Today we’d like to introduce you to Harrison Fitz.
Harrison, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Two years ago, a good friend of mine named Jack was T-boned by a tractor-trailor going 60 mph on a highway in Colorado. Jack was able to walk away from the accident virtually unscathed, which was rather miraculous given the circumstances of the accident. A few weeks later, Jack and I found ourselves sitting on Mission Beach, discussing his near-death experience and the things that ultimately matter most when we inevitably reach the end of our lives.
We concluded that the things we will remember and cling to most at the end of our lives won’t be experiences, material wealth or personal achievements – but rather what we have done in our lives to help other people. This conclusion launched Jack and I into a month-long research binge during which we assessed various cause sector and impact models to see where we could help the most people. Near the end of that month, we had decided that we were going to get people access to sustainable clean water by creating a consumer drinkware brand that prioritized impact over profits. After a few trips around the world to establish partnerships with entities in Africa, Europe and Asia – we officially launched our company in August of 2019.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No – it most certainly has not been a smooth road. It feels like at nearly every juncture, we are hurtling from one potential crisis to another. That said, we are incredibly proud of the perseverance of our team and the continued focus on our mission that has breathed life into Powwater.
Our company was founded as a social business. One of our big, audacious goals that came out of our initial research was to partner with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, who is considered to be the ‘grandfather’ of social business. When Yunus didn’t respond to our emails/letters requesting a meeting, we identified a conference he was attending in Germany and bought a flight across the pond to find him and pitch him in person.
Despite having no business and no credibility at the time, Yunus agreed to partner with and incubate us. This in and of itself, was a miracle. After Germany, our team traveled to Kenya, Nigeria, China, Vietnam and Bangladesh in order to form the necessary partnerships with manufacturers, impact partners, etc. There were countless times during this period where we things didn’t go our way. Nonetheless, we focused on maintaining a positive attitude, controlling the controllable and continuing to focus on the ultimate goal – to help people get clean water. We are incredibly grateful for the individuals who took a chance on us and helped Powwater become a reality.
Today, there are still constant challenges that arise. From landing a big corporate order and scrambling to ensure we are able to fulfill in time to late-night negotiations with our partners overseas, every day presents new obstacles that need to be navigated.
Powwater – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Powwater specializes in sustainably sourced, reusable drinkware that is closely tied to impact. We are known for our line of bamboo products and the majority of our business comes from corporate partners who are buying these products in bulk and customizing them with their logos, branding, etc.
Our company exists to provide clean drinking water to those in need. We are most proud of the impact that we have made in less than a year in operation. Since launching last August, the company has provided sustainable clean drinking water to +20,000 people in East Africa and South Asia.
What sets us apart is the sustainability and reach of our impact. By partnering exclusively with social businesses that have a proven track record of deploying long-term clean water infrastructure, we have been able to reach more people and have a more sustainable impact than a donation to a charity. For our customers, transparency is one of our core pillars. Every dollar we spend and invest can be seen by our corporate partners and customers so they know exactly where their money is going and the impact they are having when they buy our products.
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so –who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
Really too many people to name here. My partners, who deserve the most credit for staying in the trenches for Powwater through the good and the bad. Our advisors, who played an integral role in the formation of the company. My family and friends, who continue to support and inspire me every single day. You know who you are. Lastly, our customers. Thank you for giving us a chance and supporting our mission!
Contact Info:
- Website: powwater.com
- Phone: 5737472629
- Email: harrison@powwater.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powwater_/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Powwater1/
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
