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Leading a truly successful business isn't just about making the most money. It's also about making a positive impact on your employees, your customers, and your community. For his entire career, Jeffrey Hollender, a.k.a “The Grandfather of Green”, has done just that. He is the co-founder of Seventh Generation, one of the first companies to make environmentally-friendly products, and an adjunct professor at NYU's Stern Business School. If you want to be financially successful while doing good, this is a must-listen! If you are a leader or aspiring to be one, follow me on social media @ArchieLJonesJr and visit archieljonesjr.com for tips and resources. There, you can also order my book: The Treasure You Seek: A Guide to Developing and Leveraging Your Leadership Capital available on Amazon and other retailers.If you want to learn more about our work at NxGen COACH Network, visit nxgencoachnetwork.com. Training Camp For Leaders with Archie L. Jones Jr. is produced by NxGen COACH Network and our Webby-winning partner, Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Over the last couple of decades, small and big businesses alike have begun incorporating sustainability commitments into their business models. Whether it's going carbon neutral or switching to compostable packaging, these promises surrounding a company's efforts are ubiquitous. But when it comes to eco-conscious business practices, how can a consumer determine what's genuine and what's greenwashing? This week, Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation and current CEO of the American Sustainable Business Network, answers all your questions. For show notes, visit https://brightly.eco/jeffrey-hollender-interview.
I interview Jeffrey Hollender, CEO and Co-Founder of the American Sustainable Business Network . Hollender discusses the importance of public policy initiatives to advance ESG in the US, the future of ESG related regulations in the US, how best companies can engage with policy makers, and lessons learned from other countries with ESG regulations in place.
You cannot switch on the radio, TV or online news any day without a mention of sustainability or climate change. One of the early thought leader in this field is Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder of Seventh Generation. We enjoy always to listen to his words and thought process and decided to re-air this classic episode. Take a listen.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and Board Chair of the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), which through its national member network represents more than 250,000 businesses in a wide range of industries. He was co-founder and CEO of Seventh Generation, which he built into a leading natural product brand known for its authenticity, transparency, and progressive business practices.As an early thinker and adopter of sustainable practices, Jeffrey brought to market several green products. He talks about how and why is a living wage important. He talks about the impact of a living wage on an individual and societal level - both emotionally and financially. What sustainability means is far more than just doing no harm - we have to be a net positive. Do more good through regenerative practices. AT ASBC, he leads and lobbies for policy changes in these issues which he is passionate about. Listen now only on Mindful Businesses. https://www.asbcouncil.org/https://www.mindfulbusinessespodcast.com/
This week we have the co-founder of Seventh Generation (purchased by Unilever in 2016) and of the American Sustainable Business Council (with over 200,000 members), Jeffrey Hollender. Jeffrey has been a leader in the sustainability field since its early days, as an entrepreneur and co-founder the first successful environmentally focused home products Seventh Generation. Hear about his journey and the difference he is trying to make now with the ASBC as the chamber of commerce for the environment. ** If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience. Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.com Thank you for your support! Timothy & Raj
Today's episode features a conversation on Creating an Economic System That Works for All featuring Joel Bakan (Professor of Law, Univ of British Columbia; author and filmmaker, The New Corporation) and Rebecca Henderson (John and Natty McArthur University Professor, Harvard University) in conversation with ASBN's Co-Founder & CEO, Jeffrey Hollender.Originally recorded in December 2020.
Episode 16 of the Just & Sustainable Economy podcast features a conversation with award-winning journalist, Alec MacGillis on his book Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America. Joining Alec in conversation is ASBN Co-Founder and CEO and Co-Founder of Seventh Generation, Jeffrey Hollender. Fulfillment is a A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice selection and investigates Amazon's impact on the wealth and poverty of towns and cities across the United States. Alec MacGillis's Fulfillment is not another inside account or exposé of our most conspicuously dominant company. Rather, it is a literary investigation of the America that falls within that company's growing shadow. With empathy and breadth, MacGillis demonstrates the hidden human costs of the other inequality—not the growing gap between rich and poor, but the gap between the country's winning and losing regions. The result is an intimate account of contemporary capitalism: its drive to innovate, its dark, pitiless magic, its remaking of America with every click.
In their seminal book 'Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take' former Unilever CEO Paul Polman and sustainable business guru Andrew Winston explode fifty years of corporate dogma. Theyreveal, for the first time, key lessons from Unilever and other pioneeringcompanies around the world about how you can profit by fixing the world'sproblems instead of creating them. To thrive today and tomorrow, they argue,companies must become “net positive”—giving more to the world than they take.This episode features Paul Polman interviewed by former CEO and co-founder of Seventh Generation, and CEO of the American Sustainable Business Network, Jeffrey Hollender in dialog on what net positive really means, and what businesses are being called to do in these times.
