Jeffrey Hollender has made the decision to step aside as CEO of Seventh Generation, a company he grew to become one of the most iconic sustainable brands. He should be saluted not just for building a company of which social and environmental values have inspired many entrepreneurs but also for realizing what many entrepreneurs have failed to realize in time when the conjuncture of rapid growth and market switch call for a new set of skills. The newly appointed CEO, Chuck Maniscalco – a former Pepsico executive, will have the challenging task of growing the company from $150 million in annual sales to $1 billion in a market that should grow 873% over the next 5 years. But don’t think for a second Jeffrey Hollender will stop being the inspiration behind Seventh Generation conquest of the home natural products … he is still the Chief Inspired Protagonist after all. Continue Reading »

The Clorox Company
Mr. Don Knauss
CEO & Chairman

Dear Mr. Knauss,

I am responding to your letter of January 2007. I am apologetic to have delayed my answer, but I have been very busy working with schools and childcare centers in helping them develop and implement green practices. You are not without knowing that while our kids spend about one third of their time in an indoor environment they are exposed to many chemical irritants that can trigger chronic illnesses such as asthma and dermatitis as well as increased sensibility to pathogens.
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It was one of these evenings I needed to get away from my computer and my books and chose to indulge myself with a little TV watching. Then came the interruption and a TV commercial with kids whispering secrets in each other’s ears in a green – and clean – country like settings. “This is a great ad!” I said to myself. What was my bewilderment when I realized it was a commercial for Clorox disinfecting line of products. Continue Reading »