Item 1. Business
Our Company
We are a Delaware company primarily engaged in the on-demand e-commerce line of business. We enable turnkey e-commerce web sites for education, military and media partners under the registered trademark PropellShops® in which we sell apparel and other merchandise branded with the organization’s logo or other artwork, providing all necessary technology, on-demand manufacturing, marketing and fulfillment services at no risk or cost to its partners, and share resulting revenue with the partners.
Our primary target markets are K-12 schools, universities, military, independent musicians, nonprofits and businesses, for whom the company provides a wide selection of options for customized apparel, uniforms, and other merchandise. Most products are created “on demand,” meaning they are manufactured as ordered, so there is no finished inventory required. While we work with some independent groups and individuals, our business model is based upon the formation of strategic partnerships with key targeted companies involved in each of our target markets in order to obtain access to a large number of customers.
The PropellShops system permits partners with little or no technical or graphic expertise to quickly become “Store Owners” and have online shops displaying a wide variety of personalized apparel and other merchandise featuring the school or organization’s brand or other artwork. The Store Owner then publicizes the shop to its potential customers, and Propell does all manufacturing, billing, customer support and shipping.
Since Propell does not charge for the set up fee for e-commerce shops, and merchandise is only manufactured when ordered, the PropellShops system eliminates almost all risk or investment for Store Owners. They carry no inventory, and Propell handles all fulfillment. Further, Propell’s on-demand system also eliminates minimum order quantities and long lead times. Propell collects all revenue and then distributes a share of every sale to the Store Owner.
Our principal offices are located at 305 San Anselmo Avenue, Suite 300, San Anselmo, CA 94960. Our telephone number is (415) 747-8775. Our fiscal year end is December 31.
Propell Corporation is a Delaware corporation originally formed on January 29, 2008 as CA Photo Acquisition Corp. On April 10, 2008 Crystal Magic, Inc. (“CMI”), a Florida Corporation, merged with an acquisition subsidiary of Propell’s, which was formed solely for the purpose of the merger of CMI with and into Propell. As part of this transaction, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,400,000 shares to the former shareholders of CMI.
On May 6, 2008, the Company acquired both Mountain Capital, LLC (d/b/a Arrow Media Solutions) (“AMS”) and Auleron 2005, LLC (d/b/a Auleron Technologies) (“AUL”) and made each a wholly owned subsidiary. A total of 2,094,864 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to the members of Mountain Capital, LLC and a total of 136,088 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to the members of AUL.
The mergers were completed in order to form a consolidated enterprise with subsidiaries that each have experience in complementary parts of the imaging and personalized products industries, and to expand their capabilities both online and at retail.
In mid-2009, Management decided to concentrate its efforts and assets on its e-commerce and laser etching businesses. Shortly thereafter, AUL and AMS began to wind down operations. In January 2010, AUL was dissolved. In late 2009, AMS assigned its warranty responsibilities and its inventory to a third party and ceased operations. We dissolved AMS in late 2010.
In early 2010, management decided to concentrate on its e-commerce business. This led to closing CMI’s operations in June 2010. In September 2010, CMI’s assets were foreclosed upon by its largest creditor and these assets were liquidated.
Market size/opportunity
We were created to acquire and aggregate customers and leverage significant growth trends and opportunities in the promotional products and digital photo industries. As we have evolved as a company, and in response to market conditions, we now focus on offering personalized merchandise via custom web sites, primarily K-12 schools, universities, military, independent musicians, nonprofits and businesses.
Our particular focus on the school market is driven by the size of the market and our belief that this category is underserved by current providers of our type of on-demand merchandise. There are over 130,000 K-12 schools in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics’ most recent report, as well as more than 6,000 post-secondary schools. While most schools already offer school gear purchased in quantity, we believe each of these institutions is a candidate for our type of on-demand merchandise service, since unlike traditional apparel and merchandise printing methods, it requires no upfront investment in inventory, and can be personalized with no minimum quantities.
Our management team has extensive experience in technology, customer acquisition, ecommerce and retail - with particular focus in the online, kiosk and photo merchandise category, as well as the promotional products market. We believe this experience is highly applicable to our target markets for personalized merchandise.
We present here various statistics and other industry information that are generally available to the public or to members of industry trade associations. With respect to the Photo Marketing Association (“PMA”), we paid to be a member of that association at the time we received this information, and received that association’s statistics as all members do. We did not fund nor were we otherwise affiliated with any of the studies that are the basis for these statistics and other industry information.
While no industry statistics are available on the size of the relatively recent market for on-demand merchandise for schools and our other target categories, the “custom products/gifts” category - defined by the Photo Marketing Association) as “personalized calendars, photo books, posters, t-shirts, mugs mouse pads, photo CDs and DVDs ordered at retail or at online stores” - grew from $250 million in 2004 to an estimated $1.3 billion in 2009, according to the PMA research division, including photo cards, photo books, and other personalized merchandise. We believe these trends are applicable to our target markets. More recently, industry research company Infotrends forecast, in its U.S. Consumer Photo Merchandise Forecast for 2009 - 2014, that the category will reach $2.2 billion by 2014.
The online marketplace for image-based products actually spans several categories, primarily those of photo sharing web sites and image merchandise sites. Our management team has relevant experience in both. Photo sharing web sites, such as Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery and Snapfish, are designed for consumers and are optimized for sharing and printing photos, and creating photo merchandise from those images. Social networks, including Flickr, Myspace, and Facebook, have extensive photo capabilities integrated into their functionality. Image merchandise sites, such as Zazzle, Cafepress and Threadless, allow artists, consumers and small businesses to create their own custom web stores featuring selected images that can be reproduced on a broad variety of merchandise. Our operations most closely resemble this category, although we focus on different target customers.
By offering personalized merchandise, we also compete in the promotional products category, also known as the advertising specialty category. Promotional products, which include any products used to promote a product, service or company program, including textiles and other personalized products, constituted a $15.6 billion category in 2009, according to the most recent research available from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), an industry trade association.
We see significant opportunity given that approximately half of distributors in the promotional products category are small businesses (defined as those under $2.5 million), and less than 16% of industry revenues are generated from online sales methods, according to the most recent data available from PPAI.
Our Strategy
Overview
We believe that our PropellShops e-commerce and on-demand manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure and marketing, along with a strategy of focusing on markets currently underserved by other providers, will permit us to grow in each of our target markets. We also believe the low or zero cost of setting up a PropellShop will continue to attract new accounts, especially those such as schools and nonprofits, that may have limited funds and staff resources to invest in and manage such purchases.
How we address the competitive opportunity
Our PropellShops service permits artists, consumers and businesses to quickly create an online store for merchandise featuring their images, with our company or its manufacturing partners performing all fulfillment, manufacturing, shipping and billing. This system provides a special web site at which a customer -- whether a business, group, or individual -- can design and set up a web store featuring their own logos, photos or other artwork. That web store can then be linked to, or embedded into, the customer’s own web site. We then operate that store for the customer, taking orders, manufacturing and shipping product and paying a share of the revenue to the customer.
Additionally, our management has experience in retail fulfillment. One of our founders previously created PhotoTLC, a photo merchandise company serving major retail customers including Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS, Rite Aid and Meijer stores.
Our product and service offerings
With PropellShops, we offer a turnkey e-commerce web site permitting our partners to offer personalized or custom merchandise featuring their logo or other artwork. PropellShops permits a partner - whether a school, nonprofit, rock band or business - to create a complete web store, potentially with 100s of items of personalized merchandise. The partner sets the prices, and we create and host the store, arrange for the products to be manufactured on demand and shipped from one or more of our contract facilities, collect the revenues, and send the partner a check for the profits. We currently have stores with hundreds of K-12 schools, as well as universities, nonprofits, musicians and businesses, as well as offering military products through the Army Air Force Exchange.
In addition to the e-commerce and fulfillment services described above, we also provide design and marketing support for most partners, including assistance with setting up appropriate shops, and marketing materials for their use in reaching their target audience, including brochures, flyers and emails.
Our PropellShops operation, including its transmission of digital images over the Internet, is subject to regulation by the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Trade Commission and various states, local, and private consumer protection and other regulatory authorities. In general, these regulations govern privacy, the manner in which orders may be solicited, the form and content of advertisements, information which must be provided to prospective customers, the time within which orders must be filled, obligations to customers if orders are not shipped within a specified period of time, and the time within which refunds must be paid if the ordered merchandise is unavailable or returned. Congress has enacted legislation to specifically regulate online commerce and communications and has addressed such issues as the transmission of certain materials to children, intellectual property protection, and taxation. Other legislation could result in additional regulation or prohibition of the transmission of certain types of content over the Internet. This regulation could limit the type of business we pursue or increase the costs to ensure compliance.
Channels
We deliver our products and services through a diverse set of online partners, including K-12 schools, universities, newspapers, musical groups, military through the Army Air Force Exchange Service and small and large businesses. We believe having several sales channels will maximize sales potential while minimizing the risk that any underperforming channel will jeopardize the overall business.
Competition
Competition in online photo and merchandise space takes several forms. Photo sharing web sites are designed for consumers and are optimized for sharing and printing photos, and creating photo merchandise from those images. Competitors include Kodak Gallery, Shutterfly, Snapfish, Photobucket, Webshots, and social networking sites such Facebook, as well as the web sites of photo retailers such as Walgreens, Wal-Mart and CVS.
