Archive for Outdoors

Bringing the Beauty of Nature into Your Home-Dustin Anthony

Who doesn’t love having beautiful plants and flowers to liven up your home? What if it didn’t just flow with your décor, it became it? Dustin Anthony with his company BloomingTables aims “To bring the beauty of the outdoors – indoors.” These furniture pieces are beautifully crafted to show off a planter full of life underneath  that can be used as a functional coffee table, desk, or a beautiful decoration. The design is very simple and easy to use so that even people who don’t have a lot of plant experience will love having this in their home.

What started as a gift to Dustin’s girlfriend soon became a Kickstarter campaign and is now a full business in San Diego. However, things were not very easy for Dustin in running his business. After he made $40,000 dollars on Kickstarter in 2019, the pandemic hit. This resulted in the supply chain that Dustin was a part of becoming crippled. Although this was a set-back for the company, they were pleasantly surprised when business began to boom as people were spending so much more time inside and wanted to bring more life and beauty into their homes. 

I think this is a really creative idea as it is a décor piece that people can interact with. Right on their website, BloomingTables describes themselves as being “…an innovative option to incorporate their favorite botanical scenes into their homes. This living furniture line combines beauty and functionality, in a sleek and modern way.”, and I couldn’t agree more. On the website they also go into detail about the several benefits that this table can offer. Beyond growing decorative plants, you can grow microgreens that are super nutritious and can be added to several different foods. They also discuss the additions and features that they are working on for future launches.

I really love this idea and this company for many reasons. This idea to me is truly innovative and can be used in so many different ways. Besides having it as a decoration in a home, this would be an amazing tool in classrooms and teaching kids (or adults) more about growing your own food! I really appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into the design of the table, the customization that you can have with it, and the fact that the company is still working on the product and innovating it further.


Sources

How It Works – BloomingTables

The Most Beautiful Table You Can Put in your Home or Office. by Dustin Anthony — Kickstarter

This Furniture Line Focuses on ‘Blooming Tables’, and Is the First That Incorporates Plants Right Into the Design (msn.com)

Gus’s Ice Cream Boat

Gus Schoenbucher at the age of 14 has a licensed food business, it’s not like most food businesses though. This one is on a boat where he drives around his local lake selling ice cream, hotdogs, and drinks. The company is called “Gus’s Eats & Treats”, he originally got the idea from his father who would do the same thing when he was younger. With this idea, Gus started using the same boat his father used which was 40 years old. After seeing how much revenue he brought in he decided to get a new boat and to get a license for the business. He would soon gain attention from bigger corporations and is now getting his donuts provided by Krispy Kreme.

Even though Gus’s idea originated from his father he found a market in his area that nobody else was trying to profit off of. Gus lives near a state park that has a huge lake where many people go fishing and relax on the water. While many people try to plan to bring things when they are spending the day on the water Gus thought it would be nice for them to have a little treat or in case they run out of  water he can be there. Not many people have thought to sell things off a boat on a lake. Gus is inspiring because we see that he is willing at a young age to try and create a business from his surroundings that nobody has made.

College No. Six figures YES!

What started as a plan to earn money for candy, turned into a 6 figure/ year income for a teenager from Colorado. RJ Duarte was 8 years only when he began his entrepreneurial journey, with a red wagon, a lawnmower, and 5 neighborhood clients RJ began his business. Over time the venture grew, and soon he had a whole trailer park worth of clients. At this point RJ could not keep up with the work on his own. That is when a friend named Owen Johnson became the second member of the workforce. Now on weekends RJ could do more work which increased his income.

For marketing RJ relied on a simple “word of mouth” technique to get new customers on board. And in 2014 the two decided they would take it to the next step and create a legitimate business. They named it GreenWorx. After the hire of another employee, and another big season coming up they decided to try a new marketing technique. After many failed attempts, their story was picked up by a local newsletter that was sent to over 19,000 residents in the area. Let us just say it was a good season for them after that!

By the end of 2016, Green Worx was 300% bigger than the year before. Going into 2017, Green Worx has expanded its team, adding two new labor consultants to help with increasing demand. At this point the two were making six figures a year and growing. After more than five years of working with Green Worx Landscaping, Owen decided to part ways with the company in order to go off to college, but RJ had other plans. He had built something far more than that young 8-year-old in need of candy ever imagined. He decided not to go to college and stuck with the business.

Now with four trucks, and fifteen employees during season the company is bringing in annual revenues close to $750,000/ yr. Thanks to his work ethic, and some strokes of luck, RJ has built a business that will support him for years to come.

4Ocean – Andrew Cooper & Alex Schulze

(L to R) Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper owners of 4Ocean, a company that actively removes trash from the ocean.  Photo by Tim Stepien.

I’m sure we’ve all seen ads from time to time about 4Ocean – the company that sells bracelets and puts money towards cleaning up our oceans.  In the last few months, I’ve seen an increase in these ads before Youtube videos and I’ve wondered who it is that’s behind this endeavor.

