U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

 

  [   ]   TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number:  0-54892

STARCO BRANDS, INC

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada

 


27-1781753

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

250 26th Street, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA

 

90402

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (818) 260-9370


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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  [X]        No  [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  [X] No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  

Accelerated filer  

Non-accelerated filer  

Smaller reporting company  [X]

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No [X]

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

 Common stock

 

STCB

 

 OTC Markets Group OTCQB tier

 

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date:  As of November 14, 2019, the issuer had 159,090,914 shares of its common stock issued and outstanding.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements

3

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

13

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

19

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

19

PART II

 

20

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

20

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

20

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

20

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

20

Item 4.

Mining Safety Disclosures

20

Item 5.

Other Information

20

Item 6.

Exhibits

21

 

Signatures

22


-1-


 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STARCO BRANDS, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (unaudited)

3

Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

4

Condensed Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

5-6

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited)

7

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)

8


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STARCO BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

  

September 30, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

ASSETS

      

Current Assets:

      

    Cash

 

$

5,397

 

$

721

Accounts receivable, related party

  

15,949

  

17,504

    Prepaid and other assets

  

55,774

  

25,974

        Total Current Assets

  

77,120

  

44,199

       

    Right of use lease asset, operating, net

  

94,788

  

-

    Deposit

  

3,500

  

3,500

        Total Assets

 

$

175,408

 

$

47,699

 

      

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

      

Current Liabilities:

      

    Accounts payable

 

$

181,064

 

$

171,954

    Other payables and accruals

  

284,883

  

280,914

    Accrued compensation

  

56,950

  

45,850

    Lease obligation

  

39,668

  

-

    Loans payable – related party

  

416,901

  

373,346

    Notes payable

  

48,963

  

26,731

       Total Current Liabilities

  

1,028,429

  

898,795

    Lease obligation – noncurrent portion

  

56,141

  

-

       Total Liabilities

  

1,084,570

  

898,795

 

  

 

   

Commitments and contingencies

  

-

  
-

 

  

 

   

Stockholders' Deficit:

      

Common Stock, par value $0.001 300,000,000 shares authorized, 159,090,914 and 159,090,914 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

  

159,091

  

159,091

Additional paid in capital

  

15,565,255

  

15,530,155

Accumulated deficit

  

(16,633,508)

  

(16,540,342)

Total Stockholders' Deficit

  

(909,162)

  

(851,096)

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit

 

$

175,408

 

$

47,699

 

  

 

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.


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STARCO BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

Revenues, net, related party

 

$

50,034

 

 $

36,582

 

$

228,783

 

$

77,061

 

 

   

 

       

Operating Expenses:

 

   

 

       

    Compensation expense

 

 

45,657

 

 

57,035

  

138,607

  

173,533

    Officer stock compensation

  

-

  

-

  

-

  

31,666

    Professional fees

  

6,911

  

6,161

  

37,354

  

95,290

      General and administrative

 

 

56,130

 

 

64,697

  

157,284

  

212,670

      Total operating expenses

 

 

108,698

 

 

127,893

  

333,245

  

513,159

 

 

   

 

       

Loss from operations

 

 

(58,664)

 

 

(91,311)

  

(104,462)

  

(436,098)

 

 

   

 

       

Other Income (Expense):

 

   

 

       

    Interest expense

  

(8,054)

  

(7,862)

  

(23,888)

  

(23,770)

  Interest income

  

-

  

4

  

-

  

47

  Other income

  

5,250

  

5,250

  

15,750

  

11,250

Gain on extinguishment of debt

  

-

  

-

  

19,434

  

-

 Total other income (expense)

 

 

(2,804)

 

 

(2,608)

  

11,296

  

(12,473)

 

 

   

 

       

Loss before provision for income taxes

  

(61,468)

  

(93,919)

  

(93,166)

  

(448,571)

Provision for income taxes

  

-

  

-

  

-

  

-

             

    Net Loss

 

$

(61,468)

 

$

(93,919)

 

$

(93,166)

 

$

(448,571)

 

 

   

 

       

Loss per share, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.00)

 

$

(0.00)

 

$

(0.00)

 

$

(0.00)

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

 

 

159,090,914

  

159,090,914

  

159,090,914

  

124,891,494

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.


