When Marshall Rader was diagnosed with celiac disease, finding gluten-free products was no easy feat. This inspired him to develop a gluten-free bar which led him to co-found a gluten-free product company with his brother. GFB, originally “Gluten Free Bar” is now “Gluten Free Brother’s”. GFB launched their first product 11 years ago, when ‘gluten free’ was a term no one had really heard of.
On Today’s episode of The Irresistible Factor, Marshall talks about how the market for gluten-free products has changed since the start of his company, and how the growth of the market and the rise in competition have affected their brand. He also talks about how they raised capital through bootstrapping, and how they have grown tremendously while maintaining honorable principals.
Not only do their products taste delicious, but they are also a brand that does good. Marshall shares why they decided to get certified as a B Corp, and how they have been a zero-waste facility for 3 years now – over 90% of what goes into their facility does not go into the landfill. They also have inclusive hiring programs, focusing on people that have challenges gaining employment, oftentimes with criminal background.
Join us to hear Marahsall’s inspiring success story, and advice worth listening to.
“Even if you don’t really have a real company yet, you could be organized and show up prepared, and show up on time. And it sounds weird, but wear a suit to a meeting”..
Listen to The Irresistible Factor’s Interview with GFB Co-Founder, Marshall Rader
Listen to The Irresistible Factor’s Interview with GFB CO-Founder, Marshall Rader.
Here’s what you won’t want to miss from our conversation:
- How the market for gluten-free foods has changed since GFB first started
- Insight into the current size of GFB’s distribution channels
- Insight into how the company supports 15,000 retailers and the value of open communication
- How GFB decides when to innovate and when to create new products versus continuing to push the ones that are already successful
- Marshall’s career background as a paint salesman and what inspired him to quit and go into GFB full-time
Links mentioned in this episode: