2020 Summer Catalyst Startup Profile: ReServe
According toPlastic Oceans International, we produce “over 300 million tons of plastic every year, 50% of which is for single use purposes…More than 8 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year.” Alarmed by the deleterious environmental effects of single use plastics,Mild SuwanpimolkulMBA’21 was eager to make a difference, and, in her own words, “tackle the plastic waste problem from the upstream.”
So, she leveraged the core competencies of her family business in rubber manufacturing,S.K. Polymer Co, to createReServe, a company offering innovative, stylish, and sustainable rubber products. Their first product is a reusable straw, and upcoming products include reusable boba straws, cups, containers, and more. Mild explains how she coined the term, ReServe: “In addition to environmental preservation, Re plus Serve also refers to serving with the same products over and over again instead of serving with single use plastic products.”
InSummer Catalyst, Mild has appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with a community of ambitious entrepreneurs and talented mentors. Throughout the summer, the ReServe team has worked hard to incorporate in the U.S., develop new products, connect with customers, and build B2B co-branding partnerships. Their advisorDavid Changhas provided invaluable feedback and guidance as they work toward those goals.
While starting a venture amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Mild and her team have dealt with several challenges. Although there’s a lot you can do online, engineering a whole new product virtually is challenging. The product development process is very interactive and hands on, which makes it quite difficult to replicate in a remote setting, Mild explains, “Our team wants to be in a room all together, sketching out ideas, developing prototypes, and using the whiteboard. We want to watch the users interact with the product and get feedback from them.”
证明弹性和能够主when faced with obstacles are essential parts of the entrepreneurial journey. The ReServe team developed innovative ways to continue the product development process. For instance, they held virtual focus groups to demo prototypes and receive feedback from customers. They built prototypes using materials that are easily accessible at home to demonstrate a proof of concept. Additionally, they are actively working to turn those prototypes into finished products that address consumer interests and needs.
并温和有抱负的企业家有什么建议？一：要坚强，有弹性，并找到应对挑战的独特方式。二：好奇，问了很多问题，并接触到别人的时候，你需要帮助。三：与其他企业家的协作和相互学习。四：带领你的团队的尊重和外交手段，而不是统治。五：优先考虑你的健康和福祉;它会帮助你感觉更好，可提高生产效率。
What is one thing Mild wished she knew before starting her entrepreneurial journey? “No matter how fast you want the process to go, things constantly get delayed and challenges arise. Now more than ever, it’s important to focus on what you can control and think through potential solutions when you feel stuck. It’s okay to adapt, try new things, and pivot.”
As the Creative Artist and Writer in Residence at Summer Catalyst, I agree with Mild and believe in the importance of thinking through creative solutions when faced with challenges. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, I believe it’s helpful to try and find innovative ways to move forward. So, I would encourage you to leverage your innovative mindset and focus on finding the silver lining. Don’t give up.
To learn more about ReServe and to purchase their products, visit the company’swebsite, shop online atAmazon, and check out itsInstagramandFacebook的账户！