Devin: As you reflect on your career and include the work you’re doing today and the success you’re having and have had, what do you think of as your superpower?Jeffrey: Wow, that’s that’s an interesting and challenging question. Certainly one thing that I reflect on. And by the way, reflection is part of that superpower. I think we don’t do enough of it—as is staying in the moment and living in the present. But what I would say is my willingness to take a hard look at myself in the mirror and see the way in which I’m contributing to the problem myself. It’s always easier to point fingers at other people. It’s much harder to see how we are sometimes at fault. And that kind of honest, humble way of reflecting on yourself and your behavior to me makes me a better leader, makes me a more compassionate and humble person. And as challenging as it is to do, I think that it is helped me succeed and accomplish much of what I’ve accomplished so far.Jeffrey Hollender is CEO, co-founder and Board Chair of the American Sustainable Business Network, which comprises the former American Sustainable Business Council and Social Venture Circle recently combined in a merger completed this month.Jeffrey was co-founder and CEO of Seventh Generation, which he built into a leading natural product brand known for its authenticity, transparency, and progressive business practices. In other words, he is kind of a big deal.And I was thrilled to host him on the show to talk about the recent merger, Seventh Generation and his superpowers.“I couldn’t be happier with the fact that we’ve come together, that we will be one organization in the future, and we will have a stronger and more powerful voice in making the world a better place,” he said of the merger.Having participated in the discussions at the outset, he shared how the merger came about.During the tenure of Valerie Red-Horse Mohl as executive director for Social Venture Circle, Anand Giridharadas, author of the bestseller Winners Take All, spoke at the annual conference. Jeffrey quoted him as saying, “We’re not going to deal with the social, economic and environmental challenges we face unless we really change the rules by which all businesses are operating.” At that moment, Val leaned over to Jeffrey and said, “Wow, I bet you guys could help us do that.” Thus began a two-year process that culminated earlier this month in the completed merger of the two organizations.Jeffrey points to several political victories over the 11 years since the founding of ASBC. One is the success in passing the JOBS Act in 2012, which has helped democratize pre-IPO investing. At the same time, it is helping to level the playing field for accessing capital for underrepresented populations, especially women and BIPOC entrepreneurs.ASBC also worked to help pass the infrastructure package that became law earlier this year, with the White House acknowledging the organization’s role in building consensus for it. ASBN is now pushing for passage of the Build Back Better bill recently passed by the House and pending consideration in the Senate.Jeffrey called it “Critical, critical must-pass legislation.” He noted, “This Build Back Better bill is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make critical investments socially and environmentally—very importantly, the biggest investment that the country has ever made to fight climate change.”“We’ve got to put a price on carbon,” Jeffrey says. “Putting a price on carbon will be totally transformational for our businesses and our economy, and it will really reward those companies that have been committed to internalizing those externalities instead of dumping them into the environment and onto our society.”“Then we’ve got to move beyond just putting a price on carbon, and we’ve got to move towards this notion of full cost accounting so that we really have a true price when we buy and sell services and products that really is representative of what it costs us to make and use products,” he continued.Jeffery is a big deal whose work matters. He is changing the world. He has a clear and humble view of his superpower, the ability to reflect on his role in creating the problem he wants to solve.How to Develop the Ability to Reflect on Your Role in Creating the Problem As a SuperpowerJeffrey can see how his superpower makes him a better leader. “That kind of honest, humble way of reflecting on yourself and your behavior to me makes me a better leader, makes me a more compassionate and humble person. And as challenging as it is to do, I think that it is helped me succeed and accomplish much of what I’ve accomplished so far.”He notes that it is easier to point the finger at other people, but authentic leadership requires introspection. “The honest way in which I try to see myself, I think, really inspires other people to do the same. And, you know, no one, no one’s perfect. We all have faults. We’re all on a journey to continually learn and become better human beings.”Business success comes from leadership that takes responsibility for one’s own role in the problem.“When we create the opportunity for people to grow, when we create the opportunity for people to learn and unleash the power they have within them, that really enables businesses to accomplish extraordinary things.”From our conversation, I conclude that there are three essential steps to effective reflection.Define the problem. Business and life present problems from giants like climate change to everyday issues like internal office conflicts. When you are working to solve a problem, start by defining it.Identify your role. The heart of Jeffrey’s superpower is to assess his role in the problem honestly. In the context of climate change, you could look at your personal carbon footprint, your company’s and the impact of your example within your sphere of influence. With respect to interpersonal discord, it can be even more challenging to see how your behavior contributes to it. An honest assessment is essential.Make appropriate changes. Jeffrey notes, “It’s hard to change.” He suggests a virtuous cycle of intentionality and reflection, constantly becoming a better person and a better leader. Set out to make the change and then reflect on how it’s going. Adjust and focus your intention, and then periodically reflect on your progress.By following these steps Jeffrey suggested, you can become a better leader. You can make reflecting on your role in the problem a superpower to help you change the world. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at devinthorpe.substack.com/subscribe
