In this episode, Hunter Klobucar, co-founder of the eco-friendly company Fish Gods, sits down with us to talk about the company and its first product, The Clean Earth Bag. He talks about how he and his co-founder, Tyler Waltenbaugh, worked with several branches of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, along with revealing the origins of the company and more. This is a unique example of how the Beehives were meant to collaborate and serves to illustrate the potential that is waiting to be unlocked in the region.
Fish Gods recently launched their Clean Earth Bag on Kickstarter and are well on their way to achieving their financial goals. Make sure to pledge, so you can get the early bird pricing on the bag.
Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership
Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.
Music by audionautix.com. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.
Transcript
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: It just feels kind of like a dream because it started as a dream, and now it's turning into reality. We're about to launch our company on Kickstarter. Everything is alive. All of our hard work the past two years, the stuff that the Beehive has done for us, like everyone has so much work put into this-- students, faculty, and other business partners, and now it's finally coming to life.
NARRATOR: That's Hunter Klobucar, co-founder of Fish Gods and current student at Edinboro University. Klobucar is the latest guest on "Buzz, Generated," a show that introduces listeners to businesses and community leaders that collaborate with the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network. Klobucar, alongside his friend and fellow Edinboro alum, Tyler Waltenbaugh, founded Fish Gods with the intent of combining their love of fishing, respect for the environment, and entrepreneurial spirit to create a company that fights pollution.
Their first product, The Clean Earth Bag, is a collapsible and partly mesh carrier that is used to pick up, contain, and recycle trash. The product eliminates single-use plastic alternatives like garbage or shopping bags. It's durable and tear resistant. It will also be easily washable, trainable, and foldable, making it simple to pack. Outdoor enthusiasts can attach the bag to their kayak, bike, boat, belt, backpack, and more.
On October 20, Fish Gods launched The Clean Earth Bag on Kickstarter and are well on their way to meeting their funding goal. The campaign will run through November 19, so get your orders in now. The formation of the company, along with its subsequent product development and launch, is a perfect example of how the Beehives were designed to collaborate and generate opportunities for the region. Fish Gods has been a joint venture between these centers, along with additional funding from the Ben Franklin TechCelerator.
Fish Gods is even currently operating out of Edinboro's student startup hub. Join host, Tony Peyronel, the executive director of entrepreneurial development for Edinboro's Center for Branding and Strategic Communication, as he sits down with our guest. Together, let's discover what the buzz is all about.
TONY PEYRONEL: We're joined on the podcast today by Edinboro University student, Hunter Klobucar. Hunter and his business partner, Tyler Waltenbaugh, are the co-founders of Fish Gods, a new social enterprise venture aimed at protecting local watersheds. Tyler graduated from Edinboro in May, and Hunter is a senior majoring in environmental geology. Hunter, it's a pleasure to have you on the show, and welcome.
Fish Gods is based on a great concept that is about to be put into play. In a nutshell, tell our listeners how you and Tyler came up with the idea and exactly what your business aims to do.
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Absolutely. Thanks, Tony, for having me on, and yeah, me and Tyler, we came up with this idea about two years ago. We were actually traveling across Pennsylvania doing a research trip for brook trout. We're traveling across Route 6 for three weeks, leaping out of hammocks, tents with a bunch of college and grad students. And every time we entered a new watershed or an environment, all we saw was plastic pollution just polluting our waterways.
We were in the most remote places that you would think, like a man or woman has never been before. It was just incredible to see. So this really opened up our eyes, and that's what led us to take action. We started picking up plastic and garbage every time we went out fishing, hiking, and we realized that there is a need for a product for outdoor enthusiasts to make a change. But really, the outdoor enthusiast could be the solution to all this plastic pollution.
So we decided to develop our company, Fish Gods, take it a step further, hopefully, ignite this movement throughout the outdoor recreational industry, and get our product that we just developed in the hands of all these users to just remove 1 pound of trash a year. And if we do that, we'll have significant environmental cleanup, and that's really what we're aiming to do starting out here.
TONY PEYRONEL: And you mentioned your first product. Can you share some more details about it? I mean, I know it's a cool, collapsible mesh bag, but tell us a little more about it, and give us a hint maybe looking ahead at what some future products might be developed.
