Good Karma Publishing Dissolves, Rebirth Planned
Good Karma Publishing: The End Of An Era
Allow me to change hats for a moment, from editor of this quarterly journal to my former role as GKP publisher. It was my distinct honor to run GKP from January 2004 until mid-February 2015. Working with Justin and preparing Justin’s materials to reach a wider audience was a privilege. Even before becoming the CEO, I vividly remember photographing him at a rental studio for the photo textbook. It was 180 minutes of non-stop paying attention to lessons. There were many more to come. I have been grateful for all, and Justin’s teachings echo throughout the day.
During my professional freelance career in publishing, I acquired many skills that would come in handy at GKP: author, editor, photographer, designer, publisher, app developer, marketer, public relations writer, small business owner, and more. I do not believe the earning of those skills was coincidental.
On July 16, 2018, the Good Karma shareholders and Board of Directors voted to dissolve the company, effective at the end of 2018. The vote was 4 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘no.’ Please see Vic Berg’s message on page 18.
Were other alternatives considered? Yes. Please note this important fact: On October 9, 2016, the GKP Board voted 3 ‘yes’ and 2 ‘no’ to offer Justin’s trademarks, copyrights, inventory, and a sum of GKP cash as seed money to the T’ai Chi Chih International Foundation. The Foundation Board declined the offer.
On July 16, 2018, GKP voted to offer me the same, minus the inventory. I accepted the offer and am humbled and happy to resume my role as caretaker of Justin’s writings and teaching materials. Minus the profit requirement.
The night Justin died on March 28, 2012, while I was still the CEO of GKP, he said to me, “You have my words now.” In the intervening three years, I’ve had to consider and reconsider what Justin’s words must have meant. What I have concluded is this: In Justin’s absence, we all have his words. He left us a lifetime of lessons, books, and transcribed talks to absorb and re-absorb, videotapes to watch and re-watch.
As the custodian and guardian of his words now, I have one mission, which was the same mandate I had while running GKP: to keep Justin’s words and work alive, to keep them available and easily accessible to all. To that en,d I will create a new website where all his words and work are free and accessible to a worldwide audience. I will also keep in tangible form many of his books and audio/visual materials. Please be patient as details develop.
I would like to thank everyone who supported GKP over the years: teachers who shared Justin’s materials with their classes, students who availed themselves of every resource available to them, and my wonderful, dedicated assistant, Mary Ruiz. The future of T’ai Chi Chih resides within every sincere practitioner. The path forward is clear. Sincerity and integrity light the way. Thank you.
