In this episode of Journey to Regeneration, Christopher Marquis speaks with Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder of Seventh Generation and a leading voice in sustainable business, about the evolution—and limitations—of purpose-driven companies. In his new book “Built for a Better World: How Seventh Generation Pioneered a Movement That Changed the Purpose of Business,” Hollender reflects on building a brand that combined environmental responsibility, consumer education, and human health, while also experimenting with employee ownership and values-driven culture. Our conversation explores these topics and how business can move from minimizing harm to creating systemic value, the tensions between mission and capital, and the governance challenges that arise as companies scale. Hollender also discusses the role of NGOs, public policy, and large corporations like Unilever in driving broader change, offering a candid assessment of what it takes to move toward truly regenerative business. The episode ultimately raises a critical question: how can businesses operate differently within systems that still reward short-term extraction over long-term value?
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