On Jan. 15, 2025, an idea, a passion and a business to pitch led Earthwise, one of GlenOak’s solely student-run Junior Achievement (JA) companies, to Fox 8 News.
The company, composed of senior students, includes CEO Kamdyn Hershberger, VP Emily Clark, CFO Eva Winn, Head of Sales Isaiah Lopez-Garcia, Head of Production Jakson Yohn, Head of Supply Chain Connor Zets and Head of Marketing Griffin Swank. With a mission to make healing the planet accessible to all, Earthwise began selling their sustainability kits on Nov. 21, 2024.
“At the beginning of the year we looked at strength finders, personality types and work ethic and based on that CEOs and Vice Presidents get elected,” Winn said.
Elected company leaders then choose their staff based upon what they believed would be valuable to their up-and-coming businesses.
Together, the newly-minted members of Earthwise, along with Clark and Hershberger, began their next task: choosing and kick-starting a concept that they truly cared about.
“It was a lot about passion,” Clark said. “We figured out what everyone was passionate about and one thing that we all had in common was helping the environment.”
From this, they conceptualized an easy and accessible way to get ahold of the reusable versions of single-use items that most people use every day.
Each Earthwise Sustainability Kit includes two silicone straws, five reusable cotton rounds, one biodegradable sponge, two reusable produce bags, six reusable food bags, two wool dryer balls, nine recipe cards and basil, parsley and thyme seed packets, all in an Earthwise branded canvas tote bag.
Each recipe card corresponds to one of the seeds provided in the kit, aiming to urge consumers towards more ethical and environmentally friendly eating. Alongside this, it includes a QR code to an exclusive website to learn more about your new products and how they aid in sustainable living.
“We focus a lot on the educational aspect of everything, which sets us apart from other businesses,” Clark said.
Their aim is that this education does not wait until one buys their product. Earthwise is making a conscious effort to inform people through its advertisements and appearances throughout Stark County as well as surrounding areas.
“We just want to help to inform our peers at GlenOak and the rest of the community on how easy and cheap it is to be environmentally friendly,” Hershberger said. “There’s such a stigma surrounding it and our mission is to prove it wrong.”
This is not just a nice sentiment spouted by a CEO. Earthwise puts their money where their mouth is with their unique elementary education initiatives.
“Our giveback is going into fourth grade classrooms to teach them how to live more sustainably,” Winn said. “We want to teach them what they can do as kids and how to implement it.”
This also includes teaching children about their environmental impact and how to grow their own plants. The lessons from Earthwise to elementary students have not yet begun, but are currently in the process of becoming a reality.
Members of Earthwise accredit much of their opportunities and success to their teachers and classmates.
“Our teachers have both worked in the business world so their advice is always very open, candid and credible,” Hershberger said. “As far as our peers go, it’s such a nice environment; everyone is open to giving advice, opinions, criticism and compliments.”
Starting businesses from scratch as high school students creates a bond like no other.
“That family feeling throughout all of our peers in the class is what helps us to feel confident in who we are and what we do as a company and I think that goes for all of the companies in the business program,” Hershberger said.
It was not just their mission that got them the opportunity to appear on Fox 9 news. Business teachers Michael Nieporte and Amanda DeFays chose which company they wanted to represent GlenOak based on their sales, integrity and effectiveness as a functioning business.
“It was really about responsibility and how much you wanted to push your product out there,” Winn said.
Despite the effort all group members put in to achieve this opportunity, it did not come without nerves.
“This is very outside of my comfort zone so I’m very nervous but I do think it is a very good way to get our company out there, hopefully get some sales and spread what Earthwise is about,” Clark said.
While each group member experienced the same air of intensity on their way to the Fox 8 studio, it did not come without optimism.
“Even further than us being nervous and excited, it’s just a great individual and team bonding experience for all of us,” Hershberger said. “You don’t get this chance every day so it’s really awesome that we get to do this and have this fun time with each other.”
In the weeks following their live interview, they not only saw increased following and engagement on their Instagram page, but also reflect positively on the lessons learned and interview practice they have gained.
“I think it was great to get out there and speak in a higher pressure, more professional setting,” Winn said. “We got new followers and we really try to educate through our instagram so that was a really good thing.”
Winn also explained that with more exposure comes more questions about their purpose and mission which gives Earthwise more opportunity to share about their goals and give back.
To purchase products, visit their website or Instagram; to learn more about Earthwise, watch their Fox 8 interview linked here.
Learn more about the rest of the Business Program’s JA companies:
