25A- What's Next?

Existing Market
1.) Whats next in terms of product: I want to expand my product line and also make disposable cups, plates, and silverware out of the same hemp and corn material that I will make my straws out of.

2.) Interviews:

Female, age 21

She said how I should be making other disposable products out of this same material like party cups and plates. She loved the idea of using this material because it is not only recyclable, but also biodegradable. A lot of plastic cups and plates aren’t. I told her how I was planning on doing this and silverware as well and she loved the idea.

Male, age 22

He suggested making to-go boxes out of the material as well as disposable cups and plates. I told him how I was thinking about the same things plus silverware and thought the to-go boxes were a great idea. He loved all of my ideas and my whole business concept.

Female, age 20

She suggested to also think outside of the food and beverage industry, she is a pre-med student and thought that disposable gloves could also be made of this material maybe. I thought this was a great idea and told her that I had only thought of disposable cups, plates and silverware. She also thought these were good options too.

3.) After my interviews, I think I definitely want to stick with the food and beverage industry supplies first in order to get my business going. After straws, I will broaden my product line into to-go boxes, cups, plates, and silverware as well. Then maybe in the future look into other industries, such as medical, for gloves and other potential items.

New Market
1.) A different market that I could target my product to would be schools and hospitals. I was only thinking about individuals in the retail space and business in the food and beverage industry like restaurants, fast food, bars and coffee shops. Hospitals have to give beverages to all of their patients, plus at their cafeteria. Schools and colleges do the same at their dining halls.

2.) Interviews

Female, age 51

I interviewed my friend’s mom who is a nurse and works in a hospital. She loved my product and business idea and thought that it would be a great product for all hospitals because they go through so many straws every day. She thinks it would be an easy switch from plastic straws to my product and the patients wouldn’t even notice. She doesn’t think I need to change the product at all.

Female, age 25

I spoke to my boyfriend’s sister who is a kindergarten teacher. She loved the idea of using straws in her school, and every other school and college in America, that don’t put more waste into the environment. She thinks her students would love the idea and love knowing that they’re helping keep plastic out of ocean life. She also didn’t think I needed to change the product at all.

3.) I think these are two great markets for my product that I could reach outside of the food and beverage industry, but still stay B2B mainly. I am surprised that I didn’t think of these industries sooner. I think this assignment forced myself to think about options that I haven’t considered before, and it paid off.

Nothing really surprised me about my interviews, I can’t see anyone being against the idea of a product that reduces plastic waste in our oceans. My expectations were correct, both people I interviewed loved the idea. These markets seem just as attractive as the ones I have already considered. I think they could be a great additional target audience.