#80 Challenge of launching a movement early, founder CEO Sustainable Business Network

<p><strong>Rachel Brown, ONZM – Founder &amp; CEO, Sustainable Business Network</strong></p> <p>Rachel Brown is the founder &amp; CEO of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and was one of the early champions of the ‘business for good movement in New Zealand. Rachel launched her organisation 20 years ago and at a time when people doubted the science emerging &nbsp;around human environmental damage. Sustainability, for those who did believe, meant belonging to a minority group of marginalised or global outliers who were described as ‘greenies and or tree huggers’.</p> <p>Rachel did believe the science though and she was determined to do something proactive to turn the tide on environmental damage in an effort to protect the planet. So why business and sustainability?</p> <p>In part because of her childhood, she describes a wonderful childhood where her parents, especially her mother introduced her to the science of sustainability at an early age. At the same time she was intrigued and inspired by the growth of capitalism, the buzz and excitement she could see in the eyes of business people in her suburban street. Rachel realised that business could play a productive and lead role in sustainability and could be a force for good rather than bad. Rachel talks about those times and how ‘well meaning’ business leaders refused to connect business practices or strategy and the environment or a purpose beyond just making profit for shareholders - ‘nice people who would push me towards their charitable giving activity’. Rachel points out that they hadn’t made the connection that care for the environment was going to be crucial to the long term success of their business or that a different approach could give them competitive advantage.</p> <p>The SBN network she created includes approximately 600 organisations from a range of sizes and sectors.</p> <p>Rachel has overseen the creation of systemic collaboration projects&nbsp;focusing on climate action, designing out waste, and regenerating nature. SBN runs the Sustainable