Christopher Pair Garza, LyfeStart International's co-founder and CEO, launched the company in mid-2014 from California. Garza's biography openly details his prior roles as CEO and President of Herbalife and former Vice Chairman of the Direct Selling Association.
Garza's association with Herbalife began in 1985 and lasted until 2001. During part of this period, from 1990 to 2002, he also served as a Director at the DSA. In 2002, Garza became President and CEO of Cynergy Partners Inc., described in a LyfeStart investment brief as a Beverly Hills investment and consulting firm focusing on consumer products, network marketing, and international expansion.
The brief also credits Garza as the Director of Neways during its sale to a Private Investment Fund for over $400 million. He served as Vice Chairman of the Direct Selling Association and on the boards of the Consumer Health Products Association and the Nutritional Products Association. Garza holds a BA and an MBA from the University of Redlands and served as a reserve in the Orange County California Sheriff’s Office.
LyfeStart sought a $3,000,000 investment for marketing, sales, inventory, product development, and operating capital. Upon securing the funds, LyfeStart anticipated a commercial launch with sales of its four core products in the first quarter of 2014. The company is registered as a "Delaware Corp," meaning its official registration is in Delaware, not California.
LyfeStart states it was incorporated in 2013 to target the global wellness market, which exceeds $300 billion, including healthy nutritional products, alternative healthcare, and personal development. The company claims to develop "bioengineered nutrition & weight-loss solutions" with "bio-active ingredients" that allow for FDA-appropriate claims.
Three flagship products are advertised: Nourish, Restore, and Protect, which LyfeStart calls "the foundation of good health." Nourish is a protein shake with 10 grams of protein, 25 vitamins and minerals, and essential amino acids, containing zero sugar, cholesterol, or trans fats. Restore is a vitamin, mineral, and organic complex providing 25 essential vitamins and minerals and three organics: spinach, kale, and yams. Protect offers antioxidant and immunity support from a Superfruit Blend of mangosteen, goji berry, pomegranate, acai, and noni extracts, plus proprietary ResistAid.
An "Aloe drink" and "energizing tea" are also listed as "coming soon" products. LyfeStart's website does not list retail pricing. An affiliate application form shows prices as $26.50 for Nourish, $23.35 for Restore, and $33.65 for Protect.
LyfeStart's website provides only a summary of its compensation plan, lacking detailed documentation for due diligence. Analysis of the compensation plan comes from various affiliate presentations, cross-referenced with the limited website information.
Retail commissions are paid as the difference between wholesale and retail product costs. For example, a Nourish shake yields about $11 in retail commission per pouch. LyfeStart International lists nine affiliate membership ranks on its website. These ranks appear to determine the number of unilevels and generations an affiliate can earn commissions from. However, the website provides no information on rank qualification criteria or the specific correlation between rank and commission eligibility.
Residual commissions are paid through a unilevel compensation structure. An affiliate sits at the top, with personally recruited affiliates on level 1. Affiliates recruited by level 1 members go on level 2, and so on. Unilevel teams have no width restrictions.