David and Mike Bronner of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps

Listen to Podcast of the Show

Dr Bronner's logomike bronner with Richard Muscio and Joe VecchioDr. Bronner’s was founded in 1858 in Heilbronn, Germany and established in the US in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner, a third-generation master soapmaker. He used the labels on his superb ecological soaps to spread his message imploring us to realize our unity across religious & ethnic divides or perish: “We are All-One or None!”

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps is a family business committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world.

Dr. Bronner was committed to pursuing social justice, environmental sustainability and progressive business practices. A major part of the company’s mission is to follow the “Moral ABC” principles printed on the company’s iconic soap labels written by founder Emanuel Bronner. The company is the top-selling natural soapmaker in North America and a major brand worldwide.

Dr. Bronner’s life was subject of a 2007 documentary “Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox.”

Dr. Bronner’s grandsons, David and Michael, established Dr. Bronner’s as a sustainable leader in the natural products industry by becoming one of the first body care brands to formulate with hemp seed oil in 2000 and certify its soaps, lotions, balms and other personal care products under the USDA National Organic Program in 2003. Under David and his brother Michael’s leadership, the brand has grown from $4 million in 1998 to $106 million in annual revenue in 2016 and gave $7.2 million to more than 186 activist and charitable causes.

David Bronner PhotoDavid Bronner was born in Los Angeles, California in 1973 and earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard University. David is an active supporter of both the HIA and Vote Hemp and is also a key leader in the fight to label GMO foods in the U.S. He dedicates time and resources to many different issues on behalf of the company’s mission — which encompasses commitments to making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and to dedicating profits to help make a better world. He lives in Encinitas, California with his wife Kris. He is a dedicated vegan and enjoys surfing and dancing late into the night.

After graduating from Brown University with a degree in English, Michael Bronner traveled the world extensively—studying in Ethiopia and teaching the English language in Japan for three years. Micheal is an active community leader and currently sits on the San Diego District Export Council, where he counsels businesses on export processes and commerce education. Michael is an advocate for many social and environmental justice causes advanced by the company, including fair trade, organic standards, farm animal protection and ocean conservation as well as GMO labeling. Michael was born in Los Angeles, California in 1975. He lives in Carlsbad, California with his wife Erin and their son Eli.

You can view more videos of the Dr. Bronner story HERE.

Listen to a podcast of the show

Podcast