EXHIBIT 10.1 FEE AGREEMENT WITH RICHARD O. WEED
WEED & CO. L.P.
4695 MACARTHUR COURT, SUITE 1450, NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660-2164
TELEPHONE (949) 475-9086 FACSIMILE (949) 475-9087
November 12, 2001
Mr. Edward A. Roth
Chmn./Pres.
National Beauty Corp.
4818 W. Commercial Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33319
PHONE: (954) 717-8680
FAX: (954) 717-2508
Re: Special Projects
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Dear Mr. Roth:
The purpose of this letter is to set forth the terms and conditions that will
govern our professional relationship.
This agreement for professional services ("Agreement") is between National
Beauty Corp., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries, ("Client") and Richard
O. Weed of Weed & Co. L.P. ("Weed") whose address is 4695 MacArthur Court, Suite
1450, Newport Beach, California 92660.
Weed shall render the following legal services described in Exhibit A attached
hereto and Client may engage Weed on any new matters referenced in Exhibit A in
exchange for payment of fees determined in accordance with this Agreement. Weed
makes no promises or guarantees regarding the outcome of matters upon which Weed
is engaged to represent the Client.
To protect both of the parties and to comply with professional obligations, we
have already discussed with each other and resolved any potential conflicts of
interest with present or former clients. The services that Weed will provide
shall be in accordance with the following terms and conditions.
PROFESSIONAL FEES
Fees will be based upon the reasonable value of Weed's services as determined in
accordance with the American Bar Association Model Code of Professional
Responsibility and the California & Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Fees
will be based on the rates charged by Weed.
Weed's rate is $300 per hour. It is anticipated that Client and Weed will agree
on a fixed fee for special projects from time to time. The fixed fee
arrangements for special projects will be agreed to in writing. Weed's fees may
be paid in cash or as follows:
As payment for services, Client has proposed and Weed has agreed that Client
place a block of 15,000 shares of free trading stock in Weed's name with a
nationally known securities broker-dealer. At least once a month, Weed will
send Client a statement for fees and costs, with written notice to the brokerage
firm of the dollar amount of such statement. Unless objection is made to the
bill, sufficient Client stock, net of commission, shall then be liquidated
forthwith at the prevailing market rate to satisfy such statement. Weed has not
been engaged to perform, nor will Weed agree to perform any services in
connection with a capital raising transaction in exchange for shares registered
on Form S-8. The rules and regulations of the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission do not allow the use of a Form S-8 registration statement
under such circumstances. Any fees for services that are in connection with a
capital raising transaction shall be paid in cash or registered on another form
of registration statement.
In the course of Weed's representation of the Company, if all the stock is
liquidated, a new block of stock sufficient to cover projected fees and costs,
in an amount contemporaneously agreed to by the parties, will again be placed
with the brokerage firm, under the terms and conditions outlined above. At the
conclusion of Weed's representation of Client and the payment of all final fees
and costs, any unused stock shall forthwith be returned to Client.
Client has agreed to promptly register such blocks of stock pursuant to Form S-8
or other applicable registration statement at its own expense and deliver such
stock to the Weed or brokerage firm upon the filing and effectiveness of the
registration statement.
Client further understands that during the course of Weed's engagement, it may
be necessary or advisable to delegate various portions of this matter to others.
STOCK OPTION
As an incentive for Weed to represent the Client and to increase Weed's
proprietary interest in the success of the Client, thereby encouraging it to
maintain its relationship with the Client, the Client hereby grants to Weed
options to purchase shares of the Client's common stock. As an initial option,
the Client hereby grants Weed the right to purchase 34,000 shares of Client's
common stock at a price equal to $0.48 per share. All stock options will expire
unless exercised on or before December 31, 2005. The options granted will not
be subject to dilution (i.e. no adjustment to the number of shares or the
exercise price) based upon any reverse split of the Client's common stock. The
stock options shall be exercisable in whole or in part with a promissory note of
less than 45 days duration or upon common "cashless exercise" terms. Client has
agreed to promptly register the shares of common stock underlying the stock
options at its own expense.
Client shall cause any subsidiary or parent corporation to adopt and be bound by
this Agreement and all its provisions.
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Client understands that in the course of representation, it may be necessary for
Weed to incur certain costs or expenses. Client will reimburse Weed for certain
costs or expenses actually incurred and reasonably necessary for completing the
assigned matter, as long as the charges for costs and expenses are competitive
with other sources of the same products or services and approved by Client in
advance. More particularly, Client will reimburse Weed in accordance with the
following guidelines:
1. Computer-Related Expenses - Client will reimburse Weed for computerized
research and research services. However, any charges over $500 per month will
require approval. Client also encourages Weed to utilize computer services that
will enable Weed to more efficiently manage the projects.
2. Travel - Client will reimburse Weed for expenses in connection with out of
town travel. However, Client will only reimburse for economy class travel and,
where necessary, for the reasonable cost of a rental car. All related travel
expenses, i.e., lodging and meals, must be reasonable under the circumstances.
3. Filing Fees & Court Costs - Client will reimburse Weed for expenses incurred
in connection with filing fees and court costs, if any, but will not be
responsible for sanctions or penalties imposed due to the conduct of Weed.
Client shall pay and hold Weed harmless from all such costs and expenses
incurred on Client's behalf. Weed may, but shall not be obligated to, advance
funds on Client's behalf. In such event, Client agrees to reimburse Weed upon
demand for the amounts advanced. Substantial outside fees (such as state filing
fees or SEC filing services) may be referred to Client for direct payment.
BILLING
All bills will include a summary statement of the kinds of services rendered
during the relevant period. Client expects that Weed will maintain back-up
documentation for all expenses. Client expects to be billed monthly or at the
conclusion of each project and agrees to pay Weed's invoices within fifteen days
of receipt. Weed shall bill in increments of one-quarter (1/4) hour unless
otherwise agreed in writing.
DELAY IN PAYMENT
In the event that any of Weed's bills remain unpaid for more than 30 days after
receipt by Client, Weed shall have the right to discontinue rendering further
services to Client in connection with any matter then being handled for Client
by Weed.
INVOLVEMENT OF CLIENT
Client expects to be kept closely involved with the progress of Weed's services
in this matter. Weed will keep Client apprised of all material developments in
this matter, and will provide sufficient notice to enable a representative to
attend meetings, conferences, and other proceedings.
There may be times when Weed will need to obtain information from Client. All
requests for access to documents, employees, or other information shall be
granted without unreasonable delay.
TERMINATION
Client shall have the right to terminate Weed's engagement by written notice at
any time. Weed has the same right to terminate this engagement, subject to an
obligation to give Client reasonable notice to permit it to obtain alternative
representation or services and subject to applicable ethical provisions. Weed
will be expected to provide reasonable assistance in effecting a transfer of
responsibilities to the new service provider.
DISPUTES
The laws of the State of California shall govern the interpretation of this
agreement, including all rules or codes of ethics that apply to the provision of
services. All disputes between us arising out of this engagement which cannot
be settled, shall be resolved in a federal or state court located in Orange
County, California.
If the foregoing accurately reflects our agreement regarding professional
services, please sign and return a duplicate copy of this letter. Thank you in
advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
[signatures begin on the next page]
Very truly yours,
/s/Richard O. Weed
Richard O. Weed
Managing Partner/Special Projects
Approved and Agreed:
National Beauty Corp.
By: /s/ Edward Roth
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Name: Edward Roth
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Title: Pres.
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Date: 12/19/01
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EXHIBIT A
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SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED
1. Assist the Client with due diligence matters including preparation of
corporate minutes and reconciliation of the corporate minute book.
2. Assist with annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, if necessary.
3. Assistance with officers and directors reporting requirements under
Sections 13(d) and 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, including
Preparation of forms and schedules under the Exchange Act.
4. Advise and assist the Client regarding a Stock Plan for the Client and
the preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form S-8.
2. Any other matter as agreed and confirmed by Weed.