Talking about having some flow as a young entrepreneur. Kauai native Wyatt Taubman is putting his environmental studies and economics degree from the University of San Diego to work in a most interesting way.
Last year, the 25-year-old launched Flo Water, a business that makes money by charging environmentally-conscious consumers for bottled water refills at refill stations that put water through multiple filters.
Besides making money for himself and his business partners Taubman hopes to reduce the waste stream of billions of plastic water bottles per year.
So far, the Island School graduate has deployed nearly 10 stations in Hawaii, including two at Iolani School, one at Island School, one at the University of Hawaii Manoa, three at the Triple Crown of Surfing on Oahu’s North Shore, one each at the Ching Young Village Shopping Center and the Princeville Shopping Center on Kauai’s North Shore.
This is a guest post by Daniela Rey from the Kind Media Foundation. KMF is an innovative media non-profit organization committed to supporting and empowering meaningful social projects by providing affordable, high-end video, print, web and social media that engages and inspires action.
Social Cause | Save the environment from plastic!
by DANIELA REY · 1 COMMENT
Have you heard of the impact of single use-plastic in the environment?
Have you already begun finding ways to reduce your dependency on disposable plastic?
When shopping, do you prefer products that are sustainable and with minimum packaging?
Do you understand that the plastic bag or straw you used today and discarded will remain polluting this planet forever?
If you do, THANK YOU! If you don’t, you NEED to know! Continue reading “Kind Media Foundation takes on finding solutions to use less plastic” »
CLICK HERE to watch a GREAT interview with Blake Mycoskie founder of TOMS and GOOD CEO Ben Goldhirsh about the passion and purpose behind their work.
“In this lengthy but worth-the-watch video, the host of NPR Marketplace Kai Ryssdal talks with TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie and GOOD CEO Ben Goldhirsh about the passion and purpose behind their work. We found ourselves nodding in agreement throughout the length of the interview, as the honest words of these two amazing entrepreneurs truly resonate with the mission and values behind what we do everyday at Holstee. It is so encouraging to see other entrepreneurs valuing thoughtful production, sustainability, social responsibility, and community as they strive to grow and succeed. These guys hit the nail on the head in this interview and provide a solid insight into the world of Social Entreprenuership & ‘Consious Capitalism.’ We’d love to hear your thoughts.”
In a recent article in Stanford Social Innovation, Carol Sanford explores the growing trend of young people opting to be entrepreneurs rather than pursuing careers at organizations. What stood out to me in her post was the last paragraph:
NextGenNow leaders are not social entrepreneurs because they don’t start with social or environmental problems, and build businesses around them. They start with and stay with their own drive and a unique vision. They use their personal passion to find ways to contribute in the world. Continue reading “What the rise of young entrepreneurs reveals about the future of social change” »
Story from GOOD: Business
Lessons From the End of the Free Starbucks Card Experiment (UPDATED)
Starbucks has put an end to a the Jonathan’s Card free coffee bonanza, citing concerns about fraud. As we reported last week, mobile app developer Jonathan Stark accidentally kicked off a massive experiment in collective consumption and mobile currency when he made his Starbucks card available for anyone to use or fund. Stark’s project may be over, but it’s inspired the community he created to carry on its legacy through new communal cards and other good deeds.
“This proved that people are generally good,” Stark tells GOOD. “Way more people involved, from a person by person basis, did the right thing.” Continue reading “Are people innately GOOD? Well…you know what we think 
” »
In conscious business, giving is the new receiving. At face value it appears to make no sense at all to spend more money on your employees and your suppliers, and less on your advertising, your marketing and your own pay packet as an executive. Nevertheless, the results show that companies that practise generosity of pocket and of spirit have employee turnover that is far lower than their industry average (therefore costing less). They are more positively regarded by their Continue reading “Conscious Business how giving is the new receiving” »
We wanted to share this press release about another nonprofit making waves in education for the worlds least wealthy countries. Vittana is an education based nonprofit.
This article was found at Fast Company, they are wondering if the local food movement can become a sustainable business.
The local food movement in America is gaining steam. The question is whether can it attract sufficient capital from the private sector to build large, profitable businesses. Without that, it’s just a fad.
This is pretty awesome, a grocery store that doesn’t have any packaing, they call it in.gredients. Continue reading “Zero Packaging Grocery Store in Austin” »
We are fans of TED Talks here at Hug It Forward!