S’well Founder and CEO Sarah Kauss (Acct’97) to Be Leeds’ 2019 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

Sarah Kauss transformed the way many of us look at water bottles. A social-minded entrepreneur with an accounting background, Kauss built S’well, a sustainable water bottle company, on her own and from the ground up. Drawing from a desire to do business differently, she created a product that merged fashion with functionality—and has made a positive social and environmental impact in the process. And since founding S’well in 2010, it’s also become the fastest growing woman-owned company in the country.

This May, Sarah Kauss returns to the CU Boulder campus and her alma mater, as the keynote speaker for the Leeds School of Business 2019 undergraduate graduation ceremony. We spoke with Kauss about her experiences at Leeds, what inspired her to forge a career as an entrepreneur, and the lessons that she’s found value in along the way.

LSOB: Why did you decide to attend Leeds School of Business?

SK: I wanted more than a business degree. I wanted to be a part of a program that provided experiences that went beyond the classroom, that were in line with my moral compass and pushed me to new thinking around social responsibility. I knew deep down that Leeds would do this. Plus, I had been accepted to the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) at Boulder.

LSOB: Could you share an experience that was memorable at CU Boulder?

SK: Definitely. To this day, one of the Boulder events that created a lasting impact was receiving a Buff Cup when I arrived on campus. Boulder was fighting Styrofoam at the time, and encouraging students to go reusable. It encouraged a habit that definitely influenced my decision to found S’well.

LSOB: Can you tell us about a particular mentor and/or professor who influenced you while at Leeds?

SK: The professor that stands out the most from my classes at CU was Ray MacFee. He was a tough professor but really cared about his students. He wanted his students to not only learn the fundamentals of accounting but also applications for the real world. He treated each student with respect and expected us to be professionals in return.

LSOB: Where has life taken you since you graduated from Leeds?

SK: It has taken me from Denver to LA to NYC and around the world. I went from being a CPA to an international real estate developer before deciding to start my own business and creating the first fashion hydration accessory.

LSOB: What inspired you to start S’well and become an entrepreneur?

SK: I grew up with parents who were entrepreneurs. I saw firsthand how rewarding it could be. As I moved forward in my career, I also saw the opportunity to bring my personal vision to life—really doing something good and meaningful in the world. For me, S’well became that opportunity to help bring awareness to the plastic issues and the water crisis impacting the world.

LSOB: What is a typical day at S’well?

SK: My typical day includes a wide range of meetings and phone calls—from approving new designs and getting the latest from our sales team to meeting with prospective partners. I love when it also includes attending an industry conference or lunch with a fellow entrepreneur.

LSOB: What is one piece of business advice that has stuck with you throughout your career?

SK: In my first job at EY, my boss told me to choose my clients to gain the experience I most wanted. I’ve taken that advice to heart in every position I’ve held. Even when I didn’t like a job, I made sure to make the most of it and learn as much as I could that might help me in another role.