Podcast episode
Episode 362 – How Hobby Lobby Built an $8B Business Without Losing Its Soul | David Green
In this remarkable conversation, Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green sits down with host Justin Forman at the company’s Oklahoma City headquarters to share the story behind one of America’s most distinctive faith-driven businesses. From humble beginnings in a 600-square-foot store to leading an $8 billion enterprise with over 1,000 locations, David’s journey reveals what happens when stewardship replaces ownership.
EPISODE NOTES
David Green never intended to build a billion-dollar empire. The son of a pastor, he just wanted to be a store manager at the local five-and-dime. But God had different plans. From making miniature frames in his garage with his two young sons to standing before the Supreme Court defending religious freedom, David’s journey reveals what true stewardship looks like in business.
At 84, he still serves as CEO of Hobby Lobby, still carries his paper “MyPad” instead of using a computer, and still believes the best days are ahead. In this deeply personal conversation, David shares the pivotal moments that transformed his understanding of ownership, the family framework that keeps 48 members aligned around eternal values, and why giving away half of all earnings has been the best business decision they ever made.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: The MyPad CEO
02:27 David’s trusty MyPad technology
04:06 Tech observations from an analog CEO
04:54 From pastor’s son to retailer
06:14 The five-and-dime dream
06:27 Why frames? The $600 loan story
08:18 Mark and Steve: The first employees at 7 cents per frame
09:27 From 600 square feet to $8 billion
10:43 The black sheep finds his calling
12:44 The pivotal $30,000 moment
15:14 Being anointed as a retailer
16:03 What it means to be a merchant
18:56 The faith that went to the Supreme Court
21:36 Family unity in crisis
22:50 Doing right over doing profitable
24:54 Being bold about faith from day one
25:47 Why he still needs a job at 84
27:36 Learning generosity from pastor parents
30:47 Making eternal purpose normative
33:32 Creating the family constitution
36:35 48 and counting: All in Oklahoma City
37:43 The wealth that could ruin everything
40:55 Telling the story to inspire others
43:39 Finding the best places to give eternally
46:55 The danger of “I earned it” thinking
48:45 Legacy in a thousand-year framework
50:30 Closing thoughts on faithfulness
More Episodes
Stay Connected to the Movement
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
JOIN A FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR GROUP
You need allies. We have groups.
No Cost. No Catch. Online or In Person.
Journey with 10-15 other Entrepreneurs through the
8-week Study. Don’t Journey Alone. Find your Community.