livesmart-360-logoCiting a “harsh economic climate”, a few days ago LiveSmart 360 announced that it was permanently closing its business operations.

As per a LiveSmart 360 affiliate communication sent out on October 30th:

It is with deep regret that we write to formally inform you of the permanent closure of all LiveSmart 360 & Sora Wellness business operations.

We have had a long history within our industry and have forged many friendships and invaluable partnerships around the world; but have since found it impossibly difficult to cope with the high costs of financially supporting a worldwide sales organization successfully in the current harsh economic climate.

We have explored every option to keep our doors open without success; and as a result, we are left with no option but to close our doors.

Today, Friday October 30th is our last day being open officially for business with limited service availability.

We will close out the month as normal, bonuses will be paid, and ALL EXISTING PRODUCT BACKORDERS WILL BE FULFILLED.

Our entire staff is extremely proud of our Members and their many years of loyalty to the mission, vision, and products of LiveSmart 360 & Sora Wellness.

We understand the suddenness of this announcement and regret the inconvenience the closure will likely cause.

From the sounds of it, LiveSmart 360 affiliates were kept in the dark till the last minute.

LiveSmart 360 was one of the first companies reviewed here at BehindMLM, with our prelaunch assessment published back in April of 2010.

Signs of trouble emerged shortly after launch. Donna Valdes, a prominent top LiveSmart 360 affiliate at the time, took home almost $60,000 in commissions and abruptly announced her departure.

About a year later CEO and Founder Mark McCool held a conference call, during which he begged LiveSmart 360 affiliates to stick with the company. This was right after Mike Potillo, President of Business Development, left for another opportunity.

Potillo had been instrumental in marketing LiveSmart 360 since launch.

A few months later LiveSmart 360 went into a prelaunch phase again, with the announcement of their new shake product, Manna 360.

Chuck Hallberg was also announced as an investor, and appeared to be bankrolling LiveSmart 360’s business operations.

In exchange, Hallberg replaced Mark McCool as CEO.

To their credit, LiveSmart 360 continued on for another four years. As I understand it Japan was a major market for them, with a push into South America over the last year.

Unfortunately though it wasn’t enough.

Looking forward, it appears some sort of deal has been worked out with Shaklee:

For those of you interested in continuing to work toward financial independence, health, and wellness, who live in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan – Shaklee Corporation has graciously worked with us to provide you a home.

At Shaklee, you will find a strong and stable, 60 year-old company whose health and wellness products are not only science-based, but are backed with a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee.

Their earning opportunity is fantastic, and the benefits you can earn by building your business (bonus car payments and exotic incentive travel) are among the best in the industry.

We feel confident that you will be made to feel welcome as the newest members of the Shaklee family.

Whether or not any money changed hands between LiveSmart 360 management and Shaklee is unclear.