Business
Essays by speakers in business professions.
Beitzel, George B.
George Beitzel, president of the Pennsylvania Salt Company, describes the need for the individual to live a Christian life and how this will result in greater peace and happiness through out the world.
Listen to the essay
Bekins, Milo W.
Milo Bekins, president of Bekins Van and Storage Company, describes his belief that society must invest in education so that the youth of today can bring the progress of tomorrow.
Listen to the essay
Belden, Mary Addams
Mary Belden, president of Belden Frosting Company, describes her beliefs in the brotherhood of individuals, the need for tolerance, the importance of listening to the other side of an argument, the dignity of human beings, the need to remember the past, and her confidence that Christianity will triumph over other philosophies, dispelling fear and uncertainty.
Listen to the essay
Bingham, Barry, 1906-1988
Radio, television, and newspaper proprietor Barry Bingham explains the effect that war had on his upbringing and how contemplation while in the Pacific Islands led him to the awareness that he must work to the best of his ability to earn and deserve God’s Friendship, as must all people.
Listen to the essay
Boushall, Thomas C.
Businessman and banker Thomas Boushall describes how, despite diagnoses to the contrary, he survived both mastoiditis and tuberculosis, and developed the belief that his life was a gift to be used to serve God and others.
Listen to the essay
Bristol, Lee Hastings, 1892-1962
Lee Bristol, president of Bristol-Myers Corporation, describes his belief in the individual, the individual’s role in achieving peace and acquiring happiness through humor, service to others, and faith.
Listen to the essay
Broeg, Heloise Parker, 1901-1970
Food business professional, radio program host, and household editor Heloise Parker Broeg describes her belief in the importance of human relationships, love, work, and knowledge.
Listen to the essay
Danforth, William H. (William Henry), 1870-1955
William Danforth, founder of Ralston Purina Company, describes how, when he was a sickly farm boy, his school teacher challenged him to live healthily; from that, Danforth developed a life philosophy to stand tall (through exercise and healthy eating habits), think tall (through education), smile tall (through friendliness and kindness) and live tall (through character development).
Listen to the essay
Dodge, Cleveland E.
Cleveland Dodge, vice president of Phelps Dodge Corporation, describes his belief that the world is comprised of both spiritual and physical parts, and that true happiness comes from “creative work” and “unselfish service.”
Listen to the essay
Ely, Van Horn
Van Horn Ely, vice president of the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, explains his belief in the goodness of people and his efforts, based on the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments, to be open and honest in all of his interactions with other people.
Listen to the essay
Farley, Cal, 1895-1967
Business professional and philanthropist Cal Farley describes the beliefs that led him to found Boys Ranch: that a boy given a good home with proper meals and clothes will turn into a productive citizen rather than ending up in jail or reform school.
Listen to the essay
Frederick, J. George (Justus George), 1882-
Gourmet, author, and business professional J. George Frederick uses the analogy of the heart’s cardiovascular system to describe his beliefs in the need to love, to forgive, and to sacrifice for others.
Listen to the essay
Gregg, Eugene Stuart, 1892-
Eugene Gregg, college teacher and General Manager of Westrex Corporation, describes his beliefs that persons are responsible to a higher authority and responsible for taking care of others as well as themselves.
Listen to the essay
Hall, G. Leslie
Leslie Hall, public servant and founder of the G. L. Hall Optical Company, Inc., explains his secret to staying vibrant: living in the present and not worrying.
Listen to the essay
Helms, Paul H.
Paul Helms, president of Helms Bakeries, describes his work with the Ford Foundation, as well as the impact his Christian upbringing has had on his beliefs, including his belief that giving 10% of his income results in tangible blessings.
Listen to the essay
Holloway, Alice G.
Author and business professional Alice Holloway, founder of Ideas Unlimited, describes the influence her grandmother and father have had on her beliefs and her certainty that kindness and service to others in need is the kindness that comes from a deeply spiritual and selfless place in people.
Listen to the essay
Ingram, Billy, 1880-1966
Edgar William “Billy” Ingram, founder of White Castle restaurants, describes his belief that humans need companionship, that life has a purpose, and that success and happiness come through contributing to the sum of human achievement.
Listen to the essay
James, William F.
Automobile salesman and philanthropist William James, founder of Boy’s Town in St. Louis, Missouri, describes how an experience during World War II gave him a belief in his dependence on God and an appreciation for life, and how he strives to be sensitive to others’ beliefs and avoid speaking unkindly to them.
