On Starting A Zero-Plastic Outdoor Products Company
Note: This business is no longer running. It was started in 2019 and ended in 2023. Reason for closure: Shut down.
Hello! Who are you and what business did you start?
Hi, my name is Melanie. I’m an outdoor soul from Germany (grew upright in the middle of the German Alps) and business owner of alpengraphics - a zero plastic startup for minimalistic & durable campfire mugs. The company was founded in April 2019 and makes approximately 500 - 3.000€ a month, depending on the season.
I design & print in Germany, and source the mugs from across the EU. Even though local production is significantly more expensive than getting the finished product shipped from Asia, keeping a low carbon footprint takes priority over a big margin. From production to shipping, everything I do is in accordance with environmental practices, but I’ll write more about that in a later section.
What I love the most about this business is the people I get to interact with. For example, my favorite moment so far was designing a date mug. A guy ordered a cup for a girl he wanted to ask out and asked if I could write a customized text at the back and send a note along with it. She was his hiking buddy and the note asked her for a cup of coffee. So cute!
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
