John Mackey's an Investor in Zaadz!

Congratulations!

I think you have hit the nail on the head…. it is simply Love!
and yea… having him as an investor is definitely “hot”  :-)

That's hot. :)

Mucho hot! 

And, John Mackey is considering opening a store near where I live - Eugene. Oregon!

Yeaaaaaaa!

This is really good news…even more people will eat healthy !!!!   :):):)  Congratulations !!!

wild applause ! !

Next stop:  I see you featured as one of  Tom Peters' “Cool Friends” … and more investors saying: YES.

Congratulations and all the good wishes I can possibly contain for continued success—–you and the entire team deserve it.

love it. i'm a big fan of John Mackey and Whole Foods too. especially after reading this compassionately conscious essay: The Upward Flow of Human Development

i'm so proud and happy :)

~C

Mazel tov! So happy for you guys (and for JM)! :-)

WOW.. I cannot believe how the universe is telling me right place right time.  Whole Foods is a great place, great foundation and philosophy.  Same with Zaadz. Makes sense.   I wish I had a store closer to me (as close as my keyboard) smile.

Great news!!!

Did you know they are buying Wild Oats? (of course you did)

dear brian,
this is ever sooo cool. i know a lot of people that want and seek to push into the integral philosophical business paradigm, but nothing is as convincing as an action, and this is a cool action. we all have win by this.
thank to you both and much love,
eva

But what really hit me was the fact that I had never heard a human being use the word “Love” that many times in a 2 hour span of time.

I hear ya! There's this dude here at Zaadz who's the same way on his blog!!!

Love, love, love, love, love…

:)

Big, big huge hug and congrats to you and your amazing team!

Brian,
That's fantastic! Couldn't have wished it on a better cause. Don't know if you recall, but we met John at the same week in Austin at the Working for Good seminar.

Bless me father for I have sinned, it's been a while since I last zaazded…

A quick update says I have had my nose to the grindstone and been making some interesting progress on my business (my nose is still big though). Specifically, we're partnered with Austin's Mobile Loaves and Fishes on a project we call “sselemoH”…reversing Homelessness. It's aimed at connecting homeless people's needs and goals (yes they have them) with MLF volunteers (and others) who are in position to assist in helping.  I will be living on the streets with them next week for 4 days so soon will be a changed man :-)

sselemoH, sselemoH,…
Tom

Hi Brian,

Just finished the Makey essay on Conscious Capitalism and I must say it's one of the most amazing essays I've read in some time. It has inspired me to build a portfolio of these types of companies for my clients that you can feel good owning and make a profit at the same time. Thanks for sharing and continued success in your ventures.

That's good.

Try working within the company sometime.

Whole Foods.  Great Products, ludicrous prices. (IMO)

Bill Maher made a joke on his cable show about this….

————-

New Rule: Activists have to stop preying on my liberal sympathies outside of Whole Foods. I know my signature is vital to the anti-war movement, clean needle programs, music in schools, a free Tibet, and the fight against autism in gay polar bears…But I just need some hummus and a can of pinto beans. For $37.00. And if you're going to keep shoving clipboards in my assistant's face, how is she going to do my shopping?!
————–

I'm glad they are investing here.  That is good news.  If they are reading these comments I hope they consider making their stores a lot less cost prohibitive.  Many people cannot afford to eat well, it seems.

AWESOME : ]

Valid point MindTrigger.  I'd like to see whole food for the whole population some day.

Many moderately paid worker bees with discounts at Whole Foods still feel they need to shop for their families at the cheaper grocery stores -  and do.

congratulations!

there is another quote, in line mackey's and emerson's, but much older:

“Making a profit is no more the purpose of a corporation than getting enough to eat is the purpose of life. Getting enough to eat is a requirement of life; life's purpose, one would hope, is somewhat broader and more challenging. Likewise with business and profit.” – Kenneth Mason, former president of quaker oats, 1979

Congrats and pass the organic produce to me too! Loved this news, and I am beaming for you!

Did you get the goodies from Obi that I sent? Looking forward to moving the Zaadsters forward in their businesses.

making a difference can be so fun! and HOT!

xxoo
Viki The Buddha!

