spreading the word?
No Disrespect: your comments and participation here has opened the eyes of a respected expert in the field, and a compassionate and influential supporter. Give yourself some credit. Your refusal to go away quietly has not been a waste of time.
And give Dr. Widman the credit she’s due. She not only took the time to read your stories, she contributed as well. She took the action to have herself removed from the site. And she she’s voiced her support and sympathy for your plight.
Knowing that you helped spread the word so others don’t make the same mistakes – and knowing that you provided each other with mutual support to get through this tough time – is going to be the most valuable reward you can hope for – no matter what the legal outcome. You are getting the word out – that’s not wasted time.
Thank you Sean – Well Said!
Also, Thank you Carol Cross you always inform;
make me think and keep me fired up!
Another one bites the dust. And as I sit in my club with my world crumbling I wonder how many others have sat in my seat. 80-100 I have lost all and still continue to believe that I should have been able to do something about it. Just try harder, do this, do that. Please pray for me and my family. We fell for the — Martha Stewart, TV Commercials, Book in every BB and Barnes and Noble…. Pitch !! Trust me this franchise will blow up and you want to be part of it… Yeah right !! I have read this blog on and off and continued to push to get more members, ect. At first it was difficult for me to understand why someone would take there life. I can function no longer. God Bless everyone who has gone before me. I pray that you all get closure to your law suite. Time for me to pick up my pieces. I should have done my due diligance. Fooled me once, fooled me twice. Oh yeah I can even remember being told – dont have the lawyer go in depth on the franchise aggreement, it is a standard aggreement. I’ve lost everything and it is my fault.
Final Moment: First of all, it’s NOT your fault! There is life after franchising…..don’t let them win! We all believed the “experts” because they had 75 years of experience in the business. You buy a franchise because it’s been “proven” and all the legal issues have been worked out. That’s the point. These sleazy guys were great salesmen and conned many of us who already had successful businesses and were aware of the pitfalls. They’re good at what they do…..taking advantage of honest people! These are tough times and we need to support each other no matter what the legal outcome is. Restitution would be fantastic, but shutting them down or putting them in a place where they get three meals a day and A LOT of attention!!!!……would be great too. We give each other strength and that’s what it’s all about. We all have sad stories to tell, but we have to look forward and not back. Feel free to get my email address from Sean if you want to talk to someone who’s been at this for a long time! I WILL see this through!!!!! Stay strong, your an important part of this story and we need you to stay involved.
Final Moment
It isn’t your fault!! These guys have years of practice, you have your honest intent. You are not alone. I sit struggling to save my world too. But giving in is a WIN for them. We all have challenges brought on by Mark Golob and Tom Gergley and all associated with them, Janet, Denny, Cathy, LISA Gergley,
SUSAN Golob, TAYLOR Golob, CHERYL Hoke, all of you. The next step is criminal fraud. I sat with the DA from the county last night!…do not give up. They are criminals and we will not give up or go away, we have angels. You have friends and support please contact us.
Sean feel free to give my e-mail to Final Moment. I want to talk to this person. We are with you. Life is in this fight.
The fault rests in San Ramon… not with the individuals duped.
Contact me.
Final Moment, I hate to repeat what has already been said, but……believe me, it is NOT your fault! We are all in the same boat. Where was your club? We need to stick together in this thing and make sure that BFL Corporate gets their due!!!!! You can contact me as well, I would be more than happy to talk with you. Please consider joining the AAFD, I have so much faith that they will help us get through this and win…even if it’s putting Golob and Gergley in jail!
Keep your chin up and let us hear from you. Sean has my information as well!
God Bless you!
Final Moment – I just wanted to reach out and give you a hug! I too would like Sean to give you my email. I closed a year ago and the journey has been a tough one not an impossible one! Keep your chin up and don’t forget to Breathe! I will be praying for God to give you strength and I know many franchisees who share your pain will be praying for you too! You are not alone! God Bless
Final Moment – Hang in there and realize that you do not stand alone. All of us have been blind sided by this nightmare! Hurting yourself is NOT the answer – it only leaves your friends and family with a hole in their hearts forever. There is no shame is reaching out for help!
I wish Final Moment would let us know that they are ok.
Thank you for all the kind words, encouragement, and concern. I am okay and for today I will continue on. I anticipate an emotional roller coaster. Thank you all very much.
There is more info about clubs closing at the following blog site:
http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/2008/08/butterfly-life-linda-mcbride-former-franchise-owner/
Final Moment this night mare just goes on and on for so many of us and it looks like 4 more are in Minnesota.
I’m so glad that you are staying strong. If you feel it bottleing up, blog about it – It makes me feel better.
I hadn’t read the blog below in a few months, Go there and read the “Luxej” post toward the end. This is some one who has worked at corporate Linda Evans and has seen the scammers at work.
http://www.franchisepick.com/butterfly-lifes-golob-failed-franchise-owners-should-blame-themselves/
Thanks Titanic – Hadn’t read it either…I posted on that site asking Luxej if they would provide testimony in arbitration if needed and for Sean to release my contact info.
This is info I located online about Beth Thorp, I wonder if she really wants to be associated with these chumps.
