Freedom Bar – Brand Spotlight

In our brand spotlight, we feature Abound brands who are ready for retail. This week we sat down with Joseph Nadoff, co-founder and COO of Freedom Foods. Freedom Bar sells nutrition bars & snacks, is based in Brooklyn, New York, and has been in business for two years. 

Robin: Why did you decide to start this business?

Joseph: Freedom Bar was founded by my brother and I. My brother has a personal need for healthy and tasty snack options, and that didn’t exist on the market.

R: How did you make your first prototype? What changes have you made to your product since then?

J: We made our first bars in the kitchen, by hand. Now they are made by a co-packer to accommodate our large orders. We send them the raw materials and they manufacture for us.

R: What’s your day to day like?

J: I’m the COO, so I take care of selling, operations, analyzing growth, managing sales, and logistics.

R: What was your initial investment? How did you get the money?

J: Our initial investment was $10,000, we got it from our own savings. 

R: Where was the first place you started selling your product?

J: Online, both our website and Amazon, along with small independent stores.

R: Where do you sell your product now? 

J: The same places as before, but more independent stores, micro markets, retail chains, and even some vending machines. 

R: Where would you love to sell your products in the future?

J: We’d love to get into large grocery stores and large convenience chains. Wholefoods, Sprouts, Mother’s, Publix, Trader Joe’s, and many more are on our wish list.  

R: Is social media an important part of your business? 

J: Social media is very important to us. We use it to both drive awareness and generate online sales.

R: What are some of the most frustrating challenges and/or moments you’ve had with your business?

J: Definitely dealing with manufacturing. Finding a good co-packer that will make the product the way we intended, with the proper taste and texture.

R: What are some of your greatest achievements and victories you’ve had with your business?

J: Getting into UNFI was one of our greatest accomplishments, in general securing large accounts always feels like a victory. 

R: What advice do you have for people who want to sell a product?

J: I’d say to be aware that throughout the process you’re always going to need a cash flow. 

R: What’s your favorite thing about being a business owner?

J: Being my own boss.