About Us Carlson has always been driven by and rooted in a strong set of values exemplifying the bold, entrepreneurial spirit and high quality standards embodied by our founder, Curtis L. Carlson, who left us the Carlson Credo. Carlson's roots are set in 1938, when Curtis L. Carlson took an idea for a loyalty program and loan from his landlord and founded the Gold Bond Stamp Company. Today, the Carlson enterprise is in its third generation of closely-held family ownership