-4-


STARCO BRANDS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(Unaudited)

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

    

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Additional

Paid in

Capital

 

Common Stock

to be Issued

 

Accumulated Deficit

 


Total

Balance, December 31, 2017

2,417,569

 

$

2,418

 

$

14,965,081

 

$

600,000

 

$

(16,098,391)

 

$

(530,892)

Shares issued for service

30,300,000

  

30,300

  

(22,119)

  

-

  

-

  

8,181

Shares issued to officer and directors for services

117,282,442

  

117,282

  

 (85,616)

  

-

  

-

  

31,666

Contributed services

-

  

-

  

23,400

  

-

  

-

  

23,400

Net Loss

-

  

-

  

-

  

-

  

(248,028)

  

(248,028)

Balance, March 31, 2018

150,000,011

  

150,000

  

14,880,746

  

600,000

  

(16,346,419)

  

(715,673)

Contributed services

-

  

-

  

23,400

  

-

  

-

  

23,400

Shares issued for stock payable

9,090,903

  

9,091

  

590,909

  

(600,000)

  

-

  

-

Net Loss

-

  

-

  

-

  

-

  

(106,624)

  

(106,624)

Balance, June 30, 2018

159,090,914

  

159,091

  

15,495,055

  

-

  

(16,453,043)

  

(798,897)

Contributed services

-

  

-

  

23,400

  

-

  

-

  

23,400

Net Loss

-

  

-

  

-

  

-

  

(93,919)

  

(93,919)

Balance, September 30, 2018

159,090,914

 

$

159,091

 

$

15,518,455

 

$

-

 

$

(16,546,962)

 

$

(869,416)


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Common Stock

 

 

    

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Additional

Paid in

Capital

 

Accumulated

Deficit

 


Total

Balance, December 31, 2018

159,090,914

 

$

159,091

 

$

15,530,155

 

$

(16,540,342)

 

$

(851,096)

Contributed services

-

  

-

  

11,700

  

-

  

11,700

Net loss

-

  

-

  

-

  

(45,291)

  

(45,291)

Balance, March 31, 2019

159,090,914

  

159,091

  

15,541,855

  

(16,585,633)

  

(884,687)

Contributed services

-

  

-

  

11,700

  

-

  

11,700

Net income

-

  

-

  

-

  

13,593

  

13,593

Balance, June 30, 2019

159,090,914

 

$

159,091

  

15,553,555

  

(16,572,040)

  

(859,394)

Contributed services

-

  

-

  

11,700

  

-

  

11,700

Net loss

-

  

-

  

-

  

(61,468)

  

(61,468)

Balance, September 30, 2019

159,090,914

 

$

159,091

 

$

15,565,255

 

$

(16,633,508)

 

$

(909,162)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.


-6-


STARCO BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

2019

 

2018

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net loss

 

$

(93,166)

 

$

(448,571)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

      

Stock based compensation

  

-

  

8,181

    Stock based compensation – related party

  

-

  

31,666

    Contributed services

  

35,100

  

70,200

    Gain on extinguishment of debt

  

19,434

  

-

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

      

   Accounts receivable, related party

  

1,555

  

(18,222)

    Prepaids & other assets

  

(29,801)

  

5,663

    Accounts payable

  

(10,323)

  

30,956

    Accrued expenses

  

16,090

  

13,589

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

  

(61,111)

  

(306,538)

       

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  

-

  

-

       

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Advances from a related party

  

90,473

  

4,000

    Repayment of advances from a related party

  

(46,918)

  

(2,000)

    Proceeds from notes payable

  

55,000

  

36,400

    Payments on notes payable

  

(32,768)

  

(36,372)

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

  

65,787

  

2,028

       

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

  

4,676

  

(304,510)

Cash at Beginning of Period

  

721

  

314,181

Cash at End of Period

 

$

5,397

 

$

9,671

       

Cash paid during the period for:

      

   Interest

 

$

-

 

$

-

   Income taxes

 

$

-

 

$

-

       

Supplemental non-cash disclosure:

      

    Establish operating lease asset and related liability

 

$

122,825

 

$

-

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.