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Yeah, absolutely. I'm going into our bag, it's called The Clean Earth Bag, and we designed this specifically for the outdoor enthusiast, and we had the fishermen in mind. We had that in mind because we're fishermen ourselves, and there's no one that visits our waters more than fishermen and boaters. So we made our back specifically to be drainable, easily attachable, and stored away with them in mind, but we also included other features to have the outdoor enthusiasts whether you're a hiker or a biker in mind.
So it's easily attachable. It's collapsible. Say if you're a backpacker, you can just put the bag in your backpack or attach it easily without having any inconvenience to you at all. The Clean Earth Bags are a really great product, and we're excited to get this out on the market and in the hands of these users, but moving forward, we're already lining up a few more products to be made out of recycled materials. We're looking at maybe doing a fishing net, other products that outdoor enthusiasts use on the daily, but we want to aim to make everything made out of sustainable and eco-friendly materials to change the industry.
TONY PEYRONEL: Obviously, a lot of planning and hard work has gone into giving birth to Fish Gods. What have been some of your biggest challenges?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Well, we've been through a lot. The challenges just come up on the daily. Being an entrepreneur, you just face a lot. It's just me and Tyler really running this. And luckily, we've had the Beehive to support us, a lot of great coaches and other people to step in there and help us. But really, it's just me and Tyler trying to figure out everything on our own. So that's been a challenge, but what we realize is we can get through anything. We can continue to push through all these difficulties and challenges, and really, that's led us to where we're at today two years later.
TONY PEYRONEL: That's interesting because part of this story is kind of like you and Tyler against the world. But as you mentioned, you have developed a lot of important relationships along the way. You've mentioned a couple there briefly. Can you tell us a little more about some of the partnerships that have been cultivated as part of your journey?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Yeah, absolutely. One of the most important partnerships has been the Beehive and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Those are really the first two partnerships that we've stepped into, and that's really what pushed us forward as a company. I don't think we'd be here today if it wasn't for those two organizations. The Beehive, in specific, you guys have just been so great. You've really designed our company. All of our assets, you took our idea and turned it into reality, so that was a big milestone for us, seeing what not one semester of work, what you guys did for us.
And then we realized, wow, we actually have something here. We're now a company with logos, graphics, a website, and that really pushed us forward. And then the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, just all their business expert and their help to help us through any challenge that we faced, really, they were the ones that guided us through those difficulties.
TONY PEYRONEL: Right. Just to remind our listeners, when we refer to the Beehive, we're talking about the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network, which is a collaborative between the four universities in Erie County and also the Erie County Public Library System. And the various nodules, each specialize in a particular area, but they work together to help develop business startups. And Fish Gods is a very unique startup because like most startups, most startups aren't started by two college students, and that's been really cool for us here in the Beehive at Edinboro, and we're understandably proud of your accomplishments.
Would you talk a little bit more to our listeners about the collaboration with us in terms of developing some of those branding materials?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: So we had this idea. I think, Tony, you're actually the one that pushed us to start this whole thing. I was in your class, and then from there, I think this is when the Beehive was developing, and things were really starting to take off for you guys. And then you brought us in, and then you took us on as a client. As soon as we got accepted as a client, we began work with you guys designing all the graphic design that was needed for our company.
At this point, we were just an idea with no assets, and really, we just started to build those assets one by one with you guys, working with the students, you and the other experts in the Beehive here at Edinboro. And that's really took us to that milestone. And then moving forward, you guys gave us a great space for Tyler and I to work out of.
We were working out of our house office. We had an extra bedroom in our little apartment. Instead of taking on a third roommate, we decided we're starting this business venture. Let's turn it into an office space. We need somewhere to get work done. That was great and all, but that space was just so small, and we just couldn't get a lot of work done. And then you guys stepped in and gave us a great office space here in the library, and that's really, that's been a blessing, especially for me this semester.
TONY PEYRONEL: Right. It's interesting. You reminded me our relationship began very organically. You and Tyler were both in, I think, my Intro to PR class at different times, but I remember going and talking a little bit about the Ben Franklin Big Idea Contest. And I mentioned it to every student in the class, but you and Tyler hopped on that, and you ended up not winning that contest, but as you said, the work that you've done with Ben Franklin also, I mean, has been extremely beneficial. That was a very important relationship for you as well.
