John Jacobs

John Jacobs, co-founder and CCO (Chief Creative Optimist) of Life is Good, along with his brother Bert, launched their business with a mere $78, selling T-shirts in the streets of Boston and at college dorms across the East Coast. Today, Life is Good has grown into a $100 million positive lifestyle brand, available in over 2,000 retailers across the US and Canada.

The inspiration for their business was derived from stories of individuals, primarily children, facing significant adversity. These narratives reinforced the idea that optimism can be incredibly impactful, especially during the most challenging times. This insight led to the formation of a business model dedicated to assisting children in need. Life is Good has committed to donating at least 10% of its annual net profits to the Life is Good Kids Foundation, a move that positively impacts over 1 million children annually who are grappling with poverty, violence, and illness.

Jacobs is responsible for leading the creative vision that guides the art and messaging direction of Life is Good. The brand aims to inspire optimism in everyone it touches. Jacobs also enjoys outdoor adventures with his family, awkward dancing, and diving into the water to catch things.

With the aim of inspiring others to embrace optimism and nurture the good in their lives, Jacobs and his brother authored "Life is Good: The Book/How to Live with Purpose and Enjoy the Ride," which was published by National Geographic in September 2015. Additionally, Jacobs has been honored with several honorary doctorates from various universities for his contributions to entrepreneurship, business innovation, and philanthropy. His and Life is Good's achievements have been recognized and featured on CNNMoney, CNBC’s Business Nation, ABC News’ Nightline, NBC’s The Today Show, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, and Men’s Health Magazine, among others. Being the youngest of six siblings from Needham, MA, Jacobs and his brother credit their mother as their initial source of optimism and the inspiration for Life is Good.