THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Episode: The Untold Side of Hobby Lobby’s Success

Release Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Ed Mylett
Guests: David Green (Founder, Hobby Lobby), Bill High (CEO, Legacy Stone)
Theme: Legacy, Faith, and Family in Business

Overview

In this episode, Ed Mylett welcomes David Green, founder of Hobby Lobby, and Bill High, CEO of Legacy Stone, for a profound conversation about building generational family legacy, faith-driven leadership, and redefining true success in business and life. Drawing from their new book The Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity, the discussion explores how intentional values, storytelling, and purpose can transform families and organizations beyond financial wealth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Beginnings of Hobby Lobby & Legacy Mindset

• David Green started Hobby Lobby with a $600 loan, making frames in his garage (04:08).
  • “When I was borrowed $600, I was trying to figure out how to pay it back. That took most of my time and attention.” —David Green [04:08]
• At the outset, neither legacy nor bold faith was at the forefront for David; survival was. Over time, his spiritual and leadership priorities deepened.
  • “I was undercover most of the time when I was in high school, and that's not good. But to be honest, that’s who I was.” —David Green [05:31]

The Impact of Early Loss & Family Focus

• Bill High’s father died when he was 12; this loss shaped his sense of family legacy and the urgency to start early.
  • "75% of your time with your kids will be spent by the time they're 12. ... For many of us, we're putting the toothpaste back in the tube, because we're too late.” —Bill High [07:14]

Storytelling as Central to Legacy

• Bill and David emphasized the power of storytelling in transmitting values across generations.
  • Passover is used as an example of storytelling tradition in families (09:23).
  • “Stories grab the emotion and you can hold that emotion in your heart, your body, for generations.” —Bill High [09:23]
• The Green family gathers annually around a documented mission/vision/values statement to reinforce legacy (09:49).
  • “Our mission is to love God intimately. ... Our vision is to go on the adventure of impacting our world for Christ.” —David Green [10:49]

It’s Never Too Late to Begin

• Ed shares his father's life-changing decision to get sober in his teens—emphasizing it’s never too late to change family legacy (17:00).
  • “My dad made one decision that changed our family forever.” —Ed Mylett [15:58]
• Both guests stress that anyone can start building legacy now, regardless of past mistakes.
  • “It wasn’t too late for the thief on the cross. It’s not too late for you.” —David Green [18:05]
  • "All you need to do is show up today and be faithful to what God’s called you to do. Faithful today makes a difference for generations to come." —Bill High [18:27]

Money, Provision, and True Wealth

• David discusses the financial aspect of legacy:
  • “My mother passed away...she was the most wealthy person I ever knew because she died with a tremendous relationship with the Lord, six children that served the Lord, a marriage that lasted for life. ... She wanted nothing.” —David Green [20:44]
  • The Green family only receives monetary rewards for work performed—emphasizing stewardship over ownership (22:15).
  • Cautions against “giving money away” without purpose, as it can do more harm than good.

Legacy in Motion vs. Legacy Left Behind

• Bill reframes legacy as what you set in motion, not just wills or bequests.
  • “If legacy is just a financial windfall, we're in deep trouble. Legacy is what you set in motion.” —Bill High [24:36]
  • The ultimate goal: creating impact that stretches into eternity.

Being Present as a Leader & Family Member

• How did David Green stay present with family while running a multibillion-dollar company?
  • Key: delegation, staying organized, avoiding constant digital distraction (relied mainly on a notepad for contacts/tasks), and intentional family experiences.
  • “As we’ve grown, it seems to be easier as you get bigger if you’re a good delegator and find the right people.” —David Green [26:55]
  • “We went to 44 states in an old Coleman pop up trailer… still had time together.” [28:27]

Long-Term Thinking, Code of Conduct, and Generational Leadership

• Bill contrasts the modern “build-to-exit” mindset with family businesses abroad that last generations.
  • “If you go to other parts of the world, you see businesses that have been around for a thousand years.” —Bill High [31:31]
• The power of a family or business code of conduct: accountability and shared behavioral standards across generations.
  • “By having the code, it gives you a point of accountability.” —Bill High [32:46]
• Ed shares that his family adopted a code of conduct after reading the book, cementing generational values (33:35).

The Eternal Perspective & What Matters Most

• To David, the most important legacy is faith and family.
  • “I want my family ... to be with me [in heaven] ... and to tell as many people as I possibly can about this good news.” —David Green [36:25]
• Their legacies are measured not by wealth or accolades but by relationships and lives changed for eternity.

Doubt, Suffering, and Faith

• Both guests candidly share their experiences with doubt and loss.
  • Bill lost his father young and spent years wrestling with God, ultimately understanding the greater value of his heavenly Father (39:32).
    • “It's okay. I don't have to understand, but I’ve got to keep believing. ... God will bring you to that place.” —Bill High [41:07]
  • David draws strength from Job, recognizing we’re not meant to understand everything, but faithfulness is key (42:07).
    • “We weren’t born to understand everything, but we do understand he’s our creator, he loves us, and he cares for us.” —David Green [42:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If you're flipping hamburgers...do the very, very best. And in that, I think you’re going to find out where God wants you. ... Sometimes you have to follow wherever you are.” —David Green [04:08]
• “You don't head out on a road trip without a map. ... Families need a map—start with generational mindset.” —Bill High [07:14]
• “We can do business pretty good. ... You need to be intentional about your family.” —David Green [12:20]
• “Sometimes we say, what are the ten stories your kids need to know in order for your values to continue from one generation to the next?” —Bill High [10:46]
• “Everything belongs to God. Hobby Lobby belongs to God. Not because I say so, but because God’s word says so.” —David Green [22:15]
• “Faithful today makes a difference for generations to come... It may not even fully show up in your own lifetime, but it will.” —Bill High [18:27]
• “If I need you, I don’t need you.” —David Green’s advice to company officers about succession [29:46]
• “If legacy is just a financial windfall, we’re in deep trouble. Legacy is what you set in motion.” —Bill High [24:36]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:21] Introduction & Guests’ Backgrounds
• [04:08] David Green on Starting Hobby Lobby and Initial Mindset
• [06:41] Bill High on Early Family Loss and Generational Focus
• [09:23] The Power of Storytelling in Families
• [10:49] The Green Family’s Mission, Vision, and Values Document
• [15:20] Ed Mylett Shares Personal Family Story of Transformation
• [18:05] Permission to Begin Again—It’s Never Too Late
• [20:44] Defining True Wealth and Stewardship
• [24:36] Reframing Legacy: Not What You Leave, But What You Set in Motion
• [26:55] How David Green Prioritizes Family Amid Business Demands
• [31:31] Generational Business Thinking & The Code of Conduct
• [36:25] The Eternal Perspective: What Will Outlast You
• [39:32] Bill High’s Journey Through Doubt and Loss
• [42:07] David Green on Faith Through Trials

Tone and Final Thoughts

The conversation is candid, heartfelt, and deeply motivational, combining business acumen with spiritual wisdom. Ed Mylett, David Green, and Bill High offer an alternative narrative to the popular “hustle to exit” entrepreneurial model—calling instead for intentional, generational thinking where family, faith, and true legacy take center stage.

Recommendation:
This episode is a must-listen (and re-listen) for anyone seeking to build a meaningful life, whether as a parent, business owner, or person of faith. The practical tools discussed—legacy mapping, storytelling, defining family values and codes, reframing wealth—are actionable and timeless.

For more:
Read The Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity by David Green & Bill High

“We have the greatest love story ever told, and we want to continue to tell it.” —David Green [36:25]