Today, I want to share with you the inspirational story behind Kate’s Real Food, the energy bar company founded by Kate Schade.
Before Kate Schade started her own energy bar company in 2010, she was enjoying the skier life in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Between days on the slopes and nights waiting tables, Kate was always on the move—and she needed energy food that could keep her going, but which was also made from healthy, organic ingredients that tasted great.
When she couldn’t find it, she went ahead and made it herself! Her solution became the original Tram Bar: a pocket-sized energy bar made from the tastiest organic ingredients she could find.
And that was the start of Kate’s Real Food! Once Kate perfected her recipe, she started sharing her bars with friends in the mountain tram line. It didn’t take long before she established a loyal following; the Tram Bar was an instant favorite!
After many years of steady encouragement, Kate finally decided to take on her greatest adventure: selling her bars.
Today, the Tram Bar-along with six more amazing flavors – goes by the name Kate’s Real Food and continues to inspire people as they pursue a healthy lifestyle. They’ve stayed true to their roots: making great-tasting food using wholesome, organic ingredients to fuel your next great adventure.
Today I am delighted to share Kate’s inspirational story with you as well as her hopes for the future and her advice for other women who want to launch their own business.
Interview with Kate Schade, the story behind Kate’s Real Food
Can you tell me what inspired you to take the leap to launch Kate’s Real Food as a brand, and can you describe your brand to us in a few words?
There were a few small things that inspired me to take the leap, but there was one aspiration that continues to be my drive.
For one, I knew I had a great product. Friends constantly asked for them. I also had a sole proprietorship for the bars beginning in 2005 when I started selling them at the Farmer’s Market in Jackson Hole. It was a side hobby then, but I also got in a few stores locally, created a website, and was getting customer requests from around the country. Still, as a side hobby, I grew very slowly and organically for the next few years.
I met my current business partner in 2010. With the prospect of a good partner, I was finally inspired to take the leap.
But, for me, it was not about the bar, it was about where the bar would take me. My aspiration, which still holds true today, was to inspire people to eat healthier, to eat organic as much as possible, and to get out and adventure more, play more, move the body, experience the outdoors! It equates to happier, healthier people in a healthier world.
My brand.
- To me, my brand is about living real, living the good life.
- It means experiencing life’s textures and flavors.
- It means living and exhibiting good values, always working to be a better version of yourself, being honest and genuine.
- It means taking care of yourself, and educating, showing, or inspiring others to do the same.
Can you tell us what makes Kate’s Real Food unique compared to other brands?
Kate’s bars are made with real, premium, whole ingredients, and unlike other bars on the market, we use organic honey instead of other processed or artificial sweeteners. Each bar is USDA-certified organic, gluten free and non-GMO. The texture of our bars is crunchy, soft and chewy. Each bite is an experience and they have a fresh homemade taste the day you open them.
Can you tell us a little about your career path prior to launching Kate’s Real Food? Did you always have an interest in nutrition?
I honestly have to say I did not have a career path, and at times it bothered me. When I was younger, I thought a writer, an artist, or a photographer. Perhaps that is still in my cards.
Nutrition has definitely interested me. There are so many different ideas, and so much science around nutrition which can be fascinating, but for the most part I think the foods that our planet gives to us are the best, and those that are grown naturally (organic and pesticide free).
I also find merit in the ways of the Weston A Price Foundation. It may not appeal to everyone, but to me it just makes good sense. I think most people have their own sense of what they think is good in nutrition, and what resonates with them. These days, we can find science to back whatever belief we may have.
Can you take us through the process of designing, prototyping, and manufacturing your first product?
Easy, I kept creating my own bars from ingredients that were in my cupboard for years. Finally, I landed upon the recipe that started the company, the Tram Bar (Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate). Originally, they were for my own personal use, and the recipe is still pretty much the same today.
Where do you sell your products? Are you able to purchase them from somewhere other than your website?
Kate’s can be found nationally at Katesrealfood.com, REI, and Amazon. Also, regionally in Whole Foods, select Natural Grocers, Lazy Acres, King Kullen, Harris Teeter, Bristol Farms, Central Market, Market of Choice, King Soopers (in June) and Raley’s.
