dnax_10q.htm


U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

Quarterly Report Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For Quarter Ended:  September 30, 2012
 
DNA BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
 
Colorado
 
000-53086
 
26-0394476
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer ID No.)

544 NW 77th Street Boca Raton, Florida, 33487
(Address of principal executive offices)

(954) 970-3826
(Issuer's Telephone Number)
 
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 þ    No o.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).   Yes þ   No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
     

The number of shares of the registrant’s only class of common stock issued and outstanding as of November 15, 2012 was 57,896,866 shares.

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


 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
     
Page No.
 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
         
Item 1.
Financial Statements
       
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2011
   
3
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
   
4
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
   
5
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
   
6
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
19
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
   
25
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
   
25
 
           
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
           
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
26
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
26
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
   
26
 
Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)
   
26
 
Item 5.
Other Information
   
26
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
   
27
 
Signatures
   
28
 
 
 
2

 
 
DNA BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
 2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
   
$
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
32,184
     
86,410
 
Inventory
   
90,470
     
179,363
 
Loans receivable from related party
   
     
18,247
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
290,645
     
31,647
 
Total current assets
   
413,299
     
315,667
 
Property and equipment, net
   
22,580
     
31,624
 
Other assets
   
27,272
     
25,199
 
Total assets
 
$
463,151
   
$
372,490
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities
               
Bank overdrafts
 
$
853
   
$
19,157
 
Accounts payable
   
568,269
     
702,301
 
Accrued liabilities
   
1,595,561
     
1,355,576
 
Loans payable, other
   
     
3,178
 
Loans payable to officers
   
1,414,641
     
1,303,388
 
Convertible debentures, net of discount, current portion
   
113,956
     
 
Embedded conversion option liabilities
   
118,691
     
 
Total current liabilities
   
3,811,971
     
3,383,600
 
Convertible debentures, net of discounts
   
667,605
     
566,045
 
Total liabilities
   
4,479,576
     
3,949,645
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
   
     
 
                 
Stockholders' deficit
               
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 authorized, none issued and outstanding, respectively
   
     
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 56,470,776 and 45,425,135 issued and outstanding
               
as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
   
56,471
     
45,425
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
20,342,927
     
17,809,281
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(24,415,823
)
   
(21,431,861
)
Total stockholders' deficit
   
(4,016,425
)
   
(3,577,155
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
 
$
463,151
   
$
372,490
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
DNA BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 AND 2011
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
                                 
Sales
 
$
28,142
   
$
467,337
   
$
200,953
   
$
1,155,415
 
Cost of goods sold
   
18,239
     
251,637
     
118,269
     
694,341
 
Gross margin
   
9,903
     
215,700
     
82,684
     
461,074
 
Operating expenses
                               
Compensation and benefits
   
302,203
     
409,329
     
1,051,624
     
1,324,885
 
Depreciation expense
   
2,368
     
4,016
     
9,044
     
14,887
 
General and administrative expenses
   
164,709
     
259,717
     
557,434
     
731,287
 
Professional and outside services
   
174,164
     
97,994
     
630,577
     
546,125
 
Selling and marketing expenses
   
(72,583
   
263,320
     
108,061
     
807,976
 
Total operating expenses
   
570,861
     
1,034,376
     
2,356,740
     
3,425,160
 
Loss from operations
   
(560,958
)
   
(818,676
)
   
(2,274,056
)
   
(2,964,086
)
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Gain on embedded conversion option liabilities
   
92,122
     
     
92,122
     
 
Interest expense
   
(116,909
)
   
(52,564
)
   
(802,028
)
   
(86,955
)
Total other expense
   
(24,787
)
   
(52,564
)
   
(709,906
)
   
(86,955
)
Loss before income taxes
   
(585,745
)
   
(871,240
)
   
(2,983,962
)
   
(3,051,041
)
Income taxes
   
     
     
     
 
Net loss
 
$
(585,745
)
 
$
(871,240
)
 
$
(2,983,962
)
 
$
(3,051,041
)
                                 
Loss per share:
                               
Basic and diluted
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.08
)
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic and diluted
   
50,392,491
     
38,377,193
     
48,197,391
     
36,522,413
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
 
 
4

 
 
DNA BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 AND 2011
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
 
$
(2,983,962
)
 
$
(3,051,041
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation expense
   
9,044
     
14,887
 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
   
     
3,014
 
Gain on embedded conversion option liabilities
   
(92,122
   
 
Non-cash interest expense related to discount on convertible debentures
   
707,231
     
29,690
 
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
36,474
     
7,723
 
Common stock and common stock warrants issued in exchange for services
   
706,628
     
720,475
 
Common stock issued as employee compensation
   
310,000
     
391,500
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
   
35,999
     
(299,136
)
Inventory
   
88,893
     
(123,411
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(258,998
   
(160,013
)
Other assets
   
(2,073
   
 
Bank overdraft
   
(18,304
   
 
Accounts payable
   
(134,032
   
172,113
 
Accrued expenses
   
239,985
     
(165,924
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(1,355,237
)
   
(2,460,123
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
   
     
250
 
Net advances to related party
   
     
(12,213
 Net cash used in investing activities
   
     
(11,963
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net proceeds from (repayments on) loans payable to officers
   
636,203
     
(94,312
Net repayments on loans payable
   
(3,178
)
   
(9,674
)
Net proceeds from the issuance of convertible debentures
   
357,668
     
900,000
 
Net proceeds from the issuance of convertible, preferred stock
   
6,000
     
1,106,750
 
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock
   
205,624
     
499,025
 
Net proceeds from the exercise of common stock warrants
   
152,920
     
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
1,355,237
     
2,401,789
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
   
     
(70,297
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
     
74,604
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
   
$
4,307
 
                 
Supplemental disclosures:
               
Interest paid
 
$
94,354
   
$
57,265
 
                 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Conversion of loans payable to officers into convertible debentures
 
$
524,950
   
$
 
    Conversion of convertible debentures into common stock   $
524,950
    $
 
Discounts on convertible debentures
 
$
324,443
   
$
397,000
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
 
 
5

 
 
DNA Brands, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
1.  
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

DNA Brands, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company” or “DNA) produces, markets and sells a proprietary line of four carbonated blends of DNA Energy Drinks® and other related products. Additionally, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Grass Roots Beverage Company Inc. ("Grass Roots") the Company distributes DNA energy drinks and other related products.

