One other MLM bites the mud, and this time it’s Modere. Modere was well-known for its Liquid BioCell Collagen, however instantly the entire firm is gone, leaving its prospects and representatives within the lurch.
So why did Modere shut instantly after 23 years in enterprise? And what’s going on with Modere’s Liquid Collagen now? Trace: some unusual issues are taking place.
A whole lot of MLM/Direct Gross sales corporations are going out of enterprise days. It is perhaps the financial system, and it is perhaps the construction of the MLM business itself. Regardless of the trigger, it’s extremely exhausting on distributors and prospects. Very exhausting. LulaRoe, NYR Natural/Neal’s Yard Treatments , and extra just lately Beautycounter .
It’s so unhealthy that Kristen Boss, a multi-million greenback MLM coach, is completely revamping her enterprise, I assume as a result of there aren’t as many MLM reps who need to pay for teaching anymore.
Listed here are some information and a few of my ideas about what occurred to Modere as a result of there have been extra issues happening than simply monetary woes and what’s occurred because the closing is nicely, very odd certainly.
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Modere’s Closing
Modere closed instantly on April 11, 2025, after 23 years in enterprise. The corporate despatched out the next discover to representatives and prospects. What a shocker to get this in your inbox.
Sadly, I’ve skilled this “e-mail of demise” a variety of occasions, with Ava Anderson, NYR Natural, and Beautycounter . And that, together with different issues, has made me suppose rather a lot about this entire MLM/direct gross sales factor.
MLM representatives put numerous money and time into recommending an organization and their merchandise, solely to have them rip the rug out from underneath you. And once you spend hours and hours researching merchandise like I do, it’s much more messy.
Modere’s Begin
The historical past of Modere and the corporate that preceded it, Neways, is difficult. There are totally different variations of all of this in numerous locations, so I might need some particulars fallacious right here. Joyful to right issues if want be.
Modere was a “wellness”/private care model that started off promoting “clear” private and residential merchandise however later turned well-known for its Liquid Biocell collagen. The corporate was owned by Z Capital Companions, which is a non-public fairness agency owned by Capital Group LLC.
Robert Conlee was initially the chairman/CEO of Neways. Neways dissolved amidst authorized points, together with accusations of tax evasion , and was bought to Golden Gate Capital.
Modere was born out of that not-great scenario.
Liquid Collagen and Asma Ishaq Come to Modere
In 2017, Modere purchased Jusuru, a liquid collagen MLM that Asma Ishaq and her brother Suhail Ishaq owned. Jusuru was constructed on their household’s product, Liquid Biocell.
In 2019, Asma turned the CEO of Modere and on the similar time, Jusuru turned the Modere Collagen Sciences division of the identical firm.
From that time on, most would say that the liquid collagen was the spine of Modere’s product line.
Quite a few Lawsuits
One other vital merchandise in Modere’s historical past is lawsuits involving Justin Prince, one in every of their prime distributors, and different direct gross sales corporations.
Modere claimed that Prince sabotaged and crippled their firm by sharing disparaging details about the corporate whereas planning to begin one other direct gross sales enterprise. Justin Serra (sure, one other Justin) was additionally named as a co-conspirator within the lawsuit however wasn’t named as a defendant.
Since leaving Modere, Prince launched Make Wellness (you’ve seemingly seen this peptide firm talked about rather a lot as that MLM tries to suck individuals into their orbit) and Justin Serra is their CEO. Make Wellness apparently has numerous former Modere reps concerned with it. Spoiler alert: I’m not getting concerned with that firm.
Later, the sabotage accusations switched instructions when Nerium accused Modere of doing the identical to them by poaching their representatives. Poaching is when an MLM firm or rep tries to take a rep from one other group or firm and get them to work with them as an alternative.
Different lawsuits concerned Modere suing Frequense and Isagenix suing Modere.
Nate Frazier Joins Modere
Finally and quietly, Asma left Modere in 2023. Nate Frazier turned their President, COO, and Govt Chairman in December 2023.
The explanations behind Asma leaving are complicated with some saying that Justin Prince was a giant a part of her departure.
Monetary Woes
The entire scenario is difficult for anybody to know utterly, however one factor that’s clear is that Modere was not in good monetary form.
On August 28, 2023, the corporate laid off 30% of its employees and Justin Prince said in his lawsuit towards Modere that personal fairness “restructured its debt on the again of Modere, for the good thing about Z Capital and its companions.”
Observe that personal fairness was apparently a giant a part of Beautycounter’s demise as nicely.
Going Out of Enterprise Simply After “Accelerated Development”
Modere introduced it was going out of enterprise on April 12, 2025, and it was a shock to many. A part of the rationale for the shock is the messaging that was happening near the closure.
On February twenty seventh, Modere introduced their new Chief Income Officer rent with these forward-looking phrases:
A lot for accelerated progress and increasing attain.
