Long before “sustainability” became a corporate buzzword, Seventh Generation was building a business around the idea that companies should serve people and the planet, not just profit. In Built for a Better World: How Seventh Generation Pioneered a Movement That Changed the Purpose of Business (March 24th, 2026; Fast Company Press; $19.95), Seventh Generation cofounder Jeffrey Hollender shares the inside story of helping pioneer the sustainable business movement, offering a candid look at the failures, breakthroughs, and hard-won lessons that shaped one of the most responsible, influential and mission-driven brands of its time.
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Anyone who aims to use their ambition for the betterment of humanity and its home is invited to step into Jeffrey’s journey as he keeps building toward a greater future.
In this behind-the-scenes account, Hollender traces his decades-long quest to rethink the relationship between corporations, society, and the environment. From the early vision behind Seventh Generation to its acquisition by Unilever, the book shares the personal and professional struggles of building a values-led company in a market obsessed with growth and power. Built for a Better World reveals what it really takes to create a business that is both principled and successful.
Built for a Better World offers readers:
- A behind-the-scenes look at the rise of Seventh Generation and the sustainable resilient business movement
- Honest lessons from decades of social entrepreneurship, including failures, conflict, and reinvention
- Insight into building a company rooted in authenticity, transparency, and progressive values and systems thinking
- A hopeful roadmap for leaders who want to use business as a force for environmental and social good
Hollender’s story will resonate with entrepreneurs, executives, sustainability leaders, and anyone working to align ambition with impact in a rapidly changing world.
To learn more about Built for a Better World, visit www.jeffreyhollender.net.
About the Author
Jeffrey Hollender is cofounder and former CEO of Seventh Generation, which he built into a leading natural product brand known for its authenticity, transparency, and progressive business practices. He remains a member of the company’s Board of Directors and serves as an advisor, mentor, and board member to numerous small businesses and sustainability organizations. He is the author of seven books, including The Responsibility Revolution and Planet Home. Hollender is also an Adjunct Professor at the Stern Business School, New York University where he teaches impact entrepreneurship.
About Greenleaf Book Group
Greenleaf Book Group is a publisher and distributor best known for its innovative business model, distribution power, and award-winning designs. Named one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine, Greenleaf has represented more than 3,800 titles, including over 55 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestsellers. Learn more at www.greenleafbookgroup.com.
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