02/12/2024
Bob, you created a business that led with heart and made everyone better for it. For your partnership, leadership, and friendship – thank you from all of us.
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“It’s so obvious… that it’s not. How to run a business, that is. First, make something you love. That way, it’s hardly work at all.
Then make it as well as humanly possible. Pour your soul into it. Your back too.
Focus on the Thing, not the money. That’ll generally take care of itself. Do it honestly. With integrity. Tell the truth, no mumbo jumbo. Don’t get greedy, don’t cut corners.
Smile whenever possible.
Treat people with respect. Your suppliers. Your employees. Your partners. Most of all, the people that buy that Thing.
Charge a fair price. Just what you need to keep things going. Then, keep things going. Even when you could cash out.
Why? Because way back at the start, there’s another obvious thing that even geniuses forget. That Thing you make, that Thing you love-- it should be a good thing in some way.
After all, isn’t that the point? Isn’t that why we’re here?
To help one another. To add something. Make folks a little happier, a little healthier for doing what you do.
And here’s one last obvious thing — if all goes right, you turn down all the deep pocket suitors. And just give the operation — the whole sh’bang — to your employees instead.
Okay, maybe that last part isn’t obvious. To anybody but Bob. Bob’s Red Mill.”