More closely, we compete with image merchandise sites that allow artists, consumers and small businesses to create their own custom web stores featuring selected images. Competitors include Zazzle, Cafepress and Threadless, as well as school merchandise e-commerce sites such as Prep Sportswear. In the school market, there is also fragmented completion from local screen printers and similar suppliers with “brick and mortar” shops and long-standing relationships with schools.
After analyzing existing online players in the photo merchandise category, we believe we identified a significant underserved opportunity to partner with key business partners to provide an “on demand” service that most closely competes with the image merchandise companies such as Zazzle and Cafepress, but has what we believe are advantages in selecting underserved markets, as well as product quality, pricing, ease of setup and turnaround times. In particular, Zazzle and Cafepress focus on the artist and small-group market, while we believe a large, underserved market exists in partnering with a broader range of customers, particularly schools, nonprofits, military media companies, as well as corporate and special interest partners.
In the product area, we compete in each category by carrying a mix of products that are tailored to a given market. For instance, in the school market, we poll our customers and use other forms of market research to identify product trends that particularly appeal to students, segmented by age group, and seek to innovate with offerings not available from our competitors. In working with the military market, we carry products specific to the demographic, branch of service, location, and even individual military unit - again seeking to offer products or designs unavailable from competitors.
Similarly, we customize our service offerings - in particular our web design, as well as the marketing campaigns and email blasts we provide to our “store owner” partners - so that they match the needs of the market we are focusing on. For instance, when working with political organizations, we customize the web service to fulfill regulatory requirements related to political fund raising. When working with the military, we integrate payment methods unique to our military partner. When working with schools, we provide marketing emails, posters and other materials that target the particular needs of that audience.
While we do not compete primarily on price, we attempt to be very competitive in revenue sharing with our partners, and try to offer higher margins to our “store owner” partners than competitors. We also permit our store owners more flexibility in setting the retail pricing than competing companies do. For instance, we permit a fund raising organization to set as high a price as they like on any given item, while competitors set certain limits. Thus, we are set up so that if a store owner wishes, for fundraising purposes, to set the price of a simple T-shirt at $100 on the basis of it being both a collectible item, and a fundraising contribution, he or she can do so. We then collect the larger amount on their behalf, and pay the store owner the difference between the amount collected and our posted wholesale price. Our competition often limits the top price that can be charged.
Intellectual property
Our PropellShops web services were created using our own technology, as well as proprietary enhancements to open source software tools. We have created a variety of artwork and other materials used in communicating, promoting and marketing our products and services. We have been issued registered trademarks for Propell®, PropellShops® as well as our logo artwork.
Insurance
We have insurance for general commercial liability with the Zurich Group in an amount of $2 million. We have worker’s compensation insurance with The Hartford in an amount equal to 100% of our payroll for the current year. We have products and completed operations insurance in the aggregate amount of $2 million.
Operations
The Company has its headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, and regional sales and operations employees and sales representatives in Ohio, Connecticut and Florida. We have independent sales agents in California and Arizona.
The San Francisco area office is primarily focused on all corporate matter and PropellShops, including software development, sales, marketing strategic partnerships and business development.
We use third party manufacturers to make, customize and ship our products.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk factors
You should carefully consider the following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risk factors occur, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Available information
We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.
You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information that issuers (including Propell) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is www.sec.gov.
Our website is www.propellshops.com. We are currently updating our website to provide a link to the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov that will provide, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K; quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; current reports on Form 8-K; and any amendments to those reports and forms. We will make these filings available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We will voluntarily provide electronic or paper copies of our filings free of charge upon request.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY
An investment in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Therefore, in evaluating us and our business you should carefully consider the risks set forth below, which are only a few of the risks associated with investing in our common stock. You should be in a position to risk the loss of your entire investment.
Because we are entering into new business lines that are unproven, it is difficult to predict if we will generate material revenues or be profitable.
Until recently, our business has been substantially dependent upon our ability to generate revenue from our subsurface etched photo crystal products. We only recently began focusing the majority of our efforts on our e-commerce web sites. Because our new business model is unproven, we may not generate material revenues from such businesses. It is too early to predict whether consumers will accept, and continue to use on a regular basis, the products generated from these new business lines since we have had very limited recent operating history in our new business lines nor significant revenues or earnings derived from such business lines. Therefore, our ability to generate revenue is uncertain and there can be no assurance that we will be able to generate significant revenue or be profitable.
Our business is difficult to evaluate because we are currently engaging in a new line of business and have very limited operating history and limited information.
The Company is currently expanding its operations and engaging in a new business line. There is a risk that we will be unable to successfully operate this new line of business or be able to successfully integrate it with our current management and structure. Our estimates of capital, personnel and equipment required for our new line of business are based on the experience of management and businesses they are familiar with. Our management has limited direct experience in our new lines of business.
We may not be profitable.
We expect to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future. For the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had net revenues of $100,352 and $10,717, respectively from our continuing e-commerce business. For the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2009, we sustained a net loss of $1,670,449 and $1,781,945, respectively. Our ability to become profitable depends on our ability to have successful operations and generate and sustain sales, while maintaining reasonable expense levels, all of which are uncertain in light of our limited operating history in our current line of business.
We may not be able to retain existing customers or acquire new customers.
Our future revenues and profitability depends in large part on our ability and to retain our current relationships with our customers, including eChalk and the Army Air Force Exchange and individual schools, universities, nonprofits and businesses, and attract new customers for our e-commerce websites. Our relationships with these customers depend on our satisfactorily performing our contracted services. If we do not successfully retain our current customers, or market successfully against competitors, our business, financial condition and operating results could be harmed.
We may not be able to continue as a going concern.
Our consolidated audited financial statements, report a 2010 loss from continuing operations of $(1,576,136) and a net loss of $(1,670,449). The opinion of our independent registered accounting firm on our audited financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2010 for Propell was qualified subject to substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. See “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and the notes to our Financial Statements.
Our future plans and operations are dependent on our raising additional capital.
To date, we have not generated enough revenue from operations to pay all of our expenses. We have recently raised debt financing under a credit facility that allows us to borrow up to $2,000,000, of which $1,067,500 principal amount is outstanding as of the date hereof and we have borrowed an additional $300,000 from a shareholder under three separate short-term notes. In fact, we have used money raised in prior financings to pay some of our costs. Other than the credit facility, we have used all of the $2.6 million we raised over the last twenty-four months in the form of convertible notes and a rights offering. We do not believe that our existing resources will be sufficient to allow us to implement our anticipated plan of operations or meet our future anticipated cash flow requirements.
We rely on key vendors and suppliers.
Our ability to sustain satisfactory levels of sales is dependent in part upon the ability of our suppliers and vendors to properly perform their function. We have no significant long-term purchase contracts or agreements to ensure continued supply, pricing or access to raw materials and equipment used in our business. While we believe that alternate sources of third-party providers are available, it is possible that our vendors might not be able to continue to meet our requirements for services or supplies, or purchase services or supplies in sufficient quantities or on terms as favorable to us as those currently available. The failure of our suppliers to supply our raw materials on a timely basis or at satisfactory prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Also, changing to an alternate vendor or supplier may cause delays, reduced quality or other problems.
We may be adversely affected by actions of competitors.
The market for e-commerce products is highly competitive and still emerging. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and other resources than we have. We face competition in personalized products from other direct marketers, online companies, and competitors in other distribution channels, including much larger companies. Many of our competitors offer similar products and services. Our ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to differentiate our services by offering innovative services and products and exemplary customer service. Although we believe we are a leader in developing and marketing innovative personalized services and products, competitors can and do provide similar services and products. There can be no assurance we will continue to compete effectively through development of innovative services and products or the provision of exemplary customer service and experience or that we will respond appropriately to industry trends or to activities of competitors.
We experience fluctuations in quarterly results.
Our quarterly operating results will fluctuate for many reasons, including:
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Seasonality of consumer gift purchases.
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Changes in consumer spending patterns,
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The mix of products we sell,
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Promotional activities we conduct,
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Price increases by our suppliers,
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Our introduction of new products,
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Our research and development activities,
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Our competitors’ actions,
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Fluctuations in the direct-to-consumer market,
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Changes in usage of online commerce,
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Changes in the promotional products industry,
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General economic influences and conditions.
As a result of the above conditions, our operating results for any period do not necessarily indicate the results that can be expected for any future period. Our operating results in a future period may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors, which may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
We have no independent audit committee. Our full board of directors functions as our audit committee and is composed of two directors, one of whom is not considered independent. This may hinder our board of directors’ effectiveness in fulfilling the functions of the audit committee.
Currently, we have no separate audit committee. Our full Board of Directors functions as our audit committee and is comprised of two directors, one of whom are not considered to be "independent" in accordance with the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. An independent audit committee plays a crucial role in the corporate governance process, assessing the Company's processes relating to its risks and control environment, overseeing financial reporting, and evaluating internal and independent audit processes. The lack of an independent audit committee may prevent the board of directors from being independent from management in its judgments and decisions and its ability to pursue the committee's responsibilities without undue influence. We may have difficulty attracting and retaining directors with the requisite qualifications. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified, independent directors, the management of our business could be compromised.
Our board of directors, which consists of two directors, acts as our compensation committee, which presents the risk that compensation and benefits paid to these executive officers who are board members and other officers may not be commensurate with our financial performance.
A compensation committee consisting of independent directors is a safeguard against self-dealing by company executives. Our board of directors acts as the compensation committee and determines the compensation and benefits of our executive officers, administers our employee stock and benefit plans, and reviews policies relating to the compensation and benefits of our employees. Although all board members have fiduciary obligations in connection with compensation matters, our lack of an independent compensation committee presents the risk that our executive officers on the board may have influence over their personal compensation and benefits levels that may not be commensurate with our financial performance.
