How energy bars turned into gold bars!

Don't you love it when someone makes an effort to do something better than has been done before? If you are like most people, it can be irritating to listen to someone complain about how things are, but never take action to make things better. By contrast, how inspirational is it when someone rises up, accepts a challenge and makes life better for themselves and everyone around them?

Well, if you are one who admires those who strive to make life better, then this short story is for you. Here is an example of someone who knew he could do better, and believing he could, took action and made a multi-million dollar profit!

Our story begins back in 1990. As our founder, Gary Erickson, tells us, "I lived in a garage with my dog, my skis, climbing gear, a bicycle and two trumpets. The inspiration to create an energy bar occurred during a day-long 175 mile bike ride with my buddy, Jay. We'd been gnawing on some "other" energy bars all day. Suddenly, despite my hunger, I couldn't take another bite. I thought, "I could make a better bar than this!"

And that's the moment I now call "the Epiphany." Two years later, after countless hours in my mom's kitchen, the Clif Bar became a reality. The mission to create a better-tasting energy bar was accomplished. "Thanks Mom!"

Giving credit to his dad as well, Gary says, "Clif bar is named after my father, Clifford, a great man who is my childhood hero and companion hiking and riding throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains."

Once perfected, Gary sold over $700,000 worth of Cliff Bars the first year. This was only the beginning. Gary sprinted onto the fast growing wave of popularity of healthy and natural foods and energy snacks by landing several large retail accounts and never looked back. Sales doubled each year, and by 1997, revenue surpassed $20 Million!

Gary and his wife are co-owner and co-CEO, and have built Clif Bars into a hugely profitable business. In April 2000, Gary and Kit turned down a $120 Million offer from Quaker Oats to buy the company. Putting their money where their values are, Gary and Kit turned down the great offer to ensure they could continue to guide the company down the proper path of making good food, for good people, for a long time to come.

Together, Gary and Kit have created a company that is dedicated to environmental sustainability, organic ingredients, and contribution to community through volunteering and philanthropy. Striving to make the world a better place, instead of complaining about how bad things might be, they donate thousands of dollars every year, and encourage their employees to volunteer when ever they can.

Solid Gold Performance...

It comes easy for Gary and Kit because their heart, head and hands are all aligned with their company vision, as they strive to achieve a single value of serving others.

How Did Clif Bars Become a Gold Mine? By Superior:

Mission...     Talent...     Operations Management...

Click on Function... Insert a Do It in your Strategic Plan... then Just DO IT!

Your Thoughts and Observations...

"Unlike most companies, which have one bottom line, Clif Bar has five bottom lines: sustaining our business, sustaining our brands, sustaining our people, sustaining our community, and sustaining the planet. All five of these goals... are of equal importance. Before anyone at Clif Bar makes business decisions, we think about how they will affect employees, the planet, and our community." ~ Gary Erickson