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Thank you, Royal Cleaners
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
During a business trip to Montreal this week on a different matter, I had the pleasure of meeting with the owner of one of the city’s leading ecological “dry cleaners”, whose focus is environmental use of “professional wet cleaning” that replaces harsh solvents. Royal considers Winning Brands’ product the preferred method of addressing the wide range of clothing stains in his operation. The website of Royal Nettoyeur Ecologique is below photos and video links. Thank you, Michael, for your hospitality and product friendship!
chart]investorshub.advfn.com/uimage/uploads/2013/10/26/yzuwzPicture-Royal-Cleaners-Montreal-October-20131.jpg[/chart]
Live Links to Videos and Website (Below)
Shareholder Correspondence: Navy
Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
QUESTION
…Well Eric it’s been awhile since I last emailed you. I was wondering if you planned on giving us an update on your Navy visit in September…
ANSWER
The meeting with Navy Exchange Command took place on September 4th in Virginia, as planned. It was a good meeting by all the metrics that a supplier usually defines these things. We were told that it was the intention of the Navy to let us know before the end of the year exactly how they would like to proceed. It had been my intention to not post about it until that information is in our hands. This note is merely to confirm receipt of your correspondence and confirm that the meeting took place as posted on August 6th. Respectfully, Eric Lehner
Pride of Placement
Advertising, Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
We were pleased to see in the photo below a home improvement retailer choosing to place 1000+ Stain Remover beside an unmistakable iconic brand. The new branding of 1000+ is being well received by staff at the store level. The value and performance proposition of 1000+ Stain Remover is as strong as ever. Product recognition will benefit wherever it can be placed on the shelf beside peer brands who are best known in the category.
Oct06
Canadian Tire – A Winning Manager
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
We thank an Alberta Manager within the Canadian Tire family of stores, who sent an update October 5th. He accepted Winning Brands’ offer of enhanced in-store merchandising support to reveal high latent interest amongst consumers for a product with the characteristics of 1000+ Stain Remover, World’s Most Versatile Cleaning Solution.
Canadian Tire is a national chain retailer with approximately 487 stores and 58,000 employees. It has sales of approximately $9 Billion and is one of the best performing public companies in North America. Winning Brands 1000+ Stain Remover is listed with this chain. We have been looking for the method that provides and sustains higher profile for the product in the store.
The Manager’s note below shows the impact of providing better exposure at the store level. We continue to seek ways to make such positive experiences routine, so that our business plan will be realized and 1000+ and Winning Brands both achieve their well-earned success.
Home Hardware – Terrific Testimonials
Launch Activity, Trade Show
by Eric Lehner
It was a pleasure to hear many unsolicited testimonials from Home Hardware store associates at Day 1 of the Home Hardware Fall Market today. The positive feelings were matched by 70 stores placing orders at the booth. Below is an assortment of photos.
Sep15
Update: Q2 Filing
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
The Q2 filing target of September 15th that was announced on August 23rd has been moved back by 48 hours due to the need to complete a special reconciliation of the official Share Transfer Register that is necessitated by the Reverse Split occuring in Q2. This is more involved than the conventional reconciliation. We are opting for accuracy and appreciate the extra 48 hrs. Upon completion of this filing, Winning Brands will again hold the Current Information Tier at OTC Markets.
Sep11
Winning Brands New Business Address
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
A state-of-the-art new professional business centre for Winning Brands is more flexible to suit our operating needs. With shared reception, conferencing facilities, adjacent shipping centre and other up-to-date amenities, the SuiteWorks business centre facility formalized our arrival today. There is no change in telephone numbers or e-mail addresses.
The new head-office address is:
Winning Brands
92 Caplan Avenue, Suite 134
Barrie, Ontario
L4N O7Z
This facility, combined with additional off-site administration arrangements, will result in a saving of approximately $90,000 over the next five years while significantly improving both the quality and flexibility of space use. In other words, we are upgrading while reducing costs at the same time.
Happy birthday Serenity next Saturday it will be mine but a lot older
More Clearing up of Back Orders!
Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
We have been working hard to get product into the pipeline again. Shown below is a delivery of our new 4-packs of 1000+ Stain Remover for Walmart, Laundry Miracle to Home Hardware Distribution Centre (the yellow trucks are used by Home Hardware for transportation of various goods to their member stores), and more outgoing Professional Wet Cleaning Solutions for Dry Cleaners. These deliveries were carried out in the last 48 hrs.
Plus there is 4 photos in the blog
Quarterly Report Update
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
This is to confirm that the filing will be made by September 15th, following which the reporting status will revert to Current Information Tier.
