In this week’s episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with 91-year-old Barnett Helzberg Jr., the legendary Kansas City entrepreneur who transformed a small family jewelry business into a national empire before selling it to Warren Buffett in one of the most remarkable chance encounters in business history. But this isn’t just another success story – it’s a profound exploration of how faith, love, and genuine care for people can shape both business and life in extraordinary ways.

Episode Highlights:

• The Street Corner Deal That Made History – Discover how Barnett literally bumped into Warren Buffett on a New York street corner and turned a casual conversation into a multi-million dollar acquisition. This wasn’t luck—it was the result of building a business with such integrity that no “gotchas” existed in the deal.
• Why Employees Come Before Customers – Learn the counterintuitive leadership principle that revolutionized Helzberg’s culture: “You’re number one, not the customer.” Barnett reveals how treating employees as family created a ripple effect that transformed customer experiences and drove unprecedented growth.
• The Accidental Marketing Genius Behind “I Am Loved” – Go behind the scenes of how a stick-figure drawing almost thrown in the trash became a global phenomenon. Barnett shares the deeply personal story of how his own experience of feeling loved inspired a campaign that has touched millions of lives worldwide.
• From Saloon to Success: Overcoming Discrimination with Grace – Hear how Barnett’s grandfather, a Lithuanian immigrant who couldn’t get hired due to anti-Semitic practices, started with a saloon he hated and built the foundation for a jewelry empire. This is a masterclass in perseverance and turning obstacles into opportunities.
• Repairing the World Through Business and Philanthropy – Explore how the Jewish concept of “tikkun olam” (repairing the world) shaped Barnett’s approach to philanthropy, including founding University Academy, a charter school that sends 100% of its graduates to college and takes underprivileged kids on life-changing international trips.

Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or simply trying to make sense of how success and faith intersect, this conversation offers profound wisdom wrapped in the warmth and authenticity that only comes from someone who has lived through both triumph and struggle. Adam masterfully draws out insights about leadership, love, and legacy that will challenge your assumptions about what really matters in life. Barnett’s journey from a young man working in his family’s store to becoming one of Kansas City’s most respected philanthropists proves that when you lead with love and integrity, extraordinary things become possible. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that bridges the gap between the head and the heart.