The Company was incorporated in the State of Colorado on May 23, 2007 under the name Famous Products, Inc. Prior to July 6, 2010, the Company was a holding company operating as a promotion and advertising company.

Effective July 6, 2010, the Company executed agreements to acquire all of the remaining assets, liabilities and contract rights of DNA Beverage Corporation (“DNA Beverage”) of Boca Raton, Florida, and 100% of the common stock of DNA Beverage’s wholly-owned subsidiary Grass Roots Beverage Company, Inc. (“Grass Roots”) in exchange for the issuance of 31,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. This share issuance represented approximately 94.6% of the Company’s outstanding stock. The historical financial statements of the Company are those of DNA Beverage and of the consolidated entity. All DNA Beverage share amounts presented, including weighted average shares outstanding and shares outstanding, have been adjusted to reflect the conversion ratio of .729277794. As a result of this transaction, the Company changed its name to DNA Brands, Inc.

On November 9, 2010, the Company changed its fiscal year end from October 31 to December 31.

The Company’s current business commenced in May 2006 in the State of Florida under the name Grass Roots Beverage Company, Inc. Initial operations of Grass Roots included the development of energy drinks, sampling and other marketing efforts and initial distribution of its energy drinks in the State of Florida. The Company began selling its energy drink in the State of Florida in 2007.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to interim financial information and the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been included.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Grass Roots. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Use of Estimates

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 amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
6

 

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenues from the sale of carbonated energy drinks and meat snacks. Revenue is recognized when all of the following elements are satisfied: (i) there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; (ii) there is persuasive evidence that an agreement exists; (iii) delivery has occurred; (iv) legal title to the products has transferred to the customer; (v) the sales price is fixed or determinable; and (vi) collectability is reasonably assured.

Shipping and Handling Costs
 
Shipping and handling costs related to the movement of finished goods from manufacturing locations to sales distribution centers are included in cost of goods sold on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred to move finished goods from the Company’s sales distribution centers to its customer locations are also included in cost of goods sold on its consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s customers do not pay separately for shipping and handling costs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, loans receivable from related party, accounts payable, accrued expenses, loans payable, and convertible debentures. The carrying values of the financial instruments approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of the loans payable and convertible debentures have interest rates that approximate market rates.

We follow accounting guidance for financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. This standard defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. This standard does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. This guidance does not apply to measurements related to share-based payments. This guidance discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost).  The guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
 
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices, which are observable either directly or indirectly.  These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
 
Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore developed using estimates and assumptions developed by us, which reflect those that a market participant would use.
 
We currently measure and report derivative liabilities at fair value. The fair value of derivative liabilities is measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing method.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost and consist solely of bank deposits. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
 
 
7

 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company bills its customers after its products are shipped. The Company bases its allowance for doubtful accounts on estimates of the creditworthiness of customers, analysis of delinquent accounts, payment histories of its customers and judgment with respect to the current economic conditions. The Company generally does not require collateral. The Company believes the allowances are sufficient to cover uncollectible accounts. The Company reviews its accounts receivable aging on a regular basis for past due accounts, and writes off any uncollectible amounts against the allowance.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is primarily determined by using the average cost method that approximates the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) method of accounting for inventory. Inventory consists of raw materials as well as finished goods held for sale. The Company’s management monitors the inventory for excess and obsolete items and makes necessary valuation adjustments when required.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Replacements, maintenance and repairs which do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Equipment
5 Years
Furniture and fixtures
5 Years
Vehicles
5 Years
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the book value of the assets may not be recoverable. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10-35-15 Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets recoverability is measured by comparing the book value of the asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.

No events or changes in circumstances have been identified which would impact the recoverability of the Company’s long-lived assets reported at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Derivative Instruments

The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for purposes of risk management or speculation. However, from time to time, the Company enters into contracts, namely convertible notes payable, that are not considered derivative financial instruments in their entirety, but that include embedded derivative features.

In accordance with FASB ASC 815-15, Embedded Derivatives, and guidance provided by the SEC Staff, the Company accounts for these embedded features as a derivative liability or equity at fair value.
 
 
8

 

The recognition of the fair value of the derivative instrument at the date of issuance is applied first to the debt proceeds. The excess fair value, if any, over the proceeds from a debt instrument, is recognized immediately in the statement of operations as expense. The value of derivatives associated with a debt instrument is recognized at inception as a discount to the debt instrument and amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt instrument. A determination is made upon settlement, exchange, or modification of the debt instruments to determine if a gain or loss on the extinguishment has been incurred based on the terms of the settlement, exchange, or modification and on the value allocated to the debt instrument at such date.

The Company evaluates its convertible debt, options, warrants or other contracts to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for. The result of this accounting treatment is that under certain circumstances the fair value of the derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income or expense. Upon conversion or exercise of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the conversion date and then that fair value is reclassified to equity. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity and become subject to reclassification under this accounting standard are reclassified as a liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires the measurement and recognition of non-cash compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors. The Company records common stock issued for services or for liability extinguishments at the closing market price for the date in which obligation for payment of services is incurred.

Stock compensation arrangements with non-employee service providers are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 505-50 Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees, using a fair value approach. The compensation costs of these arrangements are subject to re-measurement over the vesting terms as earned.

Stock Purchase Warrants

The Company has issued warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. Warrants have been accounted for as equity in accordance with FASB ASC 480, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.
 
Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method as stipulated by FASB ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under FASB ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities or a change in tax rate is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced to estimated amounts to be realized by the use of a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is applied when in management’s view it is more likely than not (50%) that such deferred tax will not be utilized.
 
The Company follows the provisions of the FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. FASB Statement No. 109 has been codified in FASB ASC 740. FASB ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with ASC 740. This first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating and estimating its tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately anticipate actual outcomes. FASB ASC 740 did not result in any adjustment to the Company's provision for income taxes.
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
 
 
9

 
 
2.  
Going Concern

The accompanying 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 as they become due.

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded a net loss of $2,983,962 and had negative cash flows of $1,355,237 from its operating activities. At September 30, 2012, the Company had a working capital deficit of $3,398,672 and a stockholders’ deficit of $4,016,425. The Company has relied, in large part, upon debt and equity financing to fund its operations. These matters collectively raise a substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
 
The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on management's plans, which includes implementation of its business plan and continuing to raise funds through debt or equity raises. The Company will likely continue to rely upon related-party debt or equity financing in order to ensure the continuing existence of the business. Additionally the Company is working on generating new sales from additional retail outlets, distribution centers or through sponsorship agreements; and allocating sufficient resources to continue with advertising and marketing efforts.

