About Guideboat Capital PartnersGuideboat Capital Partners is a Dallas based private equity firm focused on investments in entrepreneur and founder led lower middle-market companies. WebAVAILABLE NOW! Accordingly, the court finds that Magnolia's counter-claim should survive this stage of the litigation, and Buff City's Motion to Dismiss Counter-Claim should be, and the same is hereby, DENIED. Case assigned to Judge Biggers and Magistrate Judge Percy. For more information visit the Buff City Soap website: www.buffcitysoap.com. Magnolia is a hypnotically sweet scent that evokes memories of overgrown gardens, front porch sitting, and freshly picked Established in 1980, General Atlantic combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to build market-leading businesses worldwide. About Crux CapitalCrux Capital's core mission is to invest in and grow small, profitable companies. Buff City Soap, a plant-based soap company founded in 2013, has grown quickly since it was founded. ' United States ex rel. The company has experienced rapid growth as consumers are drawn to its differentiated, high-quality offering of plant-based soaps, laundry, bath and body products, which are handmade daily in each store's Soap Makery. Sep. 29, 2021). The company was sued by the city of Memphis for operating without a business license. The Buffalo City Soap Companys soaps are a fantastic resource for non-profits. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia. "Magnolia is a successful, woman-owned small business," said Bynum. (no spam, pinky-swear) ADDRESS. COUNTER-DEFENDANTS OUNTER-CLAIM, NEAL B. BIGGERS, JR. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE, ORDER DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS COUNTER-CLAIM. This Buff City Soap favorite is subtle yet luxurious, combining the sweetness of raspberry and peach with the A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Id. "Discovery is ongoing and we will continue to vigorously defend our business practices as this case continues.". at 376 (quoting Boudeloche v. Grow Chem. On mens products, the top scent is Ferocious Beast, a scent with cedar and citrus notes. The founder of Buff City, Brad Kellum, will be in charge of the companys retail and product development. On July 27, 2021, RONALD C. KOLESAR filed a complaint in Pennsylvania against BUFF CITY SOAP SUPPLY, LLC. Filing 1 COMPLAINT, Filing fee $ 400, I have purchased from this company for years therefore I know the size of the soap changed but it still states it weighs the same with the sleeve it's wrapped in but it's clearly not the same. For more information visit the Guideboat Capital Partners website: www.guideboatcap.com. Buff City argues that Mississippi law does not recognize claims for intentional interference with business relations unless the interference diverts customers from a business. This product is made with gardenia petals, lemon zest, hemp seed oil, shea butter, charcoal, and tea tree oil. Several bluffs can be found near Memphis on the Mississippi River. The state with the most number of Buff City Soap locations in the US is Tennessee, with 30 stores, which is about 37% of all Buff City Soap stores in the US. Bynum formerly operated the Mississippi locations of Buff City Soap in New Albany, Tupelo and Oxford. "We are thrilled to welcome Ric Smith, Shellie Caudill, and Jean Grossman to our already talented leadership team," said Craig Kessler, Buff City Soap's CEO. "All three leaders come with 20+ years of experience in their respective fields and are best-in-class leaders. Customers can enjoy a variety of scents and textures in the store as well as a cozy seating area for them to relax. Goat Milk Stuff Goat Milk Soap - BLACK RASPBERRY | Made with Farm-Fresh Goat Milk, Goat Milk Soap for Face - Leaves Skin feeling Renewed and Natural - Handmade (Box of 2) 2 Count (Pack of 1) 754 Buff City Soap filed a lawsuit Friday against a former affiliate for misappropriating trade secrets and false advertising. According to formerShelby County Historian Jimmy Ogle, the citys nickname stems from Memphis physical location. Upon due consideration of the motion, response, and applicable authority, the court is ready to rule. Buff City Soap will use the funds to support continued store openings, product category expansion, and growth in e-commerce. You can start a bath bomb business for very little money because most of the ingredients are already in your home. The lawsuit also said she was using raw materials that she purchased for a discounted rate to make soaps that were sold at the Magnolia Soap and BathCompany. Buff City Soap Company was renamed Bartlett Soap Company in early 2015, in order to better connect with customers outside of Bartlett, Tennessee. Access this case on the Mississippi Northern District Court's Electronic Court Filings (ECF) System. WebBuff City Soap delightfully scented plant-based soaps, handmade daily, in each of our local Soap Makeries. It claimed that Bynum had used trade secrets to make her bath products. Discoveryisongoingand we will continue to vigorously defend our businesspracticesasthiscase continues., Magnolia is a successful, woman-owned small business, she continued. DEFENDANTS MAGNOLIA SOAP & BATH HOLDING CO., LLC, ET AL. Magen Bynum, the founder of Magnolia Soap and Bath Company, created a soap franchise business after launching Magnolia Soap and Bath Company, according to Buff City Soap. A subscription to PACER is required. PLAINTIFFS v. MAGEN BYNUM, ET AL. Bynum would go on to operate