Sarah Kauss is fashionably ridding the world of harmful plastic water bottles! The S’well founder chatted with us about scaling a business and working with international manufacturers.
I started S’well because …
I believed there was something I could do to limit the use of plastic and give back to the world, all while fulfilling a personal dream of entrepreneurship.
I knew I was onto something with S’well when…
S’well bottles made their debut in Oprah Magazine’s O List in July 2011.
What I wish I knew when starting S’well…
How fast we’d scale and the challenge of imitation products. Being better prepared in each of those areas could have saved us a few headaches and helped protect the S’well brand more effectively.
Top qualities I look fOr when hiring…
Culture fit and skills. I am passionate about what I do and want to work with like-minded people that are friendly and smart.
Ways my team has evolved over the years…
We’ve grown from two people at launch to 40. We have also expanded our skills in-house to include every facet of the business, even a senior web developer who is a hacker!
My tips for working with international manufacturers…
Find multiple manufacturers you trust that uphold your values tied to quality control and ethical work environments.
I developed the brand story by…
Keeping it real. I wanted a water bottle that worked better and looked good in any situation. It was organic and authentic, which means it worked and continues to work today.
How I maintain the brand as we grow…
We hire people who believe in what S’well represents. We foster a trustworthy, transparent environment. We partner with people who have a shared vision. We create a road map… and go!
Other waYs S’well is giving back…
In addition to supporting our S’well charity partners, we volunteer as a team at City Harvest, a program dedicated to rescuing vegetables for the needy from nearby green markets.
We created the S’well blog because…
We want to share the beauty, utility and fun of S’well bottles with as many people as possible.
The impact of social media on the business is…
It gives us a direct line to our customers, allowing us to gather insights, ideas and interact in real time with our loyal fans.
I create a network of support by…
Being real and open.
Mentors are important because…
They give us the support we need to make fewer mistakes, faster.
My mentors Are…
My parents. They have taught me everything about running a business, treating my team like family and keeping everything in perspective.
3 questions to ask your mentor…
- What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
- How do you determine when to say yes or no?
- What is the ritual that sets you up for success?
By 2017 S’well will…
Have grown another 400%, launched a new line of bottles and be available on six continents.
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