Team Evo: Eco-Friendly Straws
Junior Achievement USA
Junior Achievement USA
Alyssa Le, Richard Chan, Megan Konvicka, Jeran Kong, Kayla Awadin
As Houston, Texas, began to experience plastic-straw bans that were meant to lower plastic consumption, Team Eco from JA of Southeast Texas went looking for an alternative. Enter ThreEvo, an eco-friendly, easy-to-carry kit made up of bamboo straws, a cleaner, and a case.
“Plastic straws are the eighth-leading plastic pollutant,” says CEO Alyssa Le, “yet we use them all the time. Especially high schoolers. We love going out to study, going out to hang out, so we really wanted to find a solution that would genuinely make an impact.”
The team sourced bamboo and brushes, and then went to work drilling, cutting, and sewing components that went into the recycled case, keeping a close eye on product quality by being active in the manufacturing process.
Although the initial business plan called for partnering with popular restaurants and fast-food chains—relationships that Evo successfully navigated—the pandemic created a need for a more private option, so they started selling ThreEvo through an online commerce site, using social media and promotions to drive users to the site.
Bill Schawbel
Junior Achievement USA
Early in 2019, JA received exciting news: We had qualified for two charity entries in the 2020 Boston Marathon, representing a significant fundraising opportunity. William (Bill) Schawbel—founder and CEO of Schawbel Companies, Wharton graduate, JA alumnus, JA volunteer, chair of the 2019 JA Centennial Gala, and all-around JA supporter—had decided to run the marathon in celebration of his 80th birthday and secured the two entries, which are managed by John Hancock. The other entry went to Leo Martellotto, President of JA Americas, IronMan triathlete, and JA alumnus.
““I believe it’s entrepreneurial to give back, whether with time or money.””
Then along came COVID-19.
The marathon was postponed to September, but later changed to a virtual event. Registered runners completed the 26.2-mile run on their own and reported the results. Participants could run around their neighborhoods, put in miles on treadmills, or travel to another location to run, as long as they practiced COVID hygiene. Participants even had access to a virtual marathon expo and an app for family and friends to follow along.
An experienced marathoner, Bill would run the Boston Marathon for the seventh time, but this time at his home in Needham, Massachusetts, USA, completing the entire marathon on a treadmill. Blessed with an exceptional workout facility on his property, Bill arranged for supporters to cheer him on, rotating every hour and watching from a safe distance. And he and Leo raised over US $125,000 for JA.
Bill, an inspiring lifelong entrepreneur, lived and breathed JA while a student at Boston Latin School. “In 1956 or 1957, when I was involved in JA,” he says, “I was president of my JA company. We had to deal with banks, get a product to market, and get investors. This experience was not that much different than experiences later in my career, when I also had to deal with financial institutions, create new products, and manage accounts receivable and accounts payable.”
““Have a vision outside of your neighborhood. There are opportunities outside of your city, your region, and your country. Reach out and see what’s happening in the rest of the world, because you might find there are more opportunities outside than at home. But get involved locally, too.””
Now entering his ninth decade, Bill remains an active supporter of JA Worldwide and Junior Achievement of Northern New England. He has served on the JA of Northern New England Board of Directors for over 15 years as Board Chair, Executive Committee member, and Advisory Council member. Bill now serves on the JA Worldwide Global Council, and he continues to make a difference locally as a JA of Northern New England Board Emeritus.
“JA is very, very valuable for the economy in general and for underserved people in particular. JA enhances what students learn in school, through which JA students realize that, ‘Yeah, I can do that.’”
Henry Hurowitz and Team Germ Genie
Junior Achievement USA
As Henry Hurowitz’s flight left Miami International Airport, he had no idea he was about to embark on a new business venture. But the high-school junior fell asleep with his cheek resting against the fold-down tray table, only to awake a few hours later with an itchy rash. The tray was most definitely not germ-free.
Through the JA Company Program offered at his school, Henry teamed up with Daniel Gutkin, Romy Peretz, Jonah Lubin, Benjy Sterne, and others to research exactly what sort of germs airline travelers were facing and find solutions. Their answer? Germ Genie.
Germ Genie is a travel pack used to sanitize your space on a plane, train, car, or subway. Inside the zippered pouch, you’ll find disposable covers that fit onto tray tables, disinfecting wipes for armrests and displays, a cover for the headrest, hand sanitizer, and latex-free gloves.
Launched in late 2019, Germ Genie couldn’t have been better positioned to move beyond travel needs when the global COVID-19 pandemic hit. The online shop (at germgenie.com) was already up and running, so the team added a deluxe version of Germ Genie that includes N95 masks, a large selection of cloth masks, and mask filters to its lineup, as well as a first-aid kit, a pair of disposable booties, and toilet-seat covers. The startup’s impeccable timing led both to national press coverage (with items selling out quickly) and to numerous awards at the Junior Achievement USA National Student Leadership Summit.
The team also positioned Germ Genie as a social enterprise, giving 20% of its profits to local charities, including Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and helping supply first-responders with free products. The company is also negotiating with airlines and hotels to offer Germ Genie to customers, as they navigate travel during a pandemic.
““There’s no avoiding the myriad pollutants in our environment. Germs and allergens contaminate our air and the surfaces of our world, and we are vulnerable with every breath or touch, which can trigger the body’s immune system to flare up in response. A mindful and proactive approach is the best way to prevent needless exposure to harmful and potentially deadly germs and allergens. Our company provides a series of products that help germ-conscious and allergen-sensitive individuals protect themselves from those invisible threats and stay germ-free on the go.””
