“Create a company that sustainably brings economic, social, and environmental wealth to the world.”
This is the goal set by 17-year-old Eddy Connors for his future.
Former Deming Spotlight feature and recent the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) graduate, Eddy Connors, has a track record of creating companies that achieve economic, social, and environmental wealth! His first venture, a sustainable lifestyle clothing brand called BerBeda, produced men’s athletic shorts using recycled ocean plastic. This fulfilled his dream of designing highly versatile athletic wear while inherently combatting plastic pollution. Eddy has since put Berbeda operations on hold, partly due to COVID-19-related supply chain issues, and partly to pursue a new venture: Goodie Bag Food Co.
About Eddy Connors
“I was always geared toward experiential learning. Even in my freshman year, I was eager to graduate and start my entrepreneurial journey.”
That’s what inspired Eddy to attend CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, where he thrived in various experiential classes and programs. Thanks to his hard work, determination, and entrepreneurial mind, Eddy graduated in just two and a half years with his Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis on Strategy and Entrepreneurship and a Certificate in Social Responsibility and Ethics in 2021! But no entrepreneur ever really stops learning…
Creating Goodie Bag Food Co.
In the summer of 2022, Eddy had an opportunity to attend the Silicon Flatirons Startup Summer Program, a ten-week intensive course that teaches the basics of building a business! When registering, Eddy invited his roommate and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brother, Luke Siegert. Eddy and Luke connected during their freshman year at CU Boulder and have remained close friends and roommates over the years. The pair enrolled and unexpectedly ran into Ethan Mills, Luke’s high school friend, on the first day of the program. Once introductions were made, Eddy, Luke, and Ethan bonded over their shared goal to eliminate food waste. Eddy comments,
“Food waste is a nightmare that shouldn’t exist. Across the entire supply chain, there are blatant inefficiencies. As a former college student, I could also relate to the struggle of trying to find quality AND affordable food.”
After researching the tremendous impacts of food waste, Eddy, Luke, and Ethan decided to join forces and develop Goodie Bag Food Co., a surplus food marketplace that connects customers with local restaurants and stores. By the end of the summer, the trio placed first in the final pitch competition, a well-deserved reward for a summer of hard work! Luke reflects,
“Having no background in business, I learned something new and different every week. It was nice seeing how open the program was to people of all backgrounds.”
With Goodie Bag Food Co. customers can purchase unsold food at a discount on the Goodie Bag Food Co. app while helping to reduce business food waste.
Upcoming Projects & Events
This past Tuesday, the Goodie Bag Food Co. team partnered with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Feed the Stampede to provide students with catered food while promoting their upcoming app launch. Later that night, the trio also participated in the Founder’s Live Pitch Competition and placed first!
To generate funding and further develop their app interface, the co-founders of Goodie Bag Food Co. plan to compete in more pitch competitions in preparation for their official launch.
Advice
Goodie Bag Food Co. owes its success to the continued work and support of its team. In everything they do, co-founders Eddy, Luke, and Ethan work together and provide the following advice for current students and aspiring entrepreneurs,
“Integrate yourself into the entrepreneurial community within CU and beyond. Someone once told me that your network is your only shortcut, and there is no better position to network than being an ambitious student of a large University.” - Eddy Connors, CEO
“Utilize all the resources that CU has to offer! Looking back, there were all sorts of meet-ups, events, and competitions that could have opened up new opportunities and networks for me. I wish I had taken better advantage of that. So ultimately: try new things, put yourself in different situations, and get uncomfortable.” - Luke Siegert, CPO
“There are endless opportunities in the student world. Whether you have an idea, interest, passion, or goal, using the resources around you to make something happen can be one of the best decisions you can make. Don't be scared of failure. Failure is rewarding, it gives you lessons, growth, and opportunity you can't get from anything else.” -Ethan Mills, CMO
Goodie Bag Food Co.’s app will officially launch in Boulder, Colorado at the end of 2022. Users can expect to see offers from local restaurants including Barchetta, Vitality Bowls, and Boulder Fresh Garden. Until then, consider joining Goodie Bag’s waitlist and be the first to know when the app officially launches!
All future Goodie Bag Food Co. updates can be found on their website and social media channels such as LinkedIn and Instagram.
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