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IMN, a software company that specializes in helping direct sales company customize communications solutions for their businesses, has just appointed Sebastian J. Leonardi as their new Vice President of Direct Selling and Multichannel Markets. IMN was founded in 1999 and in 2006 launched PartyPulse, and e-communications service that helps direct selling company better serve their customers.

The position is a brand new one for the company and is reflective of both the growth of the company and of the Direct Selling Industry. As direct sales companies continue to grow and build, the need for more advanced and specialized communications tools has become fundamental for their success.
Leonardi’s experience includes over 15 years in senior management positions, most recently serving as Vice President of Integrated Management Services, the leading management and technology consulting firm for the direct selling industry.

“We are extremely pleased to add such a strong executive to our team,” says David Fish, chief executive officer of IMN. “Sebastian Leonardi’s broad-based experience in management and technology companies for the direct selling, multichannel, financial and healthcare sectors will be invaluable in building our strong momentum in the global marketplace.”

In addition to his impressive resume, Leonardi is a frequent contributor to several direct selling publications as well as a welcome speaker at many industry events. Leonardi also serves as a member of the Direct Selling Association’s Technology Council.

Among their many clients, are some of the leaders in the Direct Selling industry, including Southern Living at Home , Scentsy and Gold Canyon.

Popularity: 2% [?]

We have received a couple comments as to why we have not run the story on Gold Canyon Candles. So, in order to appease our readers, here is the whole story. I want to start off by saying there are many many conflicting reports, however I will get to the bottom of it the best that I can……

On September 10th, Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies along with an entire SWAT team raided the Arizona based Gold Canyon Candle Company. The candle company makes candles that are sold through a network of independent distributors. The raid was conducted for two reasons, 1) to arrest those suspected of being involved in identity theft and 2) arresting illegal immigrants.

The September 10th raid netted 23 arrests on suspicion of identity theft and 42 arrests for illegal immigrants. An additional five U.S. citizens were arrested on outstanding warrants.
Gold Canyon Company spokeswoman Rebecca Clyde said deputies showed up with a search warrant, not only looking for illegal workers, but also looking for specific individuals on charges of identity theft. The Sheriffs Dept says that they have already verified three victims of identity theft so far, including one person who is a Washington, D.C., White House staff member working in the Bush administration.

There have been raids on several businesses in the area in the last year and in response to those raids Gold Canyon claims they have taken steps to ensure that all of their employees are in compliance with the all immigration laws. Company spokeswoman Rebecca Clyde says the company has used e-Verify since last year and has always complied with federal law. “Gold Canyon has always used every single tool that the government has given them to verify documents and done everything it legally is allowed to do to verify employees’ status,” she said.

Gold Candle remains firm in their stance that they will be found innocent of all charges related to hiring illegal immigrants. Arizona recently passed an employer-sanction law that punishes employers for hiring and employing those who are not legal to work in the United States.

There have been claims back and forth of some shady activity by the Sheriffs department and by Gold Canyon. Reports from over 100 Gold Canyon employees say that their civil rights were violated by the Sheriff’s department by being held against their will in conference rooms for up to five hours. On the other side of the fight, the Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas said that they received a tip that workers were told by someone in management to toss their IDs and run if the sheriff showed up.  If you want to read Gold Canyon’s response, click here.

Only time will tell what will come of all of this. The company thus far has not been charged with any wrongdoing. The sheriffs department and attorney general say that it will take some time to sort through all of the papers, but they will stay on top of it.

As details of the raid and its aftermath become more clear, we will definitely keep you up-to-date. In the meantime, its business as usual over at Gold Canyon Candle Co. Oh….and by the way, Gold Canyon is a member of the DSA- and no word or update on the status of the company from the DSA, another example of your hard earned money at work over at the DSA.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Gold Canyon - An Arizona based Home Goods company - has just unveiled its first ever line of all natural home cleaning products. The collection of cleaners, called, Homeology, is a Plant Based Cleaning System featuring 3 “green” products to clean everything in the home from floors to glass.

Gold Canyon was founded in 1997 by Curt and Karen Waisath. The company offers candles, home décor and bath and body products. Now, the company is excited about its new environmentally friendly collection of household cleaners.

Homeology products combine all natural ingredients with the added benefit of Aromatherapy to create eco-friendly and effective products that people can feel good about using around the home. All cleaners are packaged in bottles that can be recycled and are biodegradable.

The product line includes;

ALL PURPOSE- which is what it says it is, an all purpose cleaner infused with rosemary, peppermint, and spearmint. The cleaner can be used on all household surfaces.

GLASS- is of course, the glass cleaner, which contains lemon, and lavender for streak free shine on windows and mirrors.

FLOOR- this citrusy cleaner which has lavender oil, eucalyptus and orange extracts is an easy point and shoot cleaner that does not need to be diluted. It is safe on all floor surfaces including, laminate, linoleum, hardwood and marble.

The “green” cleaning products will become available on May 1, 2008. With so many companies no creating products that are all natural and biodegradable, it is easy to protect your home and family from harsh chemicals. I use natural cleaning products in my home, and I can vouch for the fact that they work just as well as those with harsh chemicals. A great added benefit of the Gold Canyon products is that they use Aromatherapy oils that will leave your house smelling great.

We have done a lot of stories lately on companies and their Green Products.

Throughout the month of May, Gold Canyon will offer specials on the new cleaners which is if you buy All Purpose, you get Glass free.

Popularity: 3% [?]