# Clif Bar: Gary Erickson (2018)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2018-01-01
- Length: 30m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018#t=41) Introduction: Gary Erickson and the Origin of Clif Bar
- [2:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018#t=151) Developing the Recipe and Early Validation
- [8:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018#t=490) Bootstrapping Production and Initial Sales
- [12:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018#t=771) Legal Troubles and Distribution Mistakes
- [17:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018#t=1048) The Quaker Oats Acquisition Offer
- [22:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018#t=1356) Buying Out His Partner and Maintaining Control
- [28:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-01-01-clif-bar-gary-erickson-2018#t=1705) Postscript: Alec Avedessian and Rareform

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Clif Bar (product)
- Power Bar (product)
- Quaker Oats (company)
- Rareform (company)
- Coca-Cola (company)
- REI (company)
- Shark Tank (other)

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- [339 - Beyond the Dieline ep 1 with Tom Seymour and Jessica Kwon from Moka Energy!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-02-05-339-beyond-the-dieline-ep-1-with-tom-seymour-and-jessica-kwon-from-moka-energy) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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