When you think of Organic do you think soap? Dr. Bronner did — among many MANY other things as you’ll notice when reading the signature labels. We’d like to proudly present yet another awesome myStonyfield Rewards member company, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. They’re organic, they’re Fair Trade, and they’re family run. That’s soap to get psyched about!
We had a chance to chat with David Bronner, company President and Grandson of the original Dr. Bronner himself:
How did your company get started?
My grandfather, Emanuel Bronner was born in Germany and was the third generation certified as a master-soapmaker under the guild system of the time. In 1929, he brought his formulas for high-quality liquid and bar soaps to America, starting Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps in its current form in 1948.
We enjoyed a small but loyal following in the early years. In the late 1960s, however, soap sales started to explode, due to their unsurpassed ecological quality combined with my grandfather’s urgent message to realize our transcendent unity across religious and ethnic divides. Word-of-mouth soon made Dr. Bronner’s the iconic soap of that era, and in the decades that followed the soaps spread into every health food store in the U.S. and then into the mainstream as well — winning over fans from all walks of life on the way to becoming the number-one-selling natural brand of soap in North America.
What is your company’s mission/philosophy?
We strive to honor our heritage by making our products with care and integrity, and with progressive business practices, while devoting profits to worthwhile causes and charities worldwide. We’re proud that all our ingredients are certified Fair Trade and Organic, and that in over the last five years our spending on social and environmental causes and charities has roughly matched our total after-tax income.
The over 30,000 words spread across all the soap labels were Dr. Bronner’s life work of searching every religion and philosophy for “Full Truths” that can be summed up in two beautiful sentences:
1. CONSTRUCTIVE CAPITALISM IS WHERE YOU SHARE THE PROFIT WITH THE WORKERS AND THE EARTH FROM WHICH YOU MADE IT!
2. WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND SPACESHIP EARTH!
In following these principles, the Bronner family dedicates profits to “Human Projects” all over Spaceship Earth – from fresh water wells in Ghana to orphanages in Haiti and China; from helping organic farm projects to donating over 1,200 acres of land to the San Diego County Boys and Girls Club.
Major causes and focuses right now include fighting for organic integrity in personal care, demanding the labeling of GMO foods, re-commercialization of industrial hemp in the U.S., and promotion of “Fair Trade” certification of product supply chains to ensure fair wages and prices are paid.
Dr. Bronner would be happy to know the business is running better and more socially responsibly than ever.
Why are you excited about being a partner in the rewards program?
To work alongside with other companies striving to promote social responsibility and who work in their sphere of influence to create meaningful social change. We’re all in this together, one planet, one future. All-one.
Tell us about 1 thing your company is working on right now that you are really excited about.
We are continuing Dr. Bronner’s legacy as a mission driven company, committed to creating change in our sphere of influence. One of our big areas of focus right now is promoting fair trade in commerce. You can learn more at www.fairworldproject.org
What is your favorite flavor of Stonyfield yogurt (or product)?
As a long time vegan I actually I do not eat dairy products but I appreciate Stonyfield’s commitment to producing dairy products in an ethical and socially conscious manner. My favorite flavor is Stonyfield’s activism on the JustLabelIt.org campaign.
Check out Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap’s organic and fair trade Shikakai Hand and Body Soap on our myStonyfield Rewards site and if you are not already a rewards member, sign up here!
Dr. Bronner’s Full Truths are pretty well aligned with Stonyfield’s mission for Healthy Food, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, and Healthy Business. Do you join us in working for “constructive capitalism”, brothers and sisters?
Sweet learned something newtoday now I’m good for now. Cheers!
I’ve been a Dr Bronner’s user and fan since the late 1960′s when there were several more DB products to be enjoyed.
Is there any chance of a return of the product called Dr Bronner’s Super SOUP? It was a powdered vegetable soup stock, and I would like to think it was made of ethically grown, clean and pure ingredients.
In it’s time, I made many a healthy soup and casserole with the help of this convenient and delicious product. I haven’t seen it in my grocer’s or health food store in many years, and did not see it on the website.
Thanks, Rosalie Smith
Hi Rosalie- I wish I knew the answer to your question! I think the best thing to do is reach out to our friends at Dr. Bronner’s directly. Here’s the link to their contact info:
http://www.drbronner.com/contact.html