The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result if the Company is unable to operate as a going concern.
 
3.  
Accounts Receivable

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s accounts receivable at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
                 
 Accounts receivable
 
$
35,001
   
$
135,246
 
 Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
(2,817
)
   
(48,836
)
 Accounts receivable, net
 
$
32,184
   
$
86,410
 

Bad debt expense related to the Company’s trade accounts receivable for nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $36,474 and $7,723, respectively.

4.  
Inventory

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s inventory at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
 Raw materials
 
$
38,192
   
$
37,228
 
 Finished goods
   
52,278
     
142,135
 
 Total inventory
 
$
90,470
   
$
179,363
 
 
 
10

 

5.  
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s prepaid expenses and other assets at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
   
September 30,
 2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Short-term security deposit
 
$
10,000
   
$
10,000
 
Employee and other advances
   
61,819
     
46,846
 
Prepaid expenses
   
246,098
     
 
Total prepaid expenses and other assets
   
317,917
     
56,846
 
Less: Non-current portion
   
(27,272
   
(25,199
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
290,645
   
$
31,647
 
 
6.  
Property and Equipment, Net

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s property and equipment at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Equipment
 
$
18,690
   
$
18,690
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
9,156
     
9,156
 
Vehicles
   
75,907
     
75,907
 
Accumulated depreciation
   
(81,173
)
   
(72,129
)
Total property and equipment, net
 
$
22,580
   
$
31,624
 

Depreciation expense for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $9,044 and $14,887, respectively. In March 2011, the Company disposed of one of its vehicles. As a result of the transaction, the Company received cash proceeds of $250 and recorded a loss of $3,014.

7.  
Accrued Liabilities

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s accrued liabilities at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Salaries and bonuses
 
$
934,085
   
$
767,798
 
Payroll taxes and penalties
   
606,350
     
559,420
 
Interest expense on convertible debentures
   
33,625
     
7,932
 
Professional services
   
12,500
     
20,426
 
Other
   
9,001
     
 
Total accrued liabilities
 
$
1,595,561
   
$
1,355,576
 

Salaries and bonuses represent amounts due to officers and employees. Due to the Company’s shortage of liquidity, its two principal executive officers have deferred cash payment of their salaries since 2008. As of September 30, 2012, the Company’s officers were owed $757,500 as a result of their deferrals and its employees were owed $176,585 for amounts earned and accrued in the normal course of business.
 
 
11

 
 
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, accrued payroll taxes and penalties represented the unpaid portion of employer and employee payroll taxes totaling $471,140 and $446,460, respectively. The Company has estimated potential penalties associated with these unpaid amounts to be $135,210 and $112,960 for each of these periods, respectively. The Company has engaged the services of a professional experienced in payroll tax matters to assist it develop a plan for repayment and future compliance deemed acceptable to the Internal Revenue Service. In March 2012, the Company made a payment of $50,000 against its payroll tax liabilities.

8.  
Loans Payable - Other

Loans payable were comprised of a third party financing arrangement for the Company’s vehicles utilized for the transport of the Company’s products. The original term of the loans was five years, bearing interest at a rate of 9.3%. At September 30, 2012, all borrowed principal amounts on these loans had been repaid.
 
9.  
Convertible Debentures, Net of Discounts

A summary of the issuances of all convertible notes during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:
 
Issue Date
 
Interest Rate
   
Face Value
 
Original
Due Date
 
Conversion Rate of
Face Value to Common Shares
 
                     
 02/01/2012
   
12%
   
$
75,000
 
01/31/2013
   
3.73
 
 02/29/2012
   
     
52,500
 
   
6.67
 
 03/01/2012
   
     
101,250
 
   
6.67
 
 03/02/2012
   
     
66,450
 
   
6.67
 
 03/02/2012
   
     
25,000
 
   
6.67
 
 03/06/2012
   
     
90,000
 
   
6.67
 
 03/07/2012
   
     
9,750
 
   
6.67
 
 03/08/2012
   
     
15,000
 
   
6.67
 
 03/09/2012
   
     
30,000
 
   
6.67
 
 03/21/2012
   
     
15,000
 
   
6.67
 
 03/22/2012
   
     
90,000
 
   
6.67
 
 03/28/2012
   
     
15,000
 
   
6.67
 
 03/29/2012
   
     
15,000
 
   
6.67
 
 07/02/2012
   
12%
     
50,000
 
07/01/2013
   
6.67
 
 07/02/2012
   
12%
     
19,468
 
07/01/2013
   
6.67
 
 07/02/2012
   
12%
     
29,000
 
07/01/2013
   
6.67
 
 07/02/2012
   
12%
     
17,000
 
07/01/2013
   
6.67
 
 07/02/2012
   
12%
     
17,200
 
07/01/2013
   
6.67
 
 07/20/2012
   
12%
     
50,000
 
07/19/2013
   
6.67
 
 08/07/2012
   
     
50,000
 
09/07/2012
   
10.00
 
 09/25/2012
   
6%
     
50,000
 
09/25/2013
   
12.99
 
 Total
         
$
882,618
           
 
 
12

 
 
The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s secured, convertible debentures at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
Convertible debentures, principal amount
 
$
1,257,668
   
$
900,000
 
Less: Loan discount
   
(721,433
)
   
(397,000
)
Add: Accumulated amortization of loan discount
   
245,326
     
63,045
 
Less: Current portion
   
(113,956
   
 
Convertible debentures, net of discounts
 
$
667,605
   
$
566,045
 

In February 2011, the Company issued a convertible debenture to an existing shareholder in the amount of $500,000. The debenture bears interest at 12% per annum and carries an annual transaction fee of $30,000, of which both are payable in quarterly installments commencing in May 2011. These costs are recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements. As further inducement, the Company issued 125,000 restricted shares of its common stock to the holder upon execution. The common shares were valued at $31,250, their fair market value, and recorded as discount to the debenture. These costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements.

In June 2011, the Company issued a convertible debenture to an existing shareholder in the amount of $125,000. The debenture bears interest at 12% per annum, which is payable in the Company’s common stock at the time of maturity. The debenture is convertible at any time prior to maturity into 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company determined that this term created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $90,750 and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debenture. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements.
 
