Owners: Doug, Jamee, Doug Jr. and Jim Simons
Company type: Candymaker
Headquarters: Grand Junction
Employees: ~225
Started: 1960
Imagine this: you're in a little taxi cab in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the driver turns and asks where you're from. You reply, "Grand Junction, Colorado," and without missing a beat, he exclaims, "Oh, that's where that candy comes from!"
That’s what Doug and Jamee Simons, the operators of Enstrom Candies, experienced on a trip 4,400 miles from their iconc candy business.
The remarkable reach of Enstrom’s might be considered an underdog story, until you dig into the company’s unique recipe combining decades of tradition with a growth-minded business strategy.
The Enstrom family has been in the candy business for multiple generations, and it all began when Chet Enstrom, Jamee's grandfather, came to Grand Junction in 1929. Chet and his business partner ran the Jones-Enstrom Ice Cream Company for 30 years before Chet pursued his passion for candy making, opening Enstrom Candies in 1960.
Enstrom’s has evolved from a small, regional candy shop into a nationally recognized brand. Early on, the company's business was highly seasonal, with 80% of sales occurring during the holiday season through mail orders. At that time, Enstrom’s had 10,000 customers whose information was meticulously kept on a Rolodex.
But as new technologies emerged, the company adapted to embrace nascent opportunities. In the 1970’s, Doug drove the computerization of Enstrom operations, enabling it to handle phone and credit card orders.
The company has also expanded its product lines and distribution channels, moving into wholesaling, private labeling, and supplying ingredients for other manufacturers.
Market expansion and heritage go hand in hand at Enstrom’s. Much of the company’s equipment and methods have remained unchanged for decades, and quality is never compromised. A box of toffee will always be buttery, rich, and dusted with almond snow.
Despite the company’s commitment to the classics, they are not afraid to innovate and try new things. “I wasn't a studier, I was a doer,” said Doug. “And I’m not risk averse.”
Enstrom attributes a significant part of its success to its employees and a strong, community-minded company culture. The company has a record of impressive employee retention, with one recent retiree, Karin Thompson, after more than 50 years.
“We don't tell people to do things. We ask them, and we're willing to step in and do the job with them.”
A robust benefits package, including health insurance and a 401K, make Enstrom’s an attractive place to work in the area. And the company's management style, which emphasizes collaboration and mutual respect, is also a key factor in its high employee retention.
Company leaders believe in a hands-on approach, with managers working alongside employees and treating them with respect and value. “We have a strong core group and core ethics that carry the day,” said Doug.
The company's deep ties to the Grand Junction community and its commitment to giving back are a point of pride.
As a family-run business, they recognize the value of community support, and in return, they give back in various ways, from donating cash and products to volunteering their time and effort.
“Having an effect on the community in which you live is pretty amazing.”
The company has been an active participant in community events like the Lions Club Carnival and Asteria Theater fundraising, and it even hosts "ice cream with a cop" events to bring the community together.
Enstrom's strong connection to its community and its legacy of producing high-quality confections ensure its place as an iconic Colorado company.
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