Blog

Two years ago this week I started calling retailers from a cell phone from within my in-laws basement (my home office) as one of the first sales reps for PROBAR. One of the accounts I contacted early on was EarthFare, a fast growing natural foods chain born in Asheville, NC. With just a few years under our belt, we�re fortunate to receive daily calls and emails from new stores inquiring about adding PROBAR to their shelves. The only difference between then and now; I�m not fielding each call and soliciting each account.

Two years have passed and I�m nestled into a small regional jet headed to a fast growing city known for for great music, art, a destination for many outdoor enthusiasts and the home of the newest natural food chain carrying PROBAR - EarthFare Natural Market.

The flight was delayed due to heavy rain in the east, but I enjoyed the late afternoon arrival over the jade-blue hills surrounding Asheville.

Coral (Public Relations for PROBAR) and I met for a quick overview of PR for the company, then drove across town for the pre-opening party @ Earthfare. The community was also invited for live music and plenty of gourmet food in exchange for a donation of $10 or more. You�ll see from the picture the event was met with fanfare and excitement. Earthfare donated tens of thousands to a local charity and people lined up in almost hundred degree weather forming a snake around the front of the building. No, they�re not waiting for the long awaited release of the newest DVD from Blockbuster.

The next day we set up a demo table and sold over 200 hundred bars while sampling PROBAR with locals for the very first time.

It�s fun to watch random consumers initial response when tasting a PROBAR for the first time. It�s not unusual to one of the following responses:

�Hmm, it actually tastes good� - as if to imply energy bars don�t usually taste great.

�It doesn�t taste like cardboard�

�mmm, oh that�s soooo good�

Art (founder of PROBAR) did an incredible job when he mixed his concoction of ingredients to formulate PROBAR. I received my first Betty Crocker cook book when I turned four and learned to bake sugar cookies with my Mom. Although I can�t take credit for the bars and their success, life requires a balance of ingredients and patience to render the desired outcome. For now, it seems we�ve found just the right mix to keep our little family happy while developing PROBAR as we go:

~Healthy, great tasting food (and bars)
~A road-trip that takes our home and family along
~Business that supports and encourages healthy living
~Friends, friends, and more new friends!