-7-


STARCO BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Starco Brands, Inc. (the "Company") then operating under a different name, was incorporated in the State of Nevada on January 26, 2010, to engage in Direct Response marketing of consumer products with the goal of producing sales through television and/or retail. On September 7, 2017 the Company filed an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to change the corporate name to Starco Brands, Inc.  The Board determined the change of the Company’s name was in the best interests of the Company due to changes in our current and anticipated business operations.  In July 2017 the Company entered into a licensing agreement with The Starco Group, located in Los Angeles, California.  The Companies pivoted to commercializing novel consumer products manufactured by The Starco Group.  The Starco Group is a private label and branded  aerosol and liquid fill manufacturer which manufactures DIY/Hardware, paints, coatings and adhesives, household, hair care, disinfectants, automotive, motorcycle, arts & crafts, personal care cosmetics, personal care, FDA, sun care, food, cooking oils, beverage, spirits and wine.

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of presentation

The Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring items, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the periods shown and are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2019. These unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial information to conform to the presentation used in the financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.


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Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. This new guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company adopted this standard in the current period. The adoption of this standard did not result in a material change to the earnings.

 

The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect.  These pronouncements did not have any material impact on the financial statements unless otherwise disclosed, and the Company does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. The Company is also evaluating the potential impact of new standards that have been issued but are not yet effective.

 

NOTE 3 – GOING CONCERN

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has an accumulated deficit of $16,633,508, due in part from the Company granting stock for services during its reorganization in 2017 and 2018, at September 30, 2019, had a net loss of $93,166 and net cash used by operating activities of $61,111 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital through the future issuances of common stock and/or debt financing is unknown. The obtainment of additional financing, the successful development of the Company’s contemplated plan of operations, and its transition, ultimately, to the attainment of profitable operations are necessary for the Company to continue operations. These conditions and the ability to successfully resolve these factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements of the Company do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these aforementioned uncertainties.

 

NOTE 4 – ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

 

A portion of the Company’s accounts payable is the result of chargebacks for product that was not sold by a former customer. The Company also has other payables that are several years old for which management is in discussion with the vendors to settle those liabilities for a lesser amount.

 

September 30, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

Chargeback

$

3,075

 

$

3,075

Aged payables

 

45,023

  

45,023

Other vendor payables

 

132,966

  

123,856

 

$

181,064

 

$

171,954


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NOTE 5 – NOTES PAYABLE

 

The Company had two financing loans for its Director and Officer Insurance (“D&O”), both of which expired in the third quarter of 2018 and were replaced with a new single loan.  The D&O was renewed, and a new financing agreement obtained in September 2019. As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018 the loan(s) had a balance of $45,663 and $26,731, respectively. The new loan bears interest at 6.97% and is due within one year.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2018 a third party loaned the Company $3,300 to pay for general operating expenses. The loan is unsecured, non-interest bearing and due on demand.

 

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company currently occupies office space in Burbank, California. The Company signed a three-year lease starting January 1, 2016. The lease has been extended for an additional three-year term. Current monthly lease payments are $3,742 with yearly increases.  The lease required a deposit of $3,500 which was paid on December 10, 2015. The lease is being accounted for under ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The company recorded an initial Right of Use of Asset and Lease Obligation of $122,825.   As of September 30, 2019, the Company has accrued rent due of $21,653 and a Lease Obligation of $95,809.

