Archive for Sustainable

Shawn Seipler, Founder of Clean the World

Shawn Seipler was once at a hotel in Minneapolis when the question struck him, “What do they do with the soap when I’m done with it?” When he asked the front desk, he was told they just throw the soap away. He saw how wasteful of a practice it was, and began to mentally brew potential solutions. Soon (once he was back at home in Florida), he created a makeshift work station in his garage, and had his family helping him to melt, sanitize, and reform bars of soap. Shawn was able to collect bars from several hotels around Orlando, and his first completed batch was 2,000 recycled bars strong. Shawn was able to bring himself and them to an impoverished area of Haiti. When he arrived at the church where he would hand them out, a crowd five times the size of his soap supply was waiting for him. Before this point, Shawn was aware of the great need that Haitian people had for hygiene supplies, but upon learning of how many of them died every day of disease, and seeing how grateful they were to receive soap, he knew his social enterprise had to continue. Shawn founded Clean the World in 2009, and since then the organization has expanded the scale of its operation, now donating to 115 countries (including homeless shelters in the US), it has diverted more than 28 million pounds of waste from landfills and donated over 87 million bars of soap. It has also expanded its range to include recycling the plastic of small liquid soap bottles.

The process of recycling the soap used by Clean the World is the same in its fundamentals as what Shawn Seipler used initially in his garage. Though at first his team was using potato peelers, meat grinders, and cookers, the work done by the industrial-quality equipment they now possess is doing the same things at a larger scale. The modern process is as follows: First, the bars are extruded into pellets and ground so that all foreign particles are removed. Then, the soap is sterilized by heating. Next, there is another round of pelleting and grinding to eliminate any potential remaining particles. Lastly, the soap is turned back into fresh bars. Clean the World now has recycling centers all over the earth, helping to prevent waste and provide for those in need.

 

My Sources:

FAQ – Clean the World

The afterlife of hotel soap | CNN

How Used Hotel Soap Could ‘Clean the World’ | Inc.com

Shawn Seipler doing his part to ‘Clean the World’ – Kenosha.com

How Owala Water Bottles are Revolutionizing: Getting Down to the Bottom of Its Entrepreneurial Drive for Innovation


In 
this growingly competitive hydration products marketplace, Owala Water Bottles have managed to stick their heads above water, not so much by the beauty of the containers but because of innovation and fresh approaches in functionality and formIt’s a perfect example of entrepreneurial thinking that has led to a product that meets the needs of consumers but does so in a fresh, smart, and thoughtful way. Owalas rise in popularity is a testament to how creatively a company can think through solutions to everyday problems while simultaneously creating a new standard for water bottles.

Thinking Like Entrepreneurs: Identifying a Gap
Owalas story begins with an identification of common frustrations from users of water bottles, like the overall inconvenience in drinking from the traditional bottles. Unscrewing caps, fumbling around with straws, spills-the water bottle was not exactly user-friendly as it should have beenBut rather than sit and let that be what it would always be, Owalas founders thought more entrepreneurially-they saw a chance to make an improvement in a day-to-day item that was used by millions of people each day.

Owala saw this gap in the market, where people wanted functional water bottle that was not only easy to use but leak-proof, and with that, the desire to present something nice to look atThat entrepreneurial spirit took them to really reimagine what a water bottle should be: one that doesn’t focus solely on hydration but creates an experience when using the product.

Innovative Design: The Owala Difference
Owalas success is rooted in their ability to innovate within an overly saturated market. Their bottles have this push-to-open button that just pops the lid, making it so easy to drink with one hand—no unscrewing, no straw flipping, just pure convenience. Such small, powerful design improvement turned what had been fundamental use of the product into a game-changing user experience-instantlyit felt like the bottle was made for active lifestyles.

Another impressive innovation is the inclusion of a built-in straw that can be concealed, offering a mess-free drinking experience. Owala’s design eliminates the common issue of the bottle cap getting dirty when drinking, ensuring that every sip is hygienic and refreshing. These thoughtful details set Owala apart from traditional water bottles and show the brand’s commitment to solving real problems through innovation.

Stylish and Functional: A Product with Purpose
Owala didn’t stop at functionality; they also knew that consumers wanted a product that would reflect their personal style. Their bottles come in a range of colors and designs, allowing users to choose one that fits their personality or needs. The sleek, modern look of the Owala bottle makes it just as much a fashion accessory as it is a hydration tool. In the world of consumer products, this dual-purpose appeal is a great way to differentiate from competition and win over loyal consumers.

