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How SC Johnson Kept the Family in Charge for 140 Years
Description
The Johnson family has run SC Johnson for five generations since 1886 — surviving world wars, the Great Depression, and the rise of global competitors like Procter & Gamble. In this episode, Lucas and Luna look at the specific mechanisms the family used to keep control while still attracting top outside talent. They unpack the role of the 'family constitution' drafted in the 1950s, the selective ownership structure that prevented dilution, and the moment in the 1970s when the family nearly sold out — and didn't. Also covered: how the current fifth-generation CEO, Fisk Johnson, navigates the tension between family legacy and modern ESG pressures. A concrete case study in multi-generational governance. No hot takes, just the decisions that kept one company independent for 140 years.