The latest news sweeping the nation is how CEOs of multi-million dollar conglomerates are giving away large chunks of their companies – for free! You read that right – companies inclduing as Amazon, Target, and Chick-Fil-A are all giving away 1% of their companies to anyone who asks (until supplies last, of course!).
In a recent interview with NBC News, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, stated, “I think it’s a good idea to give away my company. I’m sick of running it. International conglomerates are tricky to manage and take up so much of my time. I could be relaxing on a beach in Fiji instead.” Tons of people, including some celebrities such as the Friends cast, have gotten 1% of the company each. Taylor Swift, who was recently the honorary mayor for a day in Tampa as a welcoming of her incredible The Eras Tour, snagged a rather sizable chunk of Amazon (10%) – I guess you could say Swift is now a singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, entrepreneur, honorary doctor, and partial Amazon owner! Leonard Hofstadter, a physicist at CalTech University in California, also managed to grab 2% of the company. In an interview with Physics Weekly, Hofstadter stated, “I can’t believe I was able to get part of the company! My job pays well, but it’ll be good to have some extra cash in my pocket. Thanks, Bezos!”
Amazon wasn’t the only company involved in this massive giveaway. Even Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group (which controls well over 400 companies, including Virgin Rail, Radio, Records, and more), stated, “I started Virgin Group in the 1970s. It’s been my baby ever since. I feel that I’ve helped people through it, but I want to help even more – especially as prices ramp up on just about everything these days.” US Weekly spoke with a woman in Boston who now owns 1% of Branson’s company. Rosaline Marjorie, who works at The Boston Globe, said, “I couldn’t believe it when I got the email saying I received 1% of Virgin Group. One of my favorite things is helping others, so instead of using the money I get as a part of this company for myself, I’m planning on donating it to homeless shelters all around the greater Boston area, as well as the ASPCA.” Plenty of people have mentioned doing the same in numerous interviews.
Personally, I think large companies sharing their wealth is a fantastic idea! Plenty of citizens have the chance to be rich and are able to afford more luxuries that they wouldn’t have had before. Personally, I’m looking forward to the day when I am offered a large chunk of Target – it’s one of my favorite stores to shop at and I can’t wait to be an integral part of it! In fact, I have to stop writing now because I just got a call from George Dayton, the founder of Target – I’m the latest recipient of 5% of the Target Corporation!