This attention to both fashion and function is another example of how Owala thought like an entrepreneurby marrying form with practicality, they ended up with a product that works for a wide audience. Whether you’re heading to the gym, commuting to work, or just running errands, Owalas bottles were designed to fit seamlessly into every part of your day.

Innovation Builds a Strong Brand
Entrepreneurship is all about more than creating a productit is creating a brand that can speak to people. Owala successfully positioned itself as a brand that understands the needs of the modern consumerOwala’s water bottles aren’t just about hydrationthey are about simplifying life and making everyday routines enjoyable. Its innovative design, leak-proof functionality, and sleek aesthetics work in concert to build a brand that feels contemporary, reliable, and forward-thinking.

Other than offering very innovative products, Owala has also used strategic marketing to grow its brand presence: using social media, partnering with influencers, and leveraging customer testimonials. It listens to customers for feedback and works to make the products better. Thusthe company is growing with each passing day while still keeping very good relation with its users.

Owalas success is a good example of entrepreneurial thinking apart from the simple introduction of the product to the market. They identified a gap, thought outside the box, and created a product that solves problems in a fresh and innovative way. The combination of thoughtful design, convenience, and style that Owala water bottles boast makes them stand out in a crowded market. The entrepreneurial mindset has turned the simplest product into a must-have of modern consumers. Anyone looking for a water bottle thats functional, stylish, and ahead of the curve can find it in Owala.

https://owalalife.com/

Owala 24oz FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 1 of 6

Reagan Thomas

Benjamin Stern: Nohbo

In ninth grade, Benjamin Stern began developing a unique solution to reduce plastic waste out of his love for nature in his biology class. He started to create eco-friendly personal care products that consist of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, and shaving cream. They are single-use packets that do not use any plastic packaging and dissolve in water. This invention led to the creation of his sustainable startup called Nohbo. An additional benefit is that Nohbo drops do not contain harsh chemicals, sulfates, or parabens. Benjamin pitched his product on Shark Tank, leading to Mark Cuban investing in his idea. Many companies have partnered with Nohbo after its success and innovative ideas. Benjamin is still the CEO of his company and works on new innovations to reduce plastic pollution.

Nohbo’s mission states, “At our core we’re a material science company innovating on ways to solve the plastic waste problem.”

 

Here's What Went Down With Nohbo Balls After Shark Tank

Check out Nohbo here

 

TALA — Grace Beverley

Nobody likes wearing someone’s old athletic wear, especially if it’s leggings or undergarments. That’s just gross. Well, Grace Beverley thought the same thing. With a passion for sustainability, Beverley thrifted a lot and tried to buy from sustainable brands. She noticed that plenty of sustainable brands existed for most clothing. But not for athletic wear. And since nobody likes thrifting someone’s old, sweaty socks or leggings, Beverley decided to create a brand herself. Her company, TALA, creates styles made from plastic bottles and factory offcuts, making it sustainable and ethical, two things she feels very passionately about. 

Originally, Beverley was a music major at Oxford University. But when she realized she had a passion for sustainable clothing, she took to a different side of the creativity spectrum: Entrepreneurship. She wanted people, specifically young people, to have a sustainable option for their athletic clothes that wouldn’t also drain their bank accounts. And so, TALA was born in 2019. Beverley stuck to her passion and through TALA, she managed to recycle seventy-thousand water bottles in her first year alone.

But TALA isn’t Beverley’s only business. She has also started a fitness app called SHREDDY which offers her activewear customers (and anyone else) a place to set goals and track their fitness progress. And if that’s not enough, she is also the Sunday Times bestselling author of “Working Hard, Hardly Working,” a book that seeks to teach young entrepreneurs how to accomplish more under less stress. 

When asked about her “eureka” moment, Grace Beverley stated that she never had one, that it was more of a build-up of idea after idea. And I think this is the perfect example of the slow hunch, the idea that starts as a seed and grows. Grace Beverley and the invention of TALA started as a hunch and is now a multimillion dollar business that encourages people to stay fit and recycle.

 

https://balance.media/founder-focus-grace-beverley/#:~:text=Grace%20Beverley%20is%20the%20Founder,of%20just%2023%20years%20old.https://www.wearetala.com/en-us/pages/about-ushttps://thetab.com/uk/2022/02/09/grace-beverley-reveals-exactly-how-she-secured-her-5-7mil-recent-investment-in-tala-239535

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442770/working-hard-hardly-working-by-beverley-grace/9781786332851

 

Maya Penn: Maya’s Ideas

Maya Penn is a 22 year old who started her business at just 8 years old with her passion for sustainability. Maya created her brand called Maya’s Ideas in 2008 as a slow fashion brand that creates sustainable accessories and clothing. The products are artisan made from organic, recycled, and vintage materials. Maya took her passion and turned it into a business where others can now share in her passion as well. Maya’s brand is also making people aware, who were not already, of sustainability through her mission and products. Today, Maya is an award-winning founder and CEO, keynote speaker, 3 time TED Speaker, artist, and author.

