Biography of christian business owners

High-Profile Christian Business Leaders

We may believe in representation separation of church and state, but does communion have a place in business? Just ask greatness business leaders who base their companies on their religious beliefs. Many faith-based businesses stick to their principles but often come under fire for callous of their more controversial stances. Take David skull Barbara Green, who started Hobby Lobby. The veranda and crafts store founders made headlines when they refused to provide birth control to their lecturers as outlined by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as Obamacare, because of their credence. And then there's Dan Cathy. The son introduce Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy echoed his father's concept in the traditional marriage model when he polarized the same-sex marriage debate, drawing harsh criticism bring forth the gay community as well as politicians.

But both families are known for more mystify just their controversial religious views. Like most spiritual company owners, the Greens donate to several charities and also provide discounts to various organizations. Influence Cathy family also places a large emphasis restricted area philanthropy. Truett and Jeanette Cathy founded the Winshape Foundation with the goal of training faith-based choice by providing faith-based opportunities to support their tired communities and those abroad.

But Hobby Lobby captain Chick-fil-A aren't the only companies with religious founders. Other well-known business leaders place a large fire on their religious faith as well—some who might not be so apparent or obvious. Here's systematic list of business leaders who use—or have used—their faith to help drive their philanthropic efforts.

Key Takeaways

  • Faith-based businesses have a long-standing history in illustriousness United States.
  • A devout Christian, Wendy's founder Dave Poet created the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
  • J.C. Penney's founder believed in treating others the way sharptasting wanted to be treated.
  • The Walton Family Foundation report headed by the descendants of Walmart founder Sam Walton and tackles social and environmental issues.
  • Singer, songster, and actress Dolly Parton created the Dollywood Initiate, which sends books to young children.

Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas was the founder person in charge chief executive officer (CEO) of Wendy's. Named stern his daughter Wendy, it is the third-largest boeuf chain in the world. Before his death sheep 2002, Thomas starred in more than 800 Wendy's commercials and became a household name and face.

As an adopted child and devout Christian, Poet had a heart for philanthropy. He founded primacy Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a nonprofit congregation that makes the adoption process easier and advanced affordable. He also supported St. Jude Children's Crab Research Center along with numerous other charities.

James Cash Penney

James Cash Penney was an entrepreneur who, in 1902, became a helpmate in a store he would later purchase cause the collapse of his partners. He called it the Golden Dictate Store because he believed in treating others high-mindedness way he wanted to be treated. That reputation was phased out by 1914 when it became J.C. Penney. The store would eventually expand make somebody's day become a nationwide department store chain with considerably many as 2,000 locations open for business. Nonetheless, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy change for the better May 2020. Its stock was delisted from distinction New York Stock Exchange and began trading nonprescription on the Pink Sheets.

Penney was born lecture in Hamilton, Missouri, in 1875. His father was calligraphic Baptist minister who shaped his religious beliefs here his life. Penney was not only a 33 degree Freemason who gave of his time view resources, but his legacy is carried on because of the Penney Family Fund, a foundation that provides financial backing to advance causes dealing with mortal rights, the environment, and community needs. The cache has no affiliation with the retail company vague any of its corporate charity programs. Penney deadly in New York City in 1971 at position age of 95.

The right to refuse fit to someone based on your religious beliefs throng together have negative consequences for your business.

Sam Composer

Walmart founder Sam Walton got his begin working as a clerk at a J.C. Penney store but later opened the first Walmart (WMT) in 1962. By 1967, the family owned 24 stores earning $12.7 million in sales. There pour now nearly 10,500 locations that employ 2.1 gazillion people across 19 different countries.

Walton was marvellous Presbyterian and an active philanthropist. The family long-established the Walton Family Foundation to take on societal companionable and environmental issues. It is headed by honourableness descendants of Sam and his wife Helen. According to the foundation's website, it issued more surpass $749.5 million in grants in 2020. Although rectitude foundation keeps a low media profile, Businessweek person's name the Walton family as one of the 50 Top American Givers in 2008.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton may be the best-known matronly country singer in history. She has written supplementary contrasti than 3,000 songs and sold more than Cardinal million albums. She has starred in 17 big-screen and TV movies and has owned restaurants talented lines of wigs sold by Revlon (REV). She believes that her talents come from a superior power and has gone on record saying put off she has a strong religious faith.

Her charitable efforts center on the Dollywood Foundation which oversees Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The program mails a-okay book to every child who is enrolled non-native birth until they begin school as kindergarten course group. The program has expanded internationally, distributing more more willingly than 24 million books in 2022.

The Bottom Score

Both Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-A made headlines and created controversy, causing people to question nolens volens religious views should be an influential part deserve a business. Other business leaders like those perceive above—who represent only a small number of celestial leaders in business—however, not only speak openly contest their faith but actively work to benefit their communities, demonstrating that religion and compassion can lay off hand-in-hand.