Quarterly Report
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
There will be a brief delay in filing the Q2 report. We will provide update on the status of this filing next week.
This post has no tag
Audit Progress
Regulatory
by Eric Lehner
At the time that we were starting the audit for the purpose of preparing the SEC registration process, we were notified that a Canada Revenue Agency audit would also take place. The decision was made to let one proceed after the other, rather than operate two simultaneously, and that the government audit should be first. This trust examination has been completed and lays the foundation for the other audit. For this specific reason, the original time frame cannot be met. However, we are pleased with the outcome of the first audit and will not be hampered in our work for the second.
A further update will be provided in due course.
This post has no tag
RS was 500 to 1
Yes lets pull the bid and screw the other shareholders here after all let them lose all their investing money why should hardasset care about them its not his money that will be lost
Sales Department Restructuring
Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
Further to the adoption of the Modified Strategic Plan referred to in the recently filed 2012 Annual Report, a few changes are happening in the Sales Department.
In Canada, we are going to put more emphasis on increasing sales turnover in existing national accounts, rather than cultivating new accounts for the time being. This is because the existing national accounts include stores that already are within a convenient drive to most people, including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Home Hardware and Canadian Tire. The emphasis will be in providing these (and some other existing accounts) more coordinated sales and marketing support. The separate position of Canadian Sales Manager will therefore be retired. Sales and Marketing Support of the existing national accounts will be performed by a reorganization of existing personnel. This greater emphasis on improved performance from existing stores in Canada is vital because we are already in a number of the country’s largest retailers. Their widespread distribution in the country, their high recognition factor, their exceptional reputation and consumer reach is sufficient to generate much more activity. We will be redoubling our efforts to determine how. It will no doubt require increasing consumer awareness. Therefore we will also have a marketing relationship associated with a decorating and design TV program called Steven and Chris on a test basis starting this summer. This would be the first time that our lead product has had a nationally distributed marketing message.
In the USA, we similarly want to increase the sell-through in existing accounts in order to earn the reputation for the brand of moving well. When this increase occurs, then we can resume our prospecting on the consumer retailer side with a stronger case to make. Accordingly, the Sales Support/Marketing Support model (with emphasis on support) will be applied.
Additionally in the USA, as mentioned in earlier posts, we are going to approach the commercial/industrial side with more vigor. This is not the “next big idea” to replace other efforts – it is a way of developing reach into the less visible commercial side with a more detailed and coordinated approach than before, with better utilization of manufacturer’s sales representatives that are already in the field calling on suitable customers. A team will be formed and coordinated by U.S. based management of this task. It may be possible to add new institutional customers without the long waiting periods associated with retail banner buyers acting.
Eric is now available on Stock Radio
Sorry I am not with the company, you will have to email Eric since he is the one who may know if tou dont then you realy dont want to know the answer.
Shareholder Question: Up-listing
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
QUESTION
Over the last few days, several shareholders have asked by what means they will know what progress we are making toward up-listing to OTCQB.
ANSWER
Uplisting requires registration with the SEC. An attorney has already been engaged to be our counsel for that purpose. Due diligence materials for this process are being assembled. Also required is an audit by PCAOB registered accountants for year ending 2010 to establish an opening balance sheet, and then for the two operating years 2011 and 2012, as well as for a stub period (i.e. the interim period from December 31, 2012 to the registration filing date).
Now that the attorney has been identified, we have been speaking with/interviewing candidates for the auditing role. It is important that the right fit exists because it is not desirable to change auditors casually. Accordingly, when making such an important choice, it is ideal to establish a professional rapport that works well for all parties concerned, including the attorney. Cooperation between the auditors and the attorney for the purpose of the registration is ideal. Also, to what extent are the auditors able to assist with post registration compliance quarterly reviews (timing, work load, internal capacity, cost, etc)? That is the reason that our most recent Attorney Opinion Letter has been prepared by legal counsel who is most familiar with the company and who will be most closely associated with the registration.
If things go as planned, then our audit for the years mentioned will take place in the June/July/August period.
We will announce the appointment of the auditors by way of News Release in due course to provide a key milestone in this process.
Sqeezer posted the 2 pics for you
www.TheStockRadio.com
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Media
by Eric Lehner
Thank you Karl Marek of The Stock Radio for spending some time in conversation with Winning Brands today. We understand that the interview will be posted at www.TheStockRadio.com within the next couple of days.
Apr26
Thank you Home Depot
Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
We are honoured that Home Depot has just approved the introduction of a 1000+ Stain Remover brochure that has been modified to reflect the Home Depot store environment, for their use specifically. This new item will be printed and distributed in Canada starting in May.