Governmental regulation could limit our business opportunities and increase costs.
Our operations, including our transmission of digital images over the Internet, are subject to regulation by the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Trade Commission and various states, local, and private consumer protection and other regulatory authorities. In general, these regulations govern privacy, the manner in which orders may be solicited, the form and content of advertisements, information which must be provided to prospective customers, the time within which orders must be filled, obligations to customers if orders are not shipped within a specified period of time, and the time within which refunds must be paid if the ordered merchandise is unavailable or returned. Congress has enacted legislation to specifically regulate online commerce and communications and has addressed such issues as the transmission of certain materials to children, intellectual property protection, and taxation. We believe that we are in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations, however, should such statutes and regulations be amended or interpreted more stringently, we may be unable to remain in compliance and may incur penalties and fines for noncompliance. Other legislation could result in additional regulation or prohibition of the transmission of certain types of content over the Internet. If such legislation were deemed to apply to our business, it could limit the type of business that we could pursue or increase the costs to ensure compliance.
Trading on the OTC Bulletin Board may be sporadic because it is not a stock exchange, and stockholders may have difficulty reselling their shares.
Trading in stock quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors that may have little to do with the our operations or business prospects. Moreover, the OTC Bulletin Board is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTC Bulletin Board is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on a quotation system like NASDAQ or a stock exchange like NYSE. Accordingly, you may have difficulty reselling any of the shares you purchase from the selling stockholders.
Some of our existing stockholders can exert control over us and may not make decisions that are in the best interests of all stockholders.
As of March 30, 2011, officers, directors, and stockholders holding more than 5% of our outstanding shares collectively controlled approximately 50.45% of our outstanding common stock, without taking into account shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of any convertible securities. As a result, these stockholders, if they act together, would be able to exert a significant degree of influence over our management and affairs and over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership may harm the market price of our shares by delaying or preventing a change in control of us, even if a change is in the best interests of our other stockholders. In addition, the interests of this concentration of ownership may not always coincide with the interests of other stockholders, and accordingly, they could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements that we would not otherwise consider.
Under certain circumstances we a claim could be made that we will be responsible for the payment of certain of Crystal Magic’s debts.
There is a risk that we could be a party to certain litigation involving payments owed by our Crystal Magic, Inc. subsidiary to the US Small Business Loans (the “SBA”) and the Orlando National Bank (“Bank”) in the amount of approximately $839,000. Crystal Magic ceased operations in June 2010. In September 2010, the Bank foreclosed on the assets of Crystal Magic and sold these assets at auction; however the sale proceeds were not adequate to satisfy the outstanding remaining debt. In an agreement with Steven and Vicki Rhodes, guarantors of the Crystal Magic SBA debt, we agreed to assume the payment for these loans in the event of the bankruptcy of Crystal Magic and the demand of the SBA or the Orlando National Bank of payment under Mr. Rhodes’ guarantee. To date, Crystal Magic has not filed for bankruptcy and so the condition for our obligation has not been met, and even if met we believe that such agreement is unenforceable. Mr. Rhodes has placed 2,000,000 shares of our stock, owned by him, in escrow to be used by us in our discretion at any time after April 8, 2010, to pay the amounts owed by Crystal Magic under these loans. However, there can be no assurance that the shares held in escrow will have sufficient value to satisfy such debt. If Mr. Rhodes were to try to enforce the provisions of the agreement we would vigorously defend our position; however no assurance can be given that we will be successful in our defense.
We cannot guarantee that an active trading market will develop for our common stock.
There currently is not an active public market for our Common Stock and there can be no assurance that a regular trading market for our Common Stock will ever develop or that, if developed, it will be sustained. Therefore, purchasers of our Common Stock should have a long-term investment intent and should recognize that it may be difficult to sell the shares, notwithstanding the fact that they are not restricted securities. We cannot predict the extent to which a trading market will develop or how liquid a market might become.
There may be future dilution of our common stock.
If we sell additional equity or convertible debt securities, those sales could result in additional dilution to our stockholders.
We have incurred operating losses in the past and may not be able to sustain profitability in the future. Recent accounting changes may make it more difficult for us to sustain profitability.
We have experienced operating losses. If we are unable to produce our products and provide our services at commercially reasonable costs, if revenues decline or if our expenses exceed our expectations, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Also, we are a publicly traded company, and are therefore subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires that our internal controls and procedures comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We expect compliance to be costly and it could impact our results of operations in future periods. In addition, the Financial Accounting Standards Board now requires us to follow Statement No. 123, “Share Based Payment,” (FASB ASC Topic 718-10). Under this rule, companies must calculate and record in their statement of operations the cost of equity instruments, such as stock options or restricted stock, awarded to employees for services. We expect that we will use stock options to attract, incentivize and retain our employees and will therefore incur the resulting stock-based compensation expense. This will continue to adversely affect our operating results in future periods.
Interruptions to our information technology systems, personalized-product production processes or customer service operations could damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our information technology systems, personalized-product production processes and customer service operations are critical to our reputation, and our ability to attract and retain customers and maintain adequate customer satisfaction. Any interruptions that result in reduced order fulfillment performance or customer service could result in negative publicity, damage our reputation and brand and cause our business and results of operations to suffer.
Our business interruption insurance policies do not address all potential causes of business interruptions that we may experience, and any proceeds we may receive from these policies in the event of a business interruption may not fully compensate us for the revenues we may lose.
We may have difficulty managing our growth and expanding our operations successfully.
Our under-capitalization has resulted in our not being able to build our business and infrastructure as quickly as we would like. Our limited capital has placed, and will continue to place, a strain on our and their administrative and operational infrastructure. Our ability to manage our operations and growth will require us to continue to refine our operational, financial and management controls, human resource policies and reporting systems.
If we are unable to manage future expansion, we may not be able to implement improvements to our controls, policies and systems in an efficient or timely manner and may discover deficiencies in existing systems and controls. Our ability to provide high-quality products, service and customer support could be compromised, which would damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our and their business and results of operations.
Competitive pricing pressures may harm our business and results of operations.
Demand for our products and services is sensitive to price. Many external factors, including our production and personnel costs and our competitors’ pricing and marketing strategies, can significantly impact our pricing strategies. If we fail to meet our customers’ price expectations, we or they could lose customers, which would harm our and their business and results of operations.
The loss of key personnel and an inability to attract and retain additional personnel could affect our ability to successfully grow our business.
We are highly dependent upon the continued service and performance of our senior management team and key technical, marketing and production personnel, some of whom have formed critical relationships with the companies with whom we have contracts. The loss of these key employees, several of whom is “at will” and may terminate his or her employment relationship with us at any time, may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.
We believe that our future success will also depend in part on our and their continued ability to identify, hire, train and motivate qualified personnel. We and they face intense competition for qualified individuals from numerous technology, marketing, financial services, manufacturing and e-commerce companies. We may not be able to attract and retain suitably qualified individuals who are capable of meeting our growing operational and managerial requirements, or we may be required to pay increased compensation in order to do so. Our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could impair our ability to implement our business plan.
Maintaining and improving our financial controls and the requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of an exchange or the OTC-Bulletin Board. The requirements of these rules and regulations will likely continue to increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and may also place undue strain on our personnel, systems and resources.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and effective internal control over financial reporting. Significant resources and management oversight are required to design, document, test, implement and monitor internal control over relevant processes and to, remediate any deficiencies. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. These efforts also involve substantial accounting related costs.
Our stock price may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market;
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changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other technology companies generally, or those in our industry in particular;
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the public’s response to our press releases or other public announcements, including our filings with the SEC;
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announcements by us or our competitors of significant technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
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introduction of technologies or product enhancements that reduce the need for our products;
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market conditions or trends in our industry or the economy as a whole;
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the loss of key personnel;
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lawsuits threatened or filed against us;
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future sales of our common stock by our executive officers, directors and significant stockholders; and
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other events or factors, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism or responses to these events.
We may issue preferred stock with greater rights than our common stock.
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance without further action by stockholders, and may include voting rights (including the right to vote as a series on particular matters), preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. Any preferred stock that is issued may rank ahead of our common stock, in terms of dividends, liquidation rights and voting rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. In the event of such an issuance, the preferred stock could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of our company. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction or changes in our board of directors or management could deter potential acquirers or prevent the completion of a transaction in which our stockholders could require substantial premium over the then current market price per share. No preferred stock is currently outstanding and we have no current plans to issue any preferred stock. However, the issuance of any such preferred stock could materially adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock, and therefore could reduce the value of the common stock and deprive shareholders of the right to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
We currently lease offices in Northern California. Our office is in San Anselmo and consists of approximately 1,050 square feet. Our landlord, also a shareholder of the Company, currently provides the space rent free. We believe if we lost our lease at these premises, we could promptly relocate within 30 days.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
There are no material legal proceedings that are pending or have been threatened against us of which management is aware.
Item 4.
Item 4.
REMOVED AND RESERVED
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Price Range of Common Stock
Our common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin board since April 23, 2010 under the symbol PROP.BB. Prior to that date, there was no active market for our common stock. The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for our common stock for the periods indicated.
