Kari Warberg Block Tells CNBC Why She Walked Away from Wal-Mart
Most entrepreneurs dream of sharing their ideas with the world. Wal-Mart, with its hundreds of millions of customers, seems like the ultimate way to reach the masses. Turning down the opportunity to have your products on Wal-Mart’s shelves sounds crazy, but that’s what EARTHKIND, Inc.’s founder, Kari Warberg Block did – and it was one of her best decisions yet!
Doing things her way has enabled Block to grow her business according to her own plan:
“Block’s growth plan…includes sourcing American-grown raw materials from family farms, manufacturing stateside, keeping a low carbon footprint, and investing in a workforce of which 20 percent is made up of developmentally-disadvantaged workers, who help with packaging. She also provides 100 percent paid health care, vacation packages and bonuses for all employees based on company growth and profitability.”
Industry reports indicate a strong consumer preference for the way Block does business, and so does EarthKind®’s growth. Wal-Mart may still have a chance, but in the meantime, EarthKind’s products can be found at thousands of other retailers across the United States.
Read the full story here: The female farmer whose multimillion-dollar success was built on saying no to Wal-Mart