 

Investment Agreement

 

On July 9, 2014, the Board of Directors approved an investment arrangement with an individual. Per the terms of the agreement, the investor transferred $150,000 to the Company for which he was entitled to the following: $1 per unit sold of a fitness product through all retail outlets including online and retail shopping shows until the investment was paid back in full. Once the original investment was recouped the investor shall then receive a 2% royalty in perpetuity on all future retail sales of the fitness product. The investment remains with the Company and is disclosed as an accrued liability on the balance sheet. Since the product for which the investment was intended was never produced this agreement is being renegotiated.


-10-

NOTE 7 – COMMON STOCK

 

On April 29, 2019, the Board, cancelled 312,500 shares of common stock previously issued for services. The shares were cancelled for non-performance as permitted per the terms of the original service agreement. As of September 30, 2019, the shares have not yet been cancelled by the transfer agent and remain outstanding.

 

NOTE 8 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, Sanford Lang, the Company’s Chairman and former CEO, advanced the Company $289,821 to pay for general operating expenses, his and Martin Goldrods personal compensation. The advances are uncollateralized, require a monthly interest payment of $2,545 and due on demand.

 

On February 26, 2018, the Board approved the issuance of 117,282,442 shares of common stock to its officers and directors for services rendered at a price per share of $0.00027 for total non-cash expense of $31,666.

 

As of September 30, 2019, the Company owed The Starco Group, Inc, (“TSG”) $72,843 for expenses paid by The Starco Group on behalf of the Company for expenses to launch licensed brands. Once royalties exceed $250,000 in the aggregate, TSG will deduct the incurred expenses from the subsequent royalty payments until TSG is paid in full. In addition, the Company owes TSG an additional $22,500 for expenses paid on behalf of the Company or funds advanced to the Company to pay for other operating expenses.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized royalty income of $50,034 and $228,783, respectively and had a $15,949 receivable from The Starco Group.  


-11-

 

NOTE 9 – STOCK WARRANTS

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s outstanding stock warrants and changes during the periods is presented below:

 

Shares available to purchase with warrants

 

 

Weighted

Average

Price

 

 

Weighted

Average

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2017

 

2,000,000

 

 

$

1.05

 

 

$

0.003

Issued

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Exercised

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Cancelled

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Expired

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Outstanding, December 31, 2018

 

2,000,000

 

 

$

1.05

 

 

$

0.003

Issued

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Exercised

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Cancelled

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Expired

 

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

Outstanding, September 30, 2019

 

2,000,000

  

$

1.05

  

$

0.003

           

Exercisable, September 30, 2019

 

2,000,000

  

$

1.05

  

$

0.003


NOTE 10 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management has evaluated subsequent events pursuant to the requirements of ASC Topic 855, from the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that no material subsequent events exist.


-12-


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1, above. We also urge you to review and consider our disclosures describing various risks that may affect our business, which are set forth under the heading "Risk Factors," below.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Certain matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

        ·our future strategic plans

        ·our future operating results;

        ·our business prospects;

        ·our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

        ·the dependence of our future success on the general economy;

        ·our possibility of not successfully raising future financings; and

        ·the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital.

 

These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as we “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are described in close proximity to such statements and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of the date of this Form 10-Q, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 

Executive Overview

 

In July 2017, our Board of Directors entered into a licensing agreement with The Starco Group, located in Los Angeles, California, to pursue a new strategic marketing plan involving commercializing leading edge products with the intent to sell them through brick and mortar retailers as well as through online retailers.  Management believes the Company will realize modest earnings from royalties in the short term with a stronger positive outlook over the next 24 months as the Company begins to implement stronger pull through marketing efforts.  


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Starco Brands, Inc. is a company whose mission is to create behavior-changing products and brands. Our core competency is inventing brands, marketing, building trends, pushing awareness and social marketing. The licensing agreement with The Starco Group provided Starco Brands with exclusive royalty-free rights to a body of products in the following categories: food, household cleaning, air care, spirits and personal care. The Starco Group is predominantly an aerosol and liquid fill private label and branded manufacturer with manufacturing assets in the following verticals: DIY/Hardware, paints, coatings and adhesives, household, air care, disinfectants, automotive, motorcycle, arts & crafts, personal care cosmetics, personal care FDA, sun care, food, cooking oils, beverage, spirits and wine.

