The story of the Creative Memories brand began over 30 years ago, in a friendly Minnesota town, where Creative Memories pioneered the memory keeping industry. Propelled by its dedication to offer the highest-quality scrapbook products and unbeatable service, Creative Memories became a global success.
Employing more than 1,100 people at its peak, in 2009 the company found itself struggling financially and began closing facilities in the U.S. and internationally.
In early 2013, the Australian Creative Memories office was forced to close its doors. The Japan office had maintained fiscally responsible policies and remained largely unaffected, with a stock pile of product to last years. Meanwhile the U.S. office was reduced to fewer than 100 employees and faced bankruptcy and closure. People started buying up their favourite products, fearing they would never have the chance to purchase high-quality albums, papers and tools again. Finally, the U.S. Creative Memories business folded in early 2014.
Fortunately, the story of the Creative Memories brand didn’t end on that sad note.
In mid 2014, Caleb Hayhoe, chairman of Flowerdale Group Ltd., stepped in to save the former brand. Hayhoe, a serial entrepreneur involved in eight companies spanning the globe and a dad of two boys and memory-keeper himself, knew it would be worthwhile to bring back the brand and products. Through his international sourcing company, he had worked with the direct sales industry for many years as a supplier and had a special place in his heart for Creative Memories and its Consultants. He knew with the right approach and responsible business management, Creative Memories could once again be successful and provide an income for its independent sales force.
That July Caleb bought the brand name, patent licences, proprietary equipment and rights to the products, then set to work with a few trusted members of the former business to build the new Creative Memories.
Over the past two and a half years, since launching the new Creative Memories in U.S., Japan, Canada and Australia, we’ve been overwhelmed by the feedback from previous customers who are delighted to have access to their beloved albums and products once more.
The cherry on top is the support for the sweeping changes the team made to the old-fashioned selling model. With the opportunity to reinvent the new Creative Memories, they put the traditional direct sales sacred cows out to pasture and developed a fresh approach to social selling. The unique Advisor earnings plan features:
- No buying or selling minimums
- Free 24/7 website
- Earnings from 10-40% based on retail (vs. after discounts)
- Immediate earnings up to 8% on team members sales (no title hurdles to jump through)
- The ability to sell in person, at events like trade shows, even online
With over 30 years of scrapbooking passion, a fresh new company, modern earnings plan, and dedication to sound business principles, we’re growing from month to month. All the while remaining grounded by our simple mission: to help people celebrate life’s special moments.
We look forward to serving whole new generations of album-makers long into the future!
Great article.
Was there ever a store in Naperville/ Aurora Illinois back in the late 80’s early 2000’s?
Congratulations! I’m one of those people who was dedicated to CM and crushed when the company left the market. Now, I am a happy customer once again, and it seems the new, improved attitude is a better fit for everyone! Thanks, Caleb, for bringing the BEST products back to us once again!
I love Creative Memories. The albums are the BEST!
I am so happy to read this story!!!Love the product and was wanting to start scrapbooking again!!!
How do I find a CM rep?
Creativememories.com
You can search for an advisor in your area or order directly from the website.
I have a ton of new stuff for sale. If your interested please let me know thanks
I agree with Barb………so happy to have CM back in my scrapbooking hobby.
Down here in Kansas we are tickled pink to have our beloved CM back in full swing!!!
Marilyn – I’m from Olathe. Are you nearby?
We are thrilled in Mauston, Wis. again
Never lost hope that Creative Memories would return with their outstanding product line. I followed CM through the ups and down and once again enjoy the availability of the superior products we all expect from CM.
I am so glad the company is back in business again.
So happy to be an advisor again!
Like Barb, I too was crushed when Creative Memories left and wondered how I would ever scrapbook again. No other products came anywhere close. I am glad to have it back and am now an Advisor. This new plan is so much simpler.
So glad CM is back.. and signed up right away as soon as you came to BC Canada. with no minimum or commitments. and one yearly payment.. was a no brainer for me.. going on 2 years for me and I’m hooked..Thank you From Prince George, B.C.
I am grateful Creative Memories is back!!!
So glad CM is back and profitable. I was one of those who stocked up on products, especially the albums. No one can match the quality and love put into the albums.
So thankful that Caleb and the CM team have extended their passion bringing us the best products in the industry. Here’s to continued growth and a healthy company! <3
So happy Caleb has brought CM back as a profitable company. As a CM consultant years ago, I could see problems with the way the company was being operated. I was dedicated to using CM products only so I stocked up! Love the albums! A very close second to the albums is the border maker tool! How did I ever create pages without it? Thank you, Caleb, and all who supply us with CM products once again.