We've had incredible voices come on the show talk about their personal pluck ups. From Academy Award winning Matthew McConaughey majorly plucking up an acting job, Arianna Huffington sharing about her serious case of imposter syndrome to Liz Gilbert on overcoming shame. In the first episode of our new season, Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, shares personal and career crises that had monumental impacts.In our conversation, Jeffrey talks about evolution and growth. We talk about everything, from baking social responsibility into a company and changing the world by how we do business to how he came out of his most expensive pluck up — getting fired from a company he grew for 20 years.--Love the podcast? Please follow us or subscribe for FREE, rate, and leave us a review!Follow Liz on Instagram:@lizbohannon@ssekodesignsThis podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. Follow us on IG @huemangroupmedia and Twitter @hueman_media.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pluckingup/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We've had incredible voices come on the show and talk about their personal pluck ups. From Academy Award winning Matthew McConaughey majorly plucking up an acting job to Arrianna Huffington sharing about her serious case of imposter syndrome to Liz Gilbert on overcoming shame. In the first episode of our new season, Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, talks to us about both personal and career crises that had monumental impacts. In our conversation, Jeffrey talks about evolution and growth. We talk about everything, from baking social responsibility into a company and changing the world by how we do business. Jeffrey also shares his most expensive pluck up — getting fired from a company he grew for 20 years. -- Love the podcast? Please follow us or subscribe for FREE, rate, and leave us a review! Follow Liz on Instagram: @lizbohannon @ssekodesigns This podcast is produced by Hueman Group Media. Follow us on @sincerelyhueman. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pluckingup/message
Is the “New Normal” really new? Co-hosts Tom Nixon and Marc Trail are joined by Jeffrey Hollender and Certified Volunteer Mentor Richard Gibbs to discuss business sustainability concepts that are impacting businesses globally—both small and large, private and public. Discussion points: Jeffrey's career path and areas of focus Business realities as to sustainability Business sustainability has been around for a while Impact on the small business owner Benefits of sustainability on the small business owner Question of the day: Why do mentors mentor? References and Resources: American Sustainable Business Council Get In Touch with Jeffrey Hollender Connect with Richard Gibbs on LinkedIn Interested in becoming a mentor? Start here! Visit our Facebook page, and follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Armando, Tom and Marc on LinkedIn Theme music: Let Us Run For It by The Denotes | https://thedenotes.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US
Ashley Armstrong ‘The Hidden Rules Expert'™, Business Advisor and Best Selling Author, is the Go-To eCommerce Expert for National USA Media. Ashley helps multi-million dollar companies and solopreneurs navigate the in's and out's of Amazon and eCommerce to scale their businesses to 7-figures and beyond. After building a 7-figure physical product business, Ashley established an eCommerce consulting firm that specializes in navigating Amazon's ‘hidden rules' of engagement while being nominated as one of the best Amazon consultants by SellerPoll 2020. Recently she pivoted to provide a dedicated community for women to get expert advice and mentorship for every aspect of their eCommerce business. Her expertise has helped thousands of sellers properly position their product lines in order to increase sales, build a loyal customer base, and drive revenue. On average Ashley's top clients see a 140% increase in sales in 30 days. Ashley partnered with Amazon and Marketing guru Dan Hollings, and consulted companies like Sustain Natural and Viome, who won awards like The Most Innovative Startups 2019, Company of the Year Award and Startup Award 2020. She has also consulted for influencers like Naveen Jain and Jeffrey Hollender, and joint ventured with experts including Joe Polish, Jason Fladlien, Philip Jepsen, and Greg Mercer. For her expertise, she has been featured in Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Medium, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, Emmy-Award winning program The List Tv, CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX NEWS. Think of Ashley as the business coach for eCommerce sellers. www.TheHiddenRulesExpert.com (rebranding) www.TheHiddenRulesNetwork.com www.ProductInfographic.com www.facebook.com/AmazonWithAshley https://www.facebook.com/AshleyArmstrongHiddenRules http://tiny.cc/AshleyYouTube https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sage-armstrong/ https://www.instagram.com/ashleyarmstrong.hiddenrules/