As per the recently filed Annual Report, a Modified Strategic Plan is being adopted that shifts focus to increasing consumer sales through existing retailers, bringing industrial accounts on board for the first time in a systematic manner and boosting the role of line extensions, amongst other things.
Improved integration of 1000+ Stain Remover’s signature brochure with a respected retailer’s internal merchandising programs is an example of enhanced work with existing accounts going forward.
got it downloaded finally
Tried that too got into web site but couldnt get finacial or news got the statement showing it butg couldnt down;oad then errors keep poping up
I have been trying over 1 1/2 hour to read the financials the link they have here doesnt work
Apr08
Shareholder Question: Reverse Split
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
QUESTION
At this point, is there anything that would prevent a reverse split? Thanks
ANSWER
We will be holding a telephone conference call for shareholders to provide more information about this topic and to answer any other live questions and take live comments. The date of the CC has not been finalized. I will report back on the date asap.
It would be particularly helpful during the conference call to speak to persons who have the greatest concerns, including the greatest criticism, in order to set the record straight in direct conversational format, by presenting facts which are not brought forward on a discussion board, or deleted quickly by adversarial parties.
Many supportive shareholders have given up commenting on the board because of the domination of a few non-shareholders who have their private agendas. It would be a pleasure to meet them head-on in unscripted conversation for the benefit of shareholders, and do some major myth-busting while we are at it. It’s easy for a few to hide behind anonymous posts – they won’t get away with much if they have the courage to identify themselves and be held accountable for mis-statements, illogical argument, false assumptions, things taken out of context, etc. Shareholders would find such an exchange highly beneficial.
Winning Brands Reverse Split Questions?
Eric Lehner (eric@winningbrands.ca)
7:20 PM
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
August 8, 2011 Shows that the discussion about Reverse Listing is prompted by questions from iHub where people were being told by posters that it was about to happen, not because the company was trying to. That was nearly two years ago. In this blog, you can see that the prediction was made that after a reverse split, the bulletin board is the likely next level. OTCQB is the same level as OTCBB, but operated by different organizations. It has always been clear that an uplisting would be associated with a reverse split. There was interest in looking at uplisting seriously but the company was hoping to see growth in sales first to make it easier financially. The company is now going to go for registration and uplisting anyway, even if sales are not where they want it to be because it still gives important advantages. There is no talk about “never doing a reverse split”
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Shareholder Question: Reverse Split and Frankfurt
Categories:
Uncategorized
by Eric Lehner
QUESTION
•The questions I have are related to the share structure and Frankfurt listing. Firstly, I continue to hear on certain blogs that a reverse split is imminent. I don’t see the share structure as being anywhere near that type of needed corporate action. What are your thoughts? Also, will our Frankfurt listing problem ever be resolved so we can again be listed?
ANSWER
A reverse split which is used only for the purpose of increasing share price is not sensible if the underlying circumstances of a company have not changed. In such a scenario, the share price is likely to drift down again, if that was the preceding trend.
A reverse split which is accompanied by a significant development which requires it, or calls for it, is widely accepted to be appropriate. One example of this would be to gain listing on an accredited stock exchange. There are many stock exchanges in the world – they have differing requirements. Today, a firm can be listed on more than one easier than in the past because of the growing policy to recognize listings as being substantially equivalent, thus easing the application for dual or multiple listing. The NYSE and NASDAQ are certainly not the only options for a company today – and are in fact not suitable for many companies for a variety of reasons.
Winning Brands has commenced planning, with qualified U.S. securities counsel, for official SEC registration. However, the outcome of the process is not guaranteed because the SEC makes its determination in each case individually. Therefore, the planning that I am referring to involves meticulous preparation of all materials required for review, and appropriate financial preparation for the end of access to Regulation D, Rule 504 financing. This registration-exempt financing ceases to be available for companies registered with the SEC, whereas other forms of financing become available, and is generally less expensive with regard to the risk discount. Winning Brands has advanced enough to make SEC registration a serious consideration at this stage because the company already provides the majority of information and performs substantially similar filings to those required of a registered company. Even prior to an exchange listing being chosen, the company would probably rise to OTCBB following registration.
As to Frankfurt, the listing change affecting Winning Brands affected over 1,000 companies that were dual quoted, as we were. Frankfurt made it more difficult for listing sponsors to perform that task because of new obligations that sponsors faced on the bid side of the equation. At this moment in time, the most likely route to regaining Frankfurt will be to completing the SEC Registration and finding a suitable exchange on which to become listed, thus possibly regaining Frankfurt on a renewed dual listing basis. There are possibly suitable Canadian exchanges that should not be overlooked, that all U.S. trading accounts would work with seamlessly.
