26: Brad Black | Do Good by Doing Good Business

Doing good through business is more than a motto—it’s a movement. In Episode 26, Lindsay speaks with Brad Black about how companies can drive positive impact by integrating social good into their business models. Brad shares how purpose-driven leadership benefits communities, employees, and long-term business success.

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How Building a Socially and Environmentally Conscious Business Is Philanthropic

“The definition of business has been hijacked. It is not for personal greed and power and money. It’s to be in service. It’s about barter.” Share on X

Business with a Bigger Purpose

There’s a profound connection between those who seek to do good—both in their personal lives and through their work.

How we define and act on the idea of “good” influences our shift from self-interest to shared purpose, from ego to collective growth. The most impactful leaders embody values like kindness, mindfulness, and intention.

One such leader is Brad Black, co-founder and chairman of EO and Everyone—a natural and organic body care company that places environmental and social responsibility above profits.

Brad isn’t just a business executive; he’s a mindful, values-driven changemaker who is reimagining what business can look like when purpose comes first.

Service as a Definition of Success

Brad is known for his boldness and clarity. At work, he challenges norms and gets things done.

Alongside his former wife and current partner, Susan Griffin-Black, Brad built EO from scratch. They did it all—manufacturing, marketing, and operations—even working the production line in the early days.

Though the road was tough, Brad never felt unsuccessful. His definition of success is grounded in service, resilience, and purpose—not just financial returns.

What might seem like an “overnight success” to outsiders is actually the long-term result of consistent, values-driven action.

The Power of Intention

Brad believes that intention is tangible—you can feel it in a product.

At EO and Everyone, every bottle is made with care, using 100% recycled plastics and manufactured in a zero-waste facility. These choices reflect a deeper mission: to care for people and the planet.

It’s this intentionality that has helped the company thrive for over 25 years. By prioritizing relationships over transactions, EO has built enduring trust and loyalty—even through turbulent times.

Making Space for Imperfection

“You have to work your way through it. Downshift and work your way through it.”

Brad’s approach to leadership is rooted in real life. He acknowledges that challenges will come—but insists that humility, courage, and patience can carry you through.

Growth, he says, comes from embracing imperfection and showing up with honesty and compassion.

Daily Rituals That Center the Soul

Brad stays grounded through simple daily practices. Each morning begins with the sound of a singing bowl, the cleansing scent of sage, and a gratitude prayer.

He also surrounds himself with small, symbolic items—like crystals—that serve as reminders of intention and alignment.

These rituals help Brad stay focused, energized, and connected—to himself, his team, and his higher purpose.

Business as a Form of Philanthropy

EO and Everyone is not a nonprofit. But its mission is inherently philanthropic—rooted in the love of humanity.

Brad proves that profitability and purpose can go hand in hand. You don’t need to sacrifice your ethics to scale. When a business leads with empathy and integrity, it becomes a force for good.

A New Model for Business

For the business world to truly evolve, it must balance masculine and feminine energies.

Historically, companies have favored masculine-coded values like competition, control, and bottom-line performance. But today’s most successful organizations embrace collaboration, empathy, and sustainability.

Real equality isn’t just about elevating women—it’s about valuing every person involved in the ecosystem: from leaders and employees to customers and communities.

In Business to Serve

Brad’s journey is a reminder that business is service.

Lead with generosity. Focus on connection. Give first—and often, you’ll receive more than you ever expected.

Because when business is rooted in love, purpose, and humanity, it becomes more than profitable.
It becomes transformational.

Key Takeaways:

05:36 – How Brad built his company from scratch and turned it into a 180-employee company, the hardships he faced along the way, and what we can learn about his experience.

11:53 – Brad’s definition of success and why we need to be mindful about embracing the feminine attributes in business.

21:01 – The struggles in Brad’s life as a human being, an entrepreneur, a boss, a parent, and as a man.

24:27 – The path going forward as a community in business: There needs to be a respectful conversation and we need to engage in a way that values the human-to-human interaction over profits.

32:24 – Making peace with unrest and seeing problems as opportunities: how Brad handles and accepts the daily infiltration of chaos.

40:10 – Owning the beauty in your own efforts: what EO and Everyone stands for as a company and the message it hopes to share with the world.