Congratulations!!! The seeds are spreading! The diversity of all you zaadzsters truly creates a garden of beauty. May the watering continue.

in gratitude,

werner
http://dharmaseeds.org

GREAT news Brian! Whole Foods is where I bought Tricycle Magazine and that magazine had the ad for zaadz. There are no accidents! Glad you are having fun plerking Bri! Life is good. Zaadz brings me joy!

Hope you get even more zaa-vestors! Spreading the love…

Namaste

Your enthusiasm and excitement are palpable Brian! 

Your news is very hot indeed!  Thanks for sharing the joy with us.

love,

Nicola

Brian -

This is such a wonderful community, Whole Foods Is Awesome!
Consciousness is supreme and
blessings will multiply because of the love here.

Last night Whole Foods hosted a fund raiser for Riverkeeper at their newest NYC store in SoHo.  It was a wonderful way to bring together the people and issues that sustain us here on the planet.  The food was wonderful, the cause was a deserving boost for the protectors of the Hudson River and the message was that there are very many working together to foster sustainable practices and wholesome growth.

It is nice to have an example of doing good and doing well in business, glad to have a Whole Foods spirit along with the zaadz community!

I knew I LOVED Whole Foods for a reason…

Love is the only way.

Eventually, we ALL will come to this…

Wow, fantastic news, Brian! You must be on cloud 9 about now.  This is fabulous!  By the way, we're waiting (waiting, waiting, waiting) for a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe's in Redding, California.  :)

May the Love continue to expand and the seeds continue to grow and come to fruition!

Wow, what a great coup! Whole Foods is one of my favorite markets. Too bad there isn't one close to me in north San Diego county, well some day! Can't wait to see what they will offer for Zaadz!

BRIAN!  This is HUGE~!  Congrats my brother!  It just goes to show what level you and the team here at Zaadz are at!

I took a college class earlier this year and did a report on Mackey!  I had already been sold on his market, Whole Foods AND my research solidified him as a hero in my book.

I also learned about Zaadz through WIE magazine which I purchased at Whole Foods.  I shop their every week AND I also met Harv Eker again from Peak Potentials at the Whole Foods near my house.  I just feel really good in that place, sometimes I just go there because it feels like home….almost like Cheers from the 80's LoL  Wow, Whole Foods has changed my life and if it weren't for it, I don't know what I'd be typing here right now.

BRAVO!  HIGH FIVES! :)

Hot! Really good news…are there details avaialable for the public?

Al

~ OMG Whole Foods @ Zaadz…  the best… now where is the featured friend logo…

* ok so my fav is @ Time Warner except the lines r forever… 

* dont like Union Square at all cuz they dont have escalators… scoozi dont do steps… but the location is the best (of course) n a cool sitting area with a view to the park ^.^

so which ones ur favorite…

Thank you for the blessings that surround me.

Love unconditionaly regardless of what comes back and you will be free.

Unconditional love takes presidence over all agendas and alegences
http://3g.nko.org

Brian, I am SO pleased for you, Zaadz and US!

Btw, that Emerson quote choked me up! 

Mary

Excellent news for zaadz and the team.  I'm not a whole foods shopper as I'm blessed to have a smaller coop (my coop) near me here in Mpls.  I do think with all their trials over they years they've done a lot to push the edge forward and your info on Mackey just shows why and how.

And without taking the conversation into the weeds at I'm laughing at Princess not doing stairs — tee hee - Now what?  (originally found via Shelly cause we've agreed to try and laugh more - Thanks Shelly)

Blessings to you all.

Go ZAADZ go!!

Congratulations – may this be the beginning of many blessings and windfalls on the financial end of things.

After 10 years or so of working and participating in online communities – this is my favorite and the one i resonate with most.

Thank you for your vision and foresight, Brian,

Teiwaz

Well done Brian..John deserved that noble accolade…And so do you…maybe one day we shall meet. Just what I know is this: We are not judged in what we have or achieve but in what we did for our fellow man or woman. both of you guys lead that way many….To be a leader is a big responsibility as you have to be the best you can be, especially with compassion, caring, strength, and…yes…love.

