"We decided to redefine the bottom line at Ben & Jerry's"
About Ben Cohen
Ben Cohen — Life and Legacy
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, is recognized not just for his delicious ice cream but for his passionate commitment to social activism. His distinctive approach combines business with a strong sense of social responsibility, advocating for issues like climate change, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. Cohen's philosophy is encapsulated in his belief that businesses can be a force for good, as reflected in his quote, 'If you can't change the world, change your world.' This perspective showcases his understanding that meaningful change often starts at the individual level. Cohen's activism is deeply rooted in his personal experiences and the values he cultivated while building his ice cream empire. He emphasizes empathy and community engagement, believing that understanding diverse perspectives is crucial for social progress. His work with Ben & Jerry's has often challenged conventional business practices, proving that profitability and social consciousness can coexist. For instance, his advocacy for fair trade ingredients highlights his commitment to ethical sourcing and supporting marginalized communities. Today, Cohen's quotes resonate with those seeking to make a difference, as they inspire action and reflection on personal responsibility. His legacy continues to influence both entrepreneurs and activists, reminding us that joy and activism can go hand in hand.
Quote collection
Ben Cohen quotes
15 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"When business starts using its voice for the benefit of the country as a whole, not just in its narrow self interest, it can really be the force that can make the changes that need to be made."
"There is a spiritual aspect to our lives - when we give, we receive-when a business does something good for somebody, that somebody feels good about them!"
"Without question, the balance of power on the planet today lies in the hands of business. Corporations rival governments in wealth, influence, and power. Indeed, business all too often pulls the strings of government. Competing institutions-religion, the press, even the military-play subordinate roles in much of the world today. If a values-driven approach to business can begin to redirect this vast power toward more constructive ends than the simple accumulation of wealth, the human race and Planet Earth will have a fighting chance."
"Never trust a skinny ice cream man."
"I don't believe that just because one person is born on one side of some imaginary line and another person is born on the other side means that a lot of people should be getting screwed through no fault of their own."
"Business is the most powerful force in society. It has the highest potential for solving social problems. Once consumers saw examples of prosperous companies integrating social concerns into their business practices, they were emboldened to demand the same of other businesses. Businesses could no longer say it was impossible."
"As we help others, we cannot help but help ourselves."
"It's crazy that in a country where schools are falling apart, we're spending $20 billion on nuclear weapons."
"If you're aware of injustice, you can either ignore it, say there is nothing you can do about it, complain about it and not do anything, or put your energies into doing something about it."
"We learned that a product doesn't sell just because you're trying to do good in the world. You still have to have a healthy distribution, a good marketing strategy, and price the product properly."
"The key to growing a business is that you need to be meeting some segment of the consumer's needs. If you've got a small business and a product or service that is not popular, you simply have to change your product or service to be more popular."
"If we reduced the amount we spend on maintaining our nuclear weapons by a small fraction, we could reallocate those funds to improve kids' health care and schooling."
"Having the equivalent of 150,000 Hiroshima-sized bombs at the ready does nothing to protect us from terrorists planning to sneak in a bomb through a cargo container."
"Business has a responsibility to give back to the community."