The last reported sale price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin board on March 29, 2011, was $0.19 per share. As of March 30, 2011, there were approximately 80 holders of record of our common stock.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date, and we have no intention of paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Whether we declare and pay dividends is determined by our board of directors at their discretion, subject to certain limitations imposed under Delaware corporate law. The timing, amount and form of dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Uses of Proceeds from Registered Securities
In March 2008, we issued $22,780 in convertible promissory notes to 43 note holders. These promissory notes converted by their terms into 2,278,000 shares of our common stock upon the merger acquisitions of Mountain Capital, LLC and Auleron 2005, LLC with wholly owned subsidiaries of the Registrant. The offering and sale of the promissory notes and the shares of common stock qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, share certificates bearing a legend stating that such shares are restricted. This restriction ensured that these shares will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for this transaction.
In May 2008, we issued $1,730,000 in 3% non-recourse convertible promissory notes to 18 note holders. These promissory notes automatically converted into shares of the Registrant’s common stock at a rate of one share of common stock for each $.50 of principal, at the close of our a PIPE (private investment in public equity) financing in March 2009, or at a 25% discount to the PIPE price, whichever is less. The offering and sale of the promissory notes qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, promissory notes bearing a legend stating that such notes are restricted. This restriction ensured that these promissory notes will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for this transaction.
On April 10, 2008, we issued 5,400,000 shares of our common stock to five individuals in exchange for securities upon the mergers of Crystal Magic, Inc., Mountain Capital, LLC and Auleron 20005, LLC with us. This offering and sale of shares of the Registrant’s common stock qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 since the issuance by the Registrant did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, share certificates bearing a legend stating that such shares are restricted. This restriction ensured that these shares will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for this transaction.
On May 6, 2008, we issued 2,230,952 shares of our common stock to five individuals in exchange for securities upon the mergers of Mountain Capital, LLC and Auleron 2005, LLC with us. This offering and sale of shares of our common stock qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, share certificates bearing a legend stating that such shares are restricted. This restriction ensured that these shares will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for this transaction.
In March 2009, we issued 8,650,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the conversion of convertible notes in the principal amount of $1,730,000 upon consummation of our PIPE offering. The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction. 2,810,000shares were subsequently registered in our registration statement on Form S-1 that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 18, 2008.
In March 2009, we issued to 36 individuals 1,585,474 shares of our common stock and warrants exercisable into 2,378,211 shares of common stock at a price of $.27 per share. The offering and sale of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) and Regulation D under the Act since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering and the requirements of Regulation D were met. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In connection with the cancellation of the Amended Note with Lanai Investments, LLC, an entity controlled by Steven Rhodes, the Company issued Steven Rhodes warrants exercisable for 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock upon the same terms as the warrants issued to investors in the beginning of 2009 in the Company’s PIPE transaction. The offering and sale of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to only one person and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investor had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since he agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In March 2009, we issued 60,000 shares of our common stock to The Guild for services rendered. The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In May 2009, we issued to 2 individuals 1,481,482 shares of our common stock and warrants exercisable into 2,222,223 shares of common stock at a price of $.27 per share. The offering and sale of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) and Regulation D under the Act since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering and the requirements of Regulation D were met. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In June 2009, we issued 55,000 shares of our common stock to The Ardmore Tree for services rendered. The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In September 2009, the Company issued 741,667 shares to three former employees in lieu of $200,250 in severance payments. . The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In September 2009, we issued a note to an entity with a principal amount of up to $500,000. This Note was amended in March 2010, increasing the amount available up to $1 million and amended again in March 2011 to increase the amount we could borrow under the note to $2 million. As of December 31, 2010, we had received and were obligated to repay $1,067,500 pursuant to the terms of the Note. In May 2010, the Company issued the lender 25,000 shares. The issuance of the Note and the shares qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investor had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In February 2010, the Company issued 100,000 stock options to an employee and 25,000 stock options to a consultant. Such options subsequently expired when the employee and consultant were terminated. In May 2010, the Company issued 25,000 stock options to an employee and 25,000 stock options to a consultant. Such options subsequently expired when the employee and consultant were terminated. The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The issuance was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the issuance was made to an insubstantial number of persons. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This issuance was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In May 2010, we issued 250,000 shares to a consultant for services rendered and to be rendered. The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In June 2010, the Company borrowed $100,000 under a one year unsecured note from a shareholder. Interest accrues on the note at the rate of 8% per annum. The note has no financial covenants. In December 2010, the shareholder lent us an additional $100,000 under similar terms with a due date of December 15, 2011. In February 2011, the shareholder lent us an additional $100,000 and is due February 10, 2012. Both of these accrue interest at the rate of 12% per annum and have no financial covenants. The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The offering was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the offer and sale was made to an insubstantial number of persons and because of the manner of the offering. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This offering was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
In October 2010 the Board authorized fully vested stock options for 100,000 shares each to be issued to James Wallace, and Paul Scapatici, both officers of the Company. In addition, Mr. Mark Kalow, a Board member was issued options for 300,000 shares, to vest quarterly over four years. The issuance of the securities qualified for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933
(the “Act”) since the issuance by us did not involve a public offering. The issuance was not a public offering as defined in Section 4(2) because the issuance was made to an insubstantial number of persons. In addition, the investors had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(2) since they agreed to, and received, securities bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted. This restriction ensured that these securities will not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore be part of a public offering. This issuance was done with no general solicitation or advertising by us. Based on an analysis of the above factors, we have met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(2) of the Act for this transaction.
Securities Authorized For Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
PROPELL CORPORATION 2008 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Our board of directors adopted the Propell Corporation 2008 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) in April 2008 to promote our long-term growth and profitability by (i) providing our key directors, officers and employees with incentives to improve stockholder value and contribute to our growth and financial success and (ii) enable us to attract, retain and reward the best available persons for positions of substantial responsibility. A total of 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted pursuant to the Plan. The Plan allows the Company to grant options to employees, officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries; provided that only employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive incentive stock options under the Plan. The Company has granted a total of 2,099,000 options as of March 30, 2011. Set forth below is detail with respect to issuances under the Plan.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
This item is omitted as not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand our results of operations and financial condition.
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statement as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent liabilities at the financial statement date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis we review our estimates and assumptions. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our critical accounting policies, the policies we believe are most important to the presentation of our financial statements and require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments are outlined below in “Critical Accounting Policies.”
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made in this report may constitute “forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events.” These forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions. These statements are based on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, other than as required by law. In light of these assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur and actual results and events may vary significantly from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Overview
Propell Corporation is a Delaware corporation originally formed on January 29, 2008 as CA Photo Acquisition Corp. On April 10, 2008 Crystal Magic, Inc. (“CMI”), a Florida Corporation, merged with an acquisition subsidiary of Propell’s, which was formed solely for the purpose of the merger of CMI with and into Propell. As part of this transaction, the Company issued an aggregate of 5,400,000 shares to the former shareholders of CMI.
On May 6, 2008, the Company acquired both Mountain Capital, LLC (d/b/a Arrow Media Solutions) (“AMS”) and Auleron 2005, LLC (d/b/a Auleron Technologies) (“AUL”) and made each a wholly owned subsidiary. A total of 2,094,864 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to the members of Mountain Capital, LLC and a total of 136,088 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to the members of AUL.
The mergers were completed in order to form a consolidated enterprise with subsidiaries that each had experience in complementary parts of the imaging and personalized products industries, and to expand their capabilities both online and at retail.
In 2009, the Company ceased operating these subsidiaries, and in early 2010 we liquidated, our AMS and Auleron operations. Prior to June 2010, Propell’s business model consisted of both the CMI laser etching business (three-dimensional laser images engraved inside solid crystal blocks (such as paperweights) based on photographs of consumers) and our e-commerce and fulfillment business for image-based personalized products and services via custom websites for schools, nonprofits, media companies and other organizations (PropellShops). In June 2010, we decided to focus our efforts solely on our e-commerce business and closed our CMI operations. In September 2010, Orlando National Bank, a secured creditor of our CMI subsidiary, foreclosed on CMI’s assets and subsequently sold these assets.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management believes that the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below involve the most complex management judgments due to the sensitivity of the methods and assumptions necessary in determining the related asset, liability, revenue and expense amounts. Specific risks associated with these critical accounting policies are discussed throughout this MD&A, where such policies have a material effect on reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, refer to the individual Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues when products are shipped or services are delivered to customers, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Net revenues include product sales net of returns and allowances.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Estimates are based on historical experience, management expectations for future performance, and other assumptions as appropriate. Key areas affected by estimates include the assessment of the recoverability of long-lived assets, which is based on such factors as estimated future cash flows. We re-evaluate estimates on an ongoing basis; therefore, actual results may vary from those estimates.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate the fair values of these instruments due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount for borrowings under the financing agreement approximates fair value because of the variable market interest rates charged for these borrowings. We adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, for financial assets and financial liabilities in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, which did not have an impact on our financial statements.
In accordance with FASB Staff Position (“FSP FAS”) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, we deferred application of SFAS No. 157 until January 1, 2010, the beginning of our next fiscal year, in relation to nonrecurring nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities including goodwill impairment testing, asset retirement obligations, long-lived asset impairments and exit and disposal activities.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place our cash with high quality financial institutions and at times may exceed the FDIC insurance limit. We extend credit based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, generally without collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each customer’s financial condition. We monitor our exposure for credit losses and maintain allowances for anticipated losses, as required.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of the adoption and potential impacts of recently issued accounting standards, refer to the “Recently Issued Accounting Standards” section of Note 1(O), “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” in the Notes to Financial Statements.
