Michael Adams and his family are single-handedly proving that you don't need to be a major corporation to be a big business success.

Adams is a man of ten hats – he's the designer, creator, marketer, and part-time baker behind Eddie's Energy Bars, a Richmond-based business that he began in high school. Since then, Eddie's has grown into a popular enterprise, with 10 flavors of all-natural health bars. 

Proclaiming the sensible phrase: "If we can't pronounce it, it's not in our bars – it's that simple!" – the Eddie's Web site allows customers to view the wholesome ingredients in bars with flavors like Cranberry-Orange, Almond Double Chocolate and Lemon Coconut.

While only their maple syrup is produced locally, Eddie's ingredients are healthy and nutritious. On top of this, all the Eddie's products are handmade and free of preservatives – no conveyor belt production here! Take, for instance, the ingredients in Eddie's Cranberry Almond bar. Unlike most products these days, it contains nothing you couldn't find in your everyday kitchen.

 “People love them. They even come in requesting flavors,” said Allison Lafferty, general manager at Natural Provisions Market in Williston. According to Lafferty, the store gets “lots of repeat customers.” 

“We opened about two years ago, and a little while after we opened customers came in asking if we could get them and we started supplying them,” she said.  

Adams recently graduated from Bryant University with a degree in marketing. Originally inspired by infomercials on Saturday morning television, Adams was motivated to design the first Eddie's prototype by his high school business teacher. The business blossomed from there. 

Named for Adams’ father, Eddie's is run with help from his mother, father, sister, and brother. His father, he said, has always been "the flavor guy," coming up with new flavors for Eddie's. His mother, Jeanne, helps keep him on track, telling him to write down all his new ideas for the business. 

"They don't get any payment," Adams said. "It's all sweat equity."

On top of running two successful businesses (Adams is also behind Green Mountain Mustard), he offers consulting advice for those wishing to start their own businesses. He said the number one mistake young people make is to say they have a great idea for a business... then say they need a job.

"The job is starting the company," Adams said. The best time is when you're young – no kids, no mortgage, he said. "If you're in college, start a company." Use your professors, he added – they're essentially providing free advice.

As for the future of Eddie's, Adams says they intend to launch a new product over the summer – "Eddie's Twins". Responding to feedback from customers, the new product will provide the same Eddie's flavor, but in two smaller dollops in a re-sealable bag. Other than that, they're just going where the business takes them. 

For more information, visit www.eddiesenergy.com. 

 

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