The Next Mountain Podcast Building for a Better World: Jeffrey Hollender on Regenerative Business and Meaningful Exits
May 6, 2026
Jeffrey Hollender, pioneer social entrepreneur who co-founded Seventh Generation and teaches social entrepreneurship at NYU Stern. He discusses the difference between sustainability and true regeneration. He explains systems thinking, the compromises purpose-driven founders face, and why selling a company to its employees can be a meaningful exit. Practical steps and policy shifts for creating regenerative businesses are highlighted.
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Make The Business Case For Purpose
- Create a clear business case for purpose by quantifying benefits like attracting top talent and lowering turnover.
- Hollender cites Credit Suisse research and employee retention as concrete financial advantages to present to investors.
Never Compromise On Transparency
- Treat compromises strategically: allow practical product compromises but never compromise on transparency.
- Hollender says honesty about your supply chain and impacts is nonnegotiable while product perfection can wait.
Systems Thinking Prevents Unintended Harm
- Systems thinking is essential to avoid harmful unintended consequences like ethanol from corn increasing food prices.
- Seventh Generation taught systems thinking to staff so decisions considered environmental and social ripple effects.
