Since kindergarten, we have all prepared ourselves for the 1st day of school with all the school supplies we need in order to be ready to take on the oncoming school year. As our backpacks are full of numerous notebooks, binders, folders, pens and pens, there are many students across the United States who do not have the means to purchase school supplies. WOOF supplies, a for-profit started by three young college students, wants to eliminate that struggle and help to ensure that all students will have the supplies to prepare themselves for school. One of the founders of WOOF is Boston College senior Chris Olmanson. Along with Chris’s twin brother and a lifelong friend, these three passionate guys are donating one WOOF notebook for each notebook purchased on their site.
In addition to donating a 1-subject notebook for every WOOF Notebook sold, we are committed to planting two trees for every one tree cut down to make our notebooks (through a partnership with a nonprofit called Plant-It 2020). By are partnering with a charity called Kids In Need Foundation, WOOF can ensure that the notebooks get to the students who really need them the most.
Her Campus BC had the incredible opportunity to get to talk to Chris and find out more about WOOF Supplies and what inspired him to start this non-profit!
Woof Supplies Founders from left: Alex Olmanson, Chris Olmanson, and Jack Angell
1. What inspired you to start WOOF?
My twin brother is actually responsible for the idea behind WOOF, but I was inspired to help turn the idea into reality after going abroad to El Salvador, where I met poverty first-hand and saw the importance of education. While there I got to know some incredible people who challenged me to let my experience in El Salvador shape me in some way once I got back to the U.S. In the back of my mind while abroad, I kept thinking about my brother’s business idea and became more and more passionate about actually making it a reality because I saw it as a tangible way to empower people and do something out of my experience. When I came back to the U.S. I told my brother that I wanted to actually pursue his idea with him and he was really excited to take on this project with me. So since then, we have been laying the foundation for what we are doing now. Also, we have brought aboard one of our long-time friends to help start the company with us.
2. What impact do you think WOOF can have on students in need in the US?
By giving students notebooks, we are giving them an essential tool to succeed and stay in school. Studies have shown that without the necessary school supplies, students show lowered participation, concentration, and behavior. Although there are many more issues surrounding why a child may not do well in school other than not having school supplies, it is definitely a barrier that plays a factor; through WOOF we intend on eliminating that avoidable barrier.
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3. Why the US? Do you think students in need in our own country are neglected compared to other countries?
It is a conscious decision to provide for kids in the United States for a couple reasons.
- Often times when the United States donates product to developing countries, the local economies of these countries are destroyed because small businesses selling notebooks in developing countries can not compete with the US providing free notebooks, resulting in bankruptcy.
- Just because there are needs elsewhere in the world does not mean that there are not serious needs that must be addressed here in the U.S. Towards the end of my time in El Salvador, I asked Hector (an El Salvadoran man who I learned so much from and respect a ton) how I could continue my relationship with the El Salvadoran community and how I could help them from home in some way. He told me that although there is so much need in El Salvador, there is tremendous need where I am from and I need to find a way to accompany the poor in the States. That is one way how I am intending on doing this.
4. How can students at BC get involved?
BC students can purchase notebooks online at www.woofsupplies.com. They can even be delivered to your dorm. If you already have your supplies for this semester, remember us for next semester! You can also like Woof Supplies on Facebook.
5. What was the biggest lesson you learned in the process of starting your own for-profit? Do you have any words of advice for other students with a passion they want to turn into a project?
My advice would be to not let fear of failure stand in your way and to just go for it. I have no idea if this company will ultimately turn out to be a success or a failure, but it’s a fun ride to see where it goes. We had the idea and we have the time right now when we’re still in college, so why not?
As of September 3rd, 300 WOOF Notebooks have been sold, which means that we will be donating 300 1-subject notebooks to the Kids In Need Foundation, and planting 8 trees through Plant-It 2020. By purchasing a WOOF Notebook you are not only preparing yourself, but also a student in need, of a successful school year. To find out more information about this incredible for-profit, check out their website at www.woofsupplies.com
Photo Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/photo…