Being famous is a full-time job, but many celebs have chosen to fill their schedules with even more work. Some are not satisfied with having conquered their field of expertise. Instead, they go into business, using their names to increase their wealth. However, that is not always true. For some well-known people, doing business isn’t just about making more money, but creating a better world.
For example
, Gwyneth Paltrow started her blog and business Goop – a wellness and lifestyle company. Her company and PoP work together to help provide educational programs in developing countries like Laos and Nicaragua. Supermodel Karlie Kloss is also worth introducing. She collaborates with chef Christina Tosi to create a vegan and gluten-free healthy cookie brand named “The Perfect 10 Kookie”. With every purchase, Karlie’s Kookies donates 10 meals to children in poverty all over the world. Their actions contribute to the greater good of the community.
Here are 10 celebs who didn’t start a business just to make more money.
#1 Jon Bon Jovi
Source: jonbonjovi
In an effort to help students who struggle to pay for food, Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea Hurley opened the JBJ Soul Kitchen on the Rutgers University campus. It is a non-profit community restaurant that serves both paying and in-need customers. The restaurant becomes a place for everyone to enjoy delicious meals for free. There are no prices on the menu, you’re encouraged to pay a suggested donation.
#2 Jessica Alba
Source: East News
In 2022, the actress founded the beauty company Honest Beauty. She hoped to create a company using clean ingredients for its products and raise funds for charity. In 2015, her company teamed up with Head Start to donate backpacks to children in need. In 2018, Honest Beauty collaborated with Baby2baby to donate diapers and clothing to families in poverty.
#3 Jaden Smith
Source: Rodin Eckenroth
At the age of 11,
Jaden Smith started his company, Just Water, which major move was reconceiving the water plastic bottle. Instead of using petroleum-based plastic, Just Water comes in a carton that is nearly 90% plant-derived materials. His company has received massive acclaim. Smith donated multiple water bottles to Flint, Michigan, as many city areas struggled to find clean water
#4 Paul Rudd and Jeff Dean Morgan
Source: East News
Back in December 2014, actors Paul Rudd and Jeff Dean Morgan stepped in to help save a candy store in Rhinebeck, New York. Samuel's Sweet Shop was in danger of closing after the owner, Ira Gutner, passed away. The store had been a mainstay in Rhinebeck since 1994 so Rudd and Morgan decided to step in to save the store from closing down forever. Morgan shared: “When Hilarie and I came to the area & started getting coffee at Samuel's, Ira made it clear that we were home. We just got each other…Saving Samuel's is one of the coolest things we have done.”
#5 Steve Carell
Source: East News
The popular comedian has helped keep open a local landmark in his native Massachusetts. He purchased and restored the Marshfield Hills General Store. Carell told the Boston Globe in an email: “This is much more of an emotional investment than a business one. I saw an opportunity to help to preserve a little piece of history. I also felt that places like the Marshfield Hills General Store represent a gathering place, and give people a sense of community. These spots are growing more and more scarce. I hope to keep this particular one alive and well."
#6 Ed Norton
Source: East News
Norton founded and runs CrowdRise, a software company that helps non-profits raise money through crowdfunding campaigns. The platform makes giving back fun with its social networking components contest and a point system.
#7 Pharrell Williams
Source: Pharrell
Each year, 8 million metric tons of plastic waste wind up floating around in our oceans. Pharrell Williams wants to do something about it. Therefore, he decided to found Bionic Yarn in 2010. It is a type of yarn that is made from discarded plastic gathered from the ocean to produce apparel, footwear, bags, and furniture.
#8 Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard
Source: East News
In 2019, Bell and Shepard co-founded Hello Bello, a Los Angeles-based start-up that sells a range of all-natural baby products, from diapers and wipes to sunscreen. They said that celebrities like them shouldn’t be the only people with access to “affordable and premium” childcare.
#9 Hugh Jackman
Source: thehughjackman
In October 2011, actor Hugh Jackman launched a new company called Laughing man. The business offers a variety of coffees and teas, sold online and in a small café in the Tribeca part of New York City. He was inspired by Dukale's leadership in the farmer community. Then he realized that Dukale's story needed to be told to the world and his coffee had to be tasted. Hugh promised Dukale that he would help make this a reality.
#10 Gina Rodriguez
Source: East News
Gina Rodriguez has a business venture in the fashion world. She founded Naja, a lingerie brand with a mission to empower women. The company’s garment factory primarily employs single moms and female heads of households. All employers are paid above-market wages with healthcare benefits. Furthermore, every employee’s child is given books, uniforms, and school meals, all are paid for by Naja.