Pickle Expert Bob McClure is Outlasting the Rest

in the icon for the Epicurious video “Pickle Expert Guesses Which Pickles Are More Expensive.” Bob is one of the McClure brothers, the founders of McClure’s Pickles out of Detroit, Michigan. The brothers left their respective trades in 2006 and used their great-grandmother Lala’s recipe to start one of the leading non-conglomerate pickle label businesses in America today.

We had the opportunity to ask the McClure brothers your burning questions about their pickling journey, what sparked it and what keeps them hungry in a constantly growing business.

What was the moment you both decided to go from acting and classical guitar to starting a pickle business together?

Well, in a world of uncontrollables, why not try to control what you can control? We still have to answer to someone, and if we are going to solve problems, we might as well be solving ones that, at the end of the day, we can own and learn from. In 2006, when everything went to crap, there was a lot of uncertainty; however, people wanted to connect to something meaningful. When there's a sense of insecurity, humans seek out means of comfort and reassurance. In a way, we gave them that with our pickles. The recipe tasted good, it had a family heritage look, and it wasn't part of some large food conglomerate.

What was your parents' reaction when you asked them to get involved? Or was it a given that the pickle master herself (Jennifer) would always be involved?

They were excited. They raised us to take risks, make mistakes, get up and go back at it. We grew up in the 80s, so we were sent out without supervision to go get lost and come back for dinner. Figure it out, childhood. They did take out another mortgage on their home to supply us with some small capital to buy equipment. It wasn’t until I took out a mortgage to buy a home that I realized what a huge risk that is for them: no bank would lend money to us, and this is before crowdfunding, social media million-dollar startup raises. We paid them their money back with interest.

What is the best pickle-eating experience you’ve ever had?

The one that's homemade. It's always special when you or a friend are making your own pickle at home (fermented or vinegar-based). It's a fun experiment that gets you more connected to the food, the process and what it's all about. I probably have 4 different brands of pickles in the fridge at any time (my family eats a lot of pickles), but the ones we ferment, quick-pickle, or can at home are more fun and flavorful.

What advice would you give pickle lovers out there?

Honestly, if you have a desire to do something (like start a business), find a way to do it. Find great people to help or partner with you, because you cannot do it alone. Aside from raising kids, it's the hardest, most fulfilling work you'll ever do, and some days you will wonder why you did it; other days you'll be on top. Most people give up. Just outlast 'em and never stop improving. Most importantly, always trust in who you are, your values, your instinct. It'll take you farther than you know.

Special thanks to the McClure Brothers for answering our burning pickled questions. Visit their website to shop the product and follow them on Instagram to learn more.