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Monday, March 8th, 2010
St. Patrick’s Day Party will benefit Colorado’s Food Bank of the Rockies and feature a performance by U2 tribute band “Under a Blood Red Sky”
LOS ANGELES, CA – March 8th, 2010 – March is already shaping up to be a month that will go down in history for health transformation company ViSalus Sciences, which took time on its 5th birthday to celebrate the spirit of giving in grand fashion.
The company’s Body by Vi Community Challenge launched in November of 2009 with a goal of providing 100,000 shake meals to children within a year. ViSalus achieved the milestone in just under 4 months on March 3rd, five years to the day since the company was founded.
The Body by Vi™ Community Challenge continues to donate a nutritious shake meal through a network of local Distributors working with charitable organizations in their communities. For as little as 50 cents per meal, ViSalus Distributors and Customers can make a donation to be matched meal for meal by ViSalus. The recipients of the first 100,000 meals were organizations from all over the United States and Jamaica, as well as those suffering from the recent earthquake in Haiti who received 10,000 meals from the Body by Vi Community Challenge thanks to a partnership with World Emergency Relief.
ViSalus crossed the 100,000 mark at an event in Columbus, Ohio, where one of the company’s fastest-growing local communities rallied together in raising 14,880 meals in one night, with the largest donation coming from Dr. Paul Wehrum, a physician serving the Ohio area.
ViSalus CEO Ryan Blair was there for the event and expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the community in Ohio and around the country that made this moment possible. “We are just getting started,” said Blair. “We’ve developed a solution to children’s hunger in our local communities. One day in the near future we will solve the problem of children’s hunger in all of our ViSalus communities.”
Clearly not one to stop after achieving a first goal, Blair and ViSalus are throwing a party Friday March 12th to celebrate the first 100,000 meals and set a new goal at the company’s ViSalus Academy event in Denver, Colorado.
“Feed the Kids!”, a St. Patrick’s Day Party and Benefit Concert that will help raise shake meal donations for Food Bank of the Rockies, a local organization that helps children and families who are facing the reality of food insecurity. With over 192,000 children in the Denver area living in poverty and at the risk of hunger, the event hopes to further the state of Colorado’s campaign to end childhood hunger.
“We are grateful for ViSalus’s donation to our children’s programs and the kids love the shakes,” said Jeanne Downes, Nutrition Network Director for Food Bank of the Rockies. “Protein is so important for children to grow and it’s one of the most difficult nutrients to get donated.”
The evening will begin with an overview of the Body by Vi Challenge, the centerpiece of the ViSalus product line and opportunity, followed by a cocktail reception and performance by “Under a Blood Red Sky,” a renowned U2 tribute band that passionately recreates the bands most legendary songs.
The event is free to attend, with a $24 suggested donation for those wishing to support Food Bank of the Rockies and have a chance to win thousands of dollars worth of raffle prizes.
Event Details:
Friday, March 12th
Crowne Plaza Denver Int’l Airport
15500 East 40th Ave.
Denver, CO 80239
7:00pm – 11:00pm
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Bringing nearly 30 years of global leadership in executive roles with companies such as Herbalife and Amway, John Purdy Now Leads ViSalus and the Body By Vi 90 Day Health Challenge
LOS ANGELES, CA – February 16th, 2010 – ViSalus Sciences has added a direct selling industry veteran to its executive management team with the hiring of John B. Purdy as the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer.
Purdy most recently held leadership roles in a variety of capacities over a 13 year career at Herbalife, including Director of North American Operations, Senior Vice President of International Operations and Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific. He led Herbalife’s efforts in Japan, increasing sales of this leading market during a dramatic growth period from 1995-1999. As Senior Vice President of International Operations, he was responsible for the International Expansion Group which successfully opened markets in Europe and Asia.
In Purdy, ViSalus adds a seasoned executive who has risen through the ranks of two multi-billion-dollar companies. Purdy was instrumental in both maintaining the stability of mature markets as well as launching and growing new emerging markets.
Prior to his executive roles with Herbalife, Purdy was with Amway Corporation for more than 15 years, holding various management positions as he rose to senior manager of Amway’s California operations center.
