TrimLife

TrimLife, Inc., founded in 1999, is a provider of proprietary, branded nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. They distribute dietary supplements from four main categories: weight loss, skin & beauty, anti-aging and general health.

The company sells its products almost exclusively via the internet, using numerous landing pages or "microsites" devoted to specific products. Recently, TrimLife has begun experimenting with out-bound call centers to sell their nutritional products either as stand alone packages or as third-party up-sells with other companies' products. This marketing shift is likely due to the increase in Internet fraud, which has affected nearly two-thirds of all Internet retailers, costing them as much as 5% of their annual turnover. [ [http://www.easier.com/view/Finance/Household_Bills/Spending_Habits/article-116607.html easier.com article] ]

TrimLife was founded by Carlan Kraft, Justin Steinle and Stacey Zander. The company found early success with one weight-loss product sold over the Internet. The company's primary sales model consists of offering a free trial of their products as part of a continuity program in which product refills are automatically shipped to the customer each month. TrimLife was one of the first dietary supplement providers to successfully combine the trial and continuity programs. According to TheDietList.com, "...the [TrimLife weight-loss] program also includes a complete individualized food and exercise program, which is delivered by email daily. The web site offers access to recipes and diet tips, as well as a weekly newsletter for members." In 2004, the company launched product combo packages that paired a weight-loss product with a daily multi-vitamin.

The company develops a fully integrated brand strategy for each product—including packaging and labeling, advertisements, and various other collateral to drive the consumer promise of improved health and wellness. The advertising and marketing strategies are highly tailored to each branded product.

TrimLife recently responded to a Consumer Reports WebWatch survey (completed in conjunction with healthratings.org) of the top 20 most trafficked diet sites, which gave www.trimlife.com a "poor" rating based on a long list of objective ratings requirements. [ [http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/view-article.cfm?id=10786&at=5104050 ConsumerWebWatch.org article] ] The company redesigned their website and incorporated some new features not found on the original website. [ [http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/4/emw521341.htm Press release on emediawire.com] ]

The company's history includes the infamous dietary supplement debate over the safety of perhaps the most successful and popular diet ingredient in history, ephedra. TrimLife's original weight-loss product featured this now-banned ingredient, and is likely the reason for the company's initial success. The company has also responded to various FDA warnings and Better Business Bureau complaints about the manner in which they advertised and market their dietary supplements. [ [http://www.fda.gov/cder/warn/cyber/2004/CL101e.pdf FDA warning] ] See Reviews

TrimLife has also created an online diet site similar in nature to many sites currently in existence. Their new site, myTrimLife.com, includes diet plans, exercise plans, recipes and a forum for members to interact with each other, as well as with TrimLife support team members.

TL Sciences

In 2005, TrimLife formed the TL Sciences brand name to launch a new line of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. The subsidiary promoted high-profile weight-loss and skincare products.

Price

TrimLife's products range from $1.95 7-day trial (the product is offered for free with the charge covering the shipping and handleing) to a three-month package priced at $169.99. Consumers are provided with many different buying options, including free trials (not including shipping and handling charges), one-month single product or combo packages, three-month single product or combo packages, and two buyers' clubs (Club Wellness). Customers can make their purchases online or via telephone. The company recently launched 11 new low-cost products.

Products and Services

TrimLife's product development process begins with the creation of new product concepts, generated by manufacturer recommendations, marketing partner recommendations, market research and extension of existing product lines. After the concept for a new product has been generated, the company's marketing team develops the graphic design and packaging that will help convey the product's value to the consumer. Simultaneously, the team focuses on other pre-launch requirements, including due diligence on regulatory compliance in connection with the sale of a particular product. This includes a review not only of the actual ingredients used in the formulation of the product, but also a review and sign off on the marketing materials that will be used to describe the product to the public, as well as to advertising partners. As indicated by consumer reviews, the effectiveness of TrimLife's products and services is debatable.

TrimLife and TL Sciences complete product and service offering:

*TrimLife Advanced Weight Loss Formula;
*TrimLife Carb Control;
*TrimLife Hormone Balance;
*TrimLife Complete Multi-Vitamin;
*Xhobatol Weight-Loss Formula with Hoodia;
*Xhobatol Multi-Vitamin;
*Zovaset Weight-Loss Formula;
*Zovaset Multi-Vitamin;
*Relaset Stress Relief;
*Actipril Energy Formula;
*Actipril XTR Energy Formula;
*Ventracol Cholesterol Care;
*Daily Restore Vitamin Pack;
*Relasom Sleep Formula;
*Occulence Vision Formula;
*Brazilian Slim Weight-Loss Formula with Cha de Bugre;
*Brazilian Slim Multi-Vitamin;
*CellaDerm Acne Treatment Solution;
*CellaDerm Anti-Wrinkle Cream;
*CellaDerm Self-Tanning Mousse;
*Body Cleanse and Detox Formula;
*Meal Replacement;
*CoQ10 100mg Plus E;
*L-Carnitine;
*Digestive Health;
*Urinary Tract Health;
*Thyroid Support Formula;
*Glucosamine Chondroitin with MSM;
*Flax Seed Oil;
*Prostate Health Formula;
*TrimLife HCZ Weight Loss;
*myTrimLife Online Wellness Community;
*Mind, Body, & Soul Newsletter
*Lipitone Fat Blocker-Alternative to Alli

Corporate Overview

TrimLife is a privately held S-Corporation, incorporated in the State of North Dakota in August 1999. The company converted from a C-Corporation to an S-Corporation on January 1, 2006.

In July 2005, TrimLife formed a wholly owned subsidiary called TL Sciences, LLC. TL Sciences is incorporated in the State of Delaware. Both corporations are in good standing with their respective states of incorporation. TL Sciences is the name under which TrimLife markets its new line of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.

The TrimLife Board of Directors includes the original three founders, as well as influential members of the upper-Midwest business community. Board members include: Carlan Kraft, President; Justin Steinle, VP; Stacey Zander VP; Robert Harms; and Bob Gruman. Other notable TrimLife staff members include Marv Dorner, COO; Jody Olney, CFO; Justin Bumann, Director of Marketing; and Jeff Wedul, Director of IT.

ignificant Milestones

*1999—TrimLife is founded by Carlan Kraft, Justin Steinle and Stacey Zander
*Feb. 2002—The Company launches its TrimLife Advanced weight-loss product
*'03-'04—TrimLife proactively manages the ban of ephedra-based products through the development and rapid deployment of non-ephedra-based alternatives
*July 2005—The Company forms the TL Sciences, LLC subsidiary
*Sept. 2005—The Company begins the introduction of a new portfolio of products, launching 15 new products in the next year
*Oct. 2005—The Company moves into its current facility
*2006—TrimLife acquires its one-millionth customer

References

External links

* [http://www.trimlife.com -- TrimLife's website]
* [http://www.mytrimlife.com -- TrimLife's diet community]
* [http://www.fitnessinfomercialreview.com/reviews/trimlife -- TrimLife reviews at fitnessinfomercialreview.com]
* [http://www.fda.gov/cder/warn/cyber/2004/CL101e.pdf -- FDA letter]
* [http://www.thedietlist.com/Trimlife.html -- Third-party overview of company]
* [http://www.healthratings.org -- Health-related websites' rankings]
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/06/AR2006100601229.html -- Washington Post article]
* [http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/4/emw521341.htm -- News release]