Westporters Paul Newman and A. E. Hotchner almost opened a restaurant in their hometown instead of starting Newmans Own two decades ago. And charities would have been millions poorer.
ThatҒs one of the tales from a new book the actor and writer have authored about their successful food venture and highlighted in this weeks Newsweek.
Called ғShameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good, the book tells how the two became accidental entrepreneurs and launched a company that now sells dressing, pasta sauce, popcorn and more in eight countries, all to the benefit of charities.
They were interviewed by NewsweekԒs Jennifer Barrett.
Excerpt:
Barrett: Why write this book now?
Newman: Well, were passing one landmark. [This month] weҒll be giving away our 150 millionth dollar. So, a lot of the book people have asked us to do some kind of history about this business.
Youve been quoted as saying, ғThere are three rules for doing businessfortunately, we donגt know any of them.
Hotchner: Actually, my favorite is: ԓIt is useless to put on the brakes when youre upside down.Ҕ
Newman: The one I like best is, When things look darkest then they go black.Ӕ
You mention in the book that you originally intended to open a restaurant in Westport, Conn., called Newmans Own, but were talked out of it by a former restaurant owner. Any thoughts still about opening a restaurant?
Newman: We can barely handle what weҒve got.
Hotchner: How close were we then?
Newman: I dont think we were more than 28 percent there.
Hotchner: [Laughs] Well, we are never more than 28 percent there. Seriously, if there had been a really good location, we might have done the restaurant instead of all of this.
