How I Built This with Guy Raz Whole Foods Market: John Mackey (2018)
Nov 19, 2018
John Mackey, Co-founder of Whole Foods Market, shares the organic food revolution journey. Topics include origins of Whole Foods, surviving a devastating flood, expansion challenges, Amazon acquisition, and building secret passageways for luxury homes.
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Counterculture Sparked A Career
- John Mackey moved into a vegetarian co-op at 23 and became the food buyer, which launched his career in natural foods.
- He then worked at The Good Food Company and realized he wanted to open his own store.
Humble Beginnings In An Old House
- Mackey and partners raised $45,000 and opened Safer Way in an old house with a cafe above the store.
- The first store sold bulk foods and produce and employed around 10–20 people.
Lost Money, Then Learned Fast
- They lost half their startup capital in year one but learned retail basics and made a profit the second year.
- Mackey read extensively and rapidly iterated on what didn't work to improve the business.