Be well

Pascal Gillon, BAS
Founder
infogatherer.com

just one word…SWEETNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This goes perfect with today's Q&R question about 10 million dollars. We need more people like John to invest and start changing the world for the better.

Thanks John, you did a very good thing

Wonderful, Brian!   Pretty soon you'll be investing in me!  :)

WAAAYYYYY Cool!

Brian,

we are all “one”, but at the moment we have to synergize with the ones who already aware of that - puzzle-pieces put together. One more part of it is now visible. Can you figure out wich pieces will fit to that new view? ;) We are beginning to see more than the elephant tail - keep focused. I love what is happening here - it will start in Germany soon. We’ll join the parts of the puzzle, when it will fit. Looking forward to that. We are on our way. I guess each one of us is a piece in the puzzle - and together it will be a picture of the earth that we’ve never seen before ;)

Love, unity, and respect to the puzzle masters! ;)
And you can be sure, that I want to have a live-chat when I put some puzzle-pieces together here in germany! ;) One love!

David

~ ahhh David tears falling….  YES we got to connect side by side with those who can c what we can or who r as fit as we r n then we can help the rest…

* the second day i was climbing on the inka trail it became unbearable….  we had guides who carried our backpacks but i still had a small one with my water n some fruits but some half way i was like… i cant do this… no oxigen n no shade… just steps n steps n endless steps….  soooooo many times i was like to give up n if it wasnt for my friends who were sending me lots of love n a guide who ended up taking even my tiny bag i wouldnt have made it… but i did…. n the fourth day i Conquered the World….  but no i m not good at climbing mountains…

* but what i m extremly good at is holding The Vision n beaming endless energy for the new paradigm to become available for all 6.5 + billion on this planet (no child left behind) so that each n everyone is able to c the whole puzzle picture.. 

n for this YES i feel we got to start synchronize with those who c the same corner of the puzzle so one by one we can start putting these pieces in place by acting n manifesting in reality… 

u know what… i LOVE u… 

* back to plerks ^.^

That's great news, Brian!  I put in my time at Whole Foods (2 1/2 years, to be exact), and I really like what John Mackey has done with the company and his overall mission and vision.  I think this is going to be a great and fruitful partnership.

right on right on!

How beautiful is the presence of love!

Only LOVE is REAL..

xoxo
Cari

How much is he investing? 5 mill?

Delicious news! Congratulations! :)

Bri, absolutely loved that post.  It really filled my heart because it is so often left out of the equation.  The Beatles said it beautifully: All you need is love, da da da da, all you need is love, da da da da, all you need is love, love, love is all you need! Spreading love around the globe always, Lise xx

Love is all it takes, there is only one commandement “love your God with all your heart with all your soul and the second one is like it love your neighbour as yourself” Jesus Christ. There is no other law.

How exciting!  Brian, I am thrilled for you and Zaadz!  I am looking forward to seeing this home of mine get better and better.

BTW, LOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE Whole Foods!  I wish I had one nearby….North Mississippi…..hint HINT!  :)

wONEderful!!!!!!!

more love and love and love..:)))

well then Brian,theres a thing.all the best with the upward boost,with Whole Foods investing..tlking of which ,and conscious ( conscienced) capitalism..the wrod is of the eslfsame origin as capitulation..Conscious Capitulation to what?…
if the war on terror says anything,other than how draconian it is,for slow learners..and high earners… who have yet to catch on and up to realisms,rather than brands..then its this…
Conscoiusly Capitulate to Natural Law..and feed the soul…

Bravo!!

I'd like you to read the following article:
http://www.culinate.com/read/opinion/Whole+truth%3F

Big congrats, Bri…..

You have co-created something so amazing. Of course you would attract the attention of someone like Mr Mackey!

Big hugs and a smooch on the cheek,
Gina
Massagediva

PS: I love that Emerson quote.

You have far too many comments to read through already Brother.  I shall keep my own then, to a minimum:

BADASS!

Gave me chills reading that. I like John Mackey a lot - and you're not so bad yourself. :) That's awesome - congragulations!

I look forward to the day when an All Vegan Nationwide Organic Food Chain will emerge, and until then, I rejioce that Whole Foods endorses organic responsibility.
John MacKey has proven to the world that we, the consumers, are informed, intelligent, caring, and commited to buying products that are good quality, organically-grown and healthy, that help the planet, that supports co-ops and organic farmers, and that includes social responsibiilty in the entire mix.
Bravo!

And who knows? Maybe John MacKey will go vegan and bring the entire chain along with him!

Great !

This is fabulous news!

To have someone such as John support the great work of Zaadz will really make others sit up and take note.

The future's bright!!!

Congratulations :-)

When it's your calling what else could you do.
I love Emerson too!

hmmmm … i dunno … i checked out his blog … the first entry was on “conscious capitalism” the second entry was an increase in the “salary cap” or, in other words, the enlarging of disparity between the upper strata and the lower strata pay levels of the store … the reason … “to stay competitive”.  why not raise the entire level of the collective rather than just the upper one?  things that make me go hmmmm ….

for those who truly want to use conscious capitalism yet engage in the practices of competitive capitalism because they think they have to “keep up” or “remain competitive” (in otherwords, remain engaged in the game of competitive capitalism) are merely word playing the game of the competitive capitalism.  that does not and will not work, in the long run … but given the present condition of our society, i think even those who talk it or are using it on any level are a great improvement to what is otherwise “the ordinary course of business” in our society.

as for its investment in zaadz … well, that between you and your conscience.  i for one haven't be able to give any of my money to a Whole Foods Market in about 3 years … and i recently visited one of the stores and its only gotten worse, in my opinion.  i feel little truth in action behind their words.

peace & harmony,
elaine
'freedom must be exercised to stay in shape!'

I work for Whole Foods. And yeah I agree its a great company, but unfortunatly even people who dont care about the enviroment or love can move up in the company. So I used to cry everyday because of my old boss, things are better now, I might even become a supervisor but for a while I hated my job.

Did you know John Mackey gets payed 1 dollar a year?

elaine.

Thank you, deeply, for your reply; I'm always so moved by passion, and I love the depths that your care and concern reach.

Why denigrate Mackey? It's easy to complain. It's easy to squander a lifetime pointing fingers at what is wrong. I spent a long time being upset at others for the choices they made, and it was a long time before I realized how my ideology was getting in the way of me actually connecting to the real human beings around me. And I love that you've chosen to live your own truths–it's fine for me if avoiding WF is a part of that.

I don't understand, though, the need to criticize! WF may not conform to your ideal–nor, perhaps, to mine–but I recognize that Mackey has done an extraordinary amount in affecting the way people among that 'upper strata' see business, and I'm grateful to him for that. And though WF might not be perfect (what is?), I'm grateful for this, too… I'm so glad that there is still so much in the way of opportunity by way of positive change, and so grateful to be able to be a part of that change, and I'm so, so deeply appreciative of Mackey for demonstrating his support and his belief in Zaadz–and all we stand for.

So again, I do so value your input, and I'd love, even more, if it were positive. How can we look at the good in Mackey's model, and how can we be inspired to make it better?

business voodoo said: “for those who truly want to use conscious capitalism yet engage in the practices of competitive capitalism because they think they have to “keep up” or “remain competitive” (in otherwords, remain engaged in the game of competitive capitalism) are merely word playing the game of the competitive capitalism.”

i believe that corporations and small businesses can still be competitive AND conscious. capitalism thrives on “free” markets. its essence is competition. without competition, it's not capitalism. one alternative is socialism. and while it's possible to have conscious socialism in theory, in practice, it didn't work. why? one of the reasons is the lack of competition.

having said that, traditional capitalism does have a big room for improvement. but its landscape is changing, not just because of the “conscious” people in corporations and the rising tide of social entrepreneurs, but because of you, me, us, who put our money where our hearts are.

~C

elaine is right. 

john mackey talks the modern “consciousness” talk.  but he is well-known for firing people for organizing unions.  [do a google search for “whole foods” + “union”]

at least wal-mart doesn't try to pretend to be “for the people.” 