 

Maya is driven by being eco-friendly through sustainability. What is so outstanding to me about Maya is that she was ahead of her time with her passion and business model. It has not been until recently that people are becoming extremely cautious with the fast-fashion industry. Maya however, was ahead of the curve by starting a sustainable fashion and accessory business in 2008. Maya was not seeking out what the newest trend or social issue was going to be, she was just passionate about it herself. That is inspiring to me to think that just a passion of yours can become something so large. It is interesting to think that someone’s passion right now may become a hot topic in the future. Maya’s story is encouraging because she acted on her passion without considering what the future may hold. She just wanted to share with others. It is motivating to me to just do like Maya. She was passionate and created a business out of it. It encourages me that I do could act on my passion without hesitation and one day it may become the current social issue. I too want to be ahead of the curve simply because I am passionate, that to me is genuine.

Eve Kekeh, founder of Bundlee

If you have kids, you know how quickly they grow out of clothes in their first two years. Eve Kekeh recognized this problem and started her own company to help parents seeking a more sustainable and convenient way to access baby clothes. Her company, Bundlee, is the UK’s first sustainable baby clothing rental subscription.

Having two younger siblings, Eve Kekeh experienced first hand just how quickly babies will grow out of their clothing. She says, “Babies outgrow 7 clothing sizes in their first 2 years, and seeing the amount of waste this led to made me think there had to be a better way.” While spending a year studying abroad in the US, Kekeh discovered a designer womenswear rental service. She fell in love with this idea and soon realized that this same concept could be applied to baby clothing. Through careful research and receiving useful feedback from hundreds of parents, Kekeh developed Bundlee.

Bundlee is unique as it is tailored to fit the parents’ (and babies’) specific clothing needs. You simply choose a subscription plan that works best for your family, wear the clothes with no worries (thanks to the included rental insurance), and then conveniently swap clothing as your little one grows. All returned clothes are then thoroughly cleaned through their eco-friendly Ozone sanitization method and sent on to be loved by the next family.

In order to provide the very best quality, Eve Kekeh designs all collections that Bundlee offers herself. In addition, all pieces are made in the UK in a women run and owned factory, where Kekeh frequently visits to ensure that it meets her ethical standards. While designing pieces, it’s important to Kekeh that all fabrics used are suitable for babies’ sensitive skin. That is why all clothes are made with breathable cotton and free of any harmful chemicals.

Bundlee has continued to grow and flourish over the past few years. Eve Kekeh shows true innovation as she has built a company that helps so many, while helping the planet as well.

Sprout and Lentil: The business which expanded during the pandemic  

        Sprout and Lentil is the only mom-and-pop vegan cafe on Aquidneck Island. Founded in 2019 by the husband and wife team of Carmen Foy and Matt Sole, Sprout and Lentil has grown from being a booth at a farmers’ market to having its own independent retail business located in the center of Middletown, RI. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Foy – who was born in Spain – trained at the Cordon Bleu in France and then worked for twelve years as a chef aboard yachts. 

     Foy and Sole have stayed true to their business mantra of “Food with a Mission” by serving only plant-based foods. For instance, Foy ordered granola and then returned it to the producer it contained honey. She and her husband are dedicated to a purely vegan business. Additionally, the owners have created a special niche serving their community for people who are vegan, vegetarians, and kosher. Foy and Sole know their target customers very well and have seen that there is a high demand for quality vegan products. Some may ask, “Who would ever want to pay for a $16 burger?” or “Why isn’t the 50 cent spicy ketchup included with my fries?” Without doubt, the prices are high and sauces are not included with fries, burgers, nor cauliflower nuggets. A gourmet truffle oil dressing retails for eleven dollars. Perhaps it is hard to believe here in western Pennsylvania, but their local customers – hard core vegan regulars, and tourists – do buy and enjoy the expensive truffle oil dressing as well as the $16 burgers. The customers believe that the high prices are worth the money for what they receive. Foy and Sole have created a demand for specialty vegan food.

