Seventh Generation: Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender. A Partnership that Flourished—until it Failed. (2021)

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, its two founders had a bitter falling out.

Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender have barely spoken since that time, but they both agreed to come on the show to talk about the business they were both passionate about, and the delicate nature of partnership.

What you'll learn: 

• Why Alan says his great strength—and his greatness weakness—is his tendency to say “yes”
• How Jeffrey and Alan lost their friendship and business partnership after only three years.
• How Jeffrey grew Seventh Generation into a household name–and then got fired 
• How two formerly estranged partners feel about partnership now 
•  Generation into a household name 
• Why Jeffrey and Alan agree that having a co-founder isn’t for everyone

Timestamps:

7:55 - Jeffrey makes it big in Canada selling adult-learning courses…before he’s forced to leave the country

14:15 - Alan moves to Vermont on a whim, and winds up in a mail-order catalog business

26:56 - Alan and Jeffrey meet for the first time and find common ground: Alan needs capital and Jeffrey has it 

32:38 - An atypical office for 1989: Ping pong table, nap room, and employees get prizes when they make mistakes 

43:00 - Crisis hits … and tears Alan and Jeffrey’s friendship apart

48:06 - Jeffrey sends Alan a “Dear John” letter, and Alan leaves the company

54:40 - Seventh Generation grows to new heights… then Jeffrey is fired as CEO

1:29:06 - Jeffrey and Alan reflect on why their partnership failed, and what it takes to have a good one  

This episode was produced by Casey Herman with music by Ramtin Arablouei. 

It was edited by Neva Grant. 

Follow How I Built This:

Instagram → @howibuiltthis

X → @HowIBuiltThis

Facebook → How I Built This

Follow Guy Raz:

Instagram → @guy.raz

Youtube → guy_raz

X → @guyraz

Substack → guyraz.substack.com

Website → guyraz.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.