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Yeah, it was great, and it's so weird. I can remember that day like it is today when we were in your class. We just had this idea coming back from our trip, we've been throwing around some thoughts about it, and then you brought up the Big Idea Contest. And then we applied for it. We did get into the Big Idea Contest, but they put us in their tech accelerator 10-week boot camp, and we actually got to bring home first prize from that.
It was just crazy how it all worked out, and it really started from you and being up in class and saying, hey, there's this opportunity. And me and Tyler were like, all right, well, let's take it.
TONY PEYRONEL: Right.
NARRATOR: This episode of "Buzz, Generated" is sponsored by the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, the voice of the business community in the Erie region. The chamber provides advocacy and access to people, education, and information so the businesses have the leadership, resources, and expertise needed for continued prosperity throughout the region. Schedule a time to meet with the business action team and learn more about how the chamber can help or visit the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership online at www.eriepa.com.
The growth of our vibrant community and Erie, PA depends on a dynamic business environment, The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership aims to provide just that. Let's get back to the episode.
TONY PEYRONEL: Right, and it worked out fantastically. You also mentioned the workspace. To our listeners, Hunter is referring to our student startup hub, which is just on the other side of the second floor of the Barron-Forness Library from our Beehive lab area, and it's designed as workspace for Edinboro students who want to start their own business. And obviously, Hunter and Tyler were our first tenants, and we thought by now we would probably have some more tenants, but just as COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into so many things, campus is a pretty quiet place right now.
But, ironically, it's funny, Hunter, it's worked out very nice for you because there's so few students on campus, the startup hub has kind of become your private-- it's not shared workspace, it's really become your private office. But you also, I believe, did a lot of work with Penn State Behrend in actually prototyping the product. Is that correct?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Yeah, that is correct. Penn State Behrend is really what took our bag idea and made it into our first prototype and turned our idea into real life. We worked with them for about two months, and they really did a great job. They took our thoughts and everything that we had written down on paper and turned it into a physical product. And it was just a great service, and it was great to work with them.
And then from there, we actually had something in our hands that we could work from and re-innovate that. And then we were able to go to another company, and they were just so impressed with the work that we had done already with Penn State, with the CAD work, the drawings, our prototype. It made their life a lot easier, and it saved us money in the end.
TONY PEYRONEL: Excellent. One of the interesting things in regard to your relationship with the Beehive is that you worked with several of the nodules. We've already talked a little bit about your work in prototyping with Penn State Behrend. We've talked a fair amount about the branding work that you developed with our Beehive here at Edinboro. But you also worked with the folks at Gannon, right?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Absolutely. The folks at Gannon, they're amazing. Jacob Jones over there, he is our go-to if we have any legal questions or just questions about documents or anything that comes up. He always has an answer for us. He gets back to us instantly and just the services that we had over there just developing our company. There's a lot of legal steps that you have to go through, and as startup entrepreneurs, I had no business experience going into this.
Jacob was able to sit down and really break down everything for us, made it very simple, and a timely process to get everything filed correctly and to become a legitimate business.
TONY PEYRONEL: I think that's one of the things people don't understand about the Beehive, and early on people question whether the concept would be successful. Because a lot of times, universities in the same region in one way or another, are competitors. But I think what's most helpful, and I think you would agree with our network, is that each university, each nodule focuses on a specific area. And we know each other well, and so it's easy for us to refer clients from one to the other. Did you find it easy to move around within the network?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Oh, absolutely. I thought it was easy. It was really easy, and I thought that having these different specializations within the Beehive with different sections from different universities actually worked out really well. So we came here. We got our branding done and everything that we needed done as a company. But we once, again, got all of our legal work done, taken care of, so now we have two [INAUDIBLE] out of the way and then went to Penn State. And we were able to develop prototype. So together, it's just a great network in combination to really develop your business the full way.
TONY PEYRONEL: Well, would you recommend our services to other Edinboro students and students from other universities who want to become entrepreneurs?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Absolutely. I'm glad you asked me that question. As I said over and over again, we wouldn't be where we're at today if it wasn't for the Beehive. And if you have an idea, if you're trying to start a business, please come to these guys, and they'll push you far beyond whatever you think that is possible. They give you the space that you need to get things accomplished. They have the help that you need, the resources, and they'll really sit down, listen to what your idea is and take it and turn it into reality.
