Roxy Jacenko has released a new statement after her former business partners said they regretted going into business with the PR guru.
The Singapore-based Australian publicist, 44, made headlines last month when she promised to personally refund all 7,000 people who had signed up to her online business course Roxy’s Brand Bootcamp.
The promotion, which Jacenko had launched with business partners Youssef Tleis and Kassim Alaouie, included a number of prizes, including a luxury Cronulla home.
Entrants paid between $29 and $499 for a chance to win the extravagant prizes, but faced uncertainty after Jacenko called in liquidators to the trio’s ailing company, Roxy’s Bootcamp Pty Ltd.
In a joint statement released on social media earlier this week, Tleis and Alaouie expressed their regret and apologised to those affected.
‘Our primary concern has always been you, the public, and especially those who have participated and purchased an entry into this promotion,’ they stated.
‘We filed a cross-application seeking orders … so that we could run the promotion and award those prizes,’ they continued.
‘We sincerely apologise to you all. We fought as hard as we could and were even willing to give personal undertakings to support our fight,’ the pair added.
‘We want to express our deepest regret for entering into this partnership with Ms Jacenko. It has been an incredibly challenging and eye-opening experience. We sincerely apologise,’ the pair added.
‘We thank you for your understanding and continued support,’ they concluded.
‘We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience or distress. We will do our best to keep you informed.’
Meanwhile, in a statement released on Saturday morning, Jacenko revealed she will be personally refunding those with tickets.
‘In life, we can all make mistakes. We are only human. This “partnership” was a mistake and is a life lesson. I want to make it clear that I never did anything other than act in the interest of the consumers who purchased the course to try and deliver,’ she wrote in an Instagram statement.
Click here to resize this module
‘It became apparent that this wasn’t going to end well and so l had to seek a court injunction in the Supreme Court of NSW which was granted on June 5, 2024.’
Prior to this legal action, Roxy revealed she took proactive steps to settle outstanding bills and ensure the $250k prize fund’s integrity for the eventual winner.
Highlighting a lack of control over the company’s financial accounts, including the $253k held within, Jacenko expressed frustration at the prolonged legal process, now extended until July 5, 2024.
Taking personal responsibility for the situation, Jacenko reaffirmed her commitment to issuing refunds
‘As such, I am taking matters into my own hands. l am offering the refund personally as per what I stated, on my personal Instagram some 3 weeks ago. Life lesson – don’t go into business with strangers,’ she concluded.