In July and August 2011, the Company issued a series of secured convertible debentures to accredited investors aggregating $275,000 in gross proceeds. All proceeds from these debentures were to be utilized solely for the purpose of funding raw materials and inventory purchases through the use of an escrow agent. The debentures bear interest at 12% per annum, payable in monthly installments. The debentures are convertible at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average share price of the Company’s common stock for the 10 previous trading days prior to conversion, but not less than $0.70. The Company determined that this term created a beneficial conversion feature. As further inducement, the Company issued the lenders 68,750 restricted shares of its common stock and 137,500 common stock warrants exercisable at $1.25 per share. As a result, the Company had to allocate fair market value to each the beneficial conversion feature, restricted shares and warrants. The fair value of the common shares was $30,938. Using the Black-Scholes model, the warrants were valued at $94,255. Since the combined fair market value allocated to the restricted shares, warrants and beneficial conversion feature cannot exceed the principal amount of the convertible debenture, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $149,807, the ceiling of its intrinsic value. These costs are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements. As of the date of this report this escrow account was closed.

In February 2012, the Company issued a convertible debenture to an existing shareholder in the amount of $75,000. The debenture bears interest at 12% per annum, which is payable in the Company’s common stock at the time of maturity. The debenture is convertible at any time prior to maturity into 280,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. As further inducement, the Company issued the lender 280,000 common stock warrants exercisable at $1.50 per share. If unexercised, the warrants will expire on January 31, 2017. Using the Black-Scholes model, the warrants were valued at $63,620 and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debenture. This discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements.
 
 
13

 
 
In February and March 2012, the Company converted $524,950 of its loans payable to officers into convertible debentures. These debentures were offered by the Company’s officers to certain accredited investors and a majority portion of the proceeds therefrom were deposited with the Company. The debentures have no maturity date and bear no interest. Therefore these debentures are payable on demand and have been classified as a current liability on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  The debentures are convertible at any time into 3,499,667 shares, or $0.15 per share of common stock. The Company determined that these terms created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $524,950, the ceiling of its intrinsic value. Due to the nature of the debentures, the full value of the beneficial conversion feature was immediately recorded as interest expense in the Company’s financial statements.  In August 2012, these convertible debentures were converted into 3,499,666 shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
On April 9, 2012, the Company executed an Investment Banking and Advisory Agreement with Charles Morgan Securities, Inc., New York, NY (“CMI”), wherein CMI agreed to provide consulting, strategic business planning, financing on a “best efforts” basis and investor and public relations services, as well as to assist the Company in its efforts to raise capital through the issuance of debt or equity.  The agreement provided for CMI to engage in two separate private offerings with the initial private placement offering up to $3.0 million and the second private placement offering up to an additional $3.0 million; each on a “best efforts” basis. In connection with this agreement the Company issued 750,000 shares valued at $0.25 per share or a total value of $187,500. This amount is being amortized in the Company's financial statements over a 24 month period; the unamortized amount is reflected in prepaid expenses.

In July 2012, the Company received proceeds from convertible debentures totaling $182,668 in connection with the CMI agreement. The debentures bear interest at 12% per annum, which is payable in cash or the Company’s common stock at the time of conversion or maturity. The debentures are convertible at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price equal to the lesser of 75% of the average share price of the Company’s common stock for the five previous trading days prior to conversion or $0.35, but not less than $0.15. In the event that the Company offers or issues shares of its common stock at a share price less than $0.15, the floor conversion price will adjust to the new lower price. The Company determined that the terms of the debentures created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $160,813 and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debentures. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements.

On August 7, 2012, the Company issued a convertible debenture in the amount of $50,000. The debenture does not bear interest. As an inducement, the Company agreed to issue the lender 20,000 shares of its common stock. The common shares were valued at their trading price on the date of the agreement and recorded as interest expense in the Company’s results of operations. The Company determined that the terms of the debenture created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $50,000, the ceiling of its intrinsic value, and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debenture. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements.

On September 25, 2012, the Company issued a convertible debenture in the amount of $50,000. The debenture bears interest at 6% per annum, which is payable in the Company’s common stock at the time of conversion or maturity. The debenture is convertible at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest closing bid price of the Company’s common stock on the four previous trading days prior to and day of conversion, but not less than $0.0001. The Company determined that the terms of the debenture created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $50,000, the ceiling of its intrinsic value, and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debenture. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements.
 
 
14

 

10.  
Embedded Conversion on Option Liabilities

Due to the conversion terms of certain promissory notes, the embedded conversion options met the criteria to be bifurcated and presented as derivative liabilities. The Company calculated the estimated fair values of the liabilities for embedded conversion option derivative instruments at the original note inception date and as of September 30, 2012 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the share prices of the Company’s stock on the dates of valuation and using the following ranges for volatility, expected term and the risk free interest rate at each respective valuation date, no dividend has been assumed for any of the periods:

   
Note Inception
Date
   
September 30,
2012
 
  
           
 Expected dividend yield (1)
   
   
 Risk-free interest rate (2)
   
0.16 – 0.71
%
   
0.17 – 0.62
%
 Expected volatility (3)
   
153.3 – 280.1
   
165.8 – 288.0
 Expected life (in years) (4)
   
1.00 – 4.00
     
0.75 – 3.85
 
__________________
(1)
The Company has no history or expectation of paying cash dividends on its common stock.
(2)
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a term consistent with the expected life of the awards in effect at the time of grant.
(3)
The volatility for the period ended September 30, 2012 is based upon the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price, a period equal to the expected life of the note or twenty four months following the reverse capitalization transaction.
(4)
The expected life represents the due date of the note.

The following reflects the initial fair value on the note inception date and changes in fair value through September 30, 2012:

Note inception date fair value allocated to debt discount
 
$
210,813
 
Note inception date fair value allocated to other expense
   
4,173
 
Change in fair value – (gain)
   
(96,295
)
Embedded conversion option derivative liability fair value on September 30, 2012
 
$
118,691
 

11.  
Loans Payable to Officers

The composition of the Company’s loans payable to officers at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
   
(unaudited)
       
             
 Loans payable to officers
 
$
1,414,641
   
$
1,303,388
 

Since the inception of the Company, its principal executive officers have loaned the Company significant amounts of operating capital on an interest free basis and without formal repayment terms.
 
 
15

 
 
12.  
Related Party Transactions and Balances

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Grass Roots, maintains a brokerage agreement with a related party named Royal Strategies and Solutions, Inc. (“RSS”). Under the terms of the agreement, RSS promotes the Company’s products in return for a commission on successful sales or sales agreements. The Company and RSS share a common base of majority stockholders. Furthermore, the Company’s principal executive officers also serve as corporate officers to RSS.

