Tom Helps Merges Spiritual Solutions with Values-Centered Leadership

Global challenges and personal struggles intersect, and they seem to be felt by many and are becoming more intense. Spiritual solutions, which revolve around values, purpose, and connection, offer solace and practical frameworks to navigate whatever life throws in one’s way. They help individuals and organizations bridge the gap between their actions and higher ideals, promoting personal growth, professional fulfillment, and a shared sense of responsibility. Tom Helps, a novel initiative by seasoned entrepreneur Tom Chappell, recognizes this need for spiritual grounding in a chaotic world. 

The Maine-based organization guides individuals and businesses toward meaningful change through values-centered leadership and community connection. It’s the fruit of Chappell’s never-ending mission of championing socially responsible enterprises. The visionary entrepreneur first solidified his reputation as an influential figure in the field through Tom’s of Maine, the pioneering natural personal care company he co-founded with his wife, Kate Cheney Chappell, in 1970.

Tom’s of Maine was demonstrating how businesses could balance profitability with environmental stewardship and social responsibility long before sustainability became a corporate buzzword. Its mission—to create products that are good for people and the planet—was a guiding principle that informed its operations. With this, the company revolutionized the personal care industry, introducing transparency and ethical standards that were unheard of at the time. Tom’s of Maine became a national presence by the 1980s, stocked in supermarkets and chain drugstores. 

The founder sold Tom’s of Maine to Colgate-Palmolive in 2006 after decades of growth, ensuring that the company’s mission would endure even as it expanded its global reach. The acquisition didn’t stop Chappell from making a difference; it was only the beginning of a fulfilling journey. He established the Saltwater Institute, a nonprofit focused on leadership development, and Ramblers Way, a certified organic wool clothing company. Like Tom’s of Maine, these ventures reflect his commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and values-driven leadership. 

Chappell combined the lessons, successes, and insights from his remarkable career to offer fresh services through Tom Helps. The company provides business consulting and personal coaching or mentoring. Chappell and his team work with socially conscious businesses, helping leaders solve challenges through a values-centric lens. Those undergoing career or life transitions can seek Chappell’s one-on-one mentoring. 

Tom Helps also introduces Tom’s Library, a curated collection of resources like blog posts and video stories that inspire and educate. The library provides practical tools and insights to address life’s challenges through interviews with leaders who have overcome adversity. “It’s a space for connection and shared learning,” says Chappell. “We created it because we believe that personal growth is an individual and collective journey.” 

The innovative company is especially known for the Seven Intentions of Values-Centered Leadership™. This experiential training program encourages leaders to integrate The Seven Intentions—connect with goodness, know thyself and be thyself, envision your destiny, seek counsel, venture out, assess, and pass it on—into their professional lives. These action-oriented principles guide participants in discovering their unique gifts and using them for meaningful service. 

“The Seven Intentions hold a culture or leadership accountable to doing things a certain way. They help keep the culture fun, human, and responsible but, at the same time, high-performing. If we’re intentional, we can make sure we’re not just doing good for the sake of it but contributing to a broader cause,” Chappell explains.  

The founder built on The Seven Intentions and created an online course in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It’s ideal for entrepreneurs, executives, and founders who want to align higher purpose with profit. This course explores the principles of CSR, drawing on Chappell’s real-world experiences at Tom’s of Maine to illustrate how values can drive business success. Participants learn to design strategies for creating ethical, sustainable enterprises and build a workplace culture prioritizing high performance and the common good.  

Ultimately, Tom Helps empowers individuals and organizations seeking to make a positive impact in the world. It commits to values, innovation, and growth through consulting, storytelling, and training.