… and zaadz is now advertising for him? 

for the money?

even though zaadz has flatlined, this is the wrong choice. 

whatever new age rationalizations on integral quadrants for greed that people may come up with… the ends do not justify the means.

b_thomas.  I don't believe in moral addition; I don't believe in weighing net ethical gains against loses. And so, like you, I don't believe that the ends justify the means.

However, I believe that the means are always means of intent. And I believe that Mackey is a man of good intentions. I've been impressed by his compassion and commitment to his own values and integrity; I've been impressed by his open mind and how his open-mindedness has led not just to his beliefs changing, but to the implementation of new practices and policies. I'm not interested in defending either John Mackey or WF–I don't believe either need defending–but I would like to express that, as far as I'm concerned, Mackey, with his dollar salary and commitment to principles, is in no danger of confusing ends and means. I respect, tremendously, the work he's done already in shifting a burdensome paradigm.

And as I wrote to elaine, it's easy to criticize! It's easy to point fingers. The world is full of complainers. It's not hard to find people who focus on the negative and who are full of ideas about how others should change to suit their needs. What I like about Zaadz is how it encourages us to BE the change and to make positive contributions. What do you have to offer that's constructive? What might some better alternatives be?

You have a choice to be here, just as you have a choice to shop at WF. But if you are exercising the choice to stay, I, personally, would love for you to respect the values the site. Criticize all you want, but, in the words of Michelangelo, criticize through creating? What can you offer that's positive? What are some better practices that you–and that I!–can take up? It's this that I'd love to hear–because obviously there is tremendous potential, and obviously there is much that can be improved. And I for one would rather start from there.

Yes, you just confirmed some stuff for me.  Just reading your email made me cry.  Thanks for being who you are and doing what you do.  Warmth,

Barré

The place that appears to you to be the most corrupt is most likely the very place you have the highest potential to “be the change.” The place that most offends you is the place urgently calling you to arrive, joyfully empowered with your fresh vision.

If the corporate world seems hollow and meaningless to you, then bring your soul-filled wealth and meaning right to the heart of it. BE INSIDE it, a bloom in progress, unavoidable and resilient with purpose.

If Whole Foods specifically disappoints you in its current manifestation, then by all means be happy for the mega-dose of Zaadz it’s now receiving!

Corporate culture, political Mordors, societal ghettos and wastelands suffer most profoundly when mystics, healers, poets, alchemists, philosophers and lovers keep their distance. I am thrilled Zaadz is growing its first crop of investors - and even more thrilled for the dividends THEY receive via infiltration of upbeat, very cool folks who love openly.

Oh, Laurie.

That was simply beautiful. You've expressed with such vividness something that's at the very core of my own belief system: that ability to love courageously and to bring light into those dark places inside ourselves and in the world, and to help use the richness of what's “wrong” as fertilizer and soil for the seeds we want to grow. Healers need the wounded just as the wounded need healers; if there was nothing unhealthy or injured in the world, what would role would there be for us? To my mind, everything that is “wrong” is the world is, at heart, a call to help, and to shun that call and blame it only makes the suffering worse.

So thank you, deeply, for seeing that so clearly. It's an honor to have you here.

hmmmmm …. i didn't think that i was criticizing whole foods and i definitely did not denigrate mr. mackey … but, perhaps i do not know what 'denigrate' means to you.  and, perhaps i was critical rather than explanatory of my own personal opinion which happened to be different than other's.  although the latter was all i was attempting to convey in my comment. 

and i suppose to then your comments on my comment may well be considered not positive, criticism and a complaint as well.  but, i could be wrong about that too.

i don't know mr. mackey personally, i'm sure he's a wonderful human being.  i do feel shifts in energy, and after having been a long time customer of whole foods, i know what i feel when i walk in the door and how it is different.

all that having been said, someone wiser than me said, “some of the greatest good has been done for all the wrong reasons” and the flip of that “the road to hell is paved in good intention” … so, its not my conscious that is making this decision … i go through life according to how i fee