Frequently, when I post links to information about Creative Memories, I receive replies indicating that I should not have posted the information or that the information is somehow responsible for the problems at Creative Memories.
I also receive many emails thanking me for making the information available.
With the latest round of layoffs and bankruptcy, I waited until details appeared in the Saint Cloud Times before posting anything, even though I was aware of what had happened much earlier.
Similarly, when Creative Memories withdrew from ISO Image Permanence Standards, I was accused of being against Creative Memories. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I was with Creative Memories for 14 years. I strongly support CM’s mission and hope that CM succeeds.
I simply refuse to engage in censorship that misrepresents the situation at Creative Memories. My suggestion is to read the articles and decide for yourself what the information means to you. If I have additional insight, I will include my thoughts. If you have a different view, please comment. Feel free to disagree with me, but do not tell me that the information should remain hidden.
If after reading this posting, you still want to bury your head in the sand, please unsubscribe from this blog, unfriend me on Facebook, and remove my connection on LinkedIn.
All About Images Blog 
Very well put!!
Thank you so much!! I wholeheartedly concur, and appreciate your sharing information with us.
Mark, I agree with you on this. Thank you for sharing the links. I am saddened by the news of the latest bankruptcy. I LOVE Creative Memories and only use and want their products to preserve my memories. I love CM, my business, my customers and doing events. I truly hope they can emerge from this and grow to be a leader in the industry again.
The Paul Harvey ‘rest of the story’ is that is CM’s attempt to raid the funds, including actual deferrals from founding leaders pay checks. While in the last bankruptcy CM’s CEO at the time fought for protection of consultant leaders family security monies, the current CEO and leadership is, instead, using the bankruptcy as a tool to raid the funds. The ethical climate has dramatically changed with a company I was aligned with for about a decade longer than you Mark. Like you I have moved on – for me to endeavors more fruitful, more fun, more financially rewarding and simply exciting. It has been a sad, stressful week…there is much more I could share, but I must refrain. Today’s court hearing was postponed for another 10-14 days. hmmmm
Karis – thanks for posting about the delay. Many of us have been watching for updates the last hour plus. I am praying that CM finds a way to continue WITHOUT raiding your and others’ hard-earned retirement accounts. Dr. Mark, thanks for posting — and please do continue to share information. That’s what I personally want — information so that I can be informed and make decisions appropriately.
I also have money in the financial “security” plan – which is MY money – but I understand they are allowed to take it from me which is shocking. I wonder if it would help to write a letter to the court protesting this.
On another note, are you still in direct sales, Karis?
Thank you for the update! The lack of honest communication is very frustrating! Karis – I’m sorry you are going through this. I hope & pray that CM is able to turn things around and your (and others’) funds are there for you when you need them.
Hello Karis,
I also have monies in the deferral plan and was wondering where I could stay in the loop or if there is anything I should be doing. I also was curious about what you are up to… went to the site but would love a person to person on it
Thanks for the information, always good to know the whole story! (or at least more of it…)
Thank you Dr Mark. I miss you at Creative Memories. I always enjoyed visiting with you at Showcase and have saved all of your articles from Scraps.
Best to you and I will enjoy following your blog.
Information is important. Living by the Ostrich Theory (head in sand–if I can’t see the problem, the problem cannot see me) doesn’t work. Thank you for posting information. And thank you, Karis, for posting the update. I want CM to break free of their problems, but I do hope that those potentially affected by raiding this trust fund can organize and fight to keep your money intact.
Well said. As an active CM Consultant I appreciate the information.
Dr Mark – I think many of us CMC’s trust you and value your opinion, especially in times like this. We appreciate the information.
Thanks Dr. Mark……this is America……we can handle truth.
Many CMC’s and former CMC’s appreciate your refreshing honesty Dr Mark. Over the years, we’ve been extremely frustrated by the lack of information coming out of the home office, especially when it impacted our bottom line. It’s sad they didn’t trust us enough to handle the truth or respect us enough to listen to our concerns when we were the ones in the trenches.
Thank you very much, Mark. I agree with you: “Information is not the problem”. I would like to add that one of the problems has been the lack of information! I’m wishing CM the best but after the “first chapter 11” I’ve changed my inventory, I’ve made sure to have plenty of pages & page protectors in stock, and try to sell only complete album sets to my customers. And I’ve found an income source outside of CM. I’m still enjoying seeing my customers working on their album projects and wish that they can keep doing this with CM products but know that there are other quality brands on the market. Just hoping that we can contune using the software if CM does not pull through this time… Best wishes for the former CMCs who might be losing their retirement money.
I am just wondering… after leadership, (I am no longer a leader) I spoke with a leader that came back and told me that everything was sunshine and roses that we have returned we have no debt, that they were spending 1M a month paying off old debt and now that can go towards growing the company etc etc. This was just a few weeks ago. What was all that about????
Kimberly, it was clearly smoke & mirrors. I was obvious quite some time ago that the numbers weren’t working. Paying off the bankruptcy debt so quickly, while consultant numbers continued to tank (& with them, quite obviously sales numbers). As an accountant, that NEVER made sense to me. And here we are…finding out just how dishonest these people have been.
Remember, the banks are in control, and they will get their money. This situation is a result of deregulation and the lack of oversight within the banking industry. I was hoping for greater change after the financial collapse and government bailout of the banking industry.
Thanks for the deepest insight.
Dr Mark – many trust you and value your opinion,and appreciate the information ~ people need to be reminded “Don’t shoot the messenger” Keep up the good work & many thanks for keeping us informed & updated.
As for the bailouts, those never work and I don’t know why the government ever thought they would. As for CM, I am still a consultant, but barely, and now that I am no longer working at my full time job, I cannot afford to keep buying products. CM’s problems started with the Morgans who should be in jail for what they did. However. I too do not appreciate being told just a year ago or so that the debt was paid off and everything was great. Then, suddenly, we’re bankrupt. Karis is right. Ethics went out the door at CM a long time ago. But then, that is corporate America too. I worked for a large regional corporation and it sure has no ethics but the almighty dollar. I believe in capitalism, but no in unethical behavior. Us remaining consultants will never survive with 50 products in the line. The company, for all the sweetness, flowers and fairy dust, doesn’t appear to be able to survive. I see it as a perfect storm: the Morgans raiding the company and sending the company into bankruptcy the first time, the recession and the deepening cost of everything due to government overspending and increased regulation and a waning lack of interest in scrapbooking. It is nothing like it was 13 years ago when I became a consultant.