Watkins, Inc. **
**Trademark of Watkins, Inc.

Watkins, Inc.

Copyright Jeffrey Babener www.mlmlegal.com


Editor's Note:
Welcome to MLMLegal.Com Company Profiles at www.mlmlegal.com. Here you will find brief summaries of pertinent information about hundreds of MLM, Direct Selling, Direct Sales, Network Marketing and Party Plan Companies. As a general matter, the summary information is derived from Company published information, generally posted at Company websites, public information releases or posts at industry trade sites .*

Founding Story
Watkins, Inc. is located in Winona, MN. The company has been in business for over 140 years.

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J.R. Watkins is the founder of the company. He traveled the world searching for the best natural herbs and extracts to make at- home remedies.

Cleaning products were introduced as long ago as 1917.

Watkins, Inc. provides the following extensive company ( www.mlmlegal.com ) history:

Milestones In Watkins' 139-Year History

1868 J.R. Watkins Medical Company founded in Plainview, Minnesota. Launch of first product, Red Liniment.

1869 Introduction of Trial Mark(TM) bottle--America's ( www.mlmlegal.com ) first money-back guarantee.

1888 First Watkins factory building erected in Winona, Minnesota.

1895 Introduction of Watkins Vanilla Extract, Black Pepper and Cinnamon.

1901 Publication of first Watkins Almanac, Home Doctor and Cook Book.

1911 Death of J.R. Watkins.

1912 Architecturally significant administration building completed at a cost of $1.2 million.

1913 International expansion begins with branch office in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

1920 Product line reaches 100 selections.

1922 Herb tablets (vitamins) introduced.

1928 Watkins receives Gold Medal honors at Paris International Exposition for vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon and other pure spices.

1942 90 percent of Watkins' production capacity dedicated to the WWII Allied effort.

1955 Bill Porter begins his 50-plus year career with Watkins; his story of working "door-to-door" with cerebral palsy will inspire ( www.mlmlegal.com ) countless news stories and a television movie.

1960 Watkins ads appear live on NBC's "Today" show, hosted by Dave Garroway.

1978 Watkins Incorporated is acquired by Minneapolis entrepreneur Irwin L. Jacobs.

1990 Watkins quadruples in size under Jacobs' ownership. Customer direct delivery offered.

1996 Watkins expands natural product line.

1997 Mark Jacobs named president; wellness product line is refined and expanded.

1999 Watkins counts over 350 products.

2002 Door to Door, the heartwarming TNT movie inspired by the life story of Watkins salesman, Bill Porter, debuts; wins 6 Emmy Awards, including Best Made-for-TV Movie and Best Actor (William H. Macy).

2003 Watkins celebrates 135th Anniversary.

To increase brand awareness and distribution, Watkins makes select products available through specialty retailers, grocery stores, and drugstores/pharmacies.
Watkins launches Good Tastings(TM) by Watkins sampling/sales program for its direct selling Associates.

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2004 Watkins launches into mass retail with Vanilla and Pepper in Wal Mart. Watkins participates in sponsorship of Grand Excursion - a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the railroad that connected the East and West sides of the country. Approximately 20 boats participate in the ( www.mlmlegal.com ) re-enactment of the trip from Rock Island, IL to St. Paul, MN on the Mississippi.

2005  Watkins launches J.R. Watkins Apothecary line into Target stores nation-wide. Watkins forms partnership with Chinese Businessman, Wang Chao Bin, offering more than 100 products to the Chinese market. Watkins facilities in Winona, MN are added to the National Register of Historic Places.

2006 Watkins launches line of USDA Certified 100% Organic Spices in Wal-Mart.

Impact on the Industry
Watkins Inc. has been one of the largest employers in Winona since 1888.

Discussion of Products
Watkins Inc. sells products made from all natural ingredients from apothecary to spices. These include herbs, cleaning products, and home remedies. The company also sells personal care products, gifts, and home care.  The products are made from 95 percent natural ingredients.  

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Discussion of Opportunity
Watkins, Inc. offers the following information regarding its compensation plan:
Watkins International Compensation Plan
As a Watkins Consultants, you will be generously compensated in direct relation to your efforts. Typically, Watkins Consultants earn 25-39% on retail sales as well as a 5-10% bonus on sales generated by a downline. There are four primary ways to meet your personal earning goals:

  • Use Watkins products in your home and with your family

  • Sell Watkins products to friends, family or anyone you meet

  • Share the Watkins business opportunity with potential new ( www.mlmlegal.com ) Consultants

  • Teach others how to successfully grow and share their businesses

Performance Awards
Each year, Watkins Consultants can participate in company-funded incentive programs that reward individuals for business growth. Earn reward points and exchange them for great prizes, such as:

  • Watkins logo clothing

  • Valuable merchandise

  • Registration for the Watkins Leadership Conference

  • Cash

  • Getaway vacations

The company offers the following training and support:

Consultant Training and Support

If you are thinking about becoming a Consultant, take the first step by attending a webinar. Get a taste for J.R. Watkins Naturals and our home-based business opportunities. The interactive, online session will be hosted by a senior leadership development manager and will help you discover more about our natural, plant-based products.

Personal Support

The entire Watkins organization is ready and willing to help you succeed at your business. Because of this commitment, a great new Consultant gets the most out of a close relationship with his/her upline sponsors who can share knowledge and experience that will ensure his/her success.

Online Resources

Once you become a Watkins Consultant, you’ll have access to business resources on this website. When you log in as a Consultant and shop at JRWatkins.com, you’ll have access to our full product lines, and every time you or someone you refer orders from the site, you’ll receive a commission. Other ( www.mlmlegal.com ) resources available to help you grow your business include:

  • Recipes featuring J.R. Watkins Natural Gourmet products so you can share samples at parties or vendor booths

  • Access to communication and reports so you know what’s new and how you’re growing

  • Information about new programs and incentives designed to help you grow your business

  • Articles and streaming audio about ways to market and grow your business

  • Forms, flyers and training pieces that you can download and share

The benefits of joining the company include the following:

  • Savings of 25% on Watkins products

  • Bonuses for achieving sales volumes and leadership goals

  • Incentive programs leading to valuable merchandise and luxury vacations

  • Access to online reports and ordering systems

Watkins, Inc. provides training, support, incentive trips, and the potential to earn free merchandise.

Discussion of Distributor Base and Sales Volume in U.S.
Watkins Inc. operates in the United States ( www.mlmlegal.com ) and internationally.

Company Website: http://www.jrwatkins.com

 

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Jeffrey A. Babener, principal attorney in the Portland, Oregon, law firm Babener & Associates, represents many of the leading direct selling companies in the United States and abroad.

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