RSS leases office space and a warehouse which is partially subleased to the Company. The Company utilizes this space for the warehousing and distribution of its products. In addition, RSS is financially responsible for other operating costs and personnel that are utilized by or dedicated to the Company. The Company, in turn, provides cash financing to RSS; either via allocated charge backs or non-interest bearing loans.

Under the guidelines of FASB ASC 810.10, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), “if a reporting entity is not the primary beneficiary but has a variable interest in the variable interest entity, the reporting entity is required to disclose related information in its financial statements.” Based upon tests performed, the Company has determined that it has a variable interest in RSS but is not the primary beneficiary; and, therefore has not consolidated the financial statements of RSS with the Company.

At September 30, 2012, there were no aggregate non-interest bearing advances made to RSS. At March 31, 2012, the Company wrote-off $18,247 to bad debt expense against the balances due from RSS. No other activity was recorded during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012. At December 31, 2011, aggregate non-interest bearing advances made to RSS totaled $18,247.

In the event the Company discontinued using RSS as a provider of these brokerage services, it would not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or operations.
 
13.  
Equity

The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. The holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends whenever funds are legally available and when declared by the Board of Directors. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
 
At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, common stock issued and outstanding totaled 56,470,776 and 45,425,135, respectively. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there was no preferred stock issued and outstanding.

The number of shares of common stock issued and their respective values for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 as follows:
 
   
Shares
Issued
   
Value of
Issuances
 
             
Common stock issued in exchange for services
   
3,124,050
   
$
669,128
 
Common stock issued as employee compensation
   
2,145,000
     
310,000
 
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible, preferred stock
   
20,000
     
 
Common stock issued in connection with private offerings
   
1,645,244
     
205,624
 
Common stock issued in connection with common stock warrant exercises
   
611,681
     
152,920
 
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible debentures
   
3,499,666
     
524,950
 
Total
   
11,045,641
   
$
1,862,622
 
 
 
16

 
 
In January 2012, the Company issued 6,000 shares of convertible, preferred stock for net proceeds of $6,000. The preferred shares are convertible into common stock at a rate no lower than $0.30, or 3.33 shares of common stock for each share of preferred stock. These shares were immediately converted into 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
Since 2007, the Company has issued and sold preferred stock, common stock and common stock warrants in order to fund a significant portion its operations. Additionally, the Company has issued shares of its common stock to compensate its employees, pay service providers and retire debt.

Common stock warrants immediately vest upon issuance and are typically exercisable for a period five years thereafter. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company issued 500,000 warrants with a life of approximately 5.75 years and 280,000 warrants with a life of approximately 4.6 years. The following table reflects the amount of common stock warrants outstanding and exercisable for the period ended September 30, 2012.

   
Number of
Warrants
Outstanding
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
 
                   
 Balance, December 31, 2011
   
3,649,503
   
$
1.56
     
2.57
 
 Warrants issued
   
780,000
   
$
0.73
     
4.93
 
 Warrants exercised
   
(611,881
 
0.25
     
 
 Balance, September 30, 2012
   
3,817,822
   
$
1.39
     
2.39
(1)
__________________
(1)
The remaining contractual life of the warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2012 ranges from 0.33 to 5.25 years.
 
In April 2011, the Company adopted an Incentive Stock Option Plan and a Non-Qualified Stock Options Plan. Under these plans, the Company may grant up to 500,000 and 1,000,000 stock options, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had not granted any options pursuant to either the Incentive Stock Option Plan or the Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.
 
As of September 30, 2012, the Company had issued stock options to three of its employees. These stock options have not been adopted under either of the April 2011 plans described above.

The following assumptions were utilized with the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

   
2012
   
2011
 
             
 Expected dividend yield (1)
   
   
 Risk-free interest rate (2)
   
.83
%
   
1.67
 Expected volatility (3)
   
250.70
%
   
91.69
 Expected life (in years) (4)
   
5.0
     
5.0
 
__________________
(1)
The Company has no history or expectation of paying cash dividends on its common stock.
(2)
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a term consistent with the expected life of the awards in effect at the time of grant.
(3)
The volatility for the period ended September 30, 2012 is based upon the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price, a period equal to twenty-one months following the reverse capitalization transaction. The volatility for the period ended September 30, 2011 is based upon the average volatility rate of the three similar publicly traded companies.
(4)
The expected life represents the due date of the note.
 
 
17

 
 
14.  
Income Taxes
  
As of September 30, 2012, the Company has available approximately $7,600,000 of operating loss carry-forwards before applying the provision of Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382, which may be used in the future filings of the Company’s tax returns to offset future taxable income for United States income tax purposes. Net operating losses will begin to expire in the year 2022. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company has determined that due to the uncertainty regarding profitability in the near future, a 100% valuation allowance is needed with regards to the deferred tax assets. Changes in the estimated tax benefit that will be realized from the tax loss carry-forwards and other temporary differences will be recognized in the financial statement in the years in which those changes occur.
 
Under the provisions of the IRC Section 382, an ownership change is deemed to have occurred if the percentage of the stock owned by one or more 5% shareholders has increased, in the aggregate, by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of stock owned by said shareholders at any time during a three year testing period. Once an ownership change is deemed to have occurred under IRC Section 382, a limitation on the annual utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards is imposed and therefore, a portion of the tax loss carry-forwards would be subject to the limitation under Section 382.
 
The acquisition of Grass Roots Beverage Company, Inc. on July 6, 2010 (see Note 1) and various other equity transactions resulted in an ownership change pursuant to IRC Section 382. The utilization of the $123,052 net operating loss as of December 31, 2009 is limited under IRC Section 382.
 
The tax years 2008 through 2011 remain open to examination by federal authorities and state jurisdictions where the Company operates.
 
15.  
Subsequent Events
 
The Company has evaluated subsequent events from the balance sheet through the date the financial statements were issued, and determined there are no other events to disclose.
 
 
18

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

Forward looking statements are statements not based on historical information and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Forward looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control and many of which, with respect to future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements made by, or on our behalf. We disclaim any obligation to update forward looking statements.

