ViSalus Sciences, incorporated in Troy, Michigan, in March 1997, began its operational launch from California in March 2005, marketing weight-loss products. Co-founders Nick Sarnicola and Blake Mallen started the company after their previous multi-level marketing venture, The Free Network, collapsed. The Free Network offered obsolete services like long-distance calling and dial-up internet. Mallen and Sarnicola then focused on promoting ViSalus in Northern California.
Blyth, Inc. announced its takeover of ViSalus in October 2008. Blyth initially purchased a 43.6% equity interest for $14.0 million. In April 2011, Blyth completed the second phase of the takeover, investing an additional $2.5 million and increasing its ownership share to 57.5%.
After Blyth's 2008 acquisition, ViSalus nearly faced bankruptcy. Ryan Blair, listed as a co-founder who joined post-launch and now serves as CEO, invested $1 million into the company. He then led its financial turnaround, reaching $34 million in income by 2010. ViSalus expanded its business to Canadian residents in September 2011.
Blyth, Inc. is a marketing and manufacturing company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. It sells personal and decorative products and was incorporated in Delaware. In 2001, Blyth was the largest candlemaker in the United States, and reported 4,000 employees as of January 2007.
Krikus Reviews assessed Blair's 2011 book, "Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain." The review noted Blair's compelling story as a "troubled street kid" who "amass[ed] a vast fortune before the age of 30." Krikus added that Blair "never really digs into it here beyond referencing his time as a somewhat incongruous Southern California gang-banger."