For an additional instance, see this Fb submit from March 16, 2025, by John Melton. John is an MLM coach, who right here is claiming that Modere is “solely getting stronger,” is the “greatest earnings alternative on the planet” and is headed “for this subsequent actual chapter .”
You will get a really feel for John’s persona by perusing his Fb profile . Repeatedly speaking about alternative, cash, and for my part, over-the-top devotion to Modere and different MLMs.
Both he was ignorant or just parroting what he was advised to say by the pinnacle of the dying Modere.
Of observe is that solely FOUR DAYS after Modere introduced its closing, John appears to have already “discovered that spark once more ” with others who’ve now discovered yet one more MLM to construct.
This sadly sounds acquainted to me and the remainder of the consultants who went by Gregg Renfrew’s return to Beautycounter along with her saying “let’s f*cking go” repeatedly in mainly each speak she had with reps after her return to the corporate together with the launch of their groundbreaking “safer perfume” line simply earlier than they shut down.
To be truthful, the writing did appear to be on Modere’s wall when Asma left, seeing as her personal product had been the spine of Modere since 2017.
Liquid BioCell and Collagen Strangeness
Whereas I used to be engaged on this submit, Amare (the place Asma Ishaq is now the CEO) introduced that it could be promoting Liquid BioCell and Modere’s Trim (which accommodates Liquid BioCell). On reflection, since Asma owned Jusuru/Liquid BioCell, I assume this was a logical transfer, however there’s numerous liquid collagen strangeness happening.
Initially, Dr. Shawn Talbott (PhD), who was the much-loved scientific advisor for Amare, wasn’t a fan of taking collagen however thought it was greatest to encourage the physique to make its personal.
Amare had introduced HL5 collagen from Kyani (an organization that Amare purchased in 2022) to market in 2023, however I used to be with Amare on the time and heard nothing about it, so collagen was not their focus in any respect.
Now Asma is shifting her household’s Liquid BioCell merchandise to Amare and “Doc Talbott” has moved to Bella Grace, a COLLAGEN-based MLM.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Liquid BioCell/Collagen Timeline of Occasions
Right here’s the timeline of occasions:
2017: Jusuru turns into a part of Modere.
2019: Asma Ishaq turns into CEO of Modere.
Late 2023: This date is difficult to find out precisely, however Asma Ishaq, whose household owns BioCell Collagen (the important thing ingredient in Modere’s Liquid Collagen), leaves Modere.
January 18, 2024: I’ve heard some not-good rumors about what led to this, however David C. Chung, a Korean entrepreneur, bought Amare from the now apparently uninvolved founder, Hiep Tran.
June 2024: Asma Ishaq joins Amare as their new CEO.
Nov 23, 2024: Shawn Talbott declares that he’s leaving Amare and NOT leaping to a different MLM , however goes to remain within the psychological wellness enviornment. He said in that video that “psychological wellness is the place to be.”
February 20, 2025: Amare begins advertising The Rootist haircare merchandise for “hair wellness.” The Rootist is owned by Amare’s new proprietor, David C. Chung. Facet observe: two-thirds of The Rootist’s merchandise have synthetic perfume in them .
April 11, 2025: Solely 4 and a half months after stating that he’s not leaping to a different MLM and is staying within the psychological wellness enviornment, Talbott declares that he’s becoming a member of Bella Grace, which is an MLM constructed round COLLAGEN, stating, “I’m excited to hitch Bella Grace at such a pivotal second in its progress. I look ahead to driving innovation and delivering science-backed options that improve human potential
Excellent Questions
I get it. Folks can change their minds, however I’ve questions.
Did Asma see the writing on the wall with the monetary woes, so she figured she’d higher discover one other MLM the place she may (hopefully) finally take her collagen after Modere went underneath?
Was she booted out from Modere and fortunately Modere’s demise made it simpler for her to begin her liquid collagen gross sales again up once more?
Why did Talbott go away Amare?
I’ve seen Asma say that she didn’t count on Modere to shut. I’ve additionally seen her make suggestive feedback about horrible management at Modere.
I don’t know what’s actually happening, and I seemingly by no means will, however this entire MLM merry-go-round factor is making my head dizzy.
What I’ll say, nevertheless, is that it’s very handy that only a few days after Modere shut down many beforehand panicking Liquid BioCell sellers are already constructing their groups and planning to promote Amare and The Rootist’s synthetic fragrance-filled hair merchandise.
Name me a skeptic, nevertheless it’s not simply the bogus fragrances that odor unhealthy to me.
Nonetheless, maybe that is all simply issues working their manner out so that everybody who desires their Liquid BioCell can get it with out a lot interruption.
As an necessary facet observe, this doesn’t imply that I’m 100% anti-MLM, however I am towards toxicity, whether or not it’s poisonous fragrances , or poisonous manipulation of individuals, cash, and the reality .