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Our financial statements would be affected to the extent there are material differences between these estimates and actual results. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP and does not require management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

Company Overview and History

DNA Brands, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “us,” “our,” “we,” the “Company” or “DNA) was incorporated in the State of Colorado on May 23, 2007 under the name Famous Products, Inc.  Prior to July 6, 2010 we were a holding company operating as a promotion and advertising company.  Our current business commenced in May 2006 in the State of Florida under the name Grass Roots Beverage Company, Inc. (“Grass Roots”).  Initial operations of Grass Roots included development of our energy drinks, sampling and other marketing efforts and initial distribution in the State of Florida.

Effective July 6, 2010, we executed agreements to acquire all of the remaining assets, liabilities and contract rights of DNA Beverage Corporation of Boca Raton, Florida (“DNA Beverage”), and 100% of the common stock of DNA Beverage’s wholly owned subsidiary Grass Roots Beverage Company, Inc. (“Grass Roots”) in exchange for the issuance of 31,250,000 shares of our common stock. As part of the terms of these transactions, our former President agreed to voluntarily redeem 19,274,400 common shares back to us. The share issuance represented approximately 94.6% of our outstanding shares at the time of issuance.

Additionally, our officers and directors resigned their positions with us and were replaced by the former management team of DNA Beverage. Mr. Darren Marks became a director and our President and CEO, and Mr. Melvin Leiner became a director and our Executive Vice President, Secretary and COO/CFO. As a result of this transaction we changed our name to DNA Brands, Inc.  Our principal offices are located at 544 NW 77th Street, Boca Raton, Florida, 33487, telephone (954) 970-3826.  Our website is www.dnabrandsusa.com.   
 
Presented below are our results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
 
 
19

 
 
Results Of Operations

Comparison of Results of Operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

Revenue
 
Sales for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 were $28,142, compared to $467,337 during the three month period ended September 30, 2011. Our sales decreased 94% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
 
Sales for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 were $200,953, compared to $1,155,415 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. Our sales decreased 82.6% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

The material decrease in sales during both of the current year periods is attributable to our changing customer base as we continue to test our products through a variety of distribution channels. Additionally our revenues in 2012 have been materially impacted by our lack of available working capital. This has prevented us from making timely inventory purchases in sufficient quantities of the better selling SKU's. Also the lack of liquidity has limited the amount we can spend on marketing, advertising and promotions which are critical revenue drivers in the energy drink industry.

Currently we are in the process of re-branding our product, see “Trends” below. We expect this re-branding process to begin to significantly increase our revenue levels, beginning in the first quarter of 2013. Our ability to achieve increased revenue is largely dependent upon our success in raising additional capital. No assurances can be provided that we will successfully raise the funding necessary to support our marketing efforts, or that these efforts will generate increased revenues, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.
 
Gross margin

We calculate gross margin by subtracting cost of goods sold from sales. Gross margin percentage is calculated by dividing the gross margin by sales.

Gross margin for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 was $9,903, compared to $215,700 during the three month period ended September 30, 2011. Gross margin percentage for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 was 35.2%, compared to 46.2% during the three month period ended September 30, 2011. Our gross margin decreased 95.4% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year as a direct result of our significant decline in sales revenue. Furthermore, our gross margin percentage decreased 11.0% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

Gross margin for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 was $82,684, compared to $461,074 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. Gross margin percentage for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 was 41.2%, compared to 39.9% during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. Our gross margin decreased 82.1% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year as a direct result of our significant decline in sales revenue. However, our gross margin percentage increased 1.2% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.

The material decrease in our gross margin for each of the current year periods is directly attributable to the significant decrease in the level of our sales. We do not believe that the gross margin percentages for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are necessarily indicative of future results if applied to larger sales volumes.
 
 
20

 
 
Compensation and benefits

Compensation and benefits for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 was $302,203, compared to $409,329 during the three month period ended September 30, 2011; representing a decrease in compensation and benefits of $107,126, or 26.2%.

Compensation and benefits for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 was $1,051,624, compared to $1,324,885 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011; representing a decrease in compensation and benefits of $273,261, or 20.6%.

The decrease in compensation and benefits expenses in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period in the prior year is attributable to a reduction in the number of our employees and a reduction in sales commissions as a result of our lower sales revenue.

Our two executive officers have deferred cash payment of their salaries since 2008. For three and nine month period ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, we recorded $62,500 and $187,500, respectively, in compensation expense related to these deferrals. At September 30, 2012, the aggregate value of these salary deferrals totaled $757,500 and was included in accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2012.
 
General and administrative

General and administrative expenses for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 were $164,709, compared to $259,717 during the three month period ended September 30, 2011; representing a decrease of $95,008, or 36.6%.

General and administrative expenses for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 were $557,434, compared to $731,287 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011; representing a decrease of $173,853, or 23.8%.

General and administrative expenses are primarily comprised of rent, utilities, insurance, travel and entertainment, and other expenses. The decrease in both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period in the prior year  is due to reduced spending for travel and other administrative activities consistent with our reduced revenue levels.
 
Professional and outside services

Professional and outside services for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 were $174,164, compared to $97,994 during the three month period ended September 30, 2011; representing an increase of $76,170 or 77.7%.

Professional and outside services for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 were $630,577, compared to $546,125 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011; representing an increase of $84,452 or 15.5%.

Professional and outside services are comprised primarily of accounting fees, legal fees, investor and public relations expenses and other miscellaneous services.
 
 
21

 

Selling and marketing expenses

Selling and marketing expenses for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 were ($72,583), compared to $263,320 during the three month period ended September 30, 2011.

Selling and marketing expenses for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 were $108,061, compared to $807,976 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.
 
The decrease in selling and marketing expenses for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same periods in the prior year period is directly attributable to the lack of working capital. We realized a net credit in our selling and marketing expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2012 as a result of the reversal of a sale for which we previously established a bad debt provision against and the cancellation and credit of promotional services invoiced in a prior period.

With proper funding, we intend to continue to increase the number of our distribution chains; allowing us to utilize a greater number of vehicles to expand our sales territories. Furthermore, we continue to monitor our sponsorship opportunities with higher profile athletes in an effort to establish a larger national presence. There can be no assurances that these opportunities will materialize or that any such expenditures will enable us to increase revenue.
 
Interest expense

Interest expense for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 was $116,909, compared to $52,564 during the three month period ended September 30, 2011.

Interest expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 was $802,028, compared to $86,955 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.

The increase in interest expense over both of the prior year periods is primarily attributable to the non-cash amortization of loan discounts related to convertible debentures. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we issued an aggregate principal value of $882,618 in convertible debentures. These debentures were issued with beneficial conversion features or other inducements to the lender to provide funding to us. As a result, we have recorded discounts against these loans that will be amortized over their terms. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded $90,150 and $707,231, respectively, in non-cash interest expense relative the loan discounts on these notes.

