Founding for positive change

I have been recording a series of podcasts for The Purposeful Project. Called PEP talk, these podcasts are a conversation with entrepreneurs. As you might imagine, I am talking to them about the spark that got them started and the journey they have been on so far.

As COP26 in Glasgow wrapped up last week, I realised that most of my guests had started businesses based on environmental and sustainable foundations. COP26 often feels distant and removed from the realities of the day-to-day, with capturing headlines outweighing action. So it is exhilarating to listen to entrepreneurs who are driving change.

We wanted to promote and showcase these companies at the Purposeful Project because they shine a light on the potential for anybody to find opportunities and drive positive change through being a founder. You will be able to hear all about these businesses on the Podcast series, but here is a little taster:

Leo's Box

Lysander Bickham is co-founder and CEO of Leo's box. The company is a buyers club, selling curated cosmetics and kitchen products that meet strict criteria. It uses the UN's Sustainable Development Goals as a guide and supports Goals 12, 13, 14 and 15 ??. Everything they sell is British and from companies committed to reducing waste, saving water, and being cruelty-free.

Lysander started the business when he was 16 at school, and at 18, he is the youngest B Corp CEO globally. Leo's Box was B Corp Certified whilst Lysander was still at school.

Lysander is a fantastic advocate for sustainability and also demonstrates how to connect the principles of the UN goals to a business.

?? Lysander for Connecting theory with practice, and congratulations on being the youngest B Corp CEO globally!

CanO Water

Josh White is co-founder and CMO of CanO Water. The company sells still and sparkling water in cans. The genesis for the business came when Josh and 2 of his friends, Perry and Aerial, were on holiday in Thailand - sun, sea and lots and lots of plastic waste on what should have been pristine beaches.

The plastic bothered them. I mean really bothered them, and when they got home, they decided to be the change they wanted to see. After doing much research, they discovered that aluminium is the most recyclable material used in packaging and, without any prior experience, started a business selling water in cans. More than that, they have started a movement to eliminate single-use plastic bottles, including sponsoring sporting events. By eliminating single-use plastic bottles at the London Triathlon, Blenheim Triathlon, the Hackney Marathon, and more has saved the use of more than 72,500 single-use plastic bottles. Considering that only 7% of plastic was recycled in 2019, that is a wonderful achievement.

The response has been excellent. It is now stocked in is stocked in 10,000 stores, including Tesco and Waitrose.

?? Josh for Doing not talking. It would have been easy to wander off the beach in Thailand and back into your lives and think that the plastic catastrophe blighting our planet was someone else's problem!

Manifesto

Anna Marcovic is the founder manifesto, a company that has developed a gummy supplement range for women. The product is based on the principles of ensuring that it is good for the consumer and the packaging is good for the planet. Manifesto is very appropriately named. Anna's journey to create a supplement with the right balance of vitamins and minerals, which is low sugar, high in fibre, and vegan, is a testament to one person's determination.

Her battle to ensure that the packaging is reusable, refillable and recyclable with a compostable bag is the stuff of legends. She was determined not to follow the rest of the supplement industry, which uses single-use plastic. The final product and packaging are incredible.

?? for your Determination, Anna. When you got told, "It cannot be done", you did not give up.

Pesky Fish

Ben King is the founder and Skipper of Pesky Fish. It is an incredible business selling freshly caught fish direct from day British day boats to consumers through its online market plaice.

Ben saw an opportunity to change the way that fish was bought and consumed in the UK. Historically, 80% of all fish caught in UK waters was exported, and 80% of fish eaten was imported. Absolutely nuts for an island nation! He started by selling to restaurants in London in the simplest possible way. The catch from one boat, leaving Penzance on a GWR train to Paddington, then been couriered across London on electric bikes. His business flourished but had to pivot because of COVID, and he ended up selling direct to consumers. Now fish and seafood, including oysters, all ultimately traceable and from sustainable sources, are being sent across the UK in fully recyclable packaging. It is an incredible story.

?? Ben for having the Vision to see the lunacy and damage caused by an entire industry and turning it on its head.