One other MLM bites the mud, and this time it is Modere. Modere was well-known for its Liquid BioCell Collagen, however out of the blue the entire firm is gone, leaving its clients and representatives within the lurch.
So why did Modere shut out of the blue after 23 years in enterprise? And what’s going on with Modere’s Liquid Collagen now? Trace: some unusual issues are taking place.
Numerous MLM/Direct Gross sales corporations are going out of enterprise days. It could be the financial system, and it could be the construction of the MLM business itself. Regardless of the trigger, it is extremely exhausting on distributors and clients. Very exhausting. LulaRoe, NYR Natural/Neal’s Yard Cures, and extra just lately Beautycounter.
It is so dangerous that Kristen Boss, a multi-million greenback MLM coach, is completely revamping her enterprise, I suppose as a result of there aren’t as many MLM reps who wish to pay for teaching anymore.
Listed here are some details and a few of my ideas about what occurred to Modere as a result of there numerous issues occurring that contributed to their monetary failure. And what’s occurred for the reason that closing is nicely, very odd certainly.
Enter your e-mail and I will ship it straight to your inbox. Plus, you may get wholesome residing updates too.
Modere’s Closing Announcement
Modere closed out of the blue on April 11, 2025, after 23 years in enterprise. The corporate despatched out the next discover to representatives and clients. What a shocker to get this in your inbox.
Sadly, I’ve skilled this “e-mail of dying” quite a lot of occasions, with Ava Anderson, NYR Natural, and Beautycounter. And that, together with different issues, has made me suppose lots 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 below you. And once you spend hours and hours researching merchandise like I do, it is much more messy.
Let’s have a look at a number of the issues that led to one more MLM’s messy demise.
Modere’s Begin
The historical past of Modere and the corporate that preceded it, Neways, is difficult. There are completely different variations of all of this in varied locations, so I may need some particulars fallacious right here. Completely satisfied 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 personal 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, BioCell Collagen.
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 important merchandise in Modere’s historical past is lawsuits involving Justin Prince, certainly one 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 got doubtless seen this peptide firm talked about lots as that MLM tries to suck folks into their orbit) and Justin Serra is their CEO. Make Wellness apparently has numerous former Modere reps concerned with it. Spoiler alert: I am 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 staff or firm and get them to work with them as a substitute.
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 an enormous 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 workers and Justin Prince acknowledged in his lawsuit towards Modere that personal fairness “restructured its debt on the again of Modere, for the advantage of Z Capital and its companions.”
Word that personal fairness was apparently an enormous a part of Beautycounter’s demise as nicely.
Going Out of Enterprise Two Months After Accelerated Progress
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 from company simply earlier than the closure.
On February twenty seventh, Modere introduced their new Chief Income Officer rent with these forward-looking phrases:
A lot for accelerated development and increasing attain.
For one more 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 may 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 informed 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 one more MLM to construct.
This sadly sounds acquainted to me and the remainder of the consultants who went via Gregg Renfrew’s return to Beautycounter along with her saying “let’s f*cking go” repeatedly in principally 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 honest, the writing did appear to be on Modere’s wall when Asma left, seeing as her 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 will be promoting Liquid BioCell and Modere’s Trim (which accommodates Liquid BioCell). Looking back, since Asma owned Jusuru/Liquid BioCell, I suppose this was a logical transfer, however there’s numerous liquid collagen strangeness occurring.
To start with, 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 this “new” collagen was not their focus in any respect. Nevertheless it feels like Liquid BioCell will likely be.
Now Asma is transferring 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
Here is 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 utterly uninvolved founder, Hiep Tran.
- June 2024: Asma Ishaq joins Amare as their new CEO.
- Nov 23, 2024: Shawn Talbott broadcasts that he is leaving Amare and NOT leaping to a different MLM, however goes to remain within the psychological wellness enviornment and that “psychological wellness is the place to be.”
- February 20, 2025: Amare begins advertising and marketing The Rootist haircare merchandise for “hair wellness.” The Rootist is owned by Amare’s new proprietor, David C. Chung.
- April 11, 2025: Solely 4 and a half months after stating that he isn’t leaping to a different MLM and is staying within the psychological wellness enviornment, Talbott broadcasts that he is becoming a member of Bella Grace, which is an MLM constructed round COLLAGEN, stating, “I’m excited to affix Bella Grace at such a pivotal second in its development. I look ahead to driving innovation and delivering science-backed options that improve human potential“.
Sounds acquainted.
Excellent Questions
Certain, 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 might (hopefully) ultimately take her collagen after Modere went below?
- 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? Did it have something to do along with his (earlier) ideas about collagen?
Asma has acknowledged that she did not count on Modere to shut and has made feedback suggesting issues with the management at Modere.
I do not know the entire story, and I doubtless 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 totally handy that just some days after Modere shut down many beforehand panicking Liquid BioCell sellers are already constructing their groups, rating up, and planning to promote their beloved liquid collagen and the new-to-them Rootist hair merchandise at their new dwelling, Amare.
One thing simply appears actually off.
Nevertheless, maybe that is all merely issues working their method out so that everybody who desires their Liquid BioCell can get it with out a lot interruption.
However I do not suppose so.
As an vital aspect observe, these issues do not imply that I am 100% anti-MLM, however I am towards toxicity, whether or not it is poisonous fragrances, or poisonous manipulation of individuals, cash, and the reality. And I certain hope that is not occurring right here.
Stunning Replace: Shaklee Acquires Modere’s Liquid BioCell
On Might 23, 2025, I acquired an e-mail informing me that Shaklee, not Amare, will likely be promoting Modere’s Liquid BioCell (together with Trim, Curb, and all of Modere’s different merchandise).
I did not see this coming and am undecided what occurred however one factor is for certain: all of the Modere reps who jumped with their groups to Amare are freaking out.
They declare there will likely be a technique to have their beloved liquid collagen, so I suppose that now Asma will likely be doing a little new method with the BioCell once more.
What a rollercoaster trip!
I am guessing that Shaklee does not really need all of Modere’s merchandise however had to purchase them as a part of the “restructuring” talked about within the announcement under that got here out a couple of weeks after Modere’s closure.
In some way the “Liquid BioCell transferring to Amare” deal both wasn’t as full because it appeared, or Shaklee made a greater provide than David Chung did.
Regardless, I believe that liquid collagen wars will likely be one of many subsequent massive MLM issues.
What do you concentrate on all of this? I might love to listen to your ideas.