Your brand is noted for its clean ingredients, sustainable practices and great taste! Can you describe what you mean by clean ingredients and what does this mean for your brand ethics?
At Kate’s, we know that what you eat matters. That’s why we use only organic simple ingredients in all of our products. From our gluten-free oats to our dark chocolate, know that each bite contains the best-quality, best-tasting, and healthiest organic foods we can get our hands on.
This means no chemicals and no artificial sweeteners. To satisfy your sweet tooth, we use organic honey and fruits like dried cherries or dried mango. We keep it simple – only whole food ingredients that you can see and taste.
Similarly, could you explain to our readers what you mean by sustainable practices?
At Kate’s we constantly aspire and work to improve our sustainability practices where we are able to. We practice what we hope all households will practice — recycling, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. To keep the conversations current, we are continually looking into more sustainable packaging that will work well with our products. We look forward to paving our own growth in sustainability and our ability to influence others to do the same.
Organic ingredients are always our priority. Organic farming does not pollute the land, nor our waters with pesticides– providing for a healthier environment and healthier ecosystems. Improved soil health from organic farming practices produces more nutrient dense foods and contributes to the natural lifecycle of our environment. Additionally, buying organic supports more sustainable wages for farmers.
Whenever you choose Kate’s, you are choosing ‘the good life’ and a legacy of value to pass to future generations. Eat organic. Pay it forward.
What kind of person is a “Kate’s Real Food” customer?
You could be an adventurer, an athlete, anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle, health conscious, ingredient conscious, lover of “food experiences.”
What has been the biggest challenge/ hurdle you have faced so far?
Again, in all honesty, my biggest hurdle, yet also my biggest achievement has possibly been “staying power.” Through the darkest moments of the business, the darkest moments of my partnership, when you want to run away, retreat back to the womb, become a different person with a different life . . . through all of this, I stayed.
“This too shall pass, “ I would tell myself. It’s a process of changing the mindset. It’s knowing that in that very moment, maybe that’s how I felt, but the next hour, or the next day would bring something different. It’s finding the silver lining, finding the educational experience, and finding out a little more about the self. It’s not easy. It takes practice, and I still practice it.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives today. Can you tell us what are the biggest challenges you are facing as a woman in business during this pandemic? And how are you overcoming them?
Kate’s Real Food has had the good fortune of being in the natural food cpg industry. I currently have no challenges as a woman in business during this pandemic. We are still growing and have a ton of room for growth. We provide a healthy organic product and have not even touched the surface of our capabilities and of a name known and trusted in the industry.
What are your aspirations for the future? Where would you like to see your brand 5 years from now and are there any imminent plans for the company that you’d like to share?
In part, I can simply repeat what I mentioned to start, “My aspiration, which still holds true today, was, and is, to inspire people to eat healthier, to eat organic as much as possible, and to get out and adventure more, play more, move the body, experience the outdoors! It equates to happier, healthier people in a healthier world.
Five years from now, I’d love to see Kate’s Real Food as a leader of good living, promoting and helping people to live better whether through experiential education, helping organic farmers, getting more kids outside in adventure, the list could go on and on.
Watch us as we grow into this role for health.
What words of advice do you have for any female entrepreneurs trying to launch their own brand?
Seek out advice on your questions, thoughts, concerns. Be as educated as possible on what you are starting. Test your product in the marketplace and know that it works with consumers. Know your numbers and margins. Research the industry. Have a plan.
Before going to investors, know that you need them, and why. Research the heck out of the investment world. Seek good legal counsel and understand everything you are signing.
Thank you for taking the time to talk to me, Kate!
Kate’s Real Food have recently launched their newest all-natural energy bar flavor, Dark Chocolate Mint, a perfect snack for the carry-on or road trips!
Kate’s makes seven delicious energy bars with real, premium, whole ingredients, and no artificial sweeteners. Each one is USDA-certified organic, gluten free, non-GMO, and sweetened with organic honey. Other Kate’s flavors include Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Cherry & Almond, Peanut Butter Hemp & Flax, Mango Coconut, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate, and Lemon Coconut & Ginger.
