Clif Bar: Gary Erickson (2018)

How I Built This · 1 Jan 2018 · 30m

What this episode covers

Gary Erickson, founder of Clif Bar, explains how he developed the energy bar after finding existing options like Power Bar unpalatable during a long bike ride. He details the recipe development with his mother, the bootstrapped launch using his grandmother's bakery, and the strategic decision to reject a $120 million acquisition offer from Quaker Oats to maintain control of the company. The episode also covers the emotional and financial turmoil of buying out his partner and the company's subsequent growth into a major brand.

Mentioned

Companies
Quaker Oats, Rareform, Coca-Cola, REI
Products
Clif Bar, Power Bar
Also
Shark Tank

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