The founder of Close To My Heart recently announced that as of June 30, 2024, the company would be ceasing operations. In an email sent to the CTMH community earlier today, Jeanette R. Lynton shared that talks are underway with Stampin' Up! and hopefully, they will be collaborating with them on a solution for the Makers to continue their businesses.
My heart goes out to the CTMH community, especially the Makers. It wasn't long ago that I went through a similar situation when old CM closed up shop in the U.S. It was heartbreaking at the time. In hindsight, it was the best thing for my business. I hope & pray that the same holds true for the CTMH community. Sending virtual, crafty hugs.
Below is the text of the email sent today:
Dear Close To My Heart Community,
As the founder and owner of Close To My Heart, I have devoted my life’s work to building and supporting this community, helping millions of people to preserve memories and celebrate relationships in meaningful ways. This company has grown and developed into a beautiful, vibrant community devoted to touching hearts with these vital creative arts, offering incredible products, rewarding business opportunities, and deep connections with fellow crafters.
As much as I love what Close To My Heart stands for, after a great deal of deliberation, prayer, and counsel, I have come to the heartbreaking conclusion that the time has come to discontinue the business. Close To My Heart will cease operations effective June 30, 2024.
The reasons that have brought me to this decision are too many to enumerate fully here. My health is a major factor, as the stresses and demands of the business continue to take their toll on me. At the same time, while we have achieved modest profitability in recent years, we have not seen the kinds of growth that were needed in order to achieve long-term stability, and there have been several instances where I have subsidized the business personally due to losses. The way the company and the economy are trending, I foresee considerable challenges ahead that we simply are not equipped to overcome.
Ultimately, I am choosing to end Close To My Heart on my own terms rather than being forced to close at some future date in less favorable circumstances. As upsetting as it is for me and for our thousands of Makers, by taking this course of action now, we can provide our community and our employees with as much notice and as many opportunities as possible.
Because I cherish the community we have built together, I have been working with my team to find a new home for our Makers, where they can continue to benefit from the years of work they have poured into their individual Close To My Heart business. We are in the midst of conversations with Stampin’ Up!, collaborating on a solution that we hope will help our Makers make the most of their investments of time and resources and that will maintain at least a part of the legacy we always hoped to build.
My team will be sharing more details regarding this transition in the coming weeks and months, including an FAQ and additional email messages to help answer questions about every aspect of this process. I hope you will have patience and show grace to the remaining Home Office team members as they work to meet your needs during this challenging transition.
In the meantime, Makers will continue to earn commissions through April 30, with the final commission payment being sent mid-May. There will be new products and continuing specials that Makers can use to maintain their business during this period. After April 30, we will continue winding down the business with complete liquidation of any remaining inventory.
I express my appreciation to you for joining me on this journey and respecting my decision at this time. It has been an honor to be able to serve this amazing community for the past 40 years. I have given my all to the success of this company, and I will forever cherish the love I have felt from you and for you. My heart goes with each one of you as your personal journey takes you beyond the time that we have been blessed to share with one another through this marvelous company. You will always remain Close To My Heart.
Sincerely, Jeanette R. Lynton Founder & CEO