Honey Stinger.

• Position: TO WATCH - Company overview - Brief article

SNAPSHOT: Based in Steamboat Springs, Honey Stinger produces honey-based energy gel, energy bars, protein bars and organic energy chews.

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LEADERSHIP: Company President Bill Gamber teamed with his father, William, a honey industry veteran; Bob Stahl, a food product developer; and John Miller, a professional beekeeper, to launch Honey Stinger in 2001. Gamber is also the founder and president of Big Agnes, a Steamboat Springs-based camping gear manufacturer that was a Colorado Company to Watch last year.

WORK FORCE: The company had eight full-time equivalent employees in 2009 and expects to add two in 2010.

MARKETING: A small, self-funded company, Honey Stinger took a decidedly grass-roots and low-budget approach to marketing at the outset. Recently it has...