In 1984, Daryle Scott created Venus Body Wear, selling ladies' leotards and exercise apparel via full-page ads in Cosmopolitan and other national magazines. A year later, the company expanded to include women’s swimwear and became known as Venus Swimwear. In 1999, Venus acquired WinterSilks, a large importer of silk fashions. In 2000, reflecting the expanded offerings, the company name changed to Venus. In November 2006, Venus, Venus Manufacturing, and WinterSilks, were acquired 80% by Golden Gate Capital, under their Catalog Holdings Group. The three companies fell under a new, united company name, Venus Holdings, LLC.
If the swimwear manufacturer cannot secure new financing, sell the assets or resolve its financial issues in another manner, however, it could be forced to close completely, resulting in one of the largest layoffs from a single organization in Jacksonville since the recession began. Venus filed notices May 14 in Florida and New York that all 289 employees at Venus Swimwear and Venus Manufacturing Inc. could be laid off.
“It would be sad for our community to lose a well-known company and a corporate headquarters,” said Jerry Mallot, executive director of the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership. “Let’s hope it doesn’t happen. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
But even if the company does close, it won’t be for several more weeks because the latest catalog was sent out May 22, according to an internal memo that company executives sent to employees the same day.
That “will keep most of you busy for about four to six weeks, so that’s good news,” the memo stated. “Meanwhile, the exact future beyond that time remains uncertain.”
Venus founder and former president Daryle Scott resigned May 29, according to Jack Meeks, a court-appointed receiver for Venus Swimwear since May 19. “We’re running the company and entertaining offers for sales of various assets, including the operations of the company,” Meeks says.
“We’re dealing with potential purchasers right now,” he notes. We’ve had letters of interest.”
Meeks declined to release a copy of Scott’s letter of resignation; Scott could not be reached for comment.
It is unclear what sort of timetable Meeks and the company are working under, and what might happen if no buyer is found. Venus Swimwear has not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Last month Venus filed notice with the state of Florida, saying it might have to lay off 240 employees. The filing occurred after Venus, the parent company, had its financing pulled by American Capital Bank.
Meeks says there have been some layoffs, but not that extensive. “The company is still running as it was.”
Venus Swimwear, which has published catalogs since 1984, has manufacturing facilities in Dexter and Jacksonville, FL. The Jacksonville companies are part of Venus Holdings Division, which was bought in 2006 by Golden Gate Capital, a private equity investment firm that yesterday acquired J. Jill from Talbots.
Venus Swimwear Inc. filed suit yesterday against competitor Ultama Swimwear LLC and one of its consultants, alleging Venus' confidential database of customer information was misappropriated and that Ultama was using that information to advertise to Venus customers.
The lawsuit contends that at least twice since the beginning of this year, e-mails advertising Ultama's inaugural swimwear catalog and Web site were sent to Venus customers
As a rehabilitation physician, Dr. Ramos has committed herself to the promotion of health and fitness not only to her patients, but throughout her community as well. Her training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation allows her to help deconditioned patients optimize their functional independence. As director of the MD Wellness & Weight Loss Clinic, she assists patients in achieving their weight loss goals. Being a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, her experience also includes work as a personal trainer, a senior citizen fitness educator, and a volunteer trainer for Special Olympics track athletes. Additionally, in an effort to make fitness more accessible to those in her neighborhood, she holds free beach workout classes on weekends.
The promotion of health and fitness is an issue of personal significance for Venus. Several years ago, she recommitted herself to leading a physically active lifestyle after her mother suffered a stroke and her father collapsed due to heart disease. Now they all enjoy the positive effect exercise has had on their lives.
A graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine, Venus not only advises patients and clients on the benefits of physical fitness, but she herself regularly trains for fitness competitions. Having held the titles of Ms. Collegiate USA and Miss Teen of Missouri, this is one pageant titleholder that is not afraid to sweat. She regularly appears in the Fitness America ESPN Series and has competed in the Nova Fitness (Obstacle Course) World Finals, the Fitness America National Finals, and the Fitness Universe Pageant. Her competitive fitness achievements include winning Ms. Bikini California 2002, Ms. Fitness Los Angeles 2005, and NPC Los Angeles Fitness Championships 2007. Most recently, she had an amazing comeback victory on the NBC premiere of American Gladiators. No matter how busy her life and career may get, Venus always makes time for training. In fact, when she was featured as a "temptress" on FOX's "Temptation Island," she woke up early every morning to run sprints and jump hurdles on the beach - usually all before taping began for the day.
Her expertise in the arena of sports and fitness has been recognized in the media as well. Radio listeners may also know her as "Doctor Venus," as her knowledge of sports injuries and rehabilitation makes her an invaluable member of the all-female correspondent team for "Damn...Another Sportz Show!?!" - a weekly radio talk show based in Los Angeles. She's been featured on local news programs for FOX-, CBS-, and ABC-affiliate stations. Venus wrote a fitness training article published in Oxygen Magazine and she has served as an on-camera medical consultant in beauty and fitness product infomercials. She has also done fitness modeling for print and television.
