Consider for a moment the curious paradox of John Mackey. He has devoted the better part of his 51 years to the seemingly friendly and peace-loving world of selling natural foods. He has lived in a vegetarian co-op and studied yoga and meditation. He is a leading practitioner of empowerment management.

Yet, as Chairman and CEO of Whole Foods Market, Inc. Mackey has built a $3.1 billion Fortune 500 company that is now one of the top 15 supermarket companies in America. He has out-maneuvered every other entrant into the natural foods marketplace, eventually purchasing most of them, and will open his 80,000 square foot Austin landmark store and world headquarters on March 3. The opening coincides with the Austin-born company's 25th anniversary year. No wonder Business Week entitled its 1998 profile of Mackey: "Peace, love, and the bottom line."

Who: John Mackey, Chairman and CEO of Whole Foods Market
What: To speak on the topic "Creating a New Business Paradigm" at the Chamber's Entrepreneur & Small Business Council seminar
When: Wednesday, March 9, at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Radisson Hotel Austin, 111 E. Cesar Chavez Street

The Chamber's Entrepreneur & Small Business Council provides an opportunity to understand the governmental and business issues and priorities of small businesses. This event is hosted by the Greater Austin Chamber. SBC is the sponsor.