Please take a look at Sprout and Lentil’s website:

http://sproutandlentil.com/

 

Maya’s Idea – Sustainable Fashion

When Maya Penn was 8-years-old, she was a fun-loving, creative, nature-loving girl. She loved creating things and she had a passion for taking care of the environment. She always saw so much beauty in nature. So in 2008, when Maya found out that fashion companies use toxic dyes and toxic materials in their products she was devastated. She didn’t understand why designers and fast fashion companies had to put so much strain on the universe. It was then that she came up with the idea for Maya’s Idea.

Maya’s Idea is a sustainable fashion company. They use only vintage, recycle materials and natural dyes. These dyes can be anything from fruit and tea to other naturally occurring herbs. The materials are things such as bio-based organic materials and vintage fabrics. The style of these products is fashion-forward designs with a vintage flair. Everything that she makes is one of a kind and handmade. When you order something from Maya, you are getting something special and personal. This is she stands out and makes a change. Making clothes isn’t a revolutionary idea, but it is making it in a sustainable way that sets it apart. She focuses a lot on the importance of how everything we do affects the environment. It is companies like hers that put a spotlight on fast fashion brands that are so damaging to the environment.

Maya Penn is only 21 years old and has made a significant difference in the fashion industry. She has given three TED talks, has been recognized by notable people, such as former President Barack Obama, for all of her work, and has many different partnerships with different brands. It is inspiring to see that she took her passion for the environment and her creative eye to make something amazing. She has built a brand that is so influential and it is helping reinvent the whole fashion industry.

Tim Brown- Allbirds

Allbirds’ Story

Tim Brown is a New Zealand native who has long been involved in the merino wool industry. Brown was fascinated with this material due to its durability, sustainability, and comfortability. At one point, Brown realized that this material would be great for the shoe industry, and that’s when Allbirds was born. Tim Brown then teamed up with renewables expert Joey Zwillinger; together, they invented a whole new shoe that would forever change the footwear industry. Allbirds uses raw, all-natural materials comprised of four main elements trees, merino wool, sugar, and their patented Trino technology, a yarn-like material made from trees and wool. After much refining, Brown, and Zwillinger were ready to launch their first product, the Wool Runners. The Allbirds Wool Runners were designed to bring comfort to the DNA of an everyday shoe. The Wool Runner was a great success and is the primary reason that the startup is in the position that it is in today. Allbirds later produced all different kinds of shoes, disrupting the industry even further. They created running, weatherproof, and boat shoes all of which use their natural ingredients.

More About Materials

First, let’s talk about Allbirds most important material, Merino Wool. Allbirds has teamed up with ZQ Merino to ensure that the sheep used are well kept and healthy. Also, Allbirds has a shearing process that uses up to 60% less energy than typical synthetic shoes. The Tree material used in Allbirds comes from tree farms that are located in South Africa. These farms rely on rainfall to water their farms, not irrigation. This lowers the carbon footprint of Allbirds even lower, and not to mention the packaging, laces, and insoles are made from recycled cardboard, bottles, and castor bean oil. Tim Browns Allbirds had truly done something that had never been done before and, for that, tremendously succeeded. Together with Joey Zwillinger, Brown had truly made a great product that was sustainable, fashionable, and comfortable.

Sustainable Ocean Alliance

The Sustainable Ocean Alliance is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.  Their main goal is to accelerate solutions for ocean sustainability.  They are seeking to clean the oceans and help bring the importance of ocean health into the public eye.  Since its founding the SOA has raised over 3 million dollars for ocean startups around the world.  It is the type of startup that upon first glance looks like the brain child of a wealthy venture capitalist seeking to use his capital to impact positive change.  However, the SOA started in a much different way and was started by a much different person.

The founder of the SOA is a young lady named Daniela V. Fernandez.  She came up with the idea in her college dorm room while she was studying at Georgetown University.  Fernandez is passionate about the ocean and wanted to come up with a solution for its growing pollution problems.  Since the conception of the idea five years ago the SOA has experienced a large amount of growth.  They now support over 150 startups related to ocean health in 60 different countries.  Fernandez is the young leader of a highly successful social enterprise.

There are a few traits about Fernandez that make her unique and the perfect person for running an organization like the SOA.  The first entrepreneurial traits she possesses is no fear of taking risks.  Few college students sit in their dorm rooms and think they have what it takes to save the oceans.  Fernandez thought she could (and so far she is).  The second trait she possesses is selflessness.  She did not start the SOA because she thought it would make her rich and famous.  She started it because she saw a real need for action before it was too late. Fernandez did not have a desire to make a lot of money but she wanted to start a business that would help millions of people.  The SOA is creating real change in the world’s oceans and it would not be where it is today without Daniela Fernandez.