Net loss

We incurred a net loss for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 of $585,745 or ($0.01) per basic and fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $871,240, or ($0.02) per basic and fully diluted share during the three month period ended September 30, 2011.

We incurred a net loss for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 of $2,983,962 or ($0.06) per basic and fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3,051,041, or ($0.08) per basic and fully diluted share during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.

Since our inception, we have generated material operating losses. A significant portion of our losses are non-cash in nature; however, our losses remain substantial even after excluding those items.

The weighted average number of basic and fully diluted shares outstanding for the three month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were 50,392,491 and 38,377,193 shares, respectively. The weighted average number of basic and fully diluted shares outstanding for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were 48,197,391 and 36,522,413 shares, respectively. There were no dilutive equivalents included in our calculation of fully diluted shares during either period since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive due to our net loss per share.
 
 
22

 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2012, we had $853 in bank overdrafts on our cash and cash equivalents’ bank accounts.

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a net loss of $2,983,962 and had negative cash flows of $1,355,237 from our operating activities. At September 30, 2012, we had a working capital deficit of $3,398,672 and a stockholders’ deficit of $4,016,425. We have relied, in large part, upon debt and equity financing to fund our operations. These matters collectively raise a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Net cash used in operations for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 was $1,355,237, compared to $2,460,123 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. The improvement in net cash used in operating activities of $1,104,886 is primarily due to the improvement in our consolidated results of operations excluding non-cash expenses over the prior year period.  We recorded a net loss of $2,983,962, as compared to $3,051,041 in the corresponding period of the prior year. After excluding our non-cash expenses, we realized a net cash improvement of $669,167 compared to our consolidated results over the prior year period. Additionally, we realized a net cash improvement of $527,841 from the aggregate change in our operating assets and liabilities when compared to the prior year period.

No net cash was provided by or used in investing activities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, compared to net cash used of $11,963 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 was $1,355,237, compared to $2,401,789 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we raised $357,668 in new capital from debt sources, as compared to proceeds of $900,000 during the prior year period. We received proceeds from the issuance of new equity, as described below, aggregating $364,544, as compared to $1,605,775 in the prior year period. Furthermore, we received $636,203 in net proceeds from loans made by our officers as compared to net repayments totaling $94,312 on loans due to our officers in the prior year period.

In the second calendar quarter of 2011 we closed a private offering of our convertible preferred stock whereby we sold an aggregate of 4,427,000 shares and received proceeds of $1,106,750 therefrom.
 
In February 2011, we issued a secured, convertible debenture to an existing shareholder in the principal amount of $500,000, which becomes due three years from the date of issuance. The debenture bears interest at 12% per annum and is payable quarterly beginning in May 2011. In addition to interest, as inducement for the maker to loan funds to us, the maker received 125,000 restricted shares of our common stock contemporaneously with the execution of the debenture. Further, we agreed to pay to the maker an annual transaction fee of $30,000 in equal installments on a quarterly basis beginning in May 2011. The balance due under the debenture is collateralized by all of our assets, including but not limited to inventory, receivables, vehicles and warehouse equipment. Lastly, we agreed to issue 750,000 shares of our common stock (the “Escrowed Shares”), in favor of the maker, to be held in escrow by a mutually agreeable party. In the event of failure to pay all or any portion of the principal and interest due under the debenture, including any and all rights to cure, the Escrowed Shares shall be released to the maker. The Escrowed Shares, which are included in issued and outstanding shares on our financial statements, are not entitled to voting rights, or to receive any dividends if and when declared unless and until the Escrowed Shares are released.
 
In May 2011, we commenced a private offering of our common stock whereby we are offered up to 13,333,333 shares at an offering price of $0.45 per share, or $6,000,000, to accredited investors. We sold an aggregate of 1,115,887 shares and received proceeds of $527,150 therefrom. This offering closed in the first quarter of 2012 ended on March 31, 2012.

In June 2011, we issued a convertible debenture to an existing shareholder in the amount of $125,000. The debenture bears interest at 12% per annum, which is payable in our common stock at the time of maturity. The debenture is convertible at any time prior to maturity into 150,000 shares of our common stock. This beneficial conversion feature was valued at $90,750, using Black-Sholes methodology, and recorded as a discount to the debenture. These costs will be amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in our financial statements.

In July and August 2011, we issued a series of secured convertible debentures to accredited investors aggregating $275,000 in gross proceeds. All proceeds from these debentures were utilized solely for the purpose of funding raw materials and inventory purchases through the use of an escrow agent. The debentures bear interest at 12% per annum, payable in monthly installments. The debentures are convertible at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price equal to 80% of the average share price of our common stock for the 10 previous trading days prior to conversion, but not less than $0.70. In addition, as further inducement for loaning us funds, we issued the lenders 68,750 restricted shares of our common stock and 137,500 common stock warrants exercisable at $1.25 per share.
 
 
23

 
 
In January 2012, we issued 6,000 shares of convertible preferred stock for net proceeds of $6,000. The preferred shares are convertible into common stock at a rate no lower than $0.30, or 3.33 shares of common stock for each share of preferred stock. These shares were immediately converted into 20,000 shares of common stock.

In February 2012, we issued a convertible debenture to an existing shareholder in the amount of $75,000. The debenture bears interest at 12% per annum, which is payable in our common stock at the time of maturity. The debenture is convertible at any time prior to maturity into 280,000 shares of our common stock. As further inducement, we issued the lender 280,000 common stock warrants exercisable at $1.50 per share. If unexercised, the warrants will expire on January 31, 2017. Using the Black-Scholes model, the warrants were valued at $63,620 and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debenture. This discount will be amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in our financial statements.

In February and March 2012, we converted $524,950 of loans payable to our officers into convertible debentures. These debentures were offered by our officers to certain accredited investors and the proceeds therefrom were deposited by us. The debentures have no maturity date and bear no interest. The debentures are convertible at any time into 3,499,667 shares of our common stock. We determined that this term created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $524,950, the ceiling of its intrinsic value. Due to the nature of the debentures, the full value of the beneficial conversion feature was immediately recorded as interest expense in our financial statements. In August 2012, these convertible debentures were converted into 3,499,666 shares of our common stock.