Purdy will work primarily from the company’s Beverly Hills office, where his focus will be enhancing the Customer and Distributor experience and improving operational efficiency in not only ViSalus’ flagship health initiative, the Body By Vi Challenge, but in all aspects of the company.
“The ViSalus mission is to impact millions of people around the world through our Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge,” said ViSalus CEO Ryan Blair. “Adding John Purdy to the executive team is a monumental step in our global ambitions”
The ViSalus Community will have its first opportunity to meet its new President and COO when Purdy is introduced at ViSalus Academy, the company’s national training event taking place March 12th-14th in Denver, Colorado.
In addition to valuable entrepreneurial education, ViSalus Academy will feature:
- The crowning of new Body by Vi Champions from over 997 contestants.
- The promotion of several Distributors to the company’s top earning position of Ambassador.
- Significant cash awards on stage as part of the company’s Rising Star Search promotion.
- The celebration of raising over 100,000 meal replacements for children in need through the Body by Vi Community Challenge, and the launch of a million meal challenge.
“I am very excited about the ViSalus opportunity, and having met some of our leaders in the field already, I know that their passion for this company and our products is true of their teams as well,” said Purdy. “I can’t wait to experience the fun and excitement of a ViSalus national event first hand.”
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About ViSalus Sciences
ViSalus Sciences, with headquarters in Troy, Michigan and Los Angeles, CA, is a leading Health Transformation Company utilizing the direct selling channel to distribute its Weight Management and Nutritional Supplement products. Backed by a partnership with NYSE traded Blyth, Inc., ViSalus is the company behind the Body by Vi Challenge, a 90-day health challenge that helps people achieve their weight loss and fitness goals for a chance to win over $100,000 per year in total prizes. Their Body by Vi Community Challenge is closing in on a goal set in November of 2009 to donate 100,000 meals to children in need.
ViSalus may be found on the Internet at www.visalus.com and www.bodybyvi.com
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Sarnicola brings with him former ViSalus Vice President of Sales Mike Craig to break records in the Network Marketing Industry.
LOS ANGELES, CA – January 11th, 2010 – ViSalus Sciences Co-Founder Nick Sarnicola has announced that he will be stepping down from his role as Chief Sales Officer in order to build a new team from the ground up as a ViSalus Distributor. He looks forward to being a leader in the field, executing the ViSalus sales and training model and providing key feedback to the company he helped create.
Also announcing his decision to join Sarnicola as a Distributor is Mike Craig, who has served as the company’s Vice President of Sales, working closely with Sarnicola over the past year. Together they will build a new organization as they share the Body by Vi Challenge, a 90 Day Health Transformation initiative that has fueled ViSalus’ growth over the past 6 months.
For Sarnicola, this step is a return to his roots as a builder. “I’ve been involved with the Network Marketing Industry for 13 years, the last 5 of those in a corporate role with ViSalus,” said Sarnicola. “I have loved taking my vision and turning it into a reality with an amazing community of people, but I have missed the lifestyle that comes with being a Distributor. I can’t wait to put some of our latest strategies into action to create success stories on an even larger scale, and help thousands upon thousands of people enjoy better Life, Health, and Prosperity.”
With the company’s Body by Vi Challenge sweeping the nation, and the backing and stability of a publicly-traded, billion-dollar direct sales leader in Blyth, Inc., the timing was perfect for Sarnicola to join the ViSalus field and experience life as an Independent Distributor once again. “I have always said that the best job in the company should be that of the Distributor, and I’m excited to go live that lifestyle. I have found my utopia.”
For Mike Craig, who has worked closely with Sarnicola in the past, his time with ViSalus showed him the potential of the company’s products and opportunity. An expert in sales systems, Craig will serve as an integral part to the success of this new organization. “Like Nick, I am a builder at heart,” said Craig. “Traveling the country and speaking at ViSalus events over the past year has re-ignited that spark within me and showed me that ViSalus is a special place. When Nick decided to move into the field, I couldn’t pass up that opportunity.”
Sarnicola’s Co-Founders, CEO Ryan Blair and Chief Marketing Officer Blake Mallen, will continue to work with the current leadership to support the growth of the ViSalus community. They are excited to take another step towards their vision of ViSalus becoming the ultimate health transformation opportunity worldwide.
