By Emma Brownell for Intent.com
While some of the companies in this series incorporated socially responsible policies into their business plans after launching – others were founded on the principle of giving back. Paul Newman’s line of food items — Newman’s Own – is among these.
Founded in 1982 by actor Paul Newman and author A.E. Hotchner, Newman donated all of his profits from the business to good causes. (The Newman’s Own Foundation now continues this practice.) What launched as a salad dressing label (Newman’s home recipe), became a full food line – offering everything from pasta sauce to lemonade to dog food. According to the Newman’s Own website, $250+ million has been given to charity in Newman’s name.
Six years after launching Newman’s Own, the founders created the Hole in the Wall Camps. According to the Newman’s Own website, “Paul Newman and friends founded the first Hole in the Wall Camp in 1988 to allow children who have been cheated out of their childhood because of illness to regain a sense of self, a joy in life. As the need for summer camps specific to children living with serious medical conditions increased, so did Hole in the Wall Camps (HITWC). Today, the family of Hole in the Wall Camps is reaching children all over the world, with the idea that laughter is the best medicine.”
Newman’s Own has also teamed up with other companies to spread the goodness. In October of 2000 Newman’s Own partnered with the Ford Motor Company and Feeding America (“the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization”) to sponsor refrigerated trucks bringing food to underserved populations. They continue to do so, 8/9 years later.
Lesson Learned: Have Faith
So what does all of this mean for you? Newman’s Own demonstrates the ways that hope and faith can benefit not just you, but thousands. Paul Newman started a company, and funded many charities, with a salad dressing recipe. Something so simple turned into the engine for so much. What dream or inspiration are you not listening to? Whether it’s the brownie recipe that everyone compliments you on, or the software solution that you’ve been debating pursuing – give yourself the time and opportunity to really feel out your creativity and inspiration. If you do pursue your heart, and you find that success follows – remember Newman’s example. Use that success to benefit others, and the effect of your efforts will be passed on.
Read more blog posts in the Intent.com Sustainable Leadership Series here
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