Brent and Josh lost their jobs during the Great Recession, they didn’t plan to start a business—they just needed to pay the mortgage. What began with goat milk soap made at their dining room table has become Beekman 1802, a cult-favorite brand with over 60 million bars sold. In this episode, they unpack how desperation, kindness, and slow, intentional growth led to one of the most beloved product-first companies in America.
Key Discussion Points:
- Why losing their jobs became the best thing that ever happened to them
- The early years: no salaries, no investors—just grit and goats
- How QVC and The Amazing Race helped them master storytelling
- The “51% rule” that saved their business—and their marriage
- The problem with chasing unicorns vs. building sustainable ladders
- How they define success—and why they don’t keep moving the goalposts
- Why the best founders think like owners, not fundraisers
- What happens after the exit—and how kindness became their legacy
Takeaways:
- Kindness is a business strategy—start there
- You don’t need VC to build something real
- Your brand should feel like love, not hype
- Set your own success metrics—and protect them
Closing Thoughts:
Brent and Josh didn’t start Beekman 1802 to build a unicorn—they started it to survive. What they built instead was a brand powered by community, trust, and relentless kindness. Their story is a reminder that in business (and in life), doing the next kind thing can take you further than you ever planned.
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