Anyone can be a successful entrepreneur, this became a reality for one college student. Dave Simnick wanted to start a business that sold soap. Simnick googled how to make soap and found a recipe. He made his first batch in a college kitchen. He began selling his soap to his college peers and after a while looked for ways to turn this business into a social entrepreneurship opportunity. Simnick partnered with his friend Dan Doll and they worked to create a business plan that could sell soap, and use part of the profit to provide soap, vitamins, and water to people in a third world country. After two years Whole Foods signed a contract to sell the soap “SoapBox Soaps” in stores across the country. SoapBox Soaps has a full line of soaps and they continue to provide soap, vitamins, and water to people in north western Africa. On their website they have this quote,”Over 3,000 children’s lives could be saved everyday with something as simple as a bar of soap and clean water! In fact, more than 40% of water related diseases could be prevented just by washing hands with soap and water at key moments.” A college student who googled how to make soap has created a business that is saving lives everyday. These all natural soaps are sold in numerous stores today. Visit their website to learn more about the company and the work they are doing. https://www.soapboxsoaps.com/
It’s pretty funny that Dave was interesting in starting a business that sold soap. It seems kind of random, but he found a creative way to stand out and make his business a social enterprise. It’s also interesting how the idea of “one for one” is so popular upon social entrepreneurs. The social aspect to this business is that “Buy one & we give one.” This is similar to Tom’s One for One
I think its inspiring how a college student can have an idea and have the courage to go with it. Dave had an idea to make soap, learned how to accomplish that idea, then allowed his idea to flourish. As he found out that the business was good he decided to use his business to help those in need which I think is really amazing. Soap is such a simple thing but yet it is something we take for granted. Dave’s story is inspiring and shows that any idea, with the proper tools, can flourish and potentially change people’s lives.
This is such a great example of how something so simple can be used to change lives, if it’s looked at from the right perspective. Soap is something that people need often and he did an awesome job of tying a product that cleans into a mission to give people clean water and vitamins. So neat!
I love seeing things like this! It reminds me of the Ten Thousand Villages that just visited our school, where they sell products made by disadvantaged people in 3rd world countries. The concept is rather different, but the point is that people like Dave and other companies like Ten Thousand Villages have figured out many ways to engage third world countries. I am always eager to buy things from companies like these rather than go to generic companies, such as Dove or Ivory soap. Plus, it is pretty cool that Dave first started making this soap in his college dorm. Goes to show the type of ideas we can form here!
It’s awesome to see that a college student can save lives. Soap is something that we take for granted a lot in the 1st world. Dave provided a common item in the first world to give people in the 3rd a fighting chance against diseases. This is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
What a cool idea! You always see soap companies that are eco-friendly or donate to some charity etc, but this business just feels so much more tangible. Because soap is something that everyone who can afford it uses, it’s not just a luxury good or something only certain people buy, people feel much more excited and passionate about something that is a simple everyday good that not everyone has but truly needs. I absolutely love the bottom graphic and I feel like I immediately know exactly what the company is about from reading it. Dave Simnick is truly inspirational.