“Throughout this year, we are celebrating 75 years of soapmaking and activism. We are looking back at three-quarters of a century of spreading the ALL-ONE! message through doing business constructively,” says David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s. “It’s a year of celebration, and a year of reflection. How has Dr. Bronner’s served the world? What do we have to offer to the challenges of our time? We seek to honor our legacy and live our mission by supporting a myriad of movements for social and environmental justice while making the best products for taking care of the body and home.”
Known for its all-natural soap and body-care products, Dr. Bronner’s follows a social equity model, capping executive compensation at five times the lowest paid fully vested position. Additional revenue that is not needed for operations or development is invested in organizations, campaigns, and people working towards progressive social and environmental change.
Growing in 2023
To recognize the milestone year, Dr. Bronner’s has launched a three-month social campaign, promoting content around the theme “75 years of Dr. Bronner’s: It’s as much about your story as it is ours.” Beginning in January, the campaign has encouraged customers to share their stories with the company and its family, with the intent to strengthen customer relations and attract new interest. Each month, the company will ask customers to respond to a question, where they can then be entered to win an exclusive Dr. Bronner’s prize pack.Dr. Bronner’s will also have a 75th Commemoration at Natural Products Expo West and Expo East this year. At Expo West, the booth (#2637) will feature opportunities to record audio stories through a red rotary telephone, reminiscent of the one Emanuel Bronner used to use. Family members will be available to speak with and attendees can get swag like Emanuel Bronner’s LP of audio recording and t-shirts. One winner will score a trip to the Dr. Bronner’s factory and headquarters in Vista, CA.
The company also plans to expand its chocolate offerings this year, with Cool Peppermint Cream Magic All-One Chocolate and other flavors. New packaging innovations, and a completion of Bronner Haus Renovation and Family Soapmaking Exhibit, will also be announced throughout the year. Company spokesperson Lisa Bronner will also be releasing a novel, with a release to be announced soon.
Business with a Purpose
After many years in business, the company is proud to still be family run. The company has seen substantial growth, increasing their annual revenue from $4 million to $190 million from 1998 to 2020. The company places a high value on fair trade and regenerative farming, ensuring all major ingredients are sourced from farmers and workers that receive a living wage. This also means making sure farmers are able to care for their land and communities in a regenerative way that promotes biodiverse farming ecosystems. Geno Leson, Vice President of Special Operations, documented the company's supply chain in a book titled Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner’s Journey to a Clean, Green, and Ethical Supply Chain.“Dr. Bronner’s and the Bronner family are elated to mark 75 years in business as a family-run and mission-driven brand that is still independently owned to this day. My grandfather made soap as a vehicle for his ‘All-One’ message on the labels that exhorted people to take care of the Earth and each other,” said Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s. “We continue to actualize that vision by using our business as a vehicle to elevate the livelihoods of all people in our fair trade supply chain and workforce, and to make positive impact through donating our profits.”
For 20 years, Dr. Bronner’s has given nearly $100 million to activism and charity, Additionally, they have worked to raise the minimum wage, reform the nations drug policy, integrate psychedelic therapy to heal hearts and minds, protect farm animals and ocean wildlife, and transform industrial agriculture to a model that is among other things, regenerative and fair.