Listen to the essay
Kelly, John B., (1889-1960)
Businessman and rower John Kelly tells the story of his disqualification from the Diamond Sculls rowing competition for having apprenticed as a bricklayer, and his prayer to be able to compete against Beresford, the Diamond Sculls champion, for the Olympic Gold Medal. Kelly concludes that he believes his failures are the most important memories he holds.
Listen to the essay
Killion, George L.
George Killion, president of American President Lines shipping company, remembers his father and the beliefs his farther imparted to him: compassion, respect for others, and adherence to the Golden Rule.
Listen to the essay
Long, Sylvester, 1875-1956
Wichita appliance distributor and lecturer Sylvester Long recounts his experiences growing up in an Ohio farming family, and describes his belief that he is merely a “window” through which to reveal God’s light to others and God’s “subcontractor” whose work is done ultimately for and with God.
Listen to the essay
McKeen, John E. (John Elmer), 1903-1978
John McKeen, president of Charles Pfizer and Company, explains why beliefs are important and expresses his faith in the ultimate goodness of people, the intimate connection between the spiritual and the material, the drive to live, and the responsibility to safeguard the welfare of others and not only ourselves.
Listen to the essay
Mullendore, W. C.
W. C. Mullendore, president of the Southern California Edison Company, describes his belief that “we are here to develop the best that is within us,” and how hatred impedes that goal.
Listen to the essay
O’Connell, Patrick A.
Patrick O’Connell, president of the E. E. Slattery Company, talks about the uncertainty of always knowing right from wrong and the importance of the power of prayer.
Percy, Charles H., 1919-2011
Charles Percy, president of Bell and Howell Co., explains why believes he has never met a person he did not respect, because he is open to listening and seeing who they truly are beneath the surface.
Listen to the essay
Reed, Philip D.
Phillip Reed, Chairman of the Board at General Electric, describes his belief that, even if life continues after death, individuals should still work to make the most of their time on earth, striving to achieve excellence in their activities and to experience the joy that comes from serving others.
Listen to the essay
Rosenblum, Sidney
Sidney Rosenblum, Executive Vice President of the Enro Shirt Company, describes growing up in the only Jewish family in a small town in Tennessee; yet despite differences in religion, his family still found much in common with their community, and he believes in equality and the importance of serving others.
Listen to the essay
Rothschild, Walter N.
Walter Rothschild, president of Abraham & Straus Department Store, describes his belief in the need to allow human beings to develop their unique potential, the necessity of helping others, the importance of discipline, and the need to guide rather than dominate children; finally, he describes the contentment he derives from sailing at sea.
Listen to the essay
Schacter, Harry W.
Harry Schacter, president of the Kaufman-Straus Company, describes his belief in fighting for social justice: though one individual might not make a difference, he still has a right to choose the side upon which he fights.
Listen to the essay
Sinclair, John S. (John Stephens), 1897-1972
Banker, lawyer, insurance executive, and businessman John Sinclair describes his belief that faith in an immortal soul, prayer, knowledge of the truth, and humility will help him overcome discouragement, cynicism, and the fear of death.
Listen to the essay
Sneed, Edward R.
Edward Sneed, a lawyer who oversees planned distribution at Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, describes how ambition used to drive his life, until he learned how to count his blessings, and received great strength and happiness in return.
Listen to the essay
Stulman, Julius
Julius Stulman, president of Stulman-Emrick Lumber Company, states his belief in the need for self-evaluation and describes his own practice of speculating on what values the future might require and subsequently living his life towards achieving those goals.
Listen to the essay
Supplee, Henderson, Jr.
Henderson Suplee, Vice President of the Atlantic Refining Company, talks about the importance of opportunity in life and achieving harmony.
Listen to the essay
Taylor, Henry P.
Henry Taylor, president of Taylor & Caldwell, explains his belief that everything operates based on the principles of certain laws, whether they be natural, physical, social, or religious; and failure to adhere to these laws inevitably results in dysfunction and chaos; and the supreme law would be the law of God.
Listen to the essay
Wilkes, Frank M.
Frank Wilkes, president of the Southwestern Gas and Electric Company, remembers his mother and the beliefs she imparted to him, such as the dignity of work, the omnipotence of God, and the need to follow God’s commandments, leaving the consequences to Him.
Listen to the essay
Winton, David J., 1897-
Business professional and public servant David J. Winton describes his faith in the future, his belief that material gains do not yield lasting satisfaction, his belief in the potential of people to achieve greatness, and his advice for focusing on the present rather than dwelling on past failures.
Listen to the essay
Wooten, Ben
Ben Wooten, business professional and director of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, describe his belief that a divine designer rewards the hard work of individuals devoted to a worthy cause, and describes how, despite being the son of poor Texan farmers, he succeeded in his career choice as a banker.
Listen to the essay