Book John Jacobs through The Keynote Curators

Biography

John Jacobs is the co-founder of the $150 million lifestyle brand Life is Good. When he and his brother Bert started the company in 1994, they had $78 in their pockets, lived out of their van, and sold t-shirts on the streets of Boston. Was this their way of avoiding the “real world”? You betcha. Did it turn into something much bigger? Absolutely.

It has been over 25 years since they sold their first t-shirt, but John Jacobs and Bert champion the same mission: to spread the power of optimism. On their journey, they’ve been inspired by a vibrant community of resilient optimists who identify deeply with the brand and who constantly demonstrate the depth and meaning behind the three simple words “Life is Good.”

While John Jacobs and Bert believe life is good, they also know life isn’t perfect, which is why Life is Good donates 10% of its annual net profits to the Life is Good Playmaker Project, which helps over 1 million kids overcome the impact of poverty, violence, and illness each year. In making their company a fully-integrated for-profit/non-profit model, the brothers hope to use their business as a vehicle to do good in the world.

Because of his unique perspective that ties rational optimism to business, John Jacobs has been asked to share his transformative message at a wide range of corporate and thought leadership conferences, including Inc 5000, Morgan Stanley, SAP Sapphire, Discover, and more. John Jacobs and Bert have been featured in Forbes, NPR’s How I Built. This includes 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.

Contact us for John Jacobs fees and availability

Read More

Videos

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Life is Not Easy, Life is Not Perfect, Life is Good

Bert & John Jacobs founded Life is Good to inspire people to celebrate the good around them. Over time, a vibrant community grew that taught them that optimism is the most powerful strategy to living a happy and fulfilling life, especially in the hardest of times. In times of uncertainty, fear, loss, and tragedy, we still have the choice to focus our energy on what’s right in our lives and the world around us and find the opportunity instead
of obstacles. We have the ability to use these times of darkness to come together, to see each other as humans (not just co-workers or clients), build unbreakable bonds, and innovate like never before. Through this virtual keynote experience, Bert or John Jacobs will share the inspiring business story of Life is Good, from the humble beginnings selling T-shirts out of a van, to finding opportunity in the face of hardships like the Great Recession and unthinkable tragedies like the Boston Marathon Bombing, which took place steps from the Life is Good
Headquarters. Audience members will leave this keynote with a renewed sense of optimism and with the tools and inspiration needed to find and grow the good around them – in business and in life.

For Meeting Planners

Get in TouchContact US

Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.

A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.
    A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

Blog Posts

Workplace Communication Patterns That Are Costing You More Than You Think

Workplace Communication Patterns That Are Costing You More Than You Think

Melina Palmer explains how poor communication quietly creates friction that costs businesses trust, sales, and loyalty.

Read More
Customer Service Strategies That Actually Work in the Real World

Customer Service Strategies That Actually Work in the Real World

Brad Cleveland breaks down why good customer service is hard work in disguise, and what it takes to get it right in the AI era.

Read More
Resilience Is a Cultural Contingency Plan, Not a Personal Trait

Resilience Is a Cultural Contingency Plan, Not a Personal Trait

Every event planner knows the moment when resilience stops being a theory. At 7:12 a.m., the group chat lights up. The keynote’s flight is delayed. The ballroom doors open in 48 minutes. The sponsor wants...

Read More
Values in Business: Why Living Them Matters More Than Posting About Them

Values in Business: Why Living Them Matters More Than Posting About Them

Are your values just posted on the wall? Keynote speaker McKain explains why living your values, not displaying them, is what keeps customers loyal.

Read More
Why Curiosity Is the Secret to Real Growth in Business and Life

Why Curiosity Is the Secret to Real Growth in Business and Life

Discover why curiosity, not busyness, drives real growth. Diana Kander explains how a weekly reset builds curiosity into business and life.

Read More
Your Career Could Show Up Where You Least Expect It with Melissa Proctor

Your Career Could Show Up Where You Least Expect It with Melissa Proctor

Melissa Proctor's career took her from NBA ball girl to CMO. Here's what her path teaches us about growth, leadership, and career choices.

Read More
Negotiation Is the Most Analog Skill Leaders Can’t Outsource

Negotiation Is the Most Analog Skill Leaders Can’t Outsource

Negotiation is still a human skill. Here's why the most analog part of work matters more as AI takes over the rest.

Read More
Why High Performers Fall Into the When-Then Trap (and How to Escape It)

Why High Performers Fall Into the When-Then Trap (and How to Escape It)

High performers often delay their own well-being for "someday." Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe explains why, and what to do instead.

Read More