Paul Mitchell’s Culture of Giving Reflects its CSR Business Values

Miratel has long had a strong commitment to its CSR business values. As a small business, we don’t have the resources to compete with large corporations but we capitalize on every opportunity within our reach and are always interested in learning about what businesses are doing for ideas and inspiration. Sometimes you stumble across information on a company that you don’t expect but are still pleasantly surprised. Such was the case with The Paul Mitchell Company.

Image courtesy of paulmitchell.com

At first glance, one may think the accomplishments of The Paul Mitchell Company’s does not extend beyond being a leader in the hair care industry but that rush to judgement would prove incorrect. To truly understand all that this company represents, we need to note each of its accomplishments individually within their “Culture of Giving”:

• In 1980, they were the “first professional hair beauty company, to announce that [they] do not conduct or endorse animal testing.” This was a big and bold move that was on the cutting edge of the animal rights movement.
• In 1987, they “pioneered one of the world’s first solar and wind-powered race car. Fast and green
• In 1989 the companies co-founder and CEO “John Paul DeJoria“ purchased sheep for the Diné Elders of the Navajo Nation to support their ancient weaving traditions and provide economic opportunities.”
• In 1990 “John Paul DeJoria started the AIDS Relief Fund for Beauty Professionals to help hairdressers living with AIDS.
• Supports Grow Appalachia—a non-profit initiative founded by Co-founder and CEO John Paul DeJoria that helps Appalachian families plant a healthy future.

These are just a few of the projects the company has been involved with or started over time. For the past eight years the “nationwide network of Paul Mitchell Schools has [held an] annual fundraising campaign. In 2010, the schools raised an all-time high of $1.2 million for several non-profit groups, bringing their seven-year total to over $4.6 million. This year, they plan to raise $1.5 million for seven charitable organizations: Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, Food4Africa, Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation—represented by Betty White—and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” These are grassroots fundraising events where the schools host and organize “cut-a-thons, fashion shows, bake sales, and “Casual for a Cause” days.” By getting their school involved they are teaching future generations of beauty professionals the importance of charity and giving back and truly living up to their “Culture of Giving” moniker.

With the transparency of social media, consumers are more in-tuned with the mission and vision of a brand and will apply that knowledge to their purchasing decisions in some cases. Paul Mitchell represents a brand associated with beauty and through their CSR business initiatives, they are proving that concept goes far beyond what it is on the outside and lies more with the depth on the inside.

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