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Article

20 Dec 2016

Author:
Eric March, Upworthy

USA: CEO of Penzeys Spices achieves sales surge by standing up against discriminatory rhetoric

“A spice company CEO took a stand against bigotry. It turned out to be good for business”, 2 December 2016

…Bill Penzey, CEO of Penzeys Spices, unloaded on Donald Trump's rhetoric in the company newsletter…Both supporters and detractors flooded the Facebook post with…comments. Some threatened to boycott the spice company…[T]he company…urges other CEOs to speak out to defend an inclusive, tolerant America…The company claims…an increase in online sales of nearly 60%. The CEO said that despite the backlash, he has no regrets about speaking up…Standing up against bigotry and discrimination shouldn't be a left or right issue…Progressives, moderates, and conservatives all have a stake in this country and its bedrock ideals: inclusion, pluralism, freedom of expression, and democracy…While the company's sales surge post-newsletter is further evidence that bigotry and division are bad for business, it also demonstrates that hope and inclusion can be a winning sales pitch. Fixing the division that erupted in this country post-election is going to take individual action, organizing, and more companies…flexing their financial muscle…