Memo from Eric:::::
Hello Mr. G,
Thank you for the opportunity of responding to your questions.
The share count information is updated on the website as at May 9th. It did not appear by the time of your e-mail. We have brought that function in-house recently (website updates), which will make them more frequent in the future. As you will see, there has not been a significant change, and no 144 shares have been converted. The increase in O/S is purely for operating purposes, handled with restraint to qualified investors only, who have legitimate investment intention. No shares have been given to promoters.
While it is true that Home Depot USA is headquartered in Atlanta, so are our investment bankers. Therefore when I was there recently, I saw both. Our communications with prospective retail partners is broad; however Winning Brands is being as selective as the retailers are - which by itself is unusual for aspiring brands. Our selection criteria include matters that have a bearing upon our freedom to act in the company’s long term interest. Thus we are careful about exclusives, packaging modifications that may suit one retailer vs another, discount structure for recurring charges, etc. Parallel to such negotiations, we continue to cultivate grass roots working business relationships with independent stores across America. There is a natural and down-to-earth quality in the operations of the independent retailers which makes for particularly positive new connections for Winning Brands (and for those independents). It’s harder work to establish the business in this manner, but in the long run develops more relationships – and thus protects the company somewhat from rapid changes in policy amongst the few giant banners that can arise unexpectedly.
Your interest and support in Winning Brands is characteristic of the entrepreneurism of our shareholder family. I do feel the “can do” thinking in this group – and I am determined to do my best for them.
Cheers,
Eric Lehner, CEO
Winning Brands Group
www.WinningBrands.ca