Our plan of operations
Our current operations involve sales and operations from PropellShops. The operations of Auleron 2005, LLC were dissolved in January 2010. We determined the net fair market value of the assets and liabilities of Auleron 2005, LLC at December 31, 2009, LLC to be immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. The operations of Crystal Magic were closed in June 2010. In September 2010, Orlando National bank foreclosed on the assets of Crystal Magic and sold them at auction.
Our PropellShops system offers organizations a turnkey e-commerce web site permitting our partners to offer personalized or custom merchandise featuring their logo or other artwork. PropellShops permits a partner - whether a school, nonprofit, rock band or business - to create a complete web store, potentially with 100s of items of personalized merchandise. The partner sets the prices, and we create and host the store, arrange for the products to be manufactured on demand and shipped from one or more of our contract facilities, collect the revenues, and send the partner a check for the profits. We currently have stores with hundreds of K-12 schools, as well as universities, nonprofits, musicians and businesses, as well as offering military products through the Army Air Force Exchange.
In addition to the e-commerce and fulfillment services described above, we also provide design and marketing support for most partners, including assistance with setting up appropriate shops, and marketing materials for their use in reaching their target audience, including brochures, flyers and emails.
We believe the PropellShops service opens up substantial new opportunities and channels by providing web sites with the opportunity to easily integrate a personalized merchandise online store with their own site with little effort or cost. Strategic outsource partners perform the fulfillment, manufacturing and shipping of these product(s). The PropellShops product is a key part of our strategy for 2011 and beyond.
Our ability to continue to execute on our plan of operations is contingent on our ability to raise additional capital to expand our Internet initiatives and marketing. We do not have sufficient capital to last the next 12 months; however it is our intent to raise significant additional capital through the sale of securities. The Company will seek approximately $2 to $3 million in new equity and or debt. We will try to accomplish this through discussions with previous investors as well as seeking an investment bank to assist in raising funds.
Results of Operations 2010
Year ended December 31, 2010 compared to year ended December 31, 2009.
The following table sets forth our results of operations, excluding discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue. It also details the changes from the prior fiscal year in absolute dollars and in percentages. We have reported the results of operations of businesses we discontinued in 2009 and 2010 as discontinued operations for both the year ended December 31, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2009. See “Discontinued Operations.”
N/M is Not Meaningful
Continuing Operations
Net Revenues
PropellShops revenue increased over $89,000 or 836% as we began minimal sales and marketing during the year. During 2009, we were primarily developing and testing the web site.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased from a loss of 1,951 or 118% of revenue in 2009 to a profit of $28,475 or 28% of revenue. The loss in 2009 was the result of operations just beginning during the year and the Company absorbing one-time costs. We believe that gross margins will improve as volume increases.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased from 2009 to 2010 by $546,706 or 52%. Operating expenses includes a write-off of $303,357 for the website asset previously capitalized by the Company. At December 31, 2010 management determined that the website asset was fully impaired as:
1.
During the year, the company had numerous acquisition discussions. In each case, no deal was formalized due to the Company’s lack of working capital.
2.
in October 2010, final negotiations with a, previously disclosed potential merger candidate ceased specifically due to the delay in fund raising on our part. Such merger would have brought a significant new customer base and driven new customers to the website; and
3.
at December 31, 2010 discussions regarding a significant new source for equity were not progressing satisfactorily. While the Company continues to receive short-term debt financing from a shareholder, without a significant influx in working capital, significant revenue growth cannot be assured. See Footnote 12, Going Concern.
Excluding the write-off of the website asset, operating expenses increased $243,349 or 23%. This increase was the result of significant increases in marketing expenses for trade shows, customized shops and marketing materials.
Discontinued Operations
At the end of the fiscal year we had no operating subsidiaries. Crystal Magic (CMI), which operated our laser etching business, ceased operations in June 2010. CMI generated revenues of $165,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, down from $1,009,000 in 2009. Revenues have been included in discontinued operations. Revenues in 2010 came principally from the sale of customized laser etched products at the Disney World Theme Park. Until September 2009, we also sold laser etched products to corporate clients for gifting.
In 2010, CMI generated gross profit of $129,000 or 78% of revenue during the year down from 878,000, or 87% or revenue in 2009. The decrease in gross profit from 2009 to 2010 as a percentage of revenue, was caused by commission paid to Disney on all sales in 2010, vs. approximately 30% of sales in 2009.
Operating expenses in 2010 of $217,000 consisted primarily of salaries and consulting fees ($162,000 or 80% of total operating costs) to maintain personnel in the theme park and management of the operations.
In 2009, we closed our Mountain Capital LLC(MC) business. MC generated revenues of $72,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 and $480,000 in losses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
To date, our primary sources of cash have been funds raised from the sale of our securities, issuance of convertible and non-convertible debt
We have incurred an accumulated deficit of $4,559,651 through December 31, 2010. We have incurred negative cash flow from operations since we started our business. We have spent, and expect to continue to spend, substantial amounts in connection with implementing our business strategy, including our planned product development effort. Based on our current plans, we believe that our cash will not be sufficient to enable us to meet our planned operating needs in the next 12 months.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010 - Cash Flow Activity
During 2010, the Company borrowed $660,000 under a convertible note. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had borrowed a total of $1,067,500 (excluding accrued interest) under this convertible note. On July 22, 2010, the convertible note holder notified the Company that it would exercise its right to convert to equity at the closing of the next round of financing. In February 2011, the due date on the convertible note was extended to August 31, 20111, and the total amount available to be borrowed was increased to $2,000,000. Availability and drawdowns are subject to lender approval in his sole discretion. The material terms of this Agreement are:
·
15% per annum interest
·
Secured by all the assets of Propell Corporation
·
Note may be converted into common stock of the Company at the lower of $0.27 per share or a 25% discount to the first round of financing following the date of the credit facility (September 3, 2009).
·
The lender has the right to rescind the conversion to equity in the case where the amount of new equity raised is less than $1.5 million.
There are no financial or other materials covenants in this Agreement.
In June 2010, the Company borrowed $100,000 under a one year unsecured note from a shareholder. Interest accrues on the note at the rate of 8% per annum. The note has no financial covenants. In December 2010, the shareholder lent us an additional $100,000 under similar terms with a due date of December 15, 2011 and interest accruing at 10%. In February 2011, the shareholder lent us an additional $100,000. This note is due February 10, 2012, accrues interest at the rate of 12% per annum and has no financial covenants.
The Company’s Crystal Magic (CMI) subsidiary owes approximately $839,000 to the U.S. Small Business Loans (the “SBA”) and the Orlando National Bank (together, “Lenders”). In June 2010, CMI ceased operations. The Lenders foreclosed and seized all Company assets and held an auction and liquidated such assets. The Lenders have acknowledged they have no rights directly against Propell and have told us they plan to seek repayment from Mr. Steven Rhodes, a former owner of CMI and who had personally guaranteed the loans. Previously, we had entered into an agreement with Steve Rhodes, whereby we agreed to assume the payment for these loans in the event of the bankruptcy of Crystal Magic and the demand of the SBA or the Orlando National Bank of payment under Mr. Rhodes’ guarantee. Mr. Rhodes placed 2,000,000 shares of our stock, owned by him, in escrow to be used by us in our discretion at any time after April 8, 2010, to pay the amounts owed by Crystal Magic under these loans. To date, Crystal Magic has not filed for bankruptcy and so the condition for our obligation has not been met, and even if met we believe that such agreement is unenforceable. However, there can be no assurance that the shares held in escrow will have sufficient value to satisfy such debt or that Mr. Rhodes won’t seek reimbursement from the Company, to the extent he makes any payments to the Lenders. If Mr. Rhodes were to try to enforce the provisions of the agreement we would vigorously defend our position; however no assurance can be given that we will be successful in our defense.
The actual amount of funds we will need to operate is subject to many factors, some of which are beyond our control. We have based our estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong. We may need to obtain additional funds sooner or in greater amounts than we currently anticipate. Potential sources of financing include strategic relationships, public or private sales of our shares or debt and other sources. We may seek to access the public or private equity markets when conditions are favorable due to our long-term capital requirements. We do not have any firmly committed sources of financing at this time, and it is uncertain whether additional funding will be available when we need it on terms that will be acceptable to us, or at all. If we raise funds by selling additional shares of common stock or other securities convertible into common stock, the ownership interest of our existing stockholders will be diluted. If we are not able to obtain financing when needed, we may be unable to carry out our business plan. As a result, we may have to significantly limit our operations and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially harmed.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2009 - Cash Flow Activity
Propell’s primary sources and uses of cash for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, included losses from operations, adjusted for non-cash items of income and expense and funds received from a rights offering and from a convertible note. Net cash used in operating activities was $115,851 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009.
Net cash used in investing activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, was $1,220,902 primarily attributable to the capital expenditures of $474,797 for the acquisition of the Propell.com domain and development of the Propell shops web site and $741,703 related to CMI.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,295,578, which included $407,500 from the issuance of convertible promissory notes 888,078 from a rights offering.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
There are no off balance sheet arrangements.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There have been no disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure with our independent auditors for the period ended December 31, 2009.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company has adopted and maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Form 10-K, is collected, recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As required under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s CEO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s CEO has concluded, that as of the date of the filing of this Annual Report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective and that all material weaknesses and significant deficiencies have been completely remediated due to the retention of an additional bookkeeper and a consultant who are integrally involved in the preparation of the financial statements and all disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Internal Controls
Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer who is also our Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:
·
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
·
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and directors; and
·
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. It is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. It also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override.
Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process certain safeguards to reduce, thought not eliminate, this risk. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting.
Management has used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control - Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, known as COSO, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Based upon this assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 because as a part of our year end review of our disclosure controls and procedures, we determined that several of our procedures require additional documentation. It is our belief that those control procedures are being performed, however documentation of their execution is not available. We believe that as of the date of this Annual Report, all material weaknesses and significant deficiencies have been completely remediated due to the retention of an additional bookkeeper and a consultant who are integrally involved in the preparation of the financial statements and all disclosure.
This Annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The directors, officers and key employees of the Company are as follows:
On February 18, 2011, we received a resignation letter from Jamie Graham, dated February 6, 2011, stating that Mr. Graham was resigning from our board of directors, effective immediately, in order to pursue other interests of potential interest to the Company.
The business experience, principal occupations and employment of each of the above persons during at least the last five years are set forth below.
EDWARD L. BERNSTEIN. Mr. Bernstein has been our Chief Executive Officer and President since we were organized in January 2008. Mr. Bernstein has a 25-year track record in founding, financing and growing consumer technology and entertainment companies. He has raised over $75 million in private capital working with a variety of venture capital and strategic investors. During 2007 and until February 2008, Mr. Bernstein was a consultant to Creekside LLC, a consulting firm to early stage technology companies. From 2002 through 2006, Mr. Bernstein served as President and CEO of PhotoTLC, Inc., providing online and in-store digital photo services and gifts for the largest retailers in the United States. Prior to his work with PhotoTLC, beginning in 1999, Mr. Bernstein served as the Chief Executive Officer of Photopoint.com, one of the pioneering digital photo sharing sites. Mr. Bernstein also serves on the Board of Directors of Akeena Solar, Inc., a publicly traded solar products designer and manufacturer. Mr. Bernstein received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hartford and is a graduate of Stanford University’s Executive Program.
Mr. Bernstein brings to the Board significant executive leadership and operational experience. Mr. Bernstein’s prior business experience, especially his experience in the on line industry, gives him a broad and extensive understanding of our operations and our industry. His prior service on the board of other public companies has provided him with a strong corporate governance expertise and an understanding of the proper role and function of the Board. Due to his business background, he has a broad understanding of the operational, financial and strategic issues facing public companies.
PAUL SCAPATICI. Mr. Scapatici is our Executive Vice President of Business Development, after serving as Executive Vice President and General Manager of our kiosk division since our merger with Mountain Capital, LLC in May 2008. Prior to the merger, Mr. Scapatici served in a similar role at Mountain Capital (d/b/a Arrow Media Solutions) since its formation in April 2005. He co-founded the Arrow Media Solutions division in 2005 and was an original founder of the Auleron Technologies division in 2003. Prior to forming Auleron Technologies, Mr. Scapatici held a senior executive role beginning in 1999 with Network Power Systems, a company which worked exclusively with National Cash Register. Mr. Scapatici earned his Bachelors of Science in Marketing, Management from Siena College.
JAMES WALLACE. Mr. Wallace is our Vice President of Operations for Propellshops, after having served in a similar role with Mountain Capital, LLC prior to our merger in May 2008. Mr. Wallace joined our Auleron Technologies division in August 2004. As Director of Operations, he directed the project management team responsible for the deployment of more than 5,000 devices, worth in excess of $5 million. Prior thereto, beginning in March 2003, Mr. Wallace was Project Control Officer at CGI. At CGI, Mr. Wallace helped develop the processes and procedures by which the Imagistics IT department was run. Mr. Wallace is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
MARK KALOW. Mr. Kalow was appointed as a director on April 9, 2009. Mr. Kalow is a Managing Director at Soquel Group, a consulting firm specializing in Intellectual Property and Business Development; he also serves on the board of directors of LSF Network, an e-marketing services company, Reischling Press, Inc., a digital printing company, Pure Depth, Inc., a display technology licensing company and The Tannery Arts Center in Santa Cruz, California. . Mr. Kalow has also served on the Board of Photoworks, Inc. from 2004 until 2008. From October 1999 to September 2003, Mr. Kalow served as a Managing Director for the Venture Capital Division of Trans Cosmos USA, a Japanese IT services company and strategic investor in U.S. rich media, CRM and e-marketing
companies. From September 1993 to July 1998, Mr. Kalow was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Live Picture Inc. (LPI), a digital imaging software company which he co-founded. He was Chief Executive Officer of LPI from November 1998 through June 1999. Mr. Kalow holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in financial management from the University of Chicago. He attended Director’s College at Stanford Law School, June 2006.
Mr. Kalow brings a strong business background to Propell, having worked in similar businesses for many years. Mr. Kalow brings to the Board significant strategic, business and financial experience related to the business and financial issues facing our company. His financial management and legal background provides him with a broad understanding of the financial and legal issues facing Propell, the financial markets and the financing opportunities available to Propell. His prior service on the board of other public companies has provided him with a strong corporate governance expertise and an understanding of the proper role and function of the Board.
JAMES GRAHAM. Mr. Graham was appointed as a director on June 16, 2009. Currently a private investor, Mr. Graham, a native of Canada who has lived and worked abroad extensively, has experience in a variety of management roles in telecom, cable, wireless, advertising, and network design/construction. He has been a private investor for the more than the last five years and prior thereto has held leadership positions in general management as well as sales, marketing, and customer service, including roles as President of Fiberlink Services, managing director of Classic Communications and Suburban Adventures, and as a director of Cable Security Corp.
Mr. Graham brings to the Board extensive knowledge in the sales and marketing area, having served in senior corporate positions in other companies he has a vast leadership experience. His business experience provides him with a broad understanding of the operational, financial and strategic issues facing public companies.
On February 18, 2011, we received a resignation letter from Mr. Graham, dated February 6, 2011, stating that he was resigning from our board of directors, effective immediately, in order to pursue other interests of potential interest to the Company.
Employees
At December 31, 2010 we had 4 full-time employees.
Directors’ Term of Office
Directors will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and the election and qualification of their successors. Officers are elected annually by our board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors.
Director Independence
Our director, Edward L. Bernstein, is not independent because of his position as an executive officer of our company. James Graham is not independent because of his ownership percentage in our company. Mr. Mark Kalow has been determined to qualify as an independent member of our Board of Directors.
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our board of directors acts as our audit committee. Mark Kalow is an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
Upon evaluating our internal controls, our board of directors determined that our internal controls are adequate to insure that financial information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act 1934 requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities of Broadcaster. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. These filings are publicly available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us and our review of the SEC’s website, we believe that during fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, all filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were complied with, except that James Graham failed to file a Form 3 in a timely manner when he was appointed as a director.
Code of Ethics
We have established and maintain a Code of Ethics which is applicable to all employees, officers, and directors. Our policy is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. It also communicates our expectations of our employees and helps enable us to provide accurate and timely disclosure in our filings with the SEC and other public communications. In addition, the policy incorporates guidelines pertaining to topics such as environmental compliance, health and safety compliance; diversity and non-discrimination; vendor relations, employee privacy; and business continuity.
We will provide any person without charge, upon written or oral request to our corporate headquarters, a copy of our Code of Ethics.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following table discloses the compensation that was paid to our executive officers in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
(1) The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair values of the stock option awards granted to the executive in fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively in accordance with stock compensation accounting. See Note 8 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein, for a discussion of all assumptions made by us in determining the valuation of equity awards.
(2) Mr. Rhodes resigned as a director in June 2009 and was terminated as our CFO in September 2009.
(3) Mr. Wolf was terminated from his position in August 2009.
(4) Mr. Folliott resigned from his position in September 2009; however he remains as a consultant.
(5) Represents value of stock paid in lieu of severance.
(6) In 2009, Mr. Bernstein received $2,716 due from 2008.
(7) In 2010, Messrs. Bernstein, Scapatici and Wallace each deferred $3,542 in salary.
Outstanding Equity awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information relating to equity awards outstanding at the end of Fiscal 2010 for each Named Executive Officer.
1. Options granted vest over a three year period beginning on the anniversary of the date of the grant.
2. Options granted are immediately exercisable.
3. Under the terms of their employment agreements, the Board made additional one time discretionary option grants in both 2009 and 2010.
Option Exercises
The following table sets forth certain information relating to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of stock awards during Fiscal 2010 for each named Executive officer.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation paid or earned by the Directors who were not Named Executive Officers for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
(1)
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair values of the stock option awards granted to the director in fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 in accordance with stock compensation accounting. See Note 8 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein, for a discussion of all assumptions made by us in determining the valuation of equity awards.
Employment Agreements
We entered into a three-year employment agreement on April 10, 2008 with Edward L. Bernstein, which was amended effective December 21, 2008. The amended agreement with Mr. Bernstein provides for a $50,000 annual base salary plus a $35,000 annual draw against commissions with severance of either six months at the $160,000 level as originally agreed to or one month’s lump sum plus an additional 266,667 shares of company stock if he is terminated for reasons other than Cause, or if Mr. Bernstein terminates for Good Reason, all as defined in the employment agreement. The agreement also provides for a one time grant of 500,000 stock options to purchase 500,000 shares at $.50 per share with vesting over three years.
We entered into three-year employment agreements on May 6, 2008, which were amended effective December 21, 2008 with Paul Scapatici and James Wallace.
