George Johnson & Hilary Beard on Building Johnson Products, Funding Soul Train & Going Public

George Johnson: Building the $75M Afro Sheen Empire & Funding Soul TrainAt 97 years old, George E. Johnson Sr. is a living legend. In this extraordinary conversation, the founder of Johnson Products Company—the first Black-owned business to trade on the American Stock Exchange—shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to revolutionizing the beauty industry.Joined by his co-author, award-winning writer Hilary Beard, Mr. Johnson discusses their new memoir "Afro Sheen: How I Revolutionized an Industry with the Golden Rule, from Soul Train to Wall Street."IN THIS EPISODE:How George started Johnson Products Company with just $500Creating Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen during the natural hair movementHis mentor S.B. Fuller and the principles that guided his successMeeting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Operation BreadbasketThe untold story of how he funded and saved Soul TrainBecoming the first Black-owned company on a major stock exchangeWhy he profit-shared with employees and started his own bankAdvice for young entrepreneurs from a 97-year-old business pioneerHilary Beard on preserving this crucial piece of American historyThis is more than a business story, it's a masterclass in entrepreneurship, perseverance, and living by the Golden Rule.GUEST: George E. Johnson Sr. - Founder, Johnson Products Company | Author, "Afro Sheen" Hilary Beard - Award-winning writer, speaker, and co-authorGET THE BOOK: "Afro Sheen" by George E. Johnson Sr. and Hilary Beard https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/george-e-johnson/afro-sheen/9780316577366/?lens=little-brownDOWNLOAD BOOKUM APP: Join book clubs and discover more conversations with legendary authors https://www.bookumapp.comThis Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs. Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!