Beth Thorp, AICI CIP
Coaching Topics: Corporate workshops and seminars; Diversifying your business to maximize results; Color; Personal shopping.
Beth Thorp is the President of Winning Ways Institute, an image management company in Carlsbad, CA. Beth is a sought-after speaker, media spokesperson, media stylist and author. She is the national fashion expert for Butterfly Life, a Fitness and Weight Loss company where she has written and produced DVDs on her style, color and image programs. She is a corporate trainer who trains employees on her Powerful Impression Seminars, and she’s been featured on many TV and radio programs.
T: (760) 603-0982 — Carlsbad, California, USA
E: beththorp@roadrunner.com
Can someone update me on the results of the class action case?? I would really like to know. Corp is trying to get me to sign my rights over and I will not until there is resolution on the case.
To Final Moment
If Corporate is trying to have you sign your rights away you can be sure that it will only benefit them. Please give Sean your contact information. Do not sign any release, termination or any other document from corporate until you have spoken to those in the know.
Sean feel free to give my contact information.
To Final Moment
I apologize, your question. There is no resolution to the legal issue. However, the franchisee side stays strong and is moving forward. On the California Dept. of Corporations front their is great movement within the enforcement division. Stay Tuned.
You have to think, why does anyone need to sign their rights away . You didn’t do anything wrong, Did they ? They seem worried.
Otherwise why the document.
Please contact me through Sean.
Oh what tangled webs we weave…. No truer words have been spoken. To Corporate BFL, and Taylor we know you read this: The walls are talking, loudly. Sometimes when you tell so many tales you lose track. Unfortunately in this case those told the tales remember very accurately. This will not go away, it is not a small group, in fact it grows as the closures continue. Where did all the money go?
BFL, you can not run or hide.
Please visit and comment on the interview with Butterfly Life franchise owner Matt Wilson.
Please forward these links to others who would be interested, and encourage them to comment.
Franchise Pick: BUTTERFLY LIFE: Unhappy Franchisee Interview With Matt Wilson, Franchise Owner
AllBusiness.com: Unhappy Franchisee Matt Wilson Shares His Expensive Lessons
UnhappyFranchisee.com: BUTTERFLY LIFE: Interview With Franchisee Matt Wilson
Read other Butterfly Life franchisee interviews
Matt’s story is very similar to my story, although I am from another 30 minute workout franchise.
It seems these con artists use the same format to induce people into buying a fitness business.
BF used a doctor and played on your dream of being a successful business owner. They keep you on the hook by telling you are the problem. If we took all the horror stories of the 30 minute circuit or fitness businesses, I am sure you will be amazed how these bad people premeditate
robbing the hard working people of our country.
Ever since Curves came out many con men have copycated their system hoping to get a piece of the pie of Curves’s success. Curves is having their problems too. Encroachment problems. Many are going out of business.
My family has been suffering tremendous loss and I can’t express how I feel for all your stories of BF.
The fitness business is so saturated that no one should touch it. Too much competition. When we opened our club there were nine fitness centers. We closed our club 9 months later. 5 clubs opened when we closed. 2 Curves and our club closed within a short time.
There are ways to fight. I understand many are emotionally hurt and financially bankrupt. At this time I can’t post it. I can tell Sean and somehow you can contact me via e-mail. My prayers are with all the broken BF people. It is amazing how our stories are consistent.
Eliza stop misleading people.
I know from experience it is difficult to get into hospitals and schools in the fitness business. Stop making people believe it is so simple.
You’re like the salesperson who told me he could sign up 380 members in two weeks. Please stop puffing material facts.
With all the competition out there, what makes you special? Are all the unfortunate stories of BF all whiners and losers? I think not.
People’s lives have been destroyed and all you can say is you are making it and trying to make these people look like they didn’t try.
You are an obvious shill for corporate.
People do not invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to purposely lose it. Are you that shallow and devious to mislead people?
I have heard the same story in the franchise I was involved with only to find that many are not making it.
Stop the BS.
Sean – Barb says “there are ways to fight” and we can get her contact information through you. Can you put us in touch with each other?
Thanks for all your continued efforts to bring truth and honesty into franchising.
Hotel California…. We patiently await your update on the closure list. Didn’t it make you famous??? LOL You bring up an important player in all of this RH… I still regret the day we met, so sucked into the pitch… I could tell you stories on the lies that were told. Looking back, I truely regret sucking other family members into this! Hindsight is always better than forsight! We will all survive, I have faith!
It is difficult for anyone to keep up with the Club Closures within Butterfly Life I counted 6 in a 30 day span in August 10-Sept 9. (1 Arkansas, 1 Calif, 1 Okla. 1 Texas & 2 Minn.)
We keep promising a new closure list but they all need researched & just when we think we are done, more close. Hotel California & I are working on it this weekend & have a goal of publishing it here & Franchise Pick probably next week. Wish us luck (a prayer would be better)!
There is only one left in MN… Notice Texas has lost a bunch. You guys are doing a good thing. I signed in order to liquidate my useless junk, before the offer came out to lower the fee for letting them off. Just tried to save another alittle money, think they have a really nice TV in their basement now. If nothing else we know we will survive all this, we are strong and all here for each other!!! God Bless, we are all blessed!