Meet Beryl Stafford of Bobo’s Oat Bars in Boulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beryl Stafford.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Bobo’s is a tasty fresh-baked wholesome oat treat made with 100% non-gmo ingredients that are vegan and gluten-free. It is the invention of my teenage daughter (Bobo). She began baking these gooey oat treats one rainy Sunday afternoon and I, being a newly single mom, had the idea to tweak the ingredients to a healthier version and try to sell them in local coffee shops and small groceries. Knowing nothing about sales or the food business, I started out slowly one shop at a time, all the while learning about packaging, costs of goods and sales meetings. When Whole Foods picked up Bobo’s in their bakery, I quickly increased my production capacity, hired more bakers and got busy “figuring it out”. With a lot of perseverance, a lot of late hours, and a lot of shoe leather, I gradually got into regional and then national distribution in major retailers. I traveled to just about every trade show I could afford and survive. I learned the trade and many years later Bobo’s Oat Bars became a nationally recognized brand. We offer over 20 flavors and sku’s, and have innovated over the years with our Stuff’d Oat Bars, our Toaster Pastries, and our Bobo’s Bites. Stay tuned for more exciting Bobo’s treats soon!

Has it been a smooth road?
Creating Bobo’s Oat Bars with no experience in the business world or the food industry, I definitely hit many obstacles along the way…mostly small ones but bigger picture challenges were always looming. Increased demand created great excitement for me but also presented challenges of increased production, more stringent quality controls and bigger employee issues. Along. My journey I was always seeking advice from others and hoping to learn a proven path for growing a business and I soon learned that there is no one answer to the problems of my growing business. For instance, I was constantly given advice to stop hiring more people and stop investing more money in hand-baking equipment, and just hire a co-manufacturing company to make the oat bars. Running a bakery with an increasing number of employees obviously presents daily challenges, and I should have a “manufacturing facility” take care of that, advisors warned me.

This was the biggest struggle for me along the way – deciding whether to continue to run my own bakery or hire a manufacturer to handle the production. My biggest worry with that was the Bars would change in flavor and form, they would no longer be hand baked and would no longer be imperfect, After all, my success had come from the fresh-baked look and feel of the Bobo’s. I told my “advisors” to go away and that I will continue to hand bake and just hire more people. It was the best decision I made because after 17 years, we still “bring you home with our fresh baked right-out-of-the-oven taste and feel”.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bobo’s Oat Bars – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Bobo’s is one of the only fresh-baked oat bars on the market. Most of the other bars are made in a manufacturing facility with four perfect corners that all look and taste the same. We pride ourselves on our immense smell and taste as a right-out-of-the-oven treat.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Boulder has been my home for over 40 years. It’s beautiful and offers a wonderful outdoor lifestyle. For me, it has been a great breeding ground for my business as it is the Natural Foods Capital of the country, full of experienced and helpful entrepreneurs. Boulder has spawned many of the great organic food companies with great leaders that have formed a supportive and always expanding community.

Contact Info:

• Website: eatbobos.com
• Phone: 303-938-1977
• Email: becky@eatbobos.com
• Instagram: #eatbobos

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