David Green (entrepreneur)

David Green
Born (1941-11-13) November 13, 1941
Emporia, Kansas, US
Residence Oklahoma City
Known for Founder of Hobby Lobby
Net worth Increase US$ 6.8 billion
(May 2018)[1]
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Barbara Green
Children Mart Green
Steve Green
Darsee Lett

David Green (born November 13, 1941) is an American businessman and the founder of Hobby Lobby, a chain of arts and crafts stores.

Career

In 1970, while a store manager with variety store chain TG&Y,[2] Green took a $600 loan and started a home business in his garage assembling and selling miniature picture frames. The business, Greco Products, capitalized on a decorating fad of the time.[3] By August 1972 the business had thrived to such an extent that Green and his wife were able to open a 300 square-foot store in northwest Oklahoma City. In 1975, Green left his 13-year career with TG&Y and opened a second Hobby Lobby location with 6,000 square feet of space.[4][5][2]

Public persona

Green commits half of Hobby Lobby's total pretax earnings to a portfolio of evangelical ministries and as of 2012, he has donated an estimated $500 million.[6] Green has taken a public stance against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act because of its inclusion of a provision mandating that companies include the "morning-after pill" in their health coverage.[7]

Personal life

Green comes from a family of preachers[8] and says he has built his business squarely on biblical principles:[3] "We're Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles."

Green lives in southwest Oklahoma City with his wife, Barbara. They have three children. One son, Mart Green, is the founder and CEO of Mardel Christian and Educational Supply and of Every Tribe Entertainment. Son Steve Green is President of Hobby Lobby, as well as founder and primary funder of the Museum of the Bible. Daughter Darsee Lett is Creative Director for the Hobby Lobby stores.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Forbes: "The World's Billionaires - David Green" January 2015
  2. 1 2 Brown, Suzanne Jordan (2012-10-05). "The Modest Billionaire". Charisma Magazine. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  3. 1 2 3 Every Day Christian" "Believers in the Business World: The Green Family" by Jason Karpf April 28, 2009
  4. ↑ Hobby Lobby Corporate history. Hobbylobby.com. Retrieved on 2013-04-09.
  5. ↑ "Hobby Lobby's history". The Oklahoman. 2003-10-23. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  6. ↑ David Green: The Biblical Billionaire Backing The Evangelical Movement. Forbes.com (2012-09-18). Retrieved on 2013-04-09.
  7. ↑ Hobby Lobby Plan To Defy Obamacare. Huffingtonpost.com (2012-12-28). Retrieved on 2012-12-28.
  8. ↑ The Giving Pledge. givingpledge.org. Retrieved on 2013-04-09.
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