Changing the world, one step at a time with Allbirds

Featuring Joey Zwillinger

Co-founder and Co-CEO at Allbirds

In this Gladly podcast episode, Allbirds CEO Joey Zwillinger divulges the values that drive the decision-making for the sustainable, eco-conscious brand, as well as the investments the brand makes to ensure their customers have the best experience, no matter which medium they use to meet the brand.

What does it mean to be more like a tree than a business? According to Allbirds CEO, Joey Zwillinger, it’s all about giving back more to the environment than you take from it. Learn how Allbirds delivers on this in their product and brand philosophy.

"It started bigger than a shoe because neither Tim or I really cared that much about shoes when we started this business to be honest... We do now. We really do now."

Joey Zwillinger

Co-founder and Co-CEO, Allbirds

Before Allbirds, Joey worked at a biotech company that engineered microorganisms to replace petrochemicals. He'd pitch brands on a cleaner product with strong performance, and they'd ask if he could just do what they already did, cheaper. That convinced him brands were paying lip service to sustainability, so he looked for a way to go downstream. His co-founder, Tim Brown, a former professional athlete with a design background, brought the footwear angle. For Joey, the reason to start the company was climate change, which he calls the problem of his generation.

"To make better things in a better way. That sums up what we do as a company. We try and aspire, first of all, to be more like a tree than a company, giving back more than we extract. Secondly, we want to do that by making great products."

Joey Zwillinger

Co-founder and Co-CEO, Allbirds