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Answers Phil’s questions
By Tim Gaskin
Nov 19 | archive | subscribe
Ben Goldhirsh, son of the late Bernie Goldhirsh, (founder of Inc. magazine in 1979), founded GOOD Magazine in 2004. A multimedia company that's tapping into a growing community of socially engaged youth, GOOD gives away all its magazine subscription fees to charity, raising its own revenue entirely through advertising. Starting from the back of a small office in Los Angeles, momentum has been building steadily as a growing team works to craft their vision of GOOD. Hollywood’s newest entrepreneur isn't just interested in doing good -- he also wants to make a difference by doing well.
What work do you do?
I am the founder and CEO of GOOD, a multi-platform media company that produces content at the intersection of entertainment and relevance. Our efforts include print, film, online, and live events.
How does it relate to green, good or giving?
All of our platforms cover the ideas, innovations, people and businesses affecting change in the world and their respective efforts of moving things forward. Also, 100% of the subscription fee to GOOD Magazine goes to a non-profit organization chosen by the subscriber.
What are you working on at the moment? Any major projects?
Getting the digital/online component of our company up to speed with our other efforts
How do you get to work?
In my car
What long and winding road led you to your current position?
I95 S, 10W
Where were you born? Where do you live now?
I was born in Massachusetts and I live in Los Angeles
What has been the worst moment in your professional life to date?
Every night when failures from the past two years rally my insecurities into a frenzy
What's been the best?
Seeing GOOD exist as a platform for cool people doing cool things
Green
What environmental offense has infuriated you the most?
Exxon Valdez
Who is your environmental hero?
Yvon Chouinard
What's your environmental vice?
I drive a Ford Explorer. It was inherited from my father and it means a lot to me
Which stereotype about environmentalists most fits you?
I like to camp
What's your favorite place or ecosystem?
My house. I live in the woods
If you could institute by fiat one environmental reform, what would it be?
Cross industry regulatory floors for emissions
Good
What is the best idea you've heard lately?
80/20 publishing
What is your motto?
Bring the heat
What is your favorite virtue?
Authenticity
How do you spend your free time?
Surfing, hanging out with my dog and my friends
What's your favorite meal?
Chicken
Giving
What is your philosophy of giving?
Bet on people
What is your first memory of volunteering or making a donation?
Soup kitchen, but a better memory is from when I was really young and me and my mom were at a coin collecting store and the owner of the store saw me eyeing an old penny and he gave me the penny on the condition that one day I would give the penny to someone else. I lost that penny, but I think he still got the message across.
What organization are you affiliated with presently?
City Year Los Angeles (Board Member), The Goldhirsh Foundation (Director), The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (Board Member), Millennium Promise (Board Member)
What category or causes do you support philosophically or financially?
Civic Engagement, Youth opportunity, Social Entrepreneurship, ocean issues, energy issues
Where do you volunteer?
At GOOD
Who is your role model for giving?
My Father
What inspires your impulse to give or volunteer?
I'm trying to be happy
Who should volunteer of give?
People who want to be happy
Finally
Who was your favorite musical artist when you were 18? How about now?
Nas. The Deadly Syndrome
What's your favorite movie?
Casablanca
Which actor would play you in the story of your life?
John Turturro
What is your famous quote?
"Rule No. 1 is never let anyone know how much money you have."
If you could have every Phil reader do one thing, what would it be?
Subscribe to GOOD Magazine. Support us, and the non-profits that the money all goes to. Sorry for the plug, but it's not easy being an independent media company. goodmagazine.com