The amended agreement with Mr. Scapatici provides for a $50,000 annual base salary plus a $35,000 annual draw against commissions with severance of either six months at the $125,000 level as originally agreed to or one month’s lump sum plus an additional 208,333 shares of company stock if he is terminated for reasons other than Cause, or if Mr. Scapatici terminates for Good Reason, all as defined in the employment agreement. The agreement also provides for a one time grant of 125,000 stock options to purchase 125,000 shares at $.50 per share with vesting over three years.
The amended agreement with Mr. Wallace provides for a $50,000 annual base salary plus a $35,000 annual draw against commissions with severance of either six months at the $125,000 level as originally agreed to or one month’s lump sum plus an additional 208,333 shares of company stock if he is terminated for reasons other than Cause, or if Mr. Wallace terminates for Good Reason, all as defined in the employment agreement. The agreement also provides for a one time grant of 125,000 stock options to purchase 125,000 shares at $.50 per share with vesting over three years.
We terminated our employment agreements with Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Wolf and have reached a severance settlement with Mr. Wolf. No settlement has been reached with Mr. Rhodes.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table indicates how many shares of our common stock were beneficially owned as of March 31, 2011, by (1) each person known by us to be the owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, (2) our directors, (3) our executive officers, and (4) our directors and executive officers as a group. In general, “beneficial ownership” includes those shares a director or executive officer has sole or shared power to vote or transfer (whether or not owned directly) and rights to acquire common stock through the exercise of stock options or warrants that are exercisable currently or become exercisable within 60 days. Except as indicated otherwise, the person’s name in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. We based our calculation of the percentage owned on 22,757,575 shares outstanding on March 30, 2011.
The address of each of the directors and executive officers listed below is c/o Propell Corporation, 336 Bon Air Center, No. 352, Greenbrae, CA 94904.
(1) Mr. Bernstein received 650,000 shares upon conversion of a convertible promissory note. Mr. Bernstein also received 74,411 shares as a result of his investment of $20,091 in our 2009 rights offering and an additional 111,617 warrants exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Bernstein has 533,333 options exercisable within 60 days.
(2) Mr. Graham received 1,325,166 shares in exchange for membership interests he owned in Mountain Capital, LLC and Auleron 2005, LLC in the merger of those entities with us. Mr. Graham also received 370,370 shares as a result of his $100,000 investment in our 2009 rights offering, an additional 925,925 shares as a result of our most recent offering and an additional 1,944,445 warrants exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Graham resides at Sturges, WI, Barbados.
(3) Mr. Rhodes retains 3,480,224 shares he received in exchange for shares he owned in Crystal Magic, Inc. in the merger of Crystal Magic, Inc. with us. Mr. Rhodes also received 37,037 as a result of his investment of $10,000 in a rights offering and an additional 55,556 warrants exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Rhodes also received 266,667 shares in lieu of severance. Mr. Rhodes also placed 2,000,000 shares in escrow to be used by us for amounts owed by CMI for the SBA related debt. Mr. Rhodes received warrants for 100,000 shares exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Rhodes resides at 2120 Hidden Pine Lane, Apopka, Florida 32712.
(4) Mr. Scapatici received 353,382 shares in exchange for membership interests he owned in Mountain Capital, LLC and Auleron 2005, LLC in the merger of those entities with us. Mr. Scapatici has 175,000 options exercisable within 60 days.
(5) Mr. Wallace received 265,047 shares in exchange for membership interests he owned in Mountain Capital, LLC and Auleron 2005, LLC in the merger of those entities with us. Mr. Wallace will have 166,667 options exercisable within 60 days.
(6) 537,625 shares were received upon conversion of our first convertible promissory note, plus an additional 500,000 shares were received upon the conversion of our second promissory note and 679,400 shares as a result of an investment in our rights offering and an additional 1,019,100 warrants exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Abrams also purchased 950,000 shares in a private transaction. Joseph W. and Patricia G. Abrams Family Trust have offices at 131 Laurel Grove, Kentfield, CA 94904.
(7) Mara Gateway Associates received 2,500,000 shares upon conversion of a convertible note and 298,381 shares as a result of an investment in our most recent rights offering and an additional 447,572 warrants exercisable within 60 days. Mara’s offices are at 11832 Sunrise Drive NE, Bainsbridge Island, WA 98110.
(8) The applicable percentage of ownership for each beneficial owner is based on 22,757,575 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 30, 2011. In calculating the number of Shares beneficially owned by a stockholder and the percentage of ownership of that stockholder, shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, or the conversion of other securities held by that stockholder, that are exercisable within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for that holder; however, such shares are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other stockholder.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
None of our directors and executive officers nor any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, shares equaling more than 5% of our common stock, nor any members of the immediate family (including spouse, parents, children, siblings, and in- laws) of any of the foregoing persons, has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction that we have entered into since our incorporation or any proposed transaction.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following is a summary of the fees billed to the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm for professional services rendered for the fiscal years 2010 and 2009:
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
The financial statements listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report. All financial statement schedules have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as amended
(4) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2010
(5) Filed herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.
PROPELL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Edward Bernstein
Edward Bernstein
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer and
Principal Financial Officer)
Date: April 13, 2011
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: April 13, 2011
By: /s/ Edward Bernstein
Edward Bernstein
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: April 13, 2011
By: /s/ Mark Kalow
Mark Kalow
Director
PROPELL CORPORATION
DECEMBER 31, 2010
Silberstein Ungar, PLLC CPAs and Business Advisors
Phone (248) 203-0080
Fax (248) 281-0940
30600 Telegraph Road, Suite 2175
Bingham Farms, MI 48025-4586
www.sucpas.com
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
Propell Corporation
Greenbrae, California
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Propell Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company has determined that it is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Propell Corporation, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its consolidated operations and cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that Propell Corporation will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 13 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred losses from operations, has negative working capital, and is in need of additional capital to grow its operations so that it can become profitable. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans with regard to these matters are described in Note 13. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Silberstein Ungar, PLLC
Silberstein Ungar, PLLC
Bingham Farms, Michigan
April 6, 2011
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit
As of December 31, 2010
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 1 Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(A) Description of the Business
Propell Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Propell” or the “Company”) is an e-commerce and fulfillment provider of image-based personalized products and services.
(B) Principles of Consolidation
All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(C) Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions impact, among others, the following: the amount allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets, the estimated useful lives for amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, the fair value of warrants and stock options granted for services or compensation, estimates of the probability and potential magnitude of contingent liabilities and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets due to continuing operating losses.
Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the consolidated financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from our estimates.
(D) Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are reported at realizable value, net of allowances for doubtful accounts, which is estimated and recorded in the period the related revenue is recorded. The Company has a standardized approach to estimate and review the collectability of its receivables based on a number of factors, including the period they have been outstanding. Historical collection and payer reimbursement experience is an integral part of the estimation process related to allowances for doubtful accounts. In addition, the Company regularly assesses the state of its billing operations in order to identify issues, which may impact the collectability of these receivables or reserve estimates. Revisions to the allowances for doubtful accounts estimates are recorded as an adjustment to bad debt expense. Receivables deemed uncollectible are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts at the time such receivables are written-off. Recoveries of receivables previously written-off are recorded as credits to the allowance for doubtful accounts. There were no recoveries during the year ended December 31, 2010.
(E) Revenue Recognition
The Company records revenue when all of the following have occurred: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) the service is completed without further obligation, (3) the sales price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
(F) Risks and Uncertainties
The Company's operations will be subject to significant risk and uncertainties including financial, operational, regulatory and other risks associated, including the potential risk of business failure. The recent global economic crisis has caused a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, and extreme volatility in credit, equity and fixed income markets. These conditions not only limit our access to capital, but also make it difficult for our customers, our vendors and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities.
(G) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, the Company had no cash equivalents.
The Company minimizes credit risk associated with cash by periodically evaluating the credit quality of its primary financial institution. The balance at times may exceed federally insured limits. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the balance did not exceed the federally insured limit.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 1 Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(H) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Items of property and equipment with costs greater than $1,000 are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives, as follows:
(I) Inventory
Inventory is stated at cost using the FIFO (first in, first out) method. During the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company wrote down inventory at its CMI subsidiary that it deemed unsellable in the amounts of $51,342 and $226,028, respectively, which are reflected in the restated Statement of Operations in loss from discontinued operations.
(J) Fixed and intangible Assets
Fixed and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The Company took impairment charges on fixed assets of $6,372 and $85,527 during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These charges are reflected in the restated statement of operations in loss from discontinued operations. The Company took an impairment charge of $303,357 for its website asset in the year ended December 31, 2010.
(K) Net Loss per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) less preferred dividends by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding including the effect of share equivalents. The Company’s share equivalents consist of 1,974,000 stock options and 4,600,434 warrants. Since the Company reported a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively, all common stock equivalents would be anti-dilutive; as such there is no separate computation for diluted earnings per share.
(L) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of the Company’s short-term financial instruments, including accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, inventory, deposits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, accrued interest - related parties, notes payable - related parties and convertible notes payable - related party approximate fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity for these instruments.
(M) Share-Based Payment Arrangements
Generally, all forms of share-based payments, including stock option grants, restricted stock grants and stock appreciation rights are measured at their fair value on the awards’ grant date, based on the estimated number of awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Share-based compensation awards issued to non-employees for services rendered are recorded at either the fair value of the services rendered or the fair value of the share-based payment, whichever is more readily determinable. The expense resulting from share-based payments are recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.