Buff City New Albany, with locationsin Oxford, New Albany and Tupelo. As Buff grows its footprint beyond our current 145 stores, our expanding leadership team is poised to continue innovating and enhancing the brand.". Dallas, Texas, United States 251-500 Private Equity Private www.buffcitysoap.com/ 114,908 Highlights Contacts 121 Employee Profiles 9 Investors 2 Similar Companies 5 Find More Contacts for Buff City Soap Shellie Caudill CPO DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Buff City Soap, a plant-based home and personal care brand franchise, announces the addition of Make certain that the name, ingredients, and any warnings or instructions for use are included on the product label. The ruling comes in response to Magnolias motion to dismiss Buff Citys trade secrets allegation due to the same arguments being made in a separate court action known as claim splitting in the Northern DistrictofMississippi. Buffalo City Soap is a handcrafted soap that is made with natural ingredients such as Rhassoul clay, which aids in the regeneration of the skin and its cleansing. "Bynum and the Magnolia Soap Defendants used and continue to use Buff City Trade Secrets, including product formulas and recipes, that Bynum learned while operating as a Buff City location to purchase additional raw materials to use in connection with her competing Magnolia Soap business." The city filed the lawsuit against Buff City Soap in March of 2017. WebMagnolia Soap Enjoy the summery scent of hospitality. Lucas Finton is a news intern at the Commercial Appeal. Thisrulingisabig victoryforMagnolia Soap,said Bynum. 2002). Webwww.buffcitysoap.com Contact Information Headquarters 2718 Fairmount St, Dallas, Texas, 75201, United States (844) 468-7627 Buff City Soap Profile and History Founded in 2013 and franchising since 2018, Buff City Soap is a handmade soap company. ' Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). 2004) (quoting Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46 (1957)). Buff City Soap LLC and Buff City Soap Holdings LLC, Buff City New Albany, LLC, Magen Bynum, Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. of Tupelo, LLC, Magnolia Soap & Bath Holding Co., LLC, Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. of Oxford, LLC and Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. of New Albany, LLC, US District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT. General Atlantic has more than 175 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Greenwich, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Munich, Palo Alto, So Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore. Coatings Corp., 728 F.2d 759, 762 (5th Cir. An allegation of false advertising is all that remains in the Western District of Tennessee case. In the Tennessee ruling, Judge Jon McCalla dismissed Buff City Soap's trade secrets claims against Magnolia Soap and Bath its owner and founder, Magen Bynum. In the agreement, she was allowed access to raw materials, approved marketing, and business model from Buff City for a 5-percent management fee. The Buff City Soap Laundry Detergent is amazing. Founded in 2013, Buff City Soap's mission is to create plant-based products free of harsh chemicals and detergents. People enjoy the benefits of being healthier and looking better as a result of using their products. Body butter, laundry soap, bath fizzies, and shower fizzies are other products made by them. The first 50 people who visit the new Avoid. The city also claimed that the company was operating a business without a license because it did not have a business license on file with the city. The Dallas Morning News has reached out to Buff City Soap for comment. About Buff City SoapFounded in 2013 and franchising since 2018, Buff City Soap continues its rapid growth trajectory across 20 states and 100+ stores. Buff City Soap is now known as Buff City Soap, in honor of Kellum and Ziemianins hometown of Bluff City and their sense of humor. They have also done a lot of different things to help out the environment. At the wholesale market, Bynum encouraged customers to purchase from her rather than the 'Memphis'Buff City.". A Buff City Soap franchise must pay a $50,000 license fee in order to begin. In its lawsuit, Buff City Soap said Bynum had caused irreparable harm to its brand and created an unfair competition. The rewards in this section include those equal to 10% of the purchase price of future in-store purchases made between July 20, 22, and July 24, 2022. The city claimed that the company was operating a business without a license because it did not have a physical storefront. ", "Partnering with General Atlantic will help accelerate Buff City Soap's scale and unit expansion across the U.S.," said Wayne Moore, Managing Partner at Crux Capital. PLAINTIFFS v. MAGEN BYNUM, ET AL. Last year, the company was purchased by Generation Tuxedo for $25 million. ' AmSouth, 838 So.2d at 214 (quoting Nichols, 608 So.2d at 329 n.4). AllthatremainsintheWesternDistrictofTennessee caseisanallegationoffalse advertising. may be available from PACER. Buff City Soap Bath Bomb Contains fragrance and/or coloring agents. Buff City Soap claims Magen Bynum, founder of Magnolia Soap and Bath Company, created a competing soap business after running a franchise for the company. Last year, Buff City Soap which is jointly based in Memphis and Dallas filed a lawsuit against Bynum for misappropriating trade secrets and false advertising. 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