 

The current CEO of The Starco Group, Ross Sklar, was named the CEO of Starco Brands in August of 2017.  Mr. Sklar has a long track record of commercializing technology in industrial and consumer markets. Mr. Sklar has built teams of manufacturing personnel, R&D and sales and marketing professionals over the last 20 years and has grown The Starco Group into a successful and diversified manufacturer supplying a wide range of products to some of the largest retailers in the United States.

 

The Company has conducted extensive research and has identified specific channels to penetrate with its new portfolio of novel technologies. The Company intends to raise capital to assist in launching and marketing these products. The Company has begun to execute this vision and has launched the first product line called ‘Breathe ™’, through our manufacturing partner, The Starco Group. The Company has applied for a registered trademark for Breathe with the United States Patent and Trade Office. Breathe is an environmentally-friendly line of household cleaning aerosol products. It is the world’s first aerosol household cleaning line to be approved by the EPA’s Safer Choice program. This product line is biodegradable and is propelled by nitrogen, which makes up approximately 80% of the earth’s breathable air. Breathe was named Partner of the Year by the EPA’s Safer Choice Program for 2018, a tremendous honor.

 

The Breathe line is currently on shelves in all Wegmans stores, almost 1,000 Walmart stores, almost 300 stores serviced through UNFI and in all Home Depots through a distributor called Central Garden Excel (“Central”), one of the largest distributors to the DIY/Hardware retail channel.  Central will be handling all of the Company’s distribution to Home Depot and are currently presenting to others that are considered to be competitive players to Home Depot. The Company has also begun to implement its online sales strategy and Breathe is now available on Amazon. Breathe is currently being presented to a few other national retailers in the United States.  

 

The Company also launched, Honu Sunscreen in 1,700 Walmart stores in 2018. Honu is a reef friendly and family safe SPF 50 with 80 minutes of water resistance that comes with a patented spray wand to spray all your hard to reach spots.  The Spray Wand is patented and owned by a third party. Honu is a sun screen spray that management anticipates will lead the Company to offering other personal care items under this brand. Honu won Product of Year for skin care, which is the largest consumer voted award for product innovation. Product of the Year is voted on by 40,000 consumers.  www.productoftheyearusa.com. The Company is currently trying to raise capital to further extend and market the Honu line.

 

The Company also became the marketer of record for Betterbilts Kleen Out branded drain opener and for the Winona Popcorn Spray.  The Company must provide marketing services to these brands to keep the agreement intact.  Both products are available in all Walmart stores. The Company is being paid a royalty for its role as long as their marketing services are seen as acceptable by the owner, The Starco Group.  Through the Company’s relationship with its marketing partner Deutsch Marketing, the Company launched a new label in June 2019 for Winona Popcorn Spray throughout all Walmart stores. The Company also launched the Winona Popcorn Spray on Amazon through our strategic partner Patter (formally iServe), who is a shareholder in Starco brands, Inc. The Company expects sales to grow in this space.

 

In addition, as long as the Company can continue to raise capital the Company plans to launch other products in hair care, food, personal care, spirits and beverages over the next 60 months. Although the initial market reception to our new lines has been encouraging, the Company may encounter a number of hurdles that could prevent this and future product launches from achieving sustained commercial success.  Financing growth and launching of new products is key; as if the Company’s ability to raise further capital is critical. 

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We will need to rely on sales of our common stock in order to raise additional capital. The purchasers and manner of issuance will be determined according to our financial needs and the available exemptions to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.  The Company is planning to utilize, as best as possible with limited financing, its partnership with Deutsch Marketing in order to help support the Company’s plan to try and partner with a global media Company to assist with marketing products on a larger level across a variety of media platforms in order to support its current retail and online distribution.  The Company sees this partnership as solidifying before the end of 2019 as long as their capital needs are satisfied.  The Company is also planning on launching new products over the next year that are viewed as disruptive in their market and leading edge, again as long as their financing plans come to fruition.  The Company has now engaged with but has not contracted with, a top investment bank due to the Company’s future partnerships and outlook.