Ashley Armstrong ‘The Hidden Rules Expert'™, Business Advisor and Best Selling Author, is the Go-To eCommerce Expert for National USA Media. Ashley helps multi-million dollar companies and solopreneurs navigate the in's and out's of Amazon and eCommerce to scale their businesses to 7-figures and beyond. After building a 7-figure physical product business, Ashley established an eCommerce consulting firm that specializes in navigating Amazon's ‘hidden rules' of engagement while being nominated as one of the best Amazon consultants by SellerPoll 2020. Recently she pivoted to provide a dedicated community for women to get expert advice and mentorship for every aspect of their eCommerce business. Her expertise has helped thousands of sellers properly position their product lines in order to increase sales, build a loyal customer base, and drive revenue. On average Ashley's top clients see a 140% increase in sales in 30 days. Ashley partnered with Amazon and Marketing guru Dan Hollings, and consulted companies like Sustain Natural and Viome, who won awards like The Most Innovative Startups 2019, Company of the Year Award and Startup Award 2020. She has also consulted for influencers like Naveen Jain and Jeffrey Hollender, and joint ventured with experts including Joe Polish, Jason Fladlien, Philip Jepsen, and Greg Mercer. For her expertise, she has been featured in Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Medium, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, Emmy-Award winning program The List Tv, CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX NEWS. Think of Ashley as the business coach for eCommerce sellers. www.TheHiddenRulesExpert.com (rebranding) www.TheHiddenRulesNetwork.com www.ProductInfographic.com www.facebook.com/AmazonWithAshley https://www.facebook.com/AshleyArmstrongHiddenRules http://tiny.cc/AshleyYouTube https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sage-armstrong/ https://www.instagram.com/ashleyarmstrong.hiddenrules/
Ashley Armstrong ‘The Hidden Rules Expert®', Business Advisor and International Best Selling Author, is the Go-To eCommerce Expert for National USA Media & TV. Ashley helps multi-million dollar companies and solopreneurs optimize customer decisions by monetizing their Amazon/eCommerce listings into a money maker with the traffic they already have. After building a 7-figure physical product business, Ashley established an eCommerce consulting firm that specializes in navigating Amazon's ‘hidden rules' of engagement while being nominated as one of the best Amazon consultants by SellerPoll 2020. Her expertise has helped thousands of sellers properly position their product lines in order to increase sales, build a loyal customer base, and drive revenue 120% in 30 days. Recently she started a women in eCommerce mastermind The Hidden Rules Network.com providing a safe space for expert advice and mentorship. Ashley partnered with Amazon and Marketing guru Dan Hollings, and consulted companies like Sustain Natural and Viome, who won awards like The Most Innovative Startups 2019, Company of the Year Award and Startup Award 2020. She has also consulted for influencers like Naveen Jain and Jeffrey Hollender, and joint ventured with experts including Joe Polish, Jason Fladlien, Philip Jepsen, and Greg Mercer. For her expertise, she is a regular guest expert on an Emmy-Award winning show The List Tv, as well as, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Medium, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX NEWS. -0:38: Introducing Ashley Armstrong -1:55: How Ashley got good at doing what she does -3:43: Mentors are key -8:59: Every industry is simple you just have to know what your doing -12:15: Life is a roller coaster -16:38: Should people do hypnotherapy? -22:20: It's still a good time to join ecom -25:15: Positioning your product line, your listing, and/or your brand is important things to do -30:19: Social commerce vs social media marketing -36:05: If you want to succeed and grow your company is by being present 41:05: If you are working on to many things at once you're going to make millimeters worth of growth -43:20: Ashley's Final Thoughts -47:40: How to contact Ashely Armstrong www.TheHiddenRulesExpert.com www.TheHiddenRulesNetwork.com www.ProductInfographic.com www.facebook.com/AmazonWithAshley https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sage-armstrong/ https://www.instagram.com/ashleyarmstrong.hiddenrules/ https://www.youtube.com/c/AshleyArmstrongTheHiddenRulesExpert
This week we have the co-founder of Seventh Generation (purchased by Unilever in 2016) and of the American Sustainable Business Council (with over 200,000 members), Jeffrey Hollender. Jeffrey has been a leader in the sustainability field since its early days, as an entrepreneur and co-founder the first successful environmentally focused home products Seventh Generation. Hear about his journey and the difference he is trying to make now with the ASBC as the chamber of commerce for the environment. ** If you enjoy this podcast, would you consider rating and leaving us a review? It takes only a few seconds and greatly helps us get our podcast out to a wider audience. Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. For transcripts and show notes, please go to: https://www.theconsciouscapitalists.com Thank you for your support! Timothy & Raj
https://www.asbcouncil.org/https://www.mindfulbusinessespodcast.com/https://ratethispodcast.com/mindfulbusinesses
The American Sustainable Business Council has produced a new report: "Creating An Economic System That Works for All." What's surprising isn't that it talks about business or buyouts, economics and the environment--especially in the wake of COVID--but because it's opening line is unequivocal: "There is no going back." Getting down to business, among its talking points are: reparations, universal basic income. and universal Pre-K. Really?! GUESTS: Jeffrey Hollender, CEO & Chief Inspired Protagonist, ASBC; and MaryAnne Howland, Chair, Race & Equity Working Group, ASBC
