#38 – Strategically Planning to Rid

the World of Single-Use Plastic

with Jim Osgood, CEO of Klean Kanteen

Bonus Material: Download the Companion for this Episode

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Spotify / Stitcher / Overcast

38 - Jim Osgood


Having built his own consulting business in Colorado, Jim Osgood received a phone call in late 2010 from a friend who offered him the opportunity to become CEO & President of a company called Klean Kanteen, a family-run business who created reusable stainless steel water bottles as part of its mission to rid the world of single-use plastic. After months of interviews, he uprooted his family to California, knowing that the company’s values aligned deeply with his personal values.


On this episode of The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast, Jim discusses his transition to CEO of Klean Kanteen, the specifics of their strategic planning process, tips for growing and scaling your business, and his future aspirations for the company.

Want more episodes on businesses that are saying no to single-use plastic? Look here:

“What you know right now is probably 80% of what you would otherwise know if you would dig into the details for months and months at a time. As so many people have said, it’s not the plan that’s valuable; it’s the planning process that is invaluable.” –Jim Osgood

Bonus Material: Download the Companion for this Episode

klean kanteen productKlean Kanteen works hard to design durable, versatile, affordable products that replace mountains of single-use waste.

Topics Discussed: 

  • Specifics of Klean Kanteen’s strategic planning process
  • How Jim and his team managed a normally tumultuous process of bringing in new leadership
  • Klean Kanteen’s aspirations for the future
  • What conversations they want to inspire among their consumers and their industry

Links from the Episode:

Our Latest Episodes & Show Notes:

Listen in to one of our recent episodes with a change-makin’ social entrepreneur.