 

The Company’s ultimate goal is to become a leading brand owner and third-party marketer of cutting edge technologies in the consumer marketplace whose success is expected to increase shareholder value. The Company will continue to evaluate this and other opportunities to further set its strategy for 2019 and beyond. 

 

Results of Operation for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

 

Revenues

For the three months ended September 30, 2019 the Company recorded royalty revenues of $50,034 compared to $36,582 for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $13,452 or 37%. The royalty rate that Starco Brands is paid varies on a per product basis and reflects approximately $31,500 of gross wholesale sales of Breathe, owned by Starco Brands, Inc. and manufactured and sold wholesale by our manufacturing partner, The Starco Group.  The royalties also reflect royalties from The Starco Group owned Betterbilt Kleen Out Drain Opener on wholesales of approximately $234,000 and from The Starco Group owned Winona Popcorn Spray on wholesales of approximately $225,500. The royalty income derived by Starco Brands is from wholesale sales by our manufacturing partner The Starco Group. Royalties are derived from sales of Breathe cleaning products, Walmart’s Parents Choice cleaning aerosol (a Breathe private label co-brand) Winona Popcorn Spray and Kleen Out drain opener.  The increase in the current year’s revenue (royalty income) is due to an increase in distribution and an increase in sales turnover on shelf and online.

 

Operating Expenses

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, compensation expense decreased $11,378, or 20% to $45,657 compared to $57,035 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease is due to lower officer compensation expense in the current period. 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred $6,911 in professional fees compared to $6,161 in the prior year, an increase of $750, or 12%. Professional fees are mainly for accounting, auditing and legal services associated with our quarterly filings as a public company and advisory and valuation services. The increase is primarily due to an increase in advisory fees.


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For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred $56,130 in general and administrative expense as compared to $64,697 for the three months ended September 30,2018, a decrease of $8,567, or 13%.  The decrease can be attributed to decreased spending on public and investor relations as well as a decrease in administrative expenses.

 

Other income and expense

For the three months ended September 30, 2019 we had total other expense of $2,804 compared to $2,608 for the three months ended September 30, 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, we had other income of $5,250 and interest expense of $8,054. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded interest income of $4 and other income from sub leasing its office space of $5,250. This was offset by interest expense of $7,862.

 

Net loss

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded net loss of $61,468 as compared to a net loss of $93,919 in the prior year. The decrease in net loss is the result of the combination of increased revenue and decreased operating expenses.

 

Results of Operation for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

 

Revenues

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 the Company recorded royalty revenue of $228,783 compared to $77,061 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $151,722 or 197%. The royalty rate that Starco Brands is paid varies on a per product basis and reflects approximately $1,802,000 of wholesale sales of our branded and non-corporate owned licensed products, which are sold by our manufacturing partner, The Starco Group, Inc.  Revenues are from our marketing licensing agreements with The Starco Group, Inc, for various products mentioned above. The increase in the current year is due to an increase of distribution points, as well as an increase in sales turnover on shelves and online.

 

Operating Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compensation expense decreased $34,926, or 20% to $138,607 compared to $173,533 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.. The decrease is due to lower officer compensation expense in the current period. In addition, there was $31,666 of non-cash stock compensation expense in the prior year for shares issued for services.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred $37,354 in professional fees compared to $95,290 in the prior year, a decrease of $57,936, or 61%. Professional fees are mainly accounting, auditing and legal services associated with our quarterly filings as a public company and advisory and valuation services. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in legal fees.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company incurred $157,284 in general and administrative expense as compared to $212,670 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $55,386, or 26%. The decrease can be attributed to decreased spending on marking and public relations as well as an attempt to decrease other smaller administrative expenses to conserve available cash.

