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When first-graders are talking about conservation, it's clear that the green movement is spreading like a landfill.
Alex Eaves is counting on it. While the idea of putting on a used T-shirt may give some people the willies, this Norwell entrepreneur has turned it into a business.
Eaves launched Stay Vocal five years ago to sell skateboarding equipment, but it became apparent that the real growth was in green.
Eaves didn't just hop onto the green bandwagon; he's driving it with a store full of recycled T-shirts, jean jackets, aprons and other accessories, mostly one-of-a-kind. There is even a skirt made from a pillow case. Alongside of recycled items, Eaves offers reusables such as travel mugs and shopping