Future Heroes Gold Award 2019 is Sisu Kott!
Future Heroes Gold Award 2019 is Sisu Kott!
Change starts from small everyday things, whether it's changing what you eat, where you buy it from or how you package it. We're glad to dig in to this topic with Kertu Birgit Anton, who was the leader of last season's winning project SISU bag.
What influenced the project idea?
The project idea was influenced by my personal background and our previous interest in environmental issues. The concept of our enterprise - that has changed little since the beginning of the Superheroes program is deeply rooted in sustainability in terms of the environment and people, all the way from choosing the materials to how we send the final product to the customer.
Which skills did you develop?
Personally, I learned a lot about team work – to delegate tasks, to keep up motivation, to trust and also to tell when something should be changed. I learned that I can approach companies that seem scary at first and that the world is made of mostly human humans.
What did the program give you, except for a kickstart?
It gave me contacts of people with high profile in their respective fields and made them more approachable for me. It gave me friends with whom I can literally change the world and carry out influential projects. It gave me a network of people with similar levels of self-motivation and perseverance. In short, it introduced me to some wonderful people in the literal sense of the word.
What makes your product special?
It is made from and packed in up-cycled materials, the whole supply line of the SISU bag produces nearly no waste. Our product is made locally and by people with disabilities, so it contributes to our
society.
What is your most memorable moment from the program?
The most memorable moment from the program was the very first workshop when we all met for the first time and realized we had outstandingly similar ideas for what our projects should be which made deciding on the final idea very quick and smooth. We pretty much designed the final project and the supply chain in the first two hours that we worked on the project.
How would you summarize all the things you've done for the project?
As in any start-up in the beginning there is a lot to do with limited resources and experience. I had to learn a lot (how to issue invoices, for example), step out of my comfort zone (writing emails to prospective business partners was a lot more intimidating than it should have been), work intensely for weeks at a time (start-up culture, you know). Although our team took the competitive part of the program rather seriously, I strongly recommend spending time with others in the program and not work on your project every once in a while. Having fun with your team members does wonders to your teamwork and having fun with others outside your team gives you incredibly valuable acquaintances.
Last, but not least, where are you now with your project and what does the future hold?
Currently, we have a steadily growing social media account, a functioning online shop, a fixed and reliable supply chain, and an exciting project waiting to be carried out. We are redesigning our team and trying to find a balance between studying at school and developing a business. Right now it seems that we most definitely do not want to end our project in the coming year at least.
The project idea was influenced by my personal background and our previous interest in environmental issues. The concept of our enterprise - that has changed little since the beginning of the Superheroes program is deeply rooted in sustainability in terms of the environment and people, all the way from choosing the materials to how we send the final product to the customer.
Which skills did you develop?
Personally, I learned a lot about team work – to delegate tasks, to keep up motivation, to trust and also to tell when something should be changed. I learned that I can approach companies that seem scary at first and that the world is made of mostly human humans.
What did the program give you, except for a kickstart?
It gave me contacts of people with high profile in their respective fields and made them more approachable for me. It gave me friends with whom I can literally change the world and carry out influential projects. It gave me a network of people with similar levels of self-motivation and perseverance. In short, it introduced me to some wonderful people in the literal sense of the word.
What makes your product special?
It is made from and packed in up-cycled materials, the whole supply line of the SISU bag produces nearly no waste. Our product is made locally and by people with disabilities, so it contributes to our
society.
What is your most memorable moment from the program?
The most memorable moment from the program was the very first workshop when we all met for the first time and realized we had outstandingly similar ideas for what our projects should be which made deciding on the final idea very quick and smooth. We pretty much designed the final project and the supply chain in the first two hours that we worked on the project.
How would you summarize all the things you've done for the project?
As in any start-up in the beginning there is a lot to do with limited resources and experience. I had to learn a lot (how to issue invoices, for example), step out of my comfort zone (writing emails to prospective business partners was a lot more intimidating than it should have been), work intensely for weeks at a time (start-up culture, you know). Although our team took the competitive part of the program rather seriously, I strongly recommend spending time with others in the program and not work on your project every once in a while. Having fun with your team members does wonders to your teamwork and having fun with others outside your team gives you incredibly valuable acquaintances.
Last, but not least, where are you now with your project and what does the future hold?
Currently, we have a steadily growing social media account, a functioning online shop, a fixed and reliable supply chain, and an exciting project waiting to be carried out. We are redesigning our team and trying to find a balance between studying at school and developing a business. Right now it seems that we most definitely do not want to end our project in the coming year at least.
Join the sisterhood without borders and apply to our next program here: https://futureheroes.ee/