 

Other income and expense

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 we had total other income of $11,296 compared to other loss of $12,473 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 we recorded a gain on the extinguishment of debt for $19,434 for a credit memo received from a vendor,  other income of $15,750 and interest expense of $23,888. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded interest income of $47 and other income from sub leasing its office space of $11,250. This was offset by interest expense of $23,770.


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Net loss

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a net loss of $93,166 as compared to a net loss of $448,571 in the prior year, a decrease of $355,405. The decrease in net loss is the result of the combination of increased revenue and decreased operating expenses.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As reflected in the accompanying financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $16,633,508 at September 30, 2019, mostly due to the issuance of stock for services to strategic service providers to the Company, and had a net loss of $93,166 and net cash used by operating activities of $61,111 for nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

We currently require cash of about $30,000 a month for operating expenses. The Company is close to break-even, but not there yet.  Operating expenses include items such as Board Member compensation, administrative costs, insurance, legal and other professional fees, compliance and website maintenance. No cash compensation has ever been paid to the CEO.

 

We have an outstanding loan of approximately $300,000 from initial invested capital that requires monthly interest payments of $2,545.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Note 2 to the Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the Financial Statements. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, contingencies and taxes.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The following critical accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of the Financial Statements.

 

We are subject to various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business.  We consider the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss in determining loss contingencies.  An estimated loss contingency is accrued when management concludes that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether such accruals should be adjusted.


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We recognize deferred tax assets (future tax benefits) and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.  The deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the expected future tax return consequences of those differences, which are expected to be either deductible or taxable when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled.  Future tax benefits have been fully offset by a 100% valuation allowance as management is unable to determine that it is more likely than not that this deferred tax asset will be realized.

 

Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration that an entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The amount of revenue that is recorded reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods. The Company applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation.

 

The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. Once a contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606 at contract inception, the Company reviews the contract to determine which performance obligations the Company must deliver and which of these performance obligations are distinct. The Company recognizes as revenues the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when the performance obligation is satisfied or as it is satisfied. Generally, the Company's performance obligations are transferred to customers at a point in time, typically upon delivery.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

 

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources and would be considered material to investors.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect. These pronouncements did not have any material impact on the financial statements unless otherwise disclosed, and the Company does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are designed to be effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, they concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019.

The following aspects of the Company were noted as potential material weaknesses:

 

· lack of an audit committee

· lack of corporate documentation

 

In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute assurance of achieving the desired objectives. Also, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.

Changes in Internal Controls

 

Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that no change occurred in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2019, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.


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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There are not presently any material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or as to which any of our property is subject, and no such proceedings are known to the Company to be threatened or contemplated against it.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, as such, are not required to provide the information under this Item.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

ITEM 4. MINING SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Part I Exhibits

No.

Description

31.1

Chief Executive Officer Section 302 Certification

31.2

Chief Financial Officer Section 302 Certification

32.1

Section 1350 Certification

 

Part II Exhibits

No.

Description

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document


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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

STARCO BRANDS, INC.

 

 

 Dated: November 14, 2019

By:  /s/ Ross Sklar

Ross Sklar

Chief Executive Officer

 

By: /s/Rachel Boulds

Rachel Boulds

Chief Financial Officer





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Exhibit 31.1

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Ross Sklar, hereby certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Starco Brands, Inc.;

(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4) The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Dated:  November 14, 2019

/s/Ross Sklar

Ross Sklar

Chief Executive Officer


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Exhibit 31.2

 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, Rachel Boulds, hereby certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Starco Brands, Inc.;

(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4) The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Dated: November 14, 2019

/s/Rachel Boulds

Rachel Boulds

Chief Financial Officer




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Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officers of Starco Brands, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), do hereby certify, to the best of their knowledge, that:

 

1.     The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2109 (the "Report") of the Company complies in all material respects with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2.     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.  

 

 

Dated:  November 14, 2019

/s/Ross Sklar

Ross Sklar

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Dated: November 14, 2019

/s/Rachel Boulds

Rachel Boulds

Chief Financial Officer

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