(N) Income Taxes
Income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws. A valuation allowance is provided for the amount of deferred tax assets that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized. It is the Company’s policy to classify interest and penalties on income taxes as interest expense or penalties expense. As of December 31, 2010, there have been no interest or penalties incurred on income taxes.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 1 Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(O) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified as FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which amends previous guidance to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim as well as annual financial statements in the current economic environment. This pronouncement was effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations; however, these provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820 resulted in additional disclosures with respect to the fair value of our financial instruments.
In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified as FASB ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events,” which establishes general standards of accounting for, and disclosures of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. This pronouncement was effective for interim or fiscal periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our business, results of operations or financial position; however, the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 855 resulted in additional disclosures with respect to subsequent events.
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance now codified as FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” as the single source of authoritative non-governmental U.S. GAAP. FASB ASC Topic 105 does not change current U.S. GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. GAAP by providing all authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the FASB Codification will be considered non-authoritative. These provisions of FASB ASC Topic 105 were effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009 and, accordingly, were effective for the current fiscal reporting period. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have an impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations, but will impact our financial reporting process by eliminating all references to pre-codification standards. On the effective date of FASB ASC Topic 105, the Codification superseded all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards, and all other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification became non-authoritative.
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued updated guidance to amend the disclosure requirements related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. This update requires new disclosures on significant transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (including the reasons for these transfers) and the reasons for any transfers in or out of Level 3. This update also requires a reconciliation of recurring Level 3 measurements about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis. In addition to these new disclosure requirements, this update clarifies certain existing disclosure requirements. For example, this update clarifies that reporting entities are required to provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities rather than each major category of assets and liabilities. This update also clarifies the requirement for entities to disclose information about both the valuation techniques and inputs used in estimating Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. This update will become effective for the interim and annual reporting period beginning January 1, 2010, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will become effective for the interim and annual reporting period beginning January 1, 2011. We will not be required to provide the amended disclosures for any previous periods presented for comparative purposes. Other than requiring additional disclosures, adoption of this update will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (ASU 2010-28). ASU 2010-28 modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test so that for those reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not based on an assessment of qualitative indicators that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 2 Reclassifications
As a result of the exit from Crystal Magic’s laser etching business in June 2010 and Mountain Capital LLC in 2009, and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the CMI and Mountain Capital business operations have been reclassified to discontinued operations in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, our Consolidated Statements of Operations and our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Amounts for the prior periods have been reclassified to conform to this presentation.
Note 3 Correction of Errors and Restatements
The Company has restated its balance sheet, statement of operations, statement of stockholders’ deficit, and statement of cash flows for 2009 to correct an error in its accounting. The Company did not originally amortize its website asset in 2009. The website asset and accumulated deficit were corrected at December 31, 2009.
(1)
After taking into account the reclassifications discussed in Footnote 2, above.
Note 4 Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment consisted of the following at December 31,
On December 31, 2009, the Company wrote off assets of Mountain Capital and Crystal Magic having a net book value of $85,527 due to impairment. This change is reflected in the restated statement of operations in loss from discontinued operations.
Depreciation expense was $2,371 and $4,357 for the periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Note 5 Prepaid Expenses
At December 31, 2010 and 2009 prepaid expenses consisted solely of prepaid insurance in the amount of $5,053 and $4,587, respectively.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 6 Website Assets
In 2009, the Company substantially completed development on its primary website and capitalized the expenses incurred from programming in the amount of $501,202. In 2009, the Company began amortizing these costs over five years. At December 31, 2010 management determined that the website asset was fully impaired and wrote off the remaining balance of $303,357. The rationale for the impairment was:
1.
During the year, the company had numerous acquisition discussions. In each case, no deal was formalized due to the Company’s lack of working capital.
2.
In October 2010, final negotiations with a previously disclosed potential merger candidate ceased specifically due to the delay in fund raising on our part. Such merger would have brought a significant new customer base and driven new customers to the website; and
3.
At December 31, 2010 discussions regarding a significant new source for equity were not progressing satisfactorily. While the Company continues to receive short-term debt financing from a shareholder, without a significant influx in working capital, significant revenue growth cannot be assured. See Footnote 14, Going Concern.
Note 7 Accrued Liabilities
At December 31, 2010 and 2009 accrued expenses consisted of the following:
Note 8 Notes and Convertible Notes Payable - Related Parties
At December 31, 2010, the Company has borrowed $1,067,500 under the terms of a convertible note payable. This note is convertible to shares of the Company’s common stock at the lenders option at the lower of $0.27 per share or a twenty-five percent (25%) discount from the next issuance of common stock by the Company. The Note was originally due on February 28, 2010. In March 2010, the Note was amended to change the due date to June 30, 2010 and the maximum amount of the Note was increased to $1 Million. In July, 2010, the Note holder notified the Company of his intention to convert the Note, upon the Company completing a financing of at least $1.5 million. In February, 2011, the Note was amended to increase the maximum amount to $2 million and to change the due date to August 31, 2011. In addition, the Note was amended to allow the Company the option to convert the Note once it has raised $500,000 in new equity.
In June 2010, the Company borrowed $100,000 under a one year unsecured note from a shareholder. Interest accrues on the note at the rate of 8% per annum. The note has no financial covenants. In December 2010, the shareholder lent us an additional $100,000 under similar terms, except that the interest rate on this note is 10% per annum, with a due date of December 15, 2011. On February 10, 2011, the shareholder lent us an additional $100,000 which is due February 10, 2012. This loan accrues interest at the rate of 12% per annum and has no financial covenants.
Note 9 Notes Payable - Discontinued Operations
The Company’s Crystal Magic subsidiary has four (4) notes all of which are either guaranteed or funded by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). At December 31, 2010, the notes total an aggregate of approximately $838,542. Crystal Magic is in default on all of these notes. In September 2010, the bank managing the loans for the SBA seized substantially all of the assets of CMI and subsequently sold these assets.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 10 Other Income (Expense)
At December 31, 2010 and 2009 other income (expense) consisted of the following:
Note 11 Stockholders’ Equity
(A) Common Stock Issuances of Issuer
For the Year ended December 31, 2010
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company issued 275,000 shares of common stock for services rendered, having a fair value of $44,000.
For the Year ended December 31, 2009
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued 856,667 shares of common stock for services rendered, having a fair value of $286,650. Of this, 741,667 shares were issued in connection with severance agreements.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued 8,650,000 shares of common stock in connection with the conversion of convertible notes in the principal amount of $1,730,000 ($0.20 per share).
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued 3,066,956 shares of common stock in two rights offerings for proceeds of $828,078 ($0.27 per share).
(B) Stock Option Plan
In 2008 the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Company’s 2008 Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Plan”) for the issuance of up to five (5) million shares of common stock to be granted through incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to officers, other employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. The exercise price of stock options under the Stock Plan is determined by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors, and may be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. Options become exercisable over various periods from the date of grant, and generally expire ten years after the grant date. As of December 31, 2010, there were 1,974,000 options issued and outstanding under the Stock Plan.
In the event of termination, the Company will cease to recognize compensation expense. There is no deferred compensation recorded upon initial grant date, instead, the fair value of the share-based payment is recognized ratably over the stated vesting period.
The Company has applied fair value accounting for all share based payment awards since inception. The fair value of each option or warrant granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes assumptions used in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 11 Stockholders’ Equity (continued)
The Company records stock based compensation based upon the stated vested provisions in the related agreements, with recognition of expense recorded on the straight line basis over the term of the related agreement. The vesting provisions for these agreements have various terms as follows:
·
Annually over two, three or four years
·
Monthly over one year
·
Quarterly over four years
During 2010, the Company granted 675,000 options to employees and consultants having a fair value of $80,265 based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
During 2009, the Company granted 749,000 options to employees and consultants having a fair value of $43,440 based upon the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2010 are as follows:
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 11 Stockholders’ Equity (continued)
The options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
The following is a summary of the Company’s non-vested stock options at December 31, 2010:
Note 12 Commitments
The Company rents office space from a related party on a month-to-month basis for $1,649 per month. Beginning January 1, 2011, the related party agreed to waive the monthly rent payment. There is no obligation for this arrangement to continue.
Note 13 Income Taxes
There was no income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 due to the Company’s net losses.
The Company’s tax expense differs from the “expected” tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, (computed by applying the Federal Corporate tax rate of 34% to loss before taxes), as follows:
At December 31, 2010, the Company has a net operating loss carry-forward of approximately $1,564,000 available to offset future taxable income expiring through 2030. Utilization of these net operating losses may be limited due to potential ownership changes under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The valuation allowance at December 31, 2010 was approximately $535,866. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on consideration of these items, Management has determined that enough uncertainty exists relative to the realization of the deferred income tax asset balances to warrant the application of a full valuation allowance as of December 31, 2010.
Propell Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2010 and 2009
Note 14 Going Concern
The Company has negative working capital, has incurred operating losses since inception, and its operating activities to date have required financing from outside institutions and related parties. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the company will continue as a going concern. The Company will continue to need outside financing to support its internal growth.
Management continues to seek funding to pursue its business plans.
Note 15 Subsequent Event
In February 2011, the Company renegotiated its convertible notes to extend the maturity date to August 31, 2011 and to increase the total potential loan amount to $2 million. In addition, in February, 2011, the Company borrowed an additional $100,000 from a shareholder who had previously loaned the Company $200,000.
In accordance with ASC 855-10, the Company has analyzed its operations subsequent to December 31, 2010 to April 6, 2011, the date these financial statements were issued, and has determined that it does not have any material subsequent events to disclose in these financial statements other than those discussed above.