Episode 362 - How Hobby Lobby Built an $8B Business Without Losing Its Soul | David Green

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Feb 17, 2026

David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby and longtime steward of a faith-driven $8B retail ministry. He shares stories of humble beginnings, costly convictions like closing Sundays, the Supreme Court battle that tested their values, and the family framework that protects a thousand-year legacy.

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ANECDOTE

Backyard Prayer That Changed Ownership

David Green prayed in his backyard and asked God who really owned Hobby Lobby.
He concluded they were stewards, not owners, which reshaped how the family handled wealth.

ADVICE

Limit Choices To Serve Customers Better

Keep choices limited so customers don't get paralyzed by selection.
Prioritize "keep it simple" and study the customer instead of buying more inventory.

ANECDOTE

Suing Through To The Supreme Court

The family fought a multi-court legal battle over the contraceptive mandate that could have cost $1.2M per day.
They lost multiple times but ultimately won at the Supreme Court and felt relieved by prayer and conviction.

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The MyPad CEO: David Green on Building Legacy Beyond Business

In this remarkable conversation, Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green sits down with host Justin Forman at the company's Oklahoma City headquarters to share the story behind one of America's most distinctive faith-driven businesses. From humble beginnings in a 600-square-foot store to leading an $8 billion enterprise with over 1,000 locations, David's journey reveals what happens when stewardship replaces ownership.

At 84 years young, David still carries his trusty "MyPad" (a paper notepad) instead of a computer, operates as CEO, and shows no signs of slowing down. This episode explores the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding of true ownership, the Supreme Court case that tested his family's convictions, and the generational framework that ensures Hobby Lobby's mission extends far beyond profit.

Key Topics:

From pastor's son to retail pioneer: The journey from five-and-dime stores to Hobby Lobby

The Supreme Court case that cost $1.2 million per day—and why they'd do it again

Why closing on Sundays and rejecting Halloween cost millions but gained something greater

The backyard prayer that changed everything: "What would you do if the Jones family owned it?"

Building a family constitution: How 48 family members align around eternal values

The danger of generational wealth and why no Green family member gets anything they don't earn

Giving half of all earnings away: The mathematics of trying to "out-give God"

Legacy planning with a thousand-year horizon

Notable Quotes:

"God gave you everything you need, any good thing that's in your life. God gave you. I need to be at a point where I died of myself and said no, no, no, this is not mine. I'm a steward." - David Green

"If you think it's yours, then you're gonna guide it. But if you really feel like God has given this to you to be a steward of what belongs to him, I think that's a good starting spot." - David Green

"We want to make sure we're tied into someone's life for eternity, because they're gonna be very comfortable if they don't know Jesus." - David Green