Their recipes are carefully created to provide you with sustainable, long-lasting energy to help you power through your day and each product is filled with nutrients from whole foods, making them the perfect snack, or worry-free replacement meal for those busy days. Join their mailing list and get 30% off your first order.
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Kate about the Inspiring Story behind Kate’s Real Food , and join me next Monday for the next interview in the Inspiring Women Series. , when I will be interviewing Lizzy Klein from Mazi and Zo.
Kate seems like such a great lady. It was very interesting to read about her Real Food brand and how it all started with a recipe she used for personal use and that hasn’t changed. I agree that staying power can be challenging. Life always throws surprises at us, both in our personal lives and in business. That is why it is important to stay consistent and authentic.
Totally agree Ivana! It’s so important to stay consistent and authentic! And I love how the brand developed from a recipe she developed for her personal use 🙂
This was very interesting for reading and these bars look very delicious. I like combination of flavors. Thank you for sharing.
New Post – https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2021/02/rodial-dragons-blood-eye-gel.html
So glad you found it interesting 🙂
This was a great interview. I’ve never heard of Kate’s Real Food before, but I love that the brand uses organic ingredients and stays away from artificial products. xo
So glad you enjoyed the interview! I love that they use organic ingredients too!
That’s an Amazing post! Glad to read the lovely post and got new insights into story behind kates real food!Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked the post Sonia x
We don’t have this brand here but this was still an interesting read to learn more about why she started the company – and the bars look and sound delicious! 🙂
Hope that your week is going well 🙂
Thanks so much Mica! I don’t think they can deliver outside the US for now, but it’s still an inspiring story 🙂
Oh I love this, I love when someone follows their dreams and takes a chance where it works out well and a needed item is provided in the market. Yes a lot of other bars have sugar in them and are not %100 organic. The packaging is great too, and love her advice for sticking to it and staying it can be tempting to give up. Great interview here!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thank you Allie! It’s so inspiring when someone follows their dream and takes a chance! So glad you enjoyed the interview x
What an inspiring story– and her bars look so tasty!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thanks Ashley! Glad you found it inspiring!
This was such a lovely, interesting read. I’m excited to check out the website 🙂 thank you for sharing!
https://www.emmarenata.com/
Glad you enjoyed the feature, Emma 🙂
So fun to read Kate’s story and how her brand came about! The dark chocolate mint energy bar sounds amazing! Love that they are made sustainably with whole ingredients!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks Jill! I agree – the dark chocolate mint flavour is my favourite too xo
Oh, these sounds amazing. We usually have Lara Bars because of the healthiness of them, I’ll have to check these out.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! I definitely recommend checking them out xoxo
It can be said that Kate Schade is good at seeing opportunities.
Starting from a sports hobby that requires a lot of energy, an organic food bar idea was created.
The packaging also appears with alluring colors.
Very good interview session, Julia.
Thank you Himawan ! So glad you enjoyed the interview! And yes, Kate is very good at spotting opportunities! x
oh yum! Her treats look so delicious!
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
I agree, especially the dark chocolate mint one 🙂
These interviews are so inspiring. I love reading about other people’s success stories because it always gives us a little hope to achieve our own dreams.I have been blogging for a few years and now I want to start my own copywriting business, so this little incentive is just what I needed to read today. Great interview and congrats to Kate for her achievements.
hugs, Ana
http://www.labellesociety.com
Thank you Ana! I agree – hearing about other people’s success stories gives us hope to achieve our own dreams! Good Luck with the copywriting business xo
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing!
xx- Nina
http://www.stylingwithnina.com
Glad you liked it Nina x
Wow these bars seem amazing! I really want to try them! The ingredients are simply incredible!
xx Dasynka
http://dasynka.com
Yes, I love how all the ingredients are so healthy!
What an inspiring story! I would love to try her bars. The flavors sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing Julia!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Glad you found it inspiring Kathrine! xo