Jeffrey Hollender is Co-Founder of Seventh Generation, The American Business Council, & Hollender Sustainable Brands. Jeffrey went from dropping out of college and selling skill classes like the “art of flirting” or “how to marry money” to building one of the most successful sustainable product brands in the world, Seventh Generation, which sold to Unilever in 2016 for over $600 Million. Their line of over 100 products is distributed in most leading retailers including: Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway and Amazon. And for the last 30 years, from its humble beginnings as mail order catalog till now, the brand has been focused on nurturing the health of the next 7 generations.But after being ousted by his own company in 2010, he took his idea of doing good to a whole another level becoming a leading authority on corporate responsibility, sustainability and social equity. He created a coalition of over 250,000 businesses called the American Sustainable Business Council which drives progressive public policy. In 2013, with his wife and daughter, he created Hollender Sustainable Brands, which started Sustain, Sustain Natural, a new brand of female-focused, all natural sexual wellness products that sold. The company has rapidly grown and was acquired by Grove Collective in 2019.Full show notes and worksheets can be found here: evolvethe.world/episodes/jeffrey-hollenderWhat You Will Learn In This Episode:What Jeffrey's first business was after dropping out of collegeThe first business Jeffrey sold to Time WarnerWhy Jeffrey's guilt ended up leading him to Seventh GenerationHow Seventh Generation started from a failing mail order catalogueHow Seventh Generation got it's first customersThe troubles in Jeffrey and Alan Newman's co-founder relationshipWhether it is right for you to have a co-founderThe absolute must haves before entering into a co-founder relationshipHow Jeffrey made a key decision to cut 80% of Seventh Generations revenue sourceWhy educating your customers can have positive effectsHow to create company cultureHow Jeffrey took being fired from Seventh Generation and what he learnedHow Jeffrey practices the art of reflectionWhy businesses need to do good rather than less badHow Jeffrey got into the condom business and built Sustain NaturalsWhy to be truly sustainable we need to implement a whole systems approachHow Jeffrey navigated selling three companiesThe most important lessons he teaches social entrepreneursHow to fuel innovation in your startupHow we can solve major global issuesIf you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!
Jeffrey Hollender has been on for-profit and not for profit, held advisory and director seats, formed boards for his serial entrepreneur set of companies. He answered questions to help get a better handle of the Board’s role. The post TRE – The Responsible Entrepreneur – Jeffrey Hollender – Establishing and Working with Boards appeared first on Carol Sanford Institute.
With its eco-friendly paper towels, diapers, and cleansers, Seventh Generation was one of the first—and most successful—green household brands to hit the market. But in the early 1990s, just a few years after it began as a scrappy mail-order catalog, its two founders had a bitter falling out. Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender have barely spoken since that time, but they generously agreed to come on the show to talk to Guy about the business they were both passionate about, and the delicate nature of partnership.Order the How I Built This book at: https://smarturl.it/HowIBuiltThis
When you're a mom, the responsibilities never end. But then becoming a mom/entrepreneur? That means you need a great team to help you handle those business tasks. I'm excited to have Ashley Armstrong on today's episode. She is going to TEACH YOU how to build that rockstar team that balances your busy life and your flourishing business. After building a successful 7-figure physical product company, Ashley created Amaz Authority, an eCommerce consulting firm. Featured on CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox News, she has shared her expertise with the movers and shakers of the world...consulting for well-known people like tech entrepreneur Naveen Jain and CEO, co-founder and Board Chair of the American Sustainable Business Council, Jeffrey Hollender. Most recently, her innovations have landed her another incredible opportunity; Drag-and-drop product infographic templates for eCommerce. But to create the product she saw in her head, she knew she needed a team. So she did what all resourceful entrepreneurs do. She built one, from scratch. And it wasn't easy. Tune in and listen to Ashley today. Because if you want your business to succeed and flourish, sometimes you've got to hand over the reins and build that dream team. It's certainly not easy, but it's a necessary step to grow. You'll learn the basics on how to do that today! Want more of Ashley? Find her here! http://amazauthority.com/ or here: http://www.ezicommercetemplates.com/ ——— Firebuilders is a scalable way coaches and consultants can keep their clients accountable with daily, personal attention. Visit http://www.firebuilders.io for more info! And if you want to listen to past episodes? Check out the podcast: http://anchor.fm/firebuilders-live