“When Nick came to me with this idea, and I saw the passion in his eyes, I was thrilled to support his desire to join the field,” said Blair. “Nick is an amazing entrepreneur, and with Mike as on his team, I have no doubt that they will be extremely successful.”
Blake Mallen, who has worked with Sarnicola for over a decade, is excited to support a longtime friend. “Nick and I were Distributors together when we launched our careers in Network Marketing. I know what he brings to the table. The existing team of ViSalus leaders is exceptional. Mike and Nick just bring one more competitive advantage.”
Sarnicola has the opportunity to achieve exciting new goals alongside a community that is close to his heart. “I love every one of our Distributors,” Sarnicola said. “I am thrilled today to join them in taking the life-transforming ViSalus vision to new heights.”
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
ViSalus Sciences Launches Body by Vi™ Community Challenge
Wellness Company Sets Goal to Donate 100,000 Healthy Meals to Children in Need
LOS ANGELES, CA – November 18th, 2009 – ViSalus Sciences has made another step towards bringing its mission of Prosperity to families in need. From Fusion Academy, a ViSalus national convention in Tampa, Florida, CEO Ryan Blair announced a new initiative that will leverage the company’s Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix to provide, healthy nutrition to children from coast to coast.
The Body by Vi™ Community Challenge has set a goal of donating 100,000 children’s meals through a network of local Distributors working with charitable organizations in their communities. For as little as 50 cents per meal, ViSalus Distributors and Customers can make a donation to be matched meal for meal by ViSalus.
The Challenge was given a head start towards this goal by Co-Founders Ryan Blair, Nick Sarnicola, and Blake Mallen, who together pledged the first 15,000 meals on stage today.
“Our company is founded in name and spirit on the pillars of Life, Health, and Prosperity,” said ViSalus Chief Marketing Officer Blake Mallen. “To us, Prosperity is about much more than financial freedom; it’s about the ability to give back to the people and causes that touch your heart.”
Chief Sales Officer Nick Sarnicola is humbled to have an opportunity to combine the benefits of ViSalus products with the giving spirit of the ViSalus community. “To have great products is one thing,” said Sarnicola. “To have a great product that children can benefit from and enjoy is another. For our community to make this product available for free to the children who need it most is the ultimate form of contribution we can achieve.”
ViSalus Founder Ryan Blair was inspired to take this cause to the masses after a recent trip to Jamaica showed him what a difference the ViSalus community could make. “There are too many children in this world who don’t have a fighting chance because they simply don’t have the means to get the nutrition their bodies need each day. To succeed at school, on the athletic field, or simply to grow up to be healthy, nothing is more important than nutrition, and I hope the children of the world know we don’t plan on stopping at 100,000 meals,” said Blair.
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Bryan Bellville and his wife, Brandi, are the newest ViSalus Presidential Directors. Thanks to his results with the Body by Vi Challenge, and their ability to share the Challenge with others across the country, they are thrilled to achieve this new position with ViSalus.
Bryan’s story is true of so many others who have had success with the Challenge, and is at the core of his commitment to the ViSalus Vision:
I have struggled with weight my entire life because i LOVE TO EAT . I’ve always had to watch my weight… watch it go UP that is. As my wife gave birth to our two children, I gained over 100 pounds due to the “ole sympathy weight.” At 5′8″, I weighed as much as 215 pounds when I finally decided to do something about it.
I tried EVERYTHING, and lost some weight, but I could never keep it off or stick to the program. Well, I am excited to tell you that there is FINALLY a weight management program out there that gives you the nutrition you need, followed by the program to keep the weight off. Best of all, it tastes GREAT… That program is the Body by Vi Challenge!
I went from 187 lbs. to 154 lbs. in 90 days with the Transformation Kit. Not only did I lose 33 pounds, but I saved money on meals because I was replacing “fast food” and “bad food” with a “healthy milkshake” as I call it.
Best of all, I have been able to keep the weight off, and I’ve gone from button-busting 36 inch waist jeans to a comfortable 32! You have tried the REST, now finish with the BEST!
Body by Vi has given me my Life, Health, and Prosperity back!