As it turns out, there are two people: Andrew Cooper and Alex Schulze.  Recently, these two made it to the 2019 edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30 for their efforts.  So how did it all start?

In 2015, Cooper and Schulze went on a surfing trip to Bali and were appalled by the amount of plastic they found in the ocean.  As we are learning in class, they found trouble and sought to fix it.  By 2017, they were selling the bracelets we all know of today as a way to fund the cleanup effort.  According to the organization, the bracelets are made of recycled materials and each represents a pound of trash that will be removed.  4Ocean has since created more products to help fund the effort, but the bracelets remain the most widely known.  According to an article in PR Newswire, “By creating jobs, utilizing the latest technology and raising awareness about the impact of trash in the ocean, the company is building the first economy for ocean plastic and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for the ocean.”

Cooper and Schulze are excellent examples of entrepreneurs who used their passion to change how the world sees a problem.  They are both surfers, fishermen, and divers.  They spend much of their time around the water and were perfectly suited to see and frame the problem of plastic in the ocean in a way that many people around the world have not known.  They did not just say that there was a problem, but they showed pictures and gave people a simple way that they could help – all with the easy purchase of a recycled bracelet.  Every time a customer would look at the bracelet, they would be reminded of the ongoing problem and the fight to clean the world’s oceans.  By presenting the problem in a way that gave people something easy to do and inspiring them with the need, they made the daunting task of cleaning up the oceans seem very possible and even exciting.

Sources:

https://4ocean.com/about/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/4ocean-co-founders-andrew-cooper-and-alex-schulze-named-forbes-30-under-30-social-entrepreneurs-300750165.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/07/4oceans-cleaned-up-1-million-pounds-of-ocean-garbage.html

LifeProof and Their Brand Loyalists

Official LifeProof Company Logo.jpg

Everybody knows a LifeProof case when you see one. They are nearly as iconic as the iPhone itself. But what is the story behind them and why is it when you go LifeProof you never go back?

First the story behind the company. It was started in 2009 by then Queensland University of Technology grad Gary Rayner. His idea for a completely shock, dirt, dust, ice, and waterproof case became a reality for him. The idea took 18 months and $1 million to develop, but at the LAUNCH Conference in 2011 Rayner made the first case’s debut with a dramatic presentation involving a lot of ketchup and mustard. Watch the YouTube video of Rayner’s debut, it’s pretty funny!

After Rayner’s debut his product quickly became popular among sport enthusiasts. Once his brand acquired its fist brand loyalists that pool rapidly grew and LifeProof began sponsoring sports programs as a result. in 2012, the company sponsored Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. In late 2012, LifeProof announced participating sponsorship in all 2013 XTERRA Triathlon events and many more FRĒ FOR iPHONE 8 PLUS AND iPHONE 7 PLUS in DROP INevents. LifeProof’s popularity frightened its competitor OtterBox in 2011, shortly after their debut, a patent suit was filed by OtterBox against LifeProof; however, by 2013 LifeProof agreed to be acquired by OtterBox at an undisclosed price.

With their popularity, what draws the customer base to become hardcore brand loyalists? As a LifeProof brand loyalist I can say that their business model and product design draws me to buy one every time I get a new iPhone. The product is slim not bulky (like OtterBoxes). Being on the boat or near the pool during the summer, it’s also nice to know it will float and is completely waterproof if it ever fell in or got wet. But a little on their business model. The company offers a great one-year warranty on your phone and/or case if anything were to get damaged. In my 3 years of brand loyalty to LifeProof and 4 cases later I have only had to use the warranty once. With all that, you certainly do get a lot for the $80+ that you might spend on the case.

Wearing the World – Serengetee

In 2011, Jeff Steitz was traveling the world with the Semester at Sea program through his school, Claremont McKenna College. Less than a year later, he and a few buddies would have begun a travel-inspired business marketing textiles from around the world in a unique and appealing way, all based out of their dorm room.

Fabrics are a universal product—anywhere people travel in the world, they’ll find cloth being produced and sold in a limitless variety of patterns. Serengetee’s signature product, the pocket tee, is a basic t-shirt sporting an attached pocket made of fabric from another country. Customers can choose from over fifty designs, a selection which is constantly being added to as Serengetee reaches more corners of the world.

“It’s amazing how far you can go in only a year from literally nothing to having a full-fledged brand and business,” Serengetee co-founder Ryan Westberg observes.

Besides supporting vendors, each Serengetee pocket is associated with a specific grassroots organization, to which every purchase gives back a portion.

Ryan says that the business was truly a “product of social networks” in the way they had to depend on individual connections— “our friends and their friends”—to succeed. Their innovative spirit matches that of the international businesses they support, who often struggle to make a profit and progress in their ventures.

