Why I Chose Pepper Over Everything

When I left ButcherBox in 2019, I felt like I could do anything, which resulted in me doing next to nothing for longer than I’d like to admit. I wrote the rough draft of a short how-to type book for first-time entrepreneurs, traveled, mentored student entrepreneurs, and logged hundreds of miles walking around Cambridge and Brookline listening to Joe Castiglione call Red Sox games.

Then everything changed, and there was just one thing I could do.

I was walking to a cafe when my now wife, Molly, texted me about a book Kristen Bell shared on Instagram called The Life You Can Save. I purchased a copy from the bookstore, ordered a coffee and blueberry muffin (which cost me $7 bucks), and started reading. By the time I finished reading, I felt guilty about buying them. And by the time I finished the book, I felt guilty about just about everything. The author, Peter Singer, does a great job detailing our power to help people in low-income countries and how even a minimal amount of money, $7, can dramatically impact their life.

From that point on, I became obsessed with finding a way to raise money and awareness for these people. I wanted it to be simple and sexy. A hip new brand that got people excited about giving rather than guilted into giving. As you can tell from our website, we missed the mark on the sexy front, but it is pretty simple – you can join Pepper in less than 30 seconds and enjoy making a significant impact every month. The sexy will come.

Despite some exciting opportunities from friends and recruiters, I couldn’t shake Pepper, and at one stage, I was trying to. My then-therapist thought it was too much for me to take on. At the time, I agreed. I wanted it to be this big thing. Today I’m more realistic; something small is great because it doesn’t take much to make a difference with these charities. I hope Pepper snowballs into something big, but I’m ok if it stays small. I just had to try.

Much love,

Mike Filbey – Founder/President, Pepper