Christian-Owned Companies
What does it look like when a follower of Jesus runs a business?
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One Question, Fifty Companies, Eight Practical Answers
What does it look like when a follower of Jesus runs a business? It’s a question we’re asking more than ever before, from the front lines of business to the front page of the newspaper to the front row of the classroom.
But our answers tend to be incomplete—personal anecdotes, media narratives, or simply revisiting the usual suspects.
Christian-Owned Companies, the stories of 50 for-profit businesses, is the most thorough investigation of the question to date, uncovering 8 practical answers.
For business leaders, it’s a road map. For academics, it’s a theory. For students, it’s a curriculum. And for a confused culture, it’s a corrective to the stereotypes of the left and the right.
Join Professor Michael Zigarelli for an in-depth look at what Christian-owned companies really do and how they do it.
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Self-paced study, with video (pdf)
Complete with dozens of video links to interviews with Christian executives and business owners, this free curriculum is a 10 session self-study or small group resource.
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary: What does it look like when a follower of Jesus runs a business?
Their Purpose: They Seek to Honor God in All They Do
1. Historical Perspective: The ServiceMaster Company
2. Chick-fil-A: Creating a Corporate Purpose
3. Hobby Lobby: Redeeming Retail
4. Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe: Honoring God through Excellence
5. Turbocam International: Setting Captives Free Half a World Away
Their Products: They Make Products That Make a Better World
6. Historical Perspective: Guinness Brewing Company
7. D.light Design: A Brighter Future for Millions in the Developing World
8. Eventide Asset Management: Investing for the Common Good
9. CapinCrouse: Helping Nonprofits Help More People
10. The C12 Group: Building Great Businesses for a Greater Purpose
11. Big Idea Productions: A Triumphant and Tragic (Veggie)Tale
Their Profits: They Fund Faithful Causes
12. Historical Perspective: Domino’s Pizza
13. Auntie Anne’s Pretzels: Purpose Out of Pain
14. Toms Shoes: Buy One, Give One
15. Pura Vida Coffee: Great Coffee, Great Cause
16. Altar’d State: Standing Out, for Good
17. Barnhart Crane & Rigging: Starting at the Finish Line
18. Bridgeway Capital Management: Giving Back Half
19. 4 Rivers Smokehouse: Barbeque Ministry
Their People: They Treat Their Employees Like Family
20. Historical Perspective: H.J. Heinz Company
21. Broetje Orchards: The Most Generous Employer in America
22. Mary Kay Cosmetics: Praising People to Success
23. Wegmans Food Markets: Caring for the People Who Care for the Customers
24. World Wide Technology: Doing Business by the Good Book
25. Walker Manufacturing: Cutting Grass, Not People
26. Polydeck Screen Corporation: Loving Employees through a “Caring Committee”
27. Tyson Foods: Chicken and Chaplains
Their Poverty Plan: They Create Jobs for People Who Would Not Have One
28. Historical Perspective: Hershey Chocolate Company
29. Lamon Luther: Hiring the Homeless
30. Second Chance Coffee Company: Giving Felons a Fresh Start
31. Keystone Custom Homes: Alleviating Poverty through Microfinance
32. Tegu Toys: Building Blocks to Rebuild Honduras
33. Sunshine Nut Company: Transformation in Mozambique
Their Planet Protection: They Value Creation Care
34. Historical Perspective: Herman Miller
35. Tom’s of Maine: Pioneering Natural Products
36. Oobe Apparel Design Group: Making Shirts from Plastic Bottles
37. Elevation Burger: Taking the Junk Out of Junk Food
38. Cardone Industries: Remanufacturing Auto Parts
39. Enviro-Stewards: How to Make More Money while Doing Less Harm
Their Principle: They Stand Firm, Regardless the Cost
40. Historical Perspective: Wanamaker’s Department Stores
41. Correct Craft: Building Boats to the Glory of God
42. Flow Automotive Companies: Going the Extra Mile No One Else Will
43. R.W. Beckett Corporation: Revealing God under the Media Microscope
44. Masterpiece Cakeshop: Reclaiming Religious Freedom
45. Conestoga Wood Specialties: Risking the Company to Remain Faithful
Their Proselytizing: They Introduce People to God
46. Historical Perspective: R.G. LeTourneau Inc.
47. Interstate Batteries: Charged Up to Change Lives
48. U.S. Plastic Corporation: Every Share of Stock to Share the Gospel
49. Pure Flix Entertainment: Faith through Film
50. In-N-Out Burger: Good Food and Great Pay, with a Side of Scripture
Appendix: 100 Best Practices of Christian-Owned Companies