Eddie’s Energy Bars Blog

A couple of days ago, I met with Brenda (a.ka. Happy) of Hikeu Adventure Guides. We were mutually introduced by Ann Zuccardy of Vermont Shortbread Company. Now, my experience with anyone Ann has introduced me to has been wonderful. Everyone was nice, welcoming, and genuinally interested in Eddie’s Energy Bars. This was definately no exception.

Happy was just that, happy. She is finally doing what she loves, and making money at it. What a fantastic combination! We shared similar values in business operation, and life in general. Of course we had taken different life paths, and she is older than me, but when you put two entrepreneurs together, you can always find something in common.

Enough of the filler here. Let’s get down to what Hikeu is. Hikeu is a team of three that gives guided day hikes and overnight trips to locals and tourists looking to broaden their knowledge about the beautiful state of Vermont. Located in Fairfax, Vermont, they have tons of access to the Long Trail and its many branches. Maybe if I ever get in fantastic shape I will throw myself on one of the overnight trips.

As Hikeu and Eddie’s Energy Bars are two local Vermont companies, and Vermont companies like to help eachother out, EEB has decided to create an energy bar exclusively for Hikeu, called the Eddie’s Hikeu bar. As to what this bar will contain, we don’t quite know yet, but Happy and I are constantly in an e-mail tennis match, sending ideas back and forth. Whatever bar we decide on making, it will be unlike the current energy bars we offer, having more calories, more fat (got to stay warm at night!), and carbs. Basically what we are trying to make is a bar created by backpackers, for backpackers. Aside from this bar, Hikeu will be selling Eddie’s Energy Bars for day-hikers, and providing them on their overnights.

I think this is the start of a great partnership between two budding Vermont companies, rallying together to create a crazy-awesome (yep–that’s a word) relationship that hits home with our target market: those cooky outdoorsy people that live in this incredible state.

Keep checking back for updates!

Michael
Eddie’s Energy Bars

I’m coming to you live from our home bakery in Richmond, Vermont, where we just got back from our first farmer’s market EVER!  We signed up to do the Williston Farmer’s Market, which turned out to be a load of fun.  Sadly, I had some technical difficulties in getting pictures onto my computer, so I will take some next weekend so you guys can see the wonderful time we had, and the almost twenty vendors that displayed their goodies and crafts.

One particular thing I enjoyed about this farmer’s market was the ability to meet so many interesting people, and talk to them about my company.  It certainly helped to have my parents there to handle the crowds.  Many times we encountered a line of people waiting to try our homemade energy bars, which is always a good thing (if you can handle customers efficiently).  Many customers gave us a lot of ideas of flavors, retail stores, and just overall ideas of how to further the success of Eddie’s Energy Bars.  A concern of about half a dozen people was a tree nut or peanut allergy.  We are currently looking into making 100% nut free energy bars, which is extremely hard to do with our home bakery right now.

If you were unable to make it to the farmer’s market this morning, we will be at the market every Saturday through the summer except for two Saturdays when the family and I are taking a little vacation to Steamboat Springs, CO.  It is from 9-1 behind the library on route 2 in Williston if you are interested in coming.

Remember, taking a risk can always pay off!

Michael Adams
Eddie’s Energy Bars

So I haven’t blogged about what I’m learning about entrepreneurship in quite some time, so I thought I would give it a whirl, and write a post that was actually somewhat meaningful.

Yesterday, I attended the same 4th of July party I have attended for many years before, but this time, I actually talked about my business with the people at the party (mostly parents). A lot of them understood my mentality of just do it, and see if it works. If it doesn’t, try something else. That is basically how I have operated this company from day one. At the young age of nineteen, I am able to screw up and see where life takes me. I have plenty of time left to find my true calling. Who knows? It might be energy bars, after all!

So, I went with my gut, and applied for the Williston Farmer’s Market, a new market staring this Saturday from 9-1, behind the library on Route 2. I have always wanted to do a farmer’s market, and just see how it goes. Well, it was within my budget, and I got accepted. Now, it is up to the market-goers to decided if they like my product.

Because I offer free samples to anyone who wants one, it generally results in big sales numbers. We shall see how everything turns out this coming Saturday.

Stop by, everyone, from near or far. It doesn’t matter. It’s Vermont. We always have fun.

9-1 Saturday morning, behind the library in Williston on Route 2. Be there!

Michael, Owner
Eddie’s Energy Bars

Hi Everyone,

Before I head off to the parade in Richmond, I want to wish everyone a happy 4th of July!  Enjoy all the festivities your town has to offer, and maybe even come back here and tell me how your 4th of July went!

Have fun!

Michael
Eddie’s Energy Bars

While surfing the ever-growing blogosphere this afternoon, I stumbled on a post from Ann Zuccardy and her Vermont Shortblog (always wonderful reading, by the way). It was a post about a website she found, www.vt251.com.

This site gives visitors a chance to log their progress in visiting all 251 towns in Vermont. You can make your own profile and check off all the towns you have visited. Although a small state, after going through the towns, I realized how much of the state I haven’t seen (not counting the towns I drive through to get to a town I’m actually going to prance around in).

Interested in seeing the 23% of the state I have visited? Click here. Energy bars have not been spread to all 23% of the state by the way.

Create your own profile and see how much of Vermont you have visited by going to www.vt251.com. Maybe I should spread some energy bar love across the part of the state I haven’t visited…

Michael, Owner
Eddie’s Energy Bars