After stewing on the idea of starting a eco-friendly business for a year, lockdown pushed Kate to make it reality with her sister, Nataly.
Utilizing a subscription model, KIWI Eco Box delivers the goods you need when you need them to replace the single-use plastics in your life and help save the planet.
I talked with Kate about what inspired her to start her business, what it’s like to work with her sister in different timezones, and where she sees their company in the next few years.
Kate & Nataly
Kate & Nataly, Owners | Austin, Texas & Kyiv, Ukraine
Kiwi Eco Box is a new eco-friendly subscription box that helps people start living Zero Waste step-by-step.
Once you subscribe, you start to receive a box every month filled with 5-7 eco-friendly goods that help you to replace plastic items for cleaning, storing food, hygiene, traveling.
KIWI Eco Box will help you to build a Zero Waste routine and implement eco-friendly products in your lifestyle.
Sustainable. Biodegradable. Plastic-free.
We are sisters—Kate and Nataly—and Ukrainians. While Nataly lives in Kyiv, Ukraine, I (Kate) live in Austin, TX.
I had this idea in mind for over a year, but April 1st, 2020 is the date when we started to actually do something about it.
During the lockdown, I went to Ukraine and spent over 3 weeks in Kyiv. I had more time to think and rethink all the details with Nataly and make it work, step by step. I came back to Austin and started the business.
My ex-coworker inspired me to use eco-friendly products in my own life.
Living in the US, I found it difficult to get all the products for myself. I thought if it was difficult for me how is it for others? That's how the idea was born.
It has its advantages and disadvantages. We are very different people, which helps a lot in running a business.
I am the more creative person and Nataly has a very analytical mind—the perfect combination for me.
Sustainability is not only being concerned with your own well-being, but also the well-being of future generations and the planet as a whole.
To live sustainably is simply to think about others, turn the light off when you go out, turn the water off while brushing your teeth, doing our own little bit to make the world a better place for those who come after us.
To be honest, there is no story behind the name. We just like how it sounds and it reflects on our logo.
We are still working full-time jobs. Nataly works as a personal assistant in Kyiv, Ukraine. I work at a tech company in Austin, TX.
The time difference actually works well for us. It’s only 8 hours, so we adjusted pretty quickly.
It means that we have time to work together. Normally, we use FaceTime for communication. And we still have enough extra time for sports, hobbies, and friends.
There is definitely a Zero Waste movement and people in Austin are more conscious about their lifestyle habits than in, for example, Ukraine.
But still, it is not a trend yet. We need to get more and more people on board and propagate a sustainable lifestyle like the new normal.
We've just started and we are still learning, learning from our mistakes and of course from our competitors.
It is definitely not easy to start something new in a foreign country: culture, holidays, interests, law—everything is different and unknown.
It is quite a challenge, to be honest, but we love it when it’s hard. Otherwise, it’s not interesting.
The idea came from my own experience.
I used a loofah sponge for dishwashing and normally it lasts for a month or so. And a loofah sponge isn't a very popular item, so you can't just buy at any store.
So to get a new one, I had to search online and place an order. And of course you remember needing a new loofah only when you need it to wash your dishes. Then, when you get to the computer, you forget it.
So I thought it would be wonderful to receive it each month without all the hassle.
Same with the toothbrush. Dentists advise you to change your toothbrush every 3 months. Finding a good bamboo toothbrush isn't that easy. But if you will get it every 3 months, that would be super convenient.
That's why we think the subscription model fits perfectly, because you receive the new items right when you need to replace the old ones. And you can throw out old products without any harm to the environment.
We do our own research and use all the products ourselves before choosing what to add to the next box.
Also, we often ask our subscribers what they want to see in the next boxes.
Based on their answers, we build a catalog of items that we think would be interesting and the most important and useful for our customers.
Our main goal is to motivate and inspire others to cut out single-use plastics, reduce their everyday waste, and switch to a more earth-friendly lifestyle.
At the moment we’re working to expand the products in our Kiwi Eco Shop to provide the best eco-friendly alternatives you can find for yourself and your home.
We’re also bringing in lots of fantastic ethical brands who share our values and create wonderful products.
After 2020, it’s even harder to predict what the future may hold!
I would advise you to choose the right niche, do market research, but most importantly be confident in what you are doing and dedicate yourself fully to your own idea.
Don't be afraid, just do it!
It's impossible to avoid plastic entirely, but there are effective ways to limit your exposure.
Avoid using big 4: plastic straws, plastic bags, plastic bottles and single use cups.
I bought a reusable thermocup for coffee. When I go out I always carry it with me. If I want a coffee, but I forget my cup, I won't drink coffee. That’s the rule I created for myself.
Subbly, Wanderlust Yoga Austin, Ozero UA (Kyiv, Ukraine).
We like to listen to different podcasts or business webinars, but honestly, silence is the best. Helps me concentrate and be more productive.
It is a long story, which deserves its own separate article, I bet.
To make it short, let's say that destiny brought me to Austin. As for Nataly, she is in Kyiv for now because of the pandemic.
As soon as everything opens us, she will join me in Austin. Fingers crossed!
We are part of the community on Facebook, Subscription Box Entrepreneurs, and someone from there mentioned you guys as the best shipping option.
Perfect, we love you guys!
The most important thing for us is that you are carbon neutral, and for us, it is a big deal!
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Photos courtesy: Kiwi Eco Box