What is the PowerBar story?
In 1983, Brian started a project to develop a nutritious, easy-to-digest food for athletes. Brian and Jennifer teamed up while she was an accomplished runner and nutrition and food science student at Cal. In 1986, they founded PowerBar Inc. and began selling energy bars out of their kitchen. Many athletes fondly recall Brian and Jennifer handing out samples at local events from the trunk of their 1964 Ford Falcon. Over the next 13 years, with Brian as CEO, PowerBar grew to $150 million in sales and 300 employees. By the time they sold the company to Nestle in 2000, PowerBar was one of the most highly respected sports brands and athletes worldwide had come to rely on the company’s products as essential to their performances. Brian was widely recognized for his innovative, inspirational leadership style and was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Inc. and a “Superstar of Marketing” by Advertising Age.
