The Whole Story Behind Whole Foods

I’m excited to share some powerful insights I gathered from a recent talk by John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods, hosted by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Los Angeles.

His journey from opening a small natural foods store called Safer Way to creating Whole Foods into a global company is filled with lessons that apply to all of us as entrepreneurs.

John shared how important it is to focus on purpose and people—not just profits—and how conscious leadership can shape a business that truly makes a difference.

John’s story is especially remarkable given how Whole Foods grew under his leadership. When he stepped down as CEO after the company’s sale to Amazon, Whole Foods was worth $22 billion.

His ability to grow a business with purpose, through both good times and challenging ones, shows what’s possible when we stay committed to our vision, values, and the relationships that matter most.

One of the most striking parts of John’s story is how he faced numerous challenges, including betrayals from those closest to him.

He openly shared about not one, but four coup attempts from within his own company. At one point, his closest friend and long-time business partner tried to take over the company.

John shared,

That betrayal hurt the most. I loved and trusted him for years, and when he tried to take me down, it really tested my resilience.

Despite the pain, John emerged stronger, with a renewed sense of purpose. He explained that sometimes, as your business grows, it may outgrow the people who helped build it.

Even after these betrayals, John didn’t give up. He emphasized the importance of staying true to your purpose, building strong relationships with your stakeholders, and continually evolving.

Here are a few other key takeaways from his talk that I hope resonate with you:

1. Embrace Learning, Even When You Don’t Know It All

John started Whole Foods with no formal business education and admitted,

We didn’t know what the hell we were doing, but we learned by jumping in and figuring it out as we went.

To compensate for his lack of formal business training, John cultivated an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

He shared how he devoured hundreds of business books over the years, learning everything he could about leadership, management, and strategy.

Reading became my key to growing the business, John said.

This constant learning, along with his openness to new ideas and feedback, was instrumental in building Whole Foods into the powerhouse it is today.

His story reminds us that having a thirst for learning can be the key to unlocking the potential for growth in our businesses.

2. Build a Business with Purpose

John spoke about how business is an ongoing process, saying,

Business doesn’t have a finish line—it’s about continuous growth.

He highlighted the importance of having a purpose that goes beyond profits. Whether you’re serving customers, employees, or the community, the real goal is to create value in people’s lives.

3. Nurture Your Stakeholders

One of the most touching parts of his story was when a devastating flood hit Whole Foods in its early days. John shared how he thought his business was done for, but then something remarkable happened.

His customers, employees, and even suppliers came together to help clean up and rebuild the store.

But what was even more surprising? His banker, Mark Monroe, personally guaranteed a $100,000 loan to help him rebuild, even though the bank had initially rejected the loan.

John recalled the moment years later when he found out the truth:

The banker didn’t have to do it, but he believed in me. He was a stakeholder in Whole Foods just like my employees and customers were.

This story highlights the profound impact of nurturing relationships and building trust. Stakeholders are the people who believe in your business and are willing to support you when it matters most.

4. Take Care of Yourself

As entrepreneurs, we often get caught up in the hustle, but John’s commitment to health and well-being was a reminder that caring for yourself is critical to running a sustainable business.

One of the practices John is passionate about is breathwork. He shared how breathwork has helped him through difficult transitions in his life and gave him a deeper connection to himself.

Breathing is the most natural thing in the world, yet we forget how powerful it can be,” he explained.

When you focus on your breath, you slow down, connect with your body, and gain clarity.

John credits breathwork for helping him stay grounded during stressful times. He mentioned,

Breathwork can create transformative experiences, more powerful than even psychedelics for some.

He believes that by focusing on the breath, entrepreneurs can unlock a deeper sense of calm, presence, and awareness, which is essential when leading a business.

Your breath is always there for you,” John said, “it’s a constant reminder that you are alive and capable of facing whatever comes your way.

In his new venture, Love Life, John integrates these principles of health, fitness, and well-being into a holistic approach. Love Life aims to help people become the healthiest versions of themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

This serves as a powerful reminder for us as entrepreneurs: you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Taking care of yourself—whether through practices like breathwork, mindfulness, or simply giving yourself time to recharge—is essential for your long-term success.

5. Embrace Resilience and Change

John’s journey is a testament to resilience. He didn’t let betrayals or setbacks stop him. Instead, he used them as opportunities to rethink and rebuild. He reminded us that,

Sometimes, your business will outgrow people, and that’s okay. It’s part of growth and moving forward.

Change is often difficult, but it’s necessary as your business evolves.

Step-by-Step Guide: Applying John Mackey’s Lessons to Your Business

1. Clarify Your Purpose Reflect on why your business exists. What value are you offering to your customers? How are you improving their lives? Make sure your purpose is clear to your team and your customers.
2. Strengthen Relationships Identify your key stakeholders—customers, employees, suppliers, and even your local community. How can you nurture these relationships? Consider regular check-ins, thoughtful communication, and creating value for them beyond the products or services you sell.
3. Be Open to Learning Like John, make learning a priority. Whether through books, mentorship, or simply diving into new experiences, never stop educating yourself and your team. Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Consider reading books on business strategy, leadership, and innovation to sharpen your skills.
4. Prioritize Health and Well-being Just like John’s Love Life venture, think about how you can prioritize health—both your own and your team’s. This could mean offering wellness programs, encouraging work-life balance, or simply being mindful of the energy you’re bringing into your business each day. Consider incorporating practices like breathwork to help reduce stress and keep your mind clear.
5. Embrace Resilience Setbacks are part of the entrepreneurial path. When challenges come, remember that they are opportunities for growth. Reflect on what you can learn from the situation and how you can come back stronger.

If you’d like to dive deeper into these principles and work on building a purpose-driven, conscious business, I’d love to chat with you. You can set up a discovery call with me here: Schedule a Call

Wishing you all the very best always,

Female Founders Mentorship Circle

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Reflecting on Your Purpose and Stakeholders

This worksheet will help you reflect on how you can apply these lessons to your own business.

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