Innovation

Hand in Hand Soap is a company with not only a positive impact business model but also innovative products. Their business model focuses on social sustainability while their products are environmentally sustainable. From the beginning, Hand to Hand Soap’s products have been palm oil free, vegan and cruelty free, made in the USA and their ingredients are sourced in an ethical and environmentally friendly method. For each purchase of a bar of soap, another bar of soap is donated and accessible clean drinking water provided to Haitians. Having both a positive impact socially and environmentally they have created an innovative business model spreading their products and worldly impact.

Inspiration

When Bill Glaab and his wife became aware of the problem that a lack of hygiene and clean water created in developing countries like Haiti they felt compelled to design a product and business model to help initiate change. After reading an article on the benefits of hand washing in the prevention of spread of respiratory and diarrhoeal infections, Bill and his wife set out to create a business and products that would help create a positive impact for people in these situations. Although the soap business and product creation itself was new to them they knew they wanted to create a product that was environmentally sustainable. For Bill, being able to see how this company has given back to those in need has been rewarding but one moment stood out; on his thirtieth birthday (2014) he was able to be a part of the placement of their first well in Haiti with over 30,000 people having access to clean water regularly. The community was overjoyed and celebrated their many thanks with Bill and his team. Bill stated he feels that companies should be held to a higher standard because you don't have to trade morals for profit. They founded a company that is inspired by the well-being of others and is a company that not only does well, but does good and have since day one.

Overall impact

A simple bar of soap can save a life. With hundreds of thousands of bars of soap donated thus far, Hand in Hand's donations have had a large impact in the lives of Haitians. Simply washing your hands for 20 seconds can kill most, if not all, bacteria that resides on our hands. By reducing the spread of infections that can lead to poor health and even death, Hand in Hand Soap is creating positive change in people health and lives.

Business benefit

Hand in Hand Soap has experienced significant push back for their innovative product design due to refusing to use palm oil as one of their ingredients. Because most soaps are made with palm oil as their primary ingredient, disrupting this industry lost them a lot of business with suppliers. Although their innovation is not always popular they are still growing and have partnerships with major companies like Target and Anthropologie. With the growth of their company means a growth in their giving. They not only produce soap but have expanded into scrubs, lotions, and fragrances. Also by manufacturing their products in the USA they provide jobs and business close to home.

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Social and environmental benefit

By supplying Haitians with bars of soap they are able to help educate and prevent the spread of communicable, and often deadly, diseases at no cost to the end users. Something as simple as a bar of soap is often a luxury in developing countries and can give the people of Haiti an opportunity to live healthier and longer lives. Not only is this business model socially beneficial but their products are environmentally sustainable. Having known the negative effects that obtaining palm oil has on the environment they made a conscious decision to exclude it completely from their products which is uncommon in this field. Not only are their products palm oil free but they are vegan, made in the USA and all ingredients are resourced ethically with even the packaging being made from 30% recycled materials.

Interview

Bill Glaab, CEO & Co-Founder