STATEMENT OF FACTS & GROUNDS FOR…
STATEMENT OF FACTS & GROUNDS FOR COMPLAINT
1. Historical, Legal & Transactions
The promotional article published by Sharpen Marketing via Rock Hill Connection details the ownership transfer of Breadsmith of Fort Mill. However, the publication constructs a misleading, one-sided narrative that characterizes my previous ownership as a "total disaster" and claims the business "had gone downhill completely."
By printing unverified narrative claims without fact-checking the legal and financial structure of the deal, Sharpen Marketing published a fundamentally deceptive and incomplete account of the transaction.
2. Omission of Severe Disability Context (Usher Syndrome)
During my time operating the business, I was living with Usher syndrome—an incurable, progressive genetic condition characterized by dual sensory impairment (deafness and blindness).
Operating a commercial bakery under progressive dual-sensory loss presents profound physical challenges. Disparaging my management and framing my exit as operational incompetence—without providing basic editorial context or disclosing my severe disability—is ethically egregious, misleading to the public, and portrays a disabled former business owner in a defamatory and false light.
3. Promotional Dissemination Across Social Platforms (Facebook)
Sharpen Marketing did not merely publish this text on their site; they actively circulated and promoted these disparaging quotes across public social channels, including their Facebook page and local community groups. This broad public dissemination amplifies the reputational harm and misleads local residents regarding the true history of the business.
4. Documented Attempts to Seek Editorial Revision & Complete Failure to Respond
I have made multiple good-faith attempts to reach out directly to Rock Hill Connection and Sharpen Marketing via their primary messaging channels to request an editorial note or clarification. As shown in documented communications:
- August 24: Inquired about how to reach the administrative/editorial team.
- September 9–10: Provided a detailed, explicit message outlining my diagnosis of Usher syndrome, the permanent nature of the condition, the seller-financed transaction, and requested a simple administrative or editorial note to be appended to the article.
- Subsequent Follow-ups: Received only automated placeholder replies ("We've received your message...") with zero substantive action, editorial review, or outreach from an administrator.
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