Hey Guys,
Going to update this thread. There had bee some interesting developments in this since I last commented. I have been in contact with John Sang Wilbur about the situation and he has been cooperative in helping to come up with a solution. He had been hampered by the fact that the new SASS Global Travel had gotten ahold of and has been using all of the SASS assets. I called out Travis publicly in a post on Facebook in hopes that he would respond in the appropriate manner. As guessed, people on both sides spoke out, and Travis and John ended up commenting.
Travis's Public Response (Also copy and pasted into an email as a response to a prior email I sent him):
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What an awful situation we find ourselves in. First, let’s all agree that Facebook isn’t a productive or professional way to handle this situation. It inflames emotions and tensions, and doesn’t create any easier (or quicker) way to resolve a problem. After watching your thread spin out of control, I tried to call you, then wrote down a few points that might help us (and the greater Facebook world that’s now involved) see eye-to-eye. The successful resolution of many SASS employee issues (including yours) is my goal – and it should be yours too.
South America Snow Sessions was an amazing company that brought you to Argentina with a vision. But a combination of 40% inflation and other problems made it a financial failure in 2010. The notion that SASS or SGT (a separate company in every legal and operational way) “has money” at this point is totally false. We risk losing our home and office every month. So, with SASS financially insolvent, and SGT without operating money, where do we find ourselves? Who is most righteously owed non-existent money from an insolvent company?
*Is it the guides who were with SASS for 6+ years?
*Is it the coaches? All of whom deserve the money that they were promised?
*Is it Argentine contractors? What about the other sales people like Ryan?
*Is it my family – and my baby on the way?
If you can answer this question better than I can, let me know. Everyone has a right to a fair wage, but when a company goes bankrupt, this is what happens. I found out that I wasn’t ever an owner of SASS as I was promised – and I got screwed too. That’s the honest truth. There were two directions that I could go. One was to give up and take the easy way out, where nobody gets paid and we all just move on to other things. I was inclined to choose this option until I received an outpouring of support from employees and clients that loved the SASS program, some of whom posted on your thread. I put my heart and soul into this program and didn't forsee this happening.
This led to our chosen course of action: trying to run SGT (with myself, Ryan, David and Lucas) as a new start-up company with no financing, and examining ways to help SASS employees wherever possible. This is what I tried to imply by stating that we could work something out over time. Most former SASS employees understood that this will be a process, and won't be easy for any of us.
So, there are two courses of action. You can work with me, proactively, to be part of a group solution that takes everybody’s needs into account. I always answer phone calls and emails quickly during the day (not at 11PM), and I don’t shy away from conflict. Or you can continue to go online and defame a new, independent company that’s trying to resurrect a broken program to try and help everyone involved. But every time you post this stuff to the world, it eliminates a potential client, and anybody’s (John or myself) ability to pay you.
I hate knowing that you’re broke, but I’m truly sorry to say that I can’t consider your financial needs paramount over the many deserving people also owed money by SASS. I’m your friend and will remain so, regardless of how this goes. I hope we can see eye-to-eye and find a solution together. See you tonight!!
John, seeing what Travis had posted, also felt inclined to chime in:
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There are numerous errors in the information being posted here so allow me to retort...
During the span of 6 years South America Snow Sessions provided thousands of magnificent experiences for people looking to ski and snowboard in Argentina during the North American summer. Levels of development realized by clients include personal, athletic, educational and even spiritual. Any claims that SASS was a scam or dishonest are completely false. SASS had the best staff in the world and the company has always paid its debts. Although not 100% of clients had the best experience of their life - the vast majority experienced something special while at SASS.
2010 was a tough year for SASS. Economic conditions in the USA (shrunken GDP causing less spending on tourism) coupled by 25%-30% inflation in Argentina (NOT 40%) made it tremendously difficult to operate SASS. Additionally, SASS did not meet it's sales goals because the minimum number of sales needed was not reached and because close to $100,000 dollars in discounts were given. Adding to SASS' complications was a risk taken by the company to form a new branch called SASS Global Travel. This risk was taken to make the business less affected by seasonalities and to increase the viability of SASS as an entity. It seemed like our best strategy for survival, however operating capitol used to germinate the new brand (SGT) was drawn from SASS' revenue adding further strain to the company. Ultimately, SASS' expenses were far greater than its revenue and the company had negative income. The effect of this situation was widespread frustration and suffering to anybody financially dependent upon SASS - myself included.
That I "screwed" Travis Moore is an egregious claim. The truth is that Travis was offered to be partner numerous times and he either did not have the cash to buy his part of the company or he did not commit to accepting the terms offered to him. That said, the mistake was made of granting him the authority to act as an owner - which he did with irresponsibility by over promising and under-delivering. He was the Director of Sales at SASS who was not able to meet his sales goals and who gave away the discounts.
The claim that SGT is a different company from SASS seems strange when it is true that the "new SGT" is using SASS office supplies, SASS clients, SASS developed website, SASS developed trade name and logo, SASS developed business idea, SASS trade secrets and SASS business contacts. Let it be known that SASS has not received compensation for and has not authorized, sold or licensed the use of these assets to the "new SGT" or Travis Moore.
I love SASS. But, at the moment SASS is for sale so that financial obligations can be met. It is easily possible for another company to absorb SASS' assets and use them with great success. The fact is that Travis Moore, with his "new SGT" has appropriated SASS' assets, complicating my mission to sell the company.
I accept the fate of SASS and my responsibility in its downfall for I have made many errors. SASS and SGT are both quality brands that have good track records and a fair portion of market share. 2010 was a terrible year; nonetheless, the spirit and the brands live on. Anyone who has claims against the company, questions, comments or if you are interested in the brand you can email me directly at JOHN@SASNOW.COM
THANKS
So thats where we are all at. John and I are talking about ways to make this work for all the people who are owed money, even if they aren't speaking up for themselves.
Thanks for the support from those who have reached out. Hopefully, this will all work out.