While Venus' career and athletic pursuits keep her busy, she also enjoys more leisurely activities. During football season, you can usually find her at a sports bar cheering on her favorite team. And you don't have to twist her arm to go out to a karaoke night. Music is a passion that Venus holds close to her heart. Not too long ago you might have caught one of her performances as a featured pop/alternative vocalist at a local tavern in New York.
If the swimwear manufacturer cannot secure new financing, sell the assets or resolve its financial issues in another manner, however, it could be forced to close completely, resulting in one of the largest layoffs from a single organization in Jacksonville since the recession began. Venus filed notices May 14 in Florida and New York that all 289 employees at Venus Swimwear and Venus Manufacturing Inc. could be laid off.
“It would be sad for our community to lose a well-known company and a corporate headquarters,” said Jerry Mallot, executive director of the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership. “Let’s hope it doesn’t happen. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
But even if the company does close, it won’t be for several more weeks because the latest catalog was sent out May 22, according to an internal memo that company executives sent to employees the same day.
That “will keep most of you busy for about four to six weeks, so that’s good news,” the memo stated. “Meanwhile, the exact future beyond that time remains uncertain.”
Venus founder and former president Daryle Scott resigned May 29, according to Jack Meeks, a court-appointed receiver for Venus Swimwear since May 19. “We’re running the company and entertaining offers for sales of various assets, including the operations of the company,” Meeks says.
“We’re dealing with potential purchasers right now,” he notes. We’ve had letters of interest.”
Meeks declined to release a copy of Scott’s letter of resignation; Scott could not be reached for comment.
It is unclear what sort of timetable Meeks and the company are working under, and what might happen if no buyer is found. Venus Swimwear has not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Last month Venus filed notice with the state of Florida, saying it might have to lay off 240 employees. The filing occurred after Venus, the parent company, had its financing pulled by American Capital Bank.
Meeks says there have been some layoffs, but not that extensive. “The company is still running as it was.”
Venus Swimwear, which has published catalogs since 1984, has manufacturing facilities in Dexter and Jacksonville, FL. The Jacksonville companies are part of Venus Holdings Division, which was bought in 2006 by Golden Gate Capital, a private equity investment firm that yesterday acquired J. Jill from Talbots.
Venus Swimwear Inc. filed suit yesterday against competitor Ultama Swimwear LLC and one of its consultants, alleging Venus' confidential database of customer information was misappropriated and that Ultama was using that information to advertise to Venus customers.
The lawsuit contends that at least twice since the beginning of this year, e-mails advertising Ultama's inaugural swimwear catalog and Web site were sent to Venus customers
As a rehabilitation physician, Dr. Ramos has committed herself to the promotion of health and fitness not only to her patients, but throughout her community as well. Her training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation allows her to help deconditioned patients optimize their functional independence. As director of the MD Wellness & Weight Loss Clinic, she assists patients in achieving their weight loss goals. Being a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, her experience also includes work as a personal trainer, a senior citizen fitness educator, and a volunteer trainer for Special Olympics track athletes. Additionally, in an effort to make fitness more accessible to those in her neighborhood, she holds free beach workout classes on weekends.
The promotion of health and fitness is an issue of personal significance for Venus. Several years ago, she recommitted herself to leading a physically active lifestyle after her mother suffered a stroke and her father collapsed due to heart disease. Now they all enjoy the positive effect exercise has had on their lives.
A graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine, Venus not only advises patients and clients on the benefits of physical fitness, but she herself regularly trains for fitness competitions. Having held the titles of Ms. Collegiate USA and Miss Teen of Missouri, this is one pageant titleholder that is not afraid to sweat. She regularly appears in the Fitness America ESPN Series and has competed in the Nova Fitness (Obstacle Course) World Finals, the Fitness America National Finals, and the Fitness Universe Pageant. Her competitive fitness achievements include winning Ms. Bikini California 2002, Ms. Fitness Los Angeles 2005, and NPC Los Angeles Fitness Championships 2007. Most recently, she had an amazing comeback victory on the NBC premiere of American Gladiators. No matter how busy her life and career may get, Venus always makes time for training. In fact, when she was featured as a "temptress" on FOX's "Temptation Island," she woke up early every morning to run sprints and jump hurdles on the beach - usually all before taping began for the day.
Her expertise in the arena of sports and fitness has been recognized in the media as well. Radio listeners may also know her as "Doctor Venus," as her knowledge of sports injuries and rehabilitation makes her an invaluable member of the all-female correspondent team for "Damn...Another Sportz Show!?!" - a weekly radio talk show based in Los Angeles. She's been featured on local news programs for FOX-, CBS-, and ABC-affiliate stations. Venus wrote a fitness training article published in Oxygen Magazine and she has served as an on-camera medical consultant in beauty and fitness product infomercials. She has also done fitness modeling for print and television.
While Venus' career and athletic pursuits keep her busy, she also enjoys more leisurely activities. During football season, you can usually find her at a sports bar cheering on her favorite team. And you don't have to twist her arm to go out to a karaoke night. Music is a passion that Venus holds close to her heart. Not too long ago you might have caught one of her performances as a featured pop/alternative vocalist at a local tavern in New York.
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