From the 51% rule that saved their business partnership to the psychology of why LGBTQ people are wired for creativity, from winning the Amazing Race to the real difference between kindness and niceness, Brent and Josh bring equal parts wisdom, warmth and wit to every topic Jim puts in front of them.

In This Episode:

• How Beekman 1802 grew from goat milk soap wrapped by neighbors to a major beauty brand sold at Ulta
• The 51% rule: the surprisingly simple system that ended years of business disagreements between partners
• Why "being nice is a deferred payment plan" and kindness always costs you something upfront
• The theory that LGBTQ creativity is really just lifelong problem solving, and why that's a superpower
• How winning the Amazing Race came down to one rule: no cheerleading, no fighting, just focus
• The unexpected phone call from a CBS executive at a cookbook signing that started it all
• Why Brent and Josh believe the business may have actually saved their relationship
• What it feels like to be a visible gay couple in the South right now and why just going to dinner is an act of activism
• The "boys" problem: why even running a $100M company, language still has the power to diminish
• How to use your privilege well, especially during Pride season when the community needs its elders most
• What cocktail o'clock taught them about protecting their relationship from their business

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome back, Brent. And introducing Josh

01:03 – Did the vision for Beekman 1802 ever match the reality?

02:53 – Starting with kindness: "How can we lift as many people as possible?"

06:01 – Do Brent and Josh ever disagree? (Oh, yes.)

08:40 – The 51% rule: how to make decisions as equal partners

10:11 – Why LGBT couple founders may be more successful than straight ones

13:30 – Creativity is problem solving: the LGBTQ superpower

20:09 – 80 employees, Ulta stores and what Beekman looks for in talent

23:34 – "The ultimate act of kindness is transparency"

25:31 – Kind vs. nice: why they are not the same thing

26:46 – "Being kind has an immediate cost. Nice is a deferred payment plan."

29:18 – Josh on the Amazing Race: "It was the hardest thing I've ever done."

30:16 – Why their age and Gen X doubt actually helped them win

35:16 – "The middle-aged gay couple never wins. Our job is to be everyone's friend and gracefully exit."

37:21 – Did the show Hacks owe them royalties? (The goat milking episode)

39:32 – Inside a week at the farm: cocktail o'clock and how they protect their relationship

41:08 – "The business may have saved our relationship."

44:18 – A gay Shark Tank? Jim pitches a TV idea live on air

46:47 – "What do the boys think?" Why that phrase still stings at $100M

51:46 – Safe spaces, moving to Atlanta and what it means to turn your gaydar back on

57:33 – What Jim, Brent and Josh believe it means to be elders in the community right now

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Beekman 1802 (beekman1802.com)
• Beekman 1802 Almanac (their book)
• The Amazing Race, CBS
• The Fabulous Beekman Boys (Planet Green reality series)
• Hacks (HBO Max)
• Schitt's Creek
• QVC / HSN

Connect with Brent Ridge & Josh Kilmer-Purcell:

Website: beekman1802.com

Instagram: @beekman1802

Instagram: @josh.kilmer.purcell

✨ Follow Jim Fielding & Ask For An Answer:

💼 Instagram: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hijimfielding/

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Website: hijimfielding.com

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