There is no legal obligation, or even practical reason, to carryout a reverse split at this time. When it becomes apparent that the company’s sales will rise considerably and profitability can be attained, it would be normal for a significant positive impact on the market capitalization and share price to occur. A profitable company can repurchase shares and reverse its dilution, however this is not usually seen at the entry level of the public markets where management culture is not as dedicated to the interests of common shareholders as it could/should be. Winning Brands has, by contrast, demonstrated exceptional disclosure and responsibility in its business plan description, implementation, verification and potential. Ultimately, getting the job done is what will have the most bearing on share price – regardless of where the shares trade and how many of them there are.
iHub - Notice to Reader?
Eric Lehner (eric@winningbrands.ca)
6:51 PM
CEO Blog Notice to Reader – look what is in capital letters. Also, last paragraph. There has always been a notice to reader, called “Important” in bold letters.
“Important Notice to Reader
This blog is a journal authored by the CEO of Winning Brands Corporation, Eric Lehner, for the benefit of shareholders. There are many operational developments in the life of a dynamic young public company that are not of sufficient materiality for a traditional News Release. This blog supports the desire of shareholders to have a sense of the company’s progress between the issuance of quarterly filings. Because this blog is available free of charge and appears on the company’s official website, it constitutes fair and equal disclosure of information to all shareholders simultaneously. Due to time contraints, the blog is not at present interactive in nature.
BLOG POSTS OF A PREDICTIVE NATURE, SUCH AS “MIGHT BE, SHOULD BE, HOPE TO BE, ETC” ARE INFORMAL CONVERSATION AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS INVESTMENT ADVICE NOR AS REPRESENTATIONS OF A FORMAL NATURE. ALL SHAREHOLDERS ARE REMINDED OF THE OFFICIAL INITIAL COMPANY INFORMATION DISCLOSURE FILING AND SUBSEQUENT QUARTERLY REPORTS FOR IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION.
Winning Brands Corporation operates in the field variously known as ecological, environmental, eco-responsible and eco-oriented. For this reason, the company is considered to be in the category called Ethical Investment. This does not mean the company has a lower risk than conventional investment. On the contrary, Winning Brands is in the HIGHEST RISK LEVEL, despite being an Ethical Investment by intent. An Ethical Investment is an investment in a firm whose principles and practices are intended to foster health, social justice, equality of opportunity and human progress. Winning Brands is an Ethical Investment because the company’s mission is to replace hazardous chemicals in widespread use with safer alternatives.
The company appreciates the participation of visionary investors – people who consider Ethical Investment as a source of pride in their portfolio of opportunities. An Ethical Investment may require a longer horizon to reach profitability or provide a return. An Ethical Investment is in no way more assured of financial success than an ordinary investment, and perhaps less so.
We thank all parties who are willing to consider the Ethical Investment perspective when taking an interest in the efforts of the Winning Brands team to accomplish its mission, namely, the creation of a consumer brand success story against all odds for its ethical product range.
We encourage all investors, even those whose primary motivation is to participate in an Ethical Investment, to accept and take any capital gain opportunity they may have from time to time from the sale of Winning Brands shares through trading, if a long term perspective is not attractive to them. The liquidity provided to the market for the company’s shares through short term trading is also helpful in the maintenance of a marketplace for shares of the company. Realizing capital gains when they are available is not inconsistent with an Ethical Investment, despite the fact that long term holdings are particularly helpful to the company.
The CEO e-mail address is eric@winningbrands.ca. Shareholder questions are always welcomed.”
Shareholder Question: Share Buying
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
QUESTION
Over the past few weeks I have observed that hundreds of millions of shares are being purchased in large (30 mil at a time) chunks at almost zero value. What is this all about?
ANSWER
Short Answer:
I do not know who is buying the large blocks of shares.
Additional information if you are interested:
It may be market makers for their own purposes, or it may be people through their trading accounts. The company is not in discussion with any person officially or unofficially to foster purchasing of shares. The company also has no stock promotion campaign underway. The company is in the highest risk category of investment – a WNBD share purchase decision would need to be their’s alone, as it is highly speculative. This is also emphasized in an audio visual greeting on the investor page of our website. It comes on automatically. It cannot be missed. The plain spoken, sincere, cautionary note is exceptional in our peer group for its responsibility and conservative tone.
