I don’t know about you, but I am crazy for Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods. I discovered the product at a time when it was hard to find a good assortment of natural non-GMO grain products and hearty cereals for my breakfast. Since then I have come to love the brand even more because I am now not only a fan of the company’s top-notch products, but also impressed by Founder and President, Bob Moore. He is a walking testimony for healthy diets, and his business philosophy is even healthier. (1)

Handing Over The Reins Of The Business

Bob started profit sharing with his employees before it was even a thing. This was in 1981, three years after he founded the company that he ran with his wife Charlee. After this decision, the business flourished, and his employees gained by its success. In a show of good will towards his employees, Bob began transferring ownership in 2010 by way of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). In 2018, he stepped down as CEO, after 42-years as the driving force behind the business. His Chief Operating Officer stepped in and Bob remains on staff as company President. “I like business no matter how hard I have to work. I would rather do this than anything,” he says. (1)

Mid-Life Business Start-Up

He started the business when he was 49, and with the help of his now-departed wife Charlee, they harnessed their passion for healthy foods and whole grains to grow their product line. With over 400 products under his belt today, it just goes to show that when you do what you love, success and happiness follow. Having just turned 91, he is an inspiration – not only as a person who eats well but also someone who lives well and believes everyone has a right to do so. “I wanted everyone to share in the profits of the company. It has increased paychecks by a nice amount,” says Bob. “I’m prouder of that than anything.” (1)

Honorable Business Philosophy

Although Bob could easily have sold his business many times over, he wasn’t interested. In fact, offers came in daily. “These people are far too good at their jobs for me to just sell it,” he says.  His inspiration for his business philosophy is simple, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (1)

You Can’t Take It With You

His employee stock ownership plan holds stocks in trust for his team. Employees that have been with the company at least three years are fully vested, and they will receive their stake five years after they decide to quit or when they retire, whichever comes first. A pretty attractive deal, I’d say. In 2018, the company did over $50 million in revenue providing the 600+ employees with a very respectable payout. (1)

Employees now own close to two-thirds of the company with the goal to increase shares to 100% in the months ahead. Bob loves that every ounce of work the team puts in provides them with a direct benefit. “The harder they work, the more they get,” says Bob. “You can’t take it with you.” (1)