John Paul DeJoria of John Paul Selects — you may know him from Paul Mitchell products or Patron Tequila, but today you’ll know him as the man who received a “Visionary Award” from The Green Business Bureau. John Paul is a philanthropist with a twist. He’s a little more hands-on. While he does share his fortune…tons of it, he also wants to make sure it makes a difference. That’s where the Grow Appalachia program comes in. The Appalachian Community Gardening and Food Security Project teaches families to care for themselves and generate an income. With Grow Appalachia you grow your own food and sell the additional organic produce to farmers’ markets. John Paul pays for the seeds, shovels, fertilizer, etc. In return he asks that the family then teach 3 more families to do the same. Spread the wealth and pay it forward. Giving meaning to the saying “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day…teach a man to fish…” — you get the idea.
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day…teach a man to fish…
This is a man who believes in making a change and what’s even better, has the know-how and resources to do it. (In case you didn’t know, John Paul is a self-made billionaire with a kind heart and soul.) This is just one of his many projects and activist undertakings.
I’ve seen pictures of him in magazines with his wife Eloise year after year, not knowing much about the man except that that I love his Paul Mitchell Awapuhi shampoo. Little did I know I would be interviewing him after he received a “Visionary Award” from the Green Business Bureau, presented by Jamie Clem. The Green Business Bureau has been around since 2008 and is a leader and trusted source for all green businesses. That’s what John Paul Selects would like to become as well — a trusted source for all things green, such as beauty care, hair care, food, clothing, jewelry, etc. JPS helps small green companies get a start out in the big blue world.
John Paul is a self-made billionaire with a kind heart and soul
In my swag bag that was distributed after the award presentation (and everyone knows how much I like swag), I found Derma e, Evenly Radiant BB Crème. I love it! Lightweight, light reflecting, and less of the chemicals you find in similar products. It even has a sunscreen protection with an SPF of 25, and guess what? The sunscreen ingredient is zinc oxide. Yes! Free of those nasty chemicals.
I also received nail polish from LVX. It’s vegan, cruelty free, made in the USA and contains no Formaldehyde or Toluene. I can’t wait to use it all and give you an update in the future. In the meantime watch out for humanitarian John Paul DeJoria and John Paul Selects. Their mission is to foster environmental awareness and promote business practices that are both environmentally responsible and commercially beneficial.
Green is coming your way!