The Green 35 Under 35: Part 1

San Diego is on its way to becoming a leader in the clean technology economy, and many of these companies are being started by people under 35. Here are 35 “green and clean” eco- entrepreneurs identified by SDNN. Please let us know about others.

The 35 are broken into three parts; check out part 2 and part 3. Here are the first six companies and eight entrepreneurs in no particular order:

KW Designs, Founded: 2007

Kristianne Watts, 27

Kristianne Watts started KW Designs in 2007. The 27-year-old, with a B.A. Interior Design from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, “greens” the interior architecture of residential homes and provides interior design services for new construction and remodels.

Watts says that when she starts a project, her first question is “How green can we make this house?” She then works closely with the architect, contractor, and homeowner to provide a complete design through the construction stages considering factors like energy and water efficiency, building materials, and indoor air quality.

Watts, who once envisioned the green interior design industry “as something that would take off” is confident that she made the right decision in going green. Her clientele demographic primarily includes custom residential homeowners who see value in green building and design. Watts, who is a LEED Accredited Professional, is currently working on a project that involves the greening of a Platinum-rated home in Del Mar. Other projects include residencies in Fullerton, Encinitas, and La Jolla, as well as a rooftop lounge rendering on Prospect Street.

CaliBamboo, Founded: 2004

Jeff Goldberg, 33, and Tanner Haigwood, 32

Who knew that the business idea of two broke surfer pals would become a $7.2 million company? A yearlong surf trip around the world had left the young duo without a penny to spare, but they returned brimming with ideas on how they might better the world’s environment. Jeff Goldberg and Tanner Haigwood had a simple plan: To sell something they knew would not thrash the earth.

In 2004, the then-27-year-olds took out a $50,000 line of credit on their house, and launched Cali Bamboo in San Diego. The company provides both residential and commercial clientele from U.S., Canada, and Virgin Islands with building products, including flooring, fencing decking, and plywood made entirely from bamboo. Cali Bamboo even supplies local surfboard and skateboard makers with materials for making bamboo boards. Besides the fact that bamboo is one of the world’s most durable and sustainable building materials, peer pressure to go green also plays a role in compelling people to buy products composed of sustainable materials. Simply put, “it comes down to what makes sense to people” says Haigwood.

Cali Bamboo has made its millions by demonstrating that going green is a sustainable way of life rather than a short-lived lifestyle trend. Since it launched in 2004 as a two-man project, the company boasts 22 staff members and a staggering growth rate of 877.1 percent, earning them a spot on Inc. 500’s list of America’s Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies.

Nikster Eco-Bikini, Founded: 2007

Nikki Sayavanh, 32

Nikki Sayavanh, the founder of local Web retailer Nikster, showed San Diego “the sexier side of green” when she launched her collection of eco-friendly bikinis in 2007. Her environmentally sound bathing suits, which are composed of soy, organic cotton, bamboo and other sustainable fibers, make the concept of social responsibility anything but boring.

Nikster uses recycled materials whenever and wherever possible. Even the price tags. The company also opts to keep its operations local by producing the eco-friendly beachwear in San Diego.

Nikster donates 5 percent of gross sales to globally-responsible charities and organizations focused on protecting endangered sea turtles. Coastal beach clean-ups, tree plantings, and participation in local charitable events also play a part in Nikster’s philanthropic philosophy.

Nikster has tripled from two to six employees since 2007. The sustainable bikinis are sold locally as well as at the Nikster online retail store. In the near future, Sayavanh plans to move Nikster’s primary source of sales away from online retail and towards boutiques and wholesale.

Eco Caters, Founded: 2007

Nicholas Brune, 27, and Adam Hiner, 28

Eco Caters started as the brainchild of the two organic food munching friends Adam Hiner and Chef Nicholas Brune. The idea, according to Hiner and Brune, was based on their own passion for organic foods and the growing market demand for catering services that prepared organic foods.

Unlike traditional catering services, Eco Caters serves only organically grown foods and practices eco-friendly catering habits.

“Being organic and eco-friendly separates us from competition, and we saw that as something that would benefit our company” said Hiner.

Hiner and Brune estimate that the catering business will have earned $500,000 in gross sales by the end of 2009. Since Eco Caters has already booked many events next year, Hiner and Brune predict that sales will double once again, putting their 2010 year end gross sales at $1 million. The Eco Caters Company plans to launch the Grass Roots Grill, an organic fast food restaurant, in San Diego as early as spring 2010.

AMSOLAR, Founded: 2008

Joshua Weinstein Age: 29

Joshua Weinstein, managing partner at AMSOLAR Corporation, looked at Europe’s thriving green energy industry when he started his company a year ago. The San Diego native decided to bring solar solutions here after observing a five-year track record of success with solar energy in Europe.

Because solar energy represents less than 1 percent of all power in the U.S., Weinstein saw an incredible opportunity to increase that percentage. AMSOLAR is now a provider of solar solutions to educational institutions and select commercial enterprises. By purchasing solar-generated electricity from AMSOLAR, partners are able to reduce their energy bill by 10-15 percent, Weinstein says.

As an entrepreneur in the green industry, Weinstein feels “that this is a way to provide returns to investors as well as to the environment.” AMSOLAR hopes to contract north of $50 million in projects by 2010 and build $300 million in projects in the next three years. Weinstein believes these estimates are attainable.

“We’re in a business of making money in a sustainable sector, in a sustainable way,” he says.

Splaff, Founded: 2008

Joshua Cohen, 25

Joshua Cohen is the vice president of Splaff, an apparel and footwear design company that makes shoes, wallets, belts, bags and backpacks that are constructed from salvaged materials like recycled car tires, used bicycle inner tubes and natural hemp fabrics.

Cohen uses his youthful outlook on life to bring innovation to the table at Splaff. When Cohen found out years ago that the maker of his favorite belt was located in La Jolla, he was ecstatic. He sent his resume to the Splaff headquarters and patiently awaited their reply.

Splaff, which has been around for more than a decade, was in desperate need of a new perspective and younger opinion on their products. Soon after adding Cohen to the team, he began to implement his expertise on the demands of the younger demographic, tailoring products to fit the wants and needs of the youthful segment of the market.

Cohen is determined to increase awareness of Splaff products around the world. International clientele includes buyers from Japan, France, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand.

See Part 2 and part 3

Tags: 35, 35 under 35, amsolar, bikinis, businesses, calibamboo, catering, clean, eco caters, Entrepreneur, green, green tech, kristianne watts, kw designs, nikster, sandals, SDNN, shoes, solar panel, splaff, successful, sustainable, Technology, tires, Uncategorized, young

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 9:48 pm and is filed under Business, Environment . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.