Thank you CM!!!! I love your albums, border maker, punches and more.. Great ideas!!! I love CM!!!!
I’ve been loyal to CM since 1991. So happy that the company has been resurrected! I am a former Consultant, and will eventually become an Advisor….. after I get through more of my stock piled goods!
CM had a huge following group in my Michigan neighborhood and really sad when it went down and out. I still have supplies that I stocked up on, but am thrilled you are back. And I love the new products, border maker especially. Wishing CM a good and profitable future !
awesome!!!
Love, love, love the new business model which supports the hobbyist who wants to get their products at a discount but has the flexibility to enable a thriving business for those who decide to pursue it as a business. I love watching my team grow and make consistent sales records because they do it because they can…not because they are chasing artificial minimums. The products rock from month to month and the support from corporate is unmatched by an home based company of any type. Can’t say how glad I am to be part of this new company!!!
I am so glad, too, that CM is back. There are no better cutting systems that I’ve found! And, I am impressed with the new products coming out–from the papers to tools. Wishing you the best CM!
So glad Creative Memories is back. Great quality products…
CM has always been the best in the business! No other company can match the quality of their products. Thank you and bless you, Caleb, for resurrecting CM and guiding it back into all of our lives. Thank you, also, to my wonderful consultant/advisor for standing by the company all these years and continuing to support her “family” of friends and customers. God bless you all and here’s to a long, continued success!
You’ve been a part of my life for nearly 20 years, and I am forever grateful for that! Beyond helping me preserve memories in the best albums, you have shaped me into a better person and have allowed me to do things I never would have imagined. I have learned skills that I have used in every aspect of life. Thank you for all you do and for continuing to provide us with the best products anywhere. I still get excited when my CM packages arrive!
Was sad when Creative Memories was no long. So happy you’re back.
Hello, i´m from Germany. I´m a former Consultant too. Please dont forget our Limal Shop, where we get some of the Creative Memories Produkts. There are no more Pages an Protectors in the Shop . And we need other Papers and Album Covers.
Kindly regards Barbara Pförtner
I have been a fan of Creative Memories for over 20 years. Miss the crops. Would love to find some in Northern Virginia.
Hi Pat, thank you very much! You can find upcoming Croptoberfest events here: https://creativememories.lpages.co/find-a-croptoberfest-event-near-you-us/
And if you’d like to find an Advisor near you, you’re welcome to use our locator. :) https://www.creativememories.com/advisor
Thank you Caleb! I am one of those that bought up a lot of CM products, especially the cardstock, I love it. Even though I have plenty of albums, refills etc. I can’t help myself purchasing more. The themes, colors and everything is too good to miss. And the border makers and punches are wonderful.
I’m confused by the numbers mentioned. In the picture at the top it says 10,000 and counting, but in the article it says 1,100.
In the former CM’s heyday, it was more than 10,000, right? Not 1,100.
How many Advisors do we have today?
thanks
I have been a loyal customer/consultant/advisor since 2000 and, thanks to Caleb, hope to continue for a long, long time. Cannot live without the scraphinge albums!
I miss the glue pen. When are you going to bring it back?Roberta
It is called “Precision Point Adhesive”. A wonderful Product!
I used to sell this product and loved it.. I miss having scrap booking parties, have no idea of anyone in arizona that sells this
I do have a down-line advisor in Arizona. If you would like to email your info, I will pass the info on to her. My email: MRS.CM@TacomaCM.com
IS THIS PRODUCT STILL AVAILABE IN SOUTH AFRICA
So glad to see creative memories are alive and well. Lost contact of all interested people who love scrapbooking. I’m in Cape Town Soufh Africa. Looking for stockists of creative memories. I need to get hold of a catalogue.
I live in Colorado. I am also very glad that creative memories is back. I have a lot of memories supplies. The one thing that I really need at this point are page protectors the different sizes including the large do you know where I can find some? Thank you Leslie Birney
I purchased the Creative Memories 2 Software Program and created tons of pages with the software. I just recently tried to get into the files I have saved (with the file extension “page”, but have been unable to get into the files. I tried reinstalling the software, have my serial number and an email I had received from Creative Memories stating to save the page, which contains two other serial type numbers, but I cannot get the program to open. I would love to access the pages that I created as it has a history of my family. Can you direct me to how I can open the program and the files? I can be reached at vmcconathy@aol.com. Thank you, Vickie
Praise God!! Creative Memories disappeared right when I finally had the time to start my scrapbooks! I have tons of the “stuff” that I bought as I could, intending to start actually doing more than a page at a party… Then, as my kids were graduating high-school, I can’t find them! How I’ve waited for this moment! The stuff locally available just isn’t the quality. I am giddy with excitement!