EP#45: The Peeps Guy: A Life of Career Changes and Joyful Candies.

Summary:

Bob Born recently passed away, leaving behind a legacy of marshmallow Peeps. On the No Loan Zone podcast, Janet Maltbie breaks from her normal routine to pay tribute to Bob. She recounts his journey, from engineering physics to the Navy to the candy-making business. Janet encourages her students and others to not worry about the future and know that one’s career will likely not stay the same throughout their lives.

Highlights:

It can be difficult to decide what to do with your life, and it can be even more difficult to make sure you’re making the right decision. It’s important to explore career options wisely, and to ensure that you’re making a decision that will bring you joy and satisfaction. One person who did just that was was Bob Born. He’s the Peeps guy who passed away on January 29, 2023, at the age of 98 according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. This man brought joy to this world through a tiny, lovable product, the marshmallow peeps. May he rest in peace.This man brought joy to this world through a tiny, lovable product, the marshmallow peeps. May he rest in peace.

Bob had a fascinating life, beginning with an education in engineering physics and a stint in the Navy as a radar specialist. He was even planning to go to medical school, but instead found a love for tinkering with production machinery. In 1953 his family took over the Roddy Candy Company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Then Bob that took over the company when his father passed away in 1959. It was there that he streamlined the company and produced, among other things, the famous Peeps product.

Bob’s story is an example of how exploring career options wisely can lead to success and satisfaction. He didn’t stick to one career path, instead meandered through several different jobs and careers before settling in on the candy-making business. His education and training had nothing to do with becoming a businessman, but it was still important and not a waste of time. He just applied it in the candy-making business.

This is why I tell the students in my career exploration class that they shouldn’t worry about deciding what they’ll do for the rest of their lives, because they won’t have the same job or career over time. It’s important to explore career options wisely, and to make sure that you’re making a decision that will bring you joy and satisfaction. It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to stick to one path.

In today’s labor market you will meander through several different jobs and careers. It is common for people to try new things, grow into new fields and experiment before settling in on something that brings them joy. Careers evolve and so do people.

Contact Information:

Janet Maltbie can be reached at noloanzone.com/contact. Janet meets with students and parents individually so they can make wise career choices in high school, college and beyond. She also teaches a totally online Career Exploration and Life Planning class, SDEV 103, through Lorain County Community College.