I have a degree in marketing and have watched the development of this sub with fascination. It started out very strong with a unique theme allegedly based around three sisters who wanted to create a "lifestyle" subscription box service. Although December was not as strong as some of the prior boxes, customers complained (not too loudly) and decided to wait for January. January appeared to be a recovery and most subscribers decided to stay as everything seemed to be back on track. The company began seriously stumbling with the February box, with products that didn't really fit with the theme. LLB blamed February on shipping issues due to the port strike. Then came March with products that again did not fit the theme, no real new "up and coming" designer (Kate Spade doesn't count for that) and (yawn) shampoo and conditioner.
What's really fascinated me is that there are some die-hard LLB fans who will stick with them no matter what how much LLB diverts from its originally strong premise, and no matter how many horror stories were told by people who were suddenly cancelled because they had a complaint. The loyal LLB fan base seems to be in love with the fact that this venture is "run" by three sisters (which we now know it really isn't) and I think they enjoy the feeling of exclusivity that LLB built into its business model by only taking new subscribers at certain times (I don't think opening up new subscriptions for the next box will be a problem). These die-hard fans won't cancel no matter WHAT goods LLB sends them and have attempted to justify LLB's obnoxious behavior to its customers in posts both here and on MSA.
Troubling signs have been lurking around the edges of the business. Take, for example, the retributive cancelling of customers that's been going on for months, erasure of negative posts on Facebook, and now more frequent instances of outright insulting behavior. Then there's the fact that after the February and March boxes (which did not live up to the prior collections), LLB restructured their entire business model: fewer boxes, increased prices to new subscribers, and a new website. This was done, BTW, while bragging about their future appearance on GMA and a new business venture where LLB will be an exclusive gift with purchase somewhere for something. I would venture to say the cancelling of people who post negative comments and the removal of any negative statements from their Facebook page is an ill-advised attempt to control their public image so as to further these two other opportunities. Of course, no one's really discussing the fact that this "awesome" sub service had to move to a bimonthly model with higher prices. I would guess it's only a matter of time until current subscribers also see a significant price change, moving them more in line with new subscribers.
As discussed in other posts, the company's registered in Kevin Bryan's name, but the "mom," Kristin Bryan, actually seems to run the company. The three "daughters" constantly referred to in marketing materials are Taylor, Brianna and Aubrey, and seem to have very little actual involvement in the running of the company (they are NOT the ones emailing customers from what I can ascertain). They are pictured here (
http://www.vraimagazine.com/three-accessories-keep-looking-cool-summer-heat/) in a press photo with momma Kristin. Notice that LLB is so inauthentic it doesn't even use a picture of the three sisters on its Facebook page. Most of the emails I've received have come from Kristin, with a few from "Morgan Mayer" and "Kat Taylor," neither of which are the three named sisters. Wait . . . Brianna designed the notepad worth $4.99 in the most recent box! Maybe she's stepping up to the plate.
