Jacob Allain is a freshman from Howell, Michigan, planning on pursuing a BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration) at the Ross School of Business while possibly double minoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and Entrepreneurship. I sat down with Jacob, and I was given a sneak peek into the inner workings of Jacob’s start-up business and his ambitious future plans.
HC: Can you briefly describe your business?
JA: The SOWA Water Bottle is the only reusable water bottle that functions as a solar rechargeable power pack for adventurers and world-savers, utilizing printed, organic solar cells.
HC: What inspired you to start this business?
JA: I have always been compelled to do my own thing–a so-called individual since a young age. My brother was a drug addict, and a lot of parental attention went towards him for many years of my life. However, this necessary attention focused on him only helped me strive for independence. I have gained a lot of self-confidence and courage, and I have always been a risk taker. This summer I conquered sky diving, I had previously ran my own window washing business, and it was time to take a step towards real life, so why not do it in college? I stumbled across the idea while lying in bed, attempting to charge my phone with my water bottle annoyingly in the way. From there, I came up with the idea of utilizing solar cells, searching for the most insane technology I could find, and I just went for it.
HC: Do you feel like there could be room for improvement in your business?
JA: Given my little experience working with hardware technologies like these, there is always room for improvement. I think it’s all just a learning process, and if you want to do something that badly, you’ll make sure it gets done. That’s exactly how I feel about this project. Rapid prototyping, failing quickly, to quickly succeeding, is usually how it goes. That’s the beauty of an imperfect business. You constantly learn from your mistakes, you learn what to do, and you learn what not to do. It keeps life interesting and risky.
HC: What is your plan after graduation? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
JA: My plan after graduation depends on how I navigate college. I could have a successful startup, I could work for a large company, but whatever it is, I’m going to make sure I love what I’m doing. Building things, managing, delegating, and truly running a business is what I hope to be doing. I do dream of moving to Silicon Valley for work someday, but I don’t have my heart set on a single place in ten years. I have already traveled around the world quite a bit, and I plan to continue that journey. My goal is to make a positive impact on people’s lives, and that’s why I am so compelled to start a business. I want to provide people with products they love.
HC: What other activities are you currently involved in?
JA: On campus, I’m a member of the Fall 2015 TechArb Student Startup Accelerator, competing in OptiMize Social Innovation Challenge, a Creator at SHIFT Creator Space, and doing many other non-school related things. I am playing a large role in drafting my own patents, practicing 3D modeling, learning about solar cells and circuit boards, and just trying to explore everything.