“What makes us feel great about the future is that the more products we sell, the bigger the impact will be on our partner causes. These win-win situations are the true benefits of a social venture,” says Jeff Steitz.

The process of founding Serengetee has proved to be rewarding, as the business generates a profit margin between 60 and 80%, with 13% going toward charitable causes. As their products are scattered all over the world, Serengetee’s five sales executives are appropriately spread all over the U.S., with representatives across college campuses working to promote the brand and get their fellow students to “travel more.”

Shop their site: https://www.serengetee.com/

Remote Intelligence

Phil Benner is an entrepreneur involved in more than one business endeavor. In the restaurant area, he was involved in the startup of The Budlong. Another company he’s involved with, though is in a very different area. This company was started by Phil Benner, Merlin Benner, and Rob Schwarz in 2013. Over the last several years, the popularity of Unmanned Aerial Drones has been increasing dramatically. This growing field presented enormous opportunity for application and innovation. They found ways to use this technology in many areas through high resolution imaging, integrated mapping, aerial services. Some of the areas they’ve worked in include Wildlife Habitat Management, Energy Development, Real Estate Services, Search and Rescue, Disaster Relief, Resort Mapping, and Industrial Applications. The services and applications of this technology they provide are a great example of entrepreneurial opportunity in new and advancing technological fields.

 

Check out their website or social media!

http://www.remote-intelligence.com/home/

4Ocean

4Ocean was founded by two surfers who noticed the overwhelming amount of trash that litters the ocean. Deciding to act, Andrew Cooper and Alex Schulze started the organization. 4Ocean is an organization that cleans trash out of the ocean. They work with volunteers to do beach cleanups, partnerships with other cleanup organizations, and even have offshore cleanups. The offshore cleanups are done by the organization’s seven vessels that are out there seven days a week cleaning up the ocean. To fund the cleanups, 4Ocean sells bracelets online for just $20. Every bracelet bought pays for the removal of a pound of trash. The bracelets are made from recycled materials, including glass and plastic. Because of two surfers’ care for the ocean and willingness to do something about it, 140,188 pounds of trash and debris have been cleaned from not only coastlines and beaches, but also directly from the ocean.

https://4ocean.com/

ManCan- Manly Scented Candles

Hart Main is already a successful entrepreneur at the age of 14. With the help of his family, he has developed the ManCan which is a brand of candles for men. Some of the candle scents consist of fresh cut grass, sawdust, campfire, bacon, grandpa’s pipe and more. Today, ManCan candles are sold in over 60 different stores across the US, and around 9,000 units have been sold. Hart plans to devote as much time as he can into this growing business but must also focus on his schoolwork being 14.

Hart developed this idea after making fun of his sister who was selling more girly scented candles at a school fundraiser. Hart saw the problem that their were not enough candle scents that appeal to men so he began brainstorming ideas for manly scented candles. He put in an initial investment of $100 to get the business started and his parents put in another $200. What began as a small idea became something much larger and much more successful as this family began to develop their product.

Hart’s story is an inspiration to all young entrepreneurs in the world today. No matter what idea you have or how small your business seems in the beginning, there is the potential for growth if you keep thinking of ways to improve.

Bikes and Bars

In 1990 a strong, young man set out on a journey. His appetite for adventure had him continually searching for the next great feat to accomplish. On this particular day, the goal was a one-day, 175-mile bicycle ride with his buddy. Halfway through the ride he pulled out yet another unappetizing, sticky, hard-to-stomach energy bar, his fifth of the day. He took one look at the grungy protein and stashed it back into his pocket. Cruising down a mountain at 30 mph he yelled over to his friend, “I can make a bar better than this!” He was right.

Gary Erickson went on to create one of the most esteemed energy bars on the market, CLIF Bar. Erickson spent two months in the kitchen with his mom, honing the recipe for his new bars. He used wholesome, energy-sustaining ingredients. In 1992 CLIF Bar was officially launched, named after Gary’s father, Clifford, the man who taught him to love adventure and to follow his dreams.

BusinessCardsOver the next eight years the company grew tremendously. CLIF Bar became one of the top bars on the market. Suddenly, however, most of their competitors began to be bought up by huge, multinational food companies. This put a lot of pressure on Erickson to sell CLIF Bar. He was offered $120 million for the company, and was faced with a tough decision.

Ultimately, he made the bold move to continue with CLIF Bar. Now, fifteen years later, this proves to be a wise decision as CLIF Bar has continued to grow and is still one of the most popular bars around. Erickson has established a unique business model that pushes the boundaries of conventional wisdom.cliffbar-2 He believes in the need for his employees to live holistic lives. CLIF Bar offers many benefits for their employees, including: an onsite fitness center, personal trainers, flexible workweek, paid volunteer service, onsite childcare and concierge services such as haircuts and organic produce delivery.

Adventure, risk taking, and dedication have proven to be guiding forces for Erickson. His story shows the potential for a small idea to take root and have tremendous impact on an entire market.