Body Positive & Planet Positive Products For Women: A Conversation With Meika Hollender, Co-founder & President Of Sustain Natural Meika Hollender is the Co-Founder and President of Sustain, the leading brand of all-natural, vagina-friendly sexual wellness and period care products. Also an author, activist, and entrepreneur, Meika has consistently made marketplace history with a myriad of product innovations in the sexual wellness space that redefine the stigmatized narrative around female sexuality.. Meika teamed up with her father Jeffrey Hollender, the Co-Founder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, to launch Sustain Natural in 2014. Speaking to the fact 40% of condom purchases were by women, the company introduced its flagship product—the world's most sustainable condom. Sustain has since grown to include wipes, lubricant, and 100% organic cotton tampons and pads as well as reusable period products. Touting the 10%4Women initiative, 10% of all pre-tax profits benefit women's reproductive healthcare organizations in the U.S. In August 2019, Sustain was acquired by Grove Collaborative, a leading digital-first brand and e-commerce platform for natural home and personal care products. Meika joined the Grove Collaborative team as Head of Communications, while remaining President & Co-Founder of Sustain. For this episode of the Impact Report, Bard MBA's Michelle Aboodi speaks with Meika about social entrepreneurship, body positivity and reframing the conversation and market around sexual wellness. ImpactReportPodcast.com
It’s commonplace these days to see household and personal care products that are designed to be better for you and less harmful to the environment. But not too long ago, those items were few and far between, marketed by just a handful of brands -- one of which was Seventh Generation, a mail order business co-founded by Jeffrey Hollender. Launched in 1988, the company gradually evolved into a pioneering retail brand known for social responsibility and sustainable practices. In 2016, consumer products conglomerate Unilever purchased Seventh Generation for an estimated $700 million. Despite an acrimonious split with the company in 2010, Hollender eventually returned as a board member in 2017. He’s also currently the CEO and co-founder of the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), an advocacy group that represents the interests of socially responsible companies and an adjunct professor of sustainability and social entrepreneurship at NYU’s Stern Business School, as well as a member of the board at Greenpeace. In the following interview, Hollender spoke about the ASBC’s mission, his initial foray into entrepreneurship, the genesis of Seventh Generation and how the company eventually grew into its own. He also explained why he embraced the nickname “Chief Inspired Protagonist” and what he believes were the reasons behind his ouster. Later, he discussed the ways in which he supports socially responsible companies and progressive causes and why he urges brand owners to confront the reality that their products may be “less bad” rather than truly good. Show notes: 3:16: Interview: Jeffrey Hollender, Co-Founder, Seventh Generation -- Hollender spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif for an expansive conversation about his business career, which began with producing audio educational courses. He also explained why his mission in life is “to fundamentally alter the negative trajectory that our world is on” and how his work with the American Sustainable Business Council fits into that goal. Later, he discussed the creation of Seventh Generation, how he educated himself about the business of consumer products, his rift with co-founder Alan Newman and what sparked a turning point for the brand. Later, he spoke about why he stepped down as CEO and why he was unhappy with his replacement, and urged entrepreneurs to be extremely careful about their investment partners. Finally, he discussed how he evaluates opportunities to invest in early-stage companies, such as organic energy shot brand Kafina. Brands in this episode: Seventh Generation, Ben & Jerry’s, Stonyfield, Patagonia, Lego, Organic Valley, Magic Hat, Sustain Natural, Kafina Energy
Jeffrey Hollender co-founded Seventh Generation on a mission to create home products that are better for the planet. He co-founded of Sustain Natural (with his daughter Meika) to make sex and wellness products that are healthier for women and the planet. But now, he says his product making days are over. Now, Jeffrey spends most of his time as a professor at NYU, the co-founder of the American Sustainable Business Council, and a writer. His career path has been one of a steady zooming out. He started by facing the sustainability challenges of specific industries and products, and now he's working to fix the fundamental systems that are holding companies and consumers back. Jeffrey believes that systems thinking is invaluable, transparency is key in creating trust, and sometimes doing things the old way is best. “Systems thinking is invaluable because it teaches us to anticipate the unintended consequences.” In this episode of Well Made, Jeffrey starts at the beginning, sharing a bit about the teachers that put him on the path of sustainability advocacy (1:17). He talks about how education can create a fundamental shift in how we think about sustainability and how it impacted his kids’ firsthand (11:30). In his decades as a leader, Jeffrey has realized the importance of being a generalist. He shares how he prefers the generalist mentality over the specialist (12:07). Company culture was a huge focus on Jeffrey’s growth as a leader. He shares the importance of transparency and culture when building a business that’s good for people and the planet (19:31). He talks about the how systems thinking is not only a sustainable choice, but a competitive one (34:27). Jeffrey shares how he and his daughter Meika started Sustain (38:26). And finally, he talks about how he started working with Ben & Jerrys and the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility(47:07). Links and images from this post are on the Lumi Blog.