TONY PEYRONEL: As we've previously stated, you and Tyler have both put a lot of time and effort into this project. We've also referred to the impact of COVID and the fact that this has certainly been a challenging year. How does it feel, even with the delays that were created from the pandemic, how does it feel to finally be going public here as we head into the fall of 2020?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: It feels great. It just feels kind of like a dream because it started as a dream, and now it's turning into reality. We're about to launch our company on Kickstarter. Everything is alive, all of our hard work the past two years, the stuff that the Beehive has done for us. Everyone has so much work put into this-- students, faculty, other business partners, and now, it's finally coming to life.
COVID was a challenge, but it gave us the time and space that we needed to really batten down the hatches and put more work into our business before we launched it.
TONY PEYRONEL: As you say, here in October, everything is really coming to an exciting head, and the Kickstarter campaign is a critical part of your public launch. Why don't you tell our listeners who would like to support Fish Gods exactly how they can contribute?
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Absolutely. So we're launching on Kickstarter. On October 20, we'll be live. You can go to our Kickstarter page. You will be able to see all of our hard work that we put in. We have a great video in store for you that tells you exactly what our mission is, what our company is about. As you dive deeper into the page, you'll see everything that we've done from day one to today and what our real mission is to clean up the planet and make a difference for our ecosystems and waterways.
There's going to be different tier options, what you could purchase the bag for discounted prices. We want our bag to get into your hands. Since you're supporting us through our crowdfunding initiative, you're going to get the best deal possible. There's a few ways you can find our Kickstarter campaign. You can go on the Kickstarter and search The Clean Earth Bag. You'll see it pop up there. You can also find us on all of our social medias. You can find us on Instagram at fishgods.co. If you go there, we'll have a link on our bios. Tyler and myself will have the Kickstarter lined in our bio. You can just click the link, and find it there.
If you are on Facebook, you can also find it on Facebook. You can find our group page with all of our followers and supporters. We're going to be posting periodically here before the launch, and the link is going to be live right there. So if you go on Facebook, Instagram, any social media, or just search fishgods.co online, you'll find it, or go on Kickstarter.
TONY PEYRONEL: Excellent. Excellent. A lot of ways easy ways for people to hook up and support the cause, and we hope a lot of our listeners do that. Hunter, I'd like to close just by asking you if there's anything else that you would like to share with our listeners.
HUNTER KLOBUCAR: Yeah, absolutely. Tyler and I, we had this idea two years ago to create a product to ignite a movement throughout the outdoor industry. We realized that there's no one more that visits our land and our waterways more than the outdoor enthusiast. I think there's around 147 million people in the United States that take part in the outdoors at least once. If we could just ignite this movement and get 1 pound removed by each of those participants, that's 147 million pounds. I mean, we can have major environmental cleanup success, and really, that's what we're aiming to do as a company
We're trying to push forward after this Kickstarter campaign to lead this movement throughout the outdoor industry, but also work alongside with scientists and researchers and innovationists to develop new products and innovations that will solve our plastic pollution crisis, but also, a lot of the other environmental concerns that are facing our planet.
TONY PEYRONEL: Thank you, Hunter.
NARRATOR: The Northwest Innovation Beehive Network works to enhance business expansion and development in the Erie area. The Beehive is made up of five grant-funded centers that collaborate to encourage business growth. The Centers work together to form the Hive network, while each location operates in its own specialized area of expertise. Blasco Library, Penn State Behrend, Edinboro University, Gannon University, and Mercyhurst University are each responsible for a specific service. You can contact us at mwpabeehive.com.
You've been listening to "Buzz, Generated." This podcast was released through Edinboro University's Center for Branding and Strategic Communication. It's produced by Keith Hepler and Chris Lantinen. Thank you to our guests for their insight and to you, our listeners, for taking the time to experience innovation alongside us. Consider subscribing if you like this episode to get more as soon as they drop. And if you really enjoyed it, jump over to Apple Podcast for a five-star review. Thank you for listening.
