From Tech Trash to Dad Dash: Our Sustainability Mission

I remember as a young child, being baffled by my late father's constant phone calls, stacks of paperwork, and the ever-enticing allure of the "business-man" title. I never really understood what my dad did for work, he’d play golf all the time and sometimes I’d tag along. At a young age, I was already exposed to the “business world” via my dad. I guess that’s how I got into entrepreneurship. Now fastforward to 2020… as I was trapped in my own world during the COVID lockdown, a statistic caught my eye and shook me to my core: 20 million unused tech pieces, gathering dust in cupboards while the world outside grappled with a digital divide. The numbers didn't add up, and in that moment, the seed for Zolo was planted.

Creating Zolo was more than just founding a company; it was a call to action, fueled by a simple question: "Wouldn't it be great if unused tech could be repurposed so others can benefit?"

So, my co-founder, Ryan and I set out to give these pieces of tech new life, following a circular approach that transformed e-waste into powerful tools for connection and productivity.

Started From The Bottom Now We Here?

Some might argue that starting a company from scratch is an uphill battle, a challenge in its own right. Sure, there were teething problems, hustling for clients, raising awareness about e-waste. But in my eyes, it was all part of the process, the inherent adventure of entrepreneurship. After all, who wants a journey without a few road bumps to keep things exciting?

Now, as you read this, you might be wondering: "Why e-waste? Why put so much effort into refurbishing old tech?"

My answer is twofold and ties back to my purpose: fatherhood.

Dreaming of Diapers and Day Planners: How Fatherhood is Shaping My Sustainability Mission

I dream of being a father one day.

Not just any father, but a dad who is ready to pick his kids up from school at 2:30 pm sharp (that's when they finish, right?) Yes, you read that right – I finish work at 2:30 pm just to acclimate to that future schedule.

A little intense? Perhaps. But I’m a routine-guy. Have to get acclimated now ??

Beyond time management and in all seriousness, I dream of being a father to kids who get to grow and bloom in a healthy environment. I want them to open their eyes each morning to a world brimming with opportunities, rich with the freedom to chase their dreams and bold enough to carve their own paths.

But here's the real deal – such a future isn't going to magically appear out of thin air. It requires conscious action, right here, right now. It requires each one of us to rethink our choices, to pivot from a 'use and discard' mentality to a 'use, recycle, and reuse' mindset.

Dreaming of a Circular Tomorrow

As we look forward, I envision a world where sustainability isn't an afterthought, but an integral part of our lives, especially when it comes to tech. Picture a future where each device we no longer need is repurposed, shared, and utilised to its full potential – a future driven by a circular economy, defined by balance, and characterised by respect for our planet.

Every piece of tech that we manage to rescue from a dusty shelf and refurbish breathes new life not just into the device, but into our very planet. Every tech we manage to circulate back into the world helps reduce the demand for new products and therefore the strain on our precious resources.

In essence, our mission at Zolo goes far beyond just business.

It's a commitment to cultivating a sustainable present for a thriving future — a future where my kids, and yours, can reach out and grasp the opportunities they need to make their dreams come true.