KLS presents "Together Talks" feature #32 with Why Bars
KLS - Klimson Logistics Solutions
www.klimsonls.com --- 708-980-0920 --- [email protected]
"Together Talks" feature # 32: Why Bars
Some Background on Why Bars
For this edition of "Together Talks" campaign, KLS had the opportunity to interview Chris Forte, Co-Founder, of Why Bars. Why Bars start with simple and wholesome ingredients that satisfy the body, the mind, and the spirit. They combine them to create a bar that’s packed with nutrition and full of flavor — truly the best-tasting and most fulfilling energy bar on Earth! The bars are ideal for busy families who are looking for healthier snacks to support active lifestyles.
Why Not offer a healthy snack and provide grab-and-go options at your office, studio, and retail marketplace? Now you can offer your customers portable, quick and easy snacks that actually taste amazing. Why Bars are naturally soy-free, dairy-free, preservative-free, and made with raw, organic ingredients. These bars are the perfect snack.
Satisfying your Hunger
Why Bars started simply with fate you could call it. One of the Co-Founders, Chris Forte teaches yoga. Across from his studio is a juice bar that he was going to after a session one day when he ran into Jay Kinney who was dropping off a batch of bars. Chris began asking questions to Jay and before you knew it a friendship and partnership was born. This occurred in 2017. Now why was Chris so intrigued by this product? Well, we have to go back to understand fully.
As Chris told us, "I'm a 52-year-old who exercises, teaches and practices yoga, and has eaten some form of bars for 30 years. Every 5-7 years a new innovation comes out based on what consumers are chasing. But back in 2014, I gave up bars altogether. They weren't holding my appetite, I didn't think they tasted good." When Chris bumped into Jay, his curiosity allowed him to give bars another chance.
With the first taste, he knew Jay had concocted something different. Proof you ask? Before they started selling Why Bars, the first customers were the clubhouses of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. Professional athletes who saw the benefit to this snack bar.
Fast forward to today they are represented by 31 Collegiate and Professional athletes. Also partnerships with Texas Legends, Oakland University, Royal Oak Leprechauns, Detroit Mercy, and the Detroit Marathon.
Their Niche
And with that, the company wasn't focused on protein, carbs, keto, or any other specific niche. Their niche is simple, curb hunger. As Chris told us, "Someone is hungry, this gets them from A-B. We are a simple company, simple ingredients, simple delivery, but we don't skimp on taste or quality." The company understood what they wanted to create, a simple bar that is healthy, easily accessible, and attainable for anyone.
There are so many bars in the space that all aim to do a variety of different things for the consumer. The core of the product is chia seeds. Chris actually just got the product on a shelf using that as the selling point. "Not a lot of products are based around chia seeds, which are a superfood and antioxidant. And the ones that are don't always do a good job of telling you the benefits."
3 Hours
The company now brands the bar as "3 hours of fuel", but remarkably that wasn't in their plan. As Chris told us that came from the consumers itself. "We were getting feedback and kept hearing the time frame of 3 years that the hunger was curbed. We jumped on that opportunity. Everyone is looking for a quick reason, we can provide that to them. This simple snack bar taste good and you won't have to think about food for the next 3 hours."
In our chat with Chris he said it can be used for a variety of reasons, health-conscious people
The company is aiming to double its sales in 2023 from 2022 and continue that for the following two years. They have 3 year timeframes of goals they are hoping to achieve. Recently they signed on with Juicepress for their east coast stores. A big achievement for Why Bars that will add to the locations they are already found on including Amazon and their website.
We asked Chris what the challenges have been for the company, he alluded to being grassrooted, but also the vision they had for the company initially. "Our initial focus was to get into Lifetime Fitness in 2018. We worked so hard for this one account. Finally we got it closed and the PO was fulfilled, next month Covid hits. Shut down and we lost the business opportunity. We were less than 2 years into our company and felt like we had no direction, but we didn't lose sight of our product and opportunity. We simply pivoted and adjusted
Yes they have a simple bar with a very specific goal, but it is also the culture of the company that separates them from competitors. And as Chris told us over and over again it is the little things. "Knowing we not only survived that but overcame it and continued to grow is our perseverance. I couldn't be prouder and happier to be a part of this company."
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Purpose
Why Bars is committed to moving at their pace, for their purpose, to fulfill their passion. Surprisingly Chris said his favorite aspect is working in the kitchen, "most people think of kitchens as chaotic and highly stressful environments, but ours is the opposite. We created a peaceful place where the mind can unwind and relax. Gather yourself because our mantra is 'one bar at a time'."
As Chris echoed, he feels that he is a messenger of how food is very important in life. This company, specifically this bar is a platform to spread that message at a larger scale. The bar nourishes the body. And with that belief, it is why the company didn't stress when Covid hit or when they lost the Lifetime Fitness PO, it is because they believe in their product and what it provides. "We are a spiritual company, that the culture is developing everyone's growth. Each person is growing that includes mind, body, and spirit. Our bars will get into the right hands of people looking to better themselves."
That belief is their foundation and it is evident in the little things. A few months back Chris posted on his LinkedIn where he was at the gym and a stranger cracked open a Why Bar. Chris approached him and asked to take a picture.
The little things.
Chris told us about his favorite moment, which over Zoom, he still got emotional. "I have a handwritten letter from a customer of ours in Ohio. It is a family and the mother of 3 children took time out of her day to say how valuable our bars have been for their family. She said it has changed their life and what they are doing. The impact that had on me and us as a company was profound.
Yup, the little things...
In Closing
KLS wants to thank Chris for his time and for inviting us to share the story of Why Bars for today's "Together Talks". You can visit their website here to purchase their different products if you aren't in the northeast region! The company also has a newsletter on its website you can sign up for. Also stay informed with Why Bars from their social channels:
The company has been featured in VegOut as one of the 12 Best Vegan Bars!
They also are offering a 15% coupon code off Amazon using "15WHYBAR"!