In 2012, Meika Hollender was sitting by the pool during the summer of her MBA program when someone handed her a business proposal for a sustainable condom company. She took the leap and co-founded Sustain with her own father, Jeffrey Hollender, the founder of Seventh Generation. In this episode, we'll hear advice she has for starting a company with a family member, how she's built a company in such a taboo product category, and how she's kept it all together through the ups and downs.
If it’s going in, on, or around women’s bodies, you can bet Sustain Natural is making it. Meika Hollender never thought she’d start a company. She grew up seeing her father, Jeffrey Hollender found, Seventh Generation and she was in business school when their career paths aligned. Starting a sex and period essentials brand with her dad was never in Meika’s plans, but she’s taken the reigns to create more sustainable reproductive health products, inciting conversations around women’s health and sex along the way. On this episode, Meika talks about starting a condom startup with her dad (3:59), their relationship as business partners (5:43), and talking openly about sexual health with her family (9:41). Meika describes the dramatic shift in their business since the 2016 presidential election (15:10), gets candid about the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements (17:56), and shares how they’re positioning their advocacy (22:33). Meika shares hows they’re focused on diversifying their advertising strategy when the rules are constantly changing for a brand in a sensitive space (27:52). Meika speaks on Sustain’s approach to making and selling sustainable period products (36:55) and the importance of Organic, Fairtrade, and B Corporation certifications (38:58). Finally, Meika shares how a poker game led to ThirdLove founder, Heidi Zak investing in Sustain and the lessons Meika’s learned from her (46:36). Links and images from this post are on the Lumi Blog.
BRAND SECRETS AND STRATEGIES: Empowering Brands | Raising The Bar
This episode's FREE downloadable guide Nothing happens until someone buys your product and shoppers can’t buy what they can’t find. The path to sustainable sales and getting your product onto more retailers shelves and into the hands of more shoppers. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE STRATEGIC GUIDE: Top 10 Strategies To Meet Your Business Goals Consumers want to feel good about the products they purchase, brands that align with social conscience. We respect those who stand up for trustworthy clean products, people, and the planet. Few leaders put their personal freedoms on the line for good. Today's story is about an industry thought leader that went way above and beyond to do more and to be more, and in the process, managed to build two iconic brands. On this podcast, we spend a lot of time celebrating those thought leaders that are able to do more to build a brand around a mission, that educates and inspires consumers to change the way that they do business, to change the way that they buy products, to change the way that they make decision. One of the leading trends across all consumer package goods is mission. Customers want to feel good about the products that they buy. They want and go out of their way to find products that align with what's important to them, to find products that let them feel good about the decisions and the choices that they're making. Not everyone can stop what they're doing and work in a soup line or help out in a third world country. Mission based companies are unique in that they give consumers an opportunity to make a difference just by simply purchasing the products that they know and like and trust. One of the things that makes natural natural are brands that are willing and eager to give back to make a difference, to develop a mission or build a mission around their brand. It's rare however, when we find a thought leader that's willing to go beyond that and give their all, everything, even putting themselves on the line, including their personal freedom. Today's guest was instrumental in championing important causes, including the health and welfare of our planet. Champion the causes that impact all of us, from climate change to animal rights, to human rights and so on. Today's guests put his personal freedom on the line for all of us, and I want to thank Jeffrey for doing that. Today's guest is Jeffrey Hollender, of Sustain Natural and Seventh Generation. Download the show notes: brandsecretsandstrategies.com/session98
Jeffrey Hollender is a social entrepreneur, author and activist. After a wide ranging entrepreneurial career, Jeffrey co-founded Seventh Generation and built it over 25 years into a leading natural product company recognised for its authenticity, transparency, and progressive business practices. Jeffrey recently co-founded Hollender Sustainable Brands, which sells Sustain Natural sexual wellness products; he is...