Of further help in avoiding promotional excess, there are some very hardworking skeptics on the discussion boards doing their best to disuade anyone from purchasing our shares as well as encouraging anyone who still has shares to sell while they can. They follow the company day and night, paying a great deal of attention to it. Accordingly, there is no possibility that anyone in the discussion board environment is uninformed about the risks. We thank these skeptics, truly, because they serve the company’s interests through their 24 hour attention to the company. By fostering skeptical discussion on their own time (the most active of whom not even being shareholders), they ensure that all WNBD share purchases made by readers of those boards are made on a fully forewarned basis. This helps to ensure that our shareholders are truly the best profile: self-assured in their buying decision without any illusions as to the challenges, fully aware of the company’s shortcomings (as skeptics would see it) and familiar with our products, policies and objectives with as much prior disuasion as possible. There has been no promotional excess to stimulate the buying – it is organic to the market and occurs despite the efforts above.
Also, the trading volume of WNBD considerably exceeds the volume of share issuance. There are people who feel that our operational accomplishments represent a foundation for future positive developments, and that our current market cap of approximately $500K is low compared to what may happen “one day” if key tipping points occur. Even taking a reverse split or other resturcturing into account, their view is that a trading upside exists at current levels.
My own opinions are expressed in this weblog, which is an uncommon service for our shareholders. It provides frequent operational highlights regarding our aspirations and our setbacks, and answers to shareholder questions. My overall opinion is that we face the same challenges that thousands of other aspiring junior companies face, most of whom fail – but that we have more spirit than most, more determination to get through the obstacles and a greater willingness to share the good, bad and ugly of the process with our stakeholders. Our filings over the years have been professional, easy to understand, fully disclosing all that is challenging and also sharing our vision. Even when a filing is delayed, it is ultimately made to the Pink Sheet Current standard. Thousands of OTC quoted companies never provide information of the quality that we do.
Bottom line, I very much appreciate the large block purchases to which you refer. I cannot promise those buyers any specific outcome for their shareprice or for the company’s future, of course. What I can promise is that we remain devoted to our goal – and such comittment is well understood to be an important factor in success in life, whether for individuals or for companies.
Thanks Tib
ISNT THE FINANCIALS DUE OUT
Label Evolution: 1000+ Bolder Name Treatment
Categories:
Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
The photo below was taken today in a store where the new style prototype labels were placed for evaluation by staff and customers. This logo treatment has been under development to give more emphasis to long distance visibility of the name and simplification of the front panel. This is the first time that we have the most up-to-date label version in a retail setting for evaluation. As previously discussed, neck tags will be used to highlight specific sectors and promotional programs. We will have these in place on store shelves before our return to TV commercials in Canada (where 1000+ Stain Remover is available nationally at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Home Hardware and Canadian Tire stores), to support the brand at retail.
Discussion of re-financing is subject to confidentiality issues, however I can say that we continue to work toward arrangements that will be sensible, and if possible associated with an up-listing to OTCQB. There are various things that need to be in place for the desired arrangements to be activated.
Shareholder Question – General
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
QUESTION
Hello Mr. Lehner. Any sort of update would be nice. Thx
ANSWER
We are working hard on the attainment of registration and up listing to OTCQB because of the well-known benefits that this brings. This is our top priority because all other operational elements will receive a lift from this accomplishment. Product marketing arrangements can receive a substantial boost from the friendlier financing in this environment. We have a terrific foundation to build on – excellent product(s), retailer relationships, operating team and vision. We are proud of who we are, what we are doing and where we are headed. Synergistic alliances will grow in importance in the future and will strengthen this foundation.
We are really looking forward to what is ahead for us – despite the substantial present challenges. These difficulties are thoroughly disclosed in our filings in great detail. Nonetheless, dedication to overcoming challenges is the hallmark of eventual success. We have such dedication.
New use for 1000+ Stain Remover; Clean-up After Fiberglass Repair
Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
New uses keep emerging for 1000+ Stain Remover. The testimonial below was received this week.
For years I’ve been working on my antique rowboat and canoe. Every couple of years I have to patch them up and by the time I’m finished, there’s more fiberglass on me than the boats! Normally it would take me days to get it off… then somehow out of desperation.. I tried 1000+ and It came right off !! I told my wife. She was complaining about Pine Sap that we couldn’t get off. 1000 + worked right away !! . It’s a long way from our Island to get more. Now we always keep two bottles at the cottage because we’re scared to run out !! Thanks
Photos Below: A) How fiberglass is used to repair boat; B) fiberglass repair kit
THEY ARE ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND THE WINDOWS DO NOT FACE THE PARKING LOT OR ENTRANCE