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Conscious Capitalism: A New Book by our Co-Founder and Co-CEO, John Mackey

By Kate Lowery, December 6, 2012 | More posts by Kate Lowery

When you think about the word “conscious,” what words come to mind? Aware? Mindful? Awake? What about “capitalism?” Selfish? Greedy? Unethical? Unfortunately there are plenty of people out there who don’t have a very positive perception of business in general. But what happens when you combine the concept of consciousness with capitalism? John Mackey, Whole Foods Market®’s co-founder and co-CEO, along with Raj Sisodia, a business professor at Bentley College, address that concept in their new book, Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business.

Check out this short video of John explaining why he and Raj wrote this book:

We have more videos of John discussing what it means for businesses to be heroic and the philosophy of creating value for all involved in this blog post.

As you probably know from shopping in our stores, the way we do things in our company is different from the norm. But we’re not alone. Many successful companies are actualizing their higher purposes to do good in the world. In Conscious Capitalism, John and Raj share the Whole Foods Market story, as well as the success stories of other well-known companies like The Container Store, Trader Joes, Southwest Airlines and many others, to illustrate how conscious businesses that are operating with a higher purpose can — and do — create value for all.

“Conscious capitalism” is helping lead many businesses to long-term success at a time when consumers are looking for more meaning in the products they buy and the companies they do business with. Let’s face it, businesses that pursue profit above everything else will lose their relationships with customers and with their other stakeholders, and will eventually fail. It’s exciting to feel that the tides are changing for the better. 

If you believe in the inherent good of capitalism and that business can and should create value for society as a whole, then check out this book! For a taste of what you’ll find, register for a free chapter download on the publisher’s website. 

Sound interesting? Don’t just take our word from it. Here’s what others are saying:

  • “Conscious Capitalism is a wonderful book, full of fiery passion and incisive insights. So buy it. Read it. Implement it. It’s a true guide to future.” -- Forbes.com
  • “Mackey and Sisodia make a valiant effort to redeem a practice often tainted by greed and corruption and show that if the individuals managing the system commit to conscious capitalism, everyone benefits.” -- Publishers Weekly

Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business is now available from online booksellers and anywhere else books are sold.

The book is also being sold at all Whole Foods Market stores and the profits from copies sold in our stores will go to the Whole Planet Foundation®. Whole Planet Foundation supports poverty alleviation and entrepreneurship through microcredit in communities worldwide that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products.

Do you believe in the power of “conscious capitalism?” Share your thoughts in the comments below.