Wrap it up with CANVAWRAP

by Kia

staff

CANVAWRAP is a new small business started through the Startup Club, a branch of the Econ Team. They sell handmade eco-friendly products, such as wrapping paper, that are made out of burlap, and make all-natural accessories made from dried fruit.

use and do their part in improving the issue of climate change. Later, freshman Lennox Tan joined. “We want to spread awareness and reduce the amount of plastic waste in our environment by promoting biodegradable and eco-friendly gifting and decorating options,” said Wang.

Ensuring that their products coincide with their purposes was difficult to balance. “Our goal was to try to reduce plastic waste so our products are actually eco-friendly to help with the issue of climate change,” said Sorelle Tan.

When deciding what product to sell, they had a few factors to consider. “How much would people want the product and how much would it cost to make it and that’s how we got it,” explained Lennox Tan.

Despite being recently founded, they have had a successful start. In early December they participated in a competition called Junior Achievement Pitchfest. This pitchfest competition was specifically made for new companies to help jumpstart their business. “We got first place and received $600 in total as seed funding,” said Wang.

The business has partnered with different companies since they’ve started. “We have established partnerships with Dunn Brothers, Spyhouse and Up Roasters to acquire their used burlap bags in which we use to make our products,” said Wang. “We also were able to sell our products to a store called Hummingbird Floral & Gifts.” The products CANVAWRAP is selling are burlap gift wrapping kits, flower wraps and succulents wrapped in burlap.

Their future plans are to partner with other gift and flower stores, such as local Minnesota stores Corazon and La Vie est Belle, to both promote their business and to spread their statement of being eco-friendly. While certainly Wang and Tan have had success with their business, they acknowledge there is more to be done. From introducing new flower wraps and gift tags, to working with local community members, their message of environmental healthiness will continue to be spread.

While they take pride in their eco-friendly products, they have some drawbacks. The costs of ecofriendly products can be higher than its plastic counterpart, and oftentimes don’t last as long. An example of this is the shedding that the burlap products have which creates an unwanted mess. Due to this, the team applies biodegradable modge podge on the burlap products to ensure its durability.