In April 2012, we sold 216,667 shares of our common stock and received $65,000 in gross proceeds. In August and September 2012, we sold 1,406,243 shares of our common stock and received $140,624 in gross proceeds.
 
In July 2012, we received proceeds from convertible debentures totaling $182,668 in connection with our CMI agreement. The debentures bear interest at 12% per annum, which is payable in cash or our common stock at the time of conversion or maturity. The debentures are convertible at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price equal to the lesser of 75% of the average share price of our common stock for the five previous trading days prior to conversion or $0.35, but not less than $0.15. In the event that we offer or issue shares of our common stock at a share price less than $0.15, the floor conversion price will adjust to the new lower price. We determined that the terms of the debentures created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $160,813 and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debentures. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in the Company's financial statements.

On August 7, 2012, we issued a convertible debenture in the amount of $50,000. The debenture does not bear interest. As an inducement, we agreed to issue the lender 20,000 shares of our common stock. The common shares were valued at their trading price on the date of the agreement and recorded as interest expense in our results of operations. We determined that the terms of the debenture created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $50,000, the ceiling of its intrinsic value, and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debenture. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in our financial statements.

On September 25, 2012, we issued a convertible debenture in the amount of $50,000. The debenture bears interest at 6% per annum, which is payable in our common stock at the time of conversion or maturity. The debenture is convertible at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price equal to 70% of the lowest closing bid price of our common stock on the four previous trading days prior to and day of conversion, but not less than $0.0001. We determined that the terms of the debenture created a beneficial conversion feature. Using the Black-Scholes model, the beneficial conversion feature was valued at $50,000, the ceiling of its intrinsic value, and recorded as a discount to the principal amount of the debenture. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debenture and recorded as interest expense in our financial statements.

Until we are successful in obtaining additional equity capital we will likely continue to rely upon related-party debt, issuance of additional debentures from our shareholders or equity financing in order to ensure the continuing existence of our business. We were indebted to our management in the amounts of $1,414,641 at September 30, 2012. Additionally we are working on generating new sales from additional retail outlets, distribution centers or through sponsorship agreements, and allocating sufficient resources to continue with advertising and marketing efforts. There can be no assurances that these efforts will be successful. If these efforts are not successful, it could have a material adverse impact.
 
Trends
 
Our emphasis over the next twelve months will be to focus on re-branding of our products and increasing sales revenue. Significantly, we intend to revise our promotional campaign to promote our energy drink emphasizing our belief that our energy drinks are the best tasting energy drinks on the market.  This premise is based upon our winning this category in an independent worldwide competition held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2010.  To accomplish this objective we are completely re-branding our product line that will result in our having both premium and value product lines. New graphic designs and flavors are slated to reach retailers in January 2013 through a number of new distribution partners. We believe this will make us and our products a more attractive option for our retailers, distributors and the general public. Increasing brand awareness will be initiated through a significant public relations and advertising program, including news releases, demographically targeted cable television advertising, increased "cans in hand" sampling, events and billboard advertisements.  We will continue to develop and expand the areas where our products are currently distributed.
 
In addition, our wholly owned distribution company, Grass Roots Beverage, will focus much of its effort on the placement of the new product line throughout Florida in order to reach a 60% market penetration by the end of 2013. As market penetration increases we will expand distribution operations by representing additional brands of unrelated products. Our goal at Grass Roots Beverage is to provide distribution opportunities to beverage and snack companies that are having difficulty establishing a presence in the State of Florida. We believe that this expansion of operations will be successful because, as we have learned from our years of experience in the industry, distribution dominated by the Coke and Pepsi systems are off limits and closed to these brands. Complicating the issue is that fact that there are few "third tier" distributors in Florida. Many of the state's small distributors have either gone out of business or were acquired by large beer houses. In a state the size of Florida the lack of independents makes full coverage almost an impossible task. Grass Roots Beverages is an authorized vendor for several national chain retailers, including Walgreens and Circle-K, and Race Track services a large amount of independent  retail accounts which we believe makes us a viable and attractive alternative to those brands seeking to obtain a foothold in Florida. There can be no assurances that we will be successful and generate incremental revenue or profits with this expansion.

In order to fully accomplish these objectives we believe we will require up to $2,000,000 in additional capital.  We have been actively involved in discussions with investment bankers and other potential investors to provide us with additional equity funding, but as of the date of this report, we have not been able to raise all of the funds necessary to accomplish our objectives described herein and there are no assurances we will be successful in raising all of the funds we believe we need. Assuming we are successful in raising new capital funding and in addition to the objectives described above, we will continue to intensify our marketing efforts in the southeast and Midwest regions through a number of identified retailers and distributors covering those regions. Additionally, we intend to expand our operations into Canada through a previously disclosed distribution agreement.
 
Inflation

Although our operations are influenced by general economic conditions, we do not believe that inflation had a material effect on our results of operations during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012.
 
 
24

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
We are a smaller reporting company and are not required to provide the information under this item pursuant to Regulation S-K.
 
ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures - Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

These controls are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit pursuant to 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, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2012 at reasonable assurance levels except as described below.   We believe that our consolidated financial statements presented in this Report fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for all periods presented herein.

Inherent Limitations - Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Further, 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. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdown can occur because of simple error or mistake. In particular, many of our current processes rely upon manual reviews and processes to ensure that neither human error nor system weakness has resulted in erroneous reporting of financial data.
 
Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting - Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Those rules define internal control over financial reporting as a process designed 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 and includes those policies and procedures that:

 
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

 
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

 
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting - Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period ended September 30, 2012 which were identified in conjunction with management’s evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
25

 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are not involved in any material legal proceedings, nor are we aware of any legal proceedings threatened or in which any director or officer or any of their affiliates is a party adverse to our Company or has a material interest adverse to us.
 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We are a smaller reporting company and are not required to provide the information under this item pursuant to Regulation S-K.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company sold 1,406,243 shares of its common stock pursuant to a private placement offering, and received $140,624 in gross proceeds. The offer and sale of the securities was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D.

We have utilized the proceeds derived from the above described issuances for advertising, sales and marketing activities and working capital.
 
ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.  (REMOVED AND RESERVED).

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.
 
 
26

 
 
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
 
Description
     
 
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
27

 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on November 19, 2012.
 
 
DNA BRANDS, INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Darren Marks
 
   
Darren Marks,
 
   
Principal Executive Officer
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Melvin Leiner
 
   
Melvin Leiner,
 
   
Principal Financial Officer and
 
   
Principal Accounting Officer
 
 
 
28