For the show notes (guest bio, summary, resources, etc), go to: www.lifteconomy.com/podcast
If Jeffrey Hollender’s name is familiar to you, it should not be surprising. As the cofounder of Seventh Generation, the author of a half dozen books, and a frequent speaker on using business to do good in the world, he’s a natural fit for a conversation with Social Entrepreneur. But he did not come on the podcast to talk about his past accomplishments. He’s busy taking a systemic approach to his latest business Sustain Natural. Through Sustain, Jeffrey is connecting the dots between condoms, hunger, health care, poverty, and climate change. Yes, that’s right. I said condoms…and lubricants and wipes. All of which are fair trade, organic and sustainably produced. And, Sustain donates 10% of their profits to help poorer women access health care such as STD testing and breast examinations. In this interview, Jeffrey talks about the importance of systems thinking in order to take on some of our most pressing problems. He describes the experience of being forced out of the company that he had built and he gives solid advice from his lessons learned. Key quotes from the interview: “Much of what we consider natural, sustainable products, are less bad rather than good.” “My insight is that we need to move to what I call net-positive businesses: businesses that are providing a net positive effect on the planet.” “If you were going to hire an employee, you would ask the employee for three references and you call up these people and you ask them what it was like to have this person working for you. Well, we don’t do that when it comes to investors.” “If we taught first grade children systems thinking, so that they could anticipate the unintended consequences of their actions, that might the most important thing we could do to create a more just, equitable and happy world.” “It is not easy to be an entrepreneur. You will run across no shortage of challenges and roadblocks. And it is really, really, really important that you choose to do something that you are deeply passionate and committed to. Otherwise there are too many reasons for you to walk away and give up.” “You really have to think, does this business idea help you become the person you want to be?” Books by Jeffrey Hollender: The Responsibility Revolution: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win: http://amzn.to/1ReaOXV Planet Home: Conscious Choices for Cleaning and Greening the World You Care About Most: http://amzn.to/1PjwsUq How to Make the World a Better Place: A Guide to Doing Good: http://amzn.to/1PjxlMM How to Make the World a Better Place: 116 Ways You Can Make a Difference: http://amzn.to/1Reb4WK Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide to Safe and Healthy, Non-Toxic Cleaning: http://amzn.to/1PjwP1j What Matters Most: How a Small Group of Pioneers Is Teaching Social Responsibility to Big Business, and Why Big Business is Listening: http://amzn.to/1PjwYSC In Our Every Deliberation: An Introduction to Seventh Generation: http://amzn.to/1Pjx64z Resources: eBook: Five Key Traits of Successful Social Entrepreneurs: http://tonyloyd.com/socent Try Audible and Receive Two Free Audiobooks: http://tonyloyd.com/books Jeffrey Hollender: http://www.jeffreyhollender.com Sustain: http://sustainnatural.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sustain_natural Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sustainnatural Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustain_natural/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sustaincondoms/ The American Sustainable Business Council: http://asbcouncil.org/
Jeffrey Hollender set out to build a company that was both profitable and environmentally sustainable. Seventh Generation makes cleaning and sanitary products that focus on resource conservation and eco-friendly business practices. Jeffrey is the author of several books and an advocate of corporate and environmental responsibility. Jeffrey discusses with Jessica Harris how he has helped […]
Here to talk about his book, THE RESPONSIBILITY REVOLUTION: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win is Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Inspired Protagonist of Seventh Generation Inc. His blog, Inspired Protagonist, is a closely-followed resource spotlighting socially responsible business practices on the global stage. He has led Seventh Generation from its humble beginnings to its current position as the nation's fastest growing brand of natural home and personal-care products. As a leading authority on issues related to green consumerism, he frequently addresses social and environmental responsibility issues at national and international venues. Tune in this Thursday to here Jeff share his examples of his own successes, as well as the successes of other companies as well as to learn about corporate responsibility as a process and a model.
Here to talk about his book, THE RESPONSIBILITY REVOLUTION: How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win is Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder, Executive Chairman and Chief Inspired Protagonist of Seventh Generation Inc. His blog, Inspired Protagonist, is a closely-followed resource spotlighting socially responsible business practices on the global stage. He has led Seventh Generation from its humble beginnings to its current position as the nation's fastest growing brand of natural home and personal-care products. As a leading authority on issues related to green consumerism, he frequently addresses social and environmental responsibility issues at national and international venues. Tune in this Thursday to here Jeff share his examples of his own successes, as well as the successes of other companies as well as to learn about corporate responsibility as a process and a model.
Stranova Vol. 9, Published December 4, 2005, features guest Jeffrey Hollender, the CEO, President, and Founder of Seventh Generation, Inc., provider of some of the world's most trusted environmentally responsible and safe products for the home, including laundry detergent, paper towels, dish liquids, and household cleaners. In this episode, you'll learn how Seventh Generation proves it's possible to be a strong leader in Corporate Social Responsibility while growing rapidly and even increasing margins year after year.