Hillsborough Chamber Names PHE, Inc. 2026 Business of the Year

Scott Czechlewski, CEO of the Hillsborough-Orange County Chamber, highlighted the firm's role as a community-minded partner, citing its financial support for local nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, PORCH, and Duke Hospice. Beyond charitable donations, the company provided the necessary funding to establish an Entrepreneurship Center in Hillsborough, a move intended to bolster local start-ups.

For PHE, Inc. President and CEO Lewis Broadnax, the accolade marks the third time the company has been honored by the organization, following previous wins in 2005 and 2019. Founded in 1969 as a master’s thesis by Phil Harvey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the business evolved from a mail-order contraceptive service into a global wellness entity. Today, the firm employs approximately 200 people at its historic headquarters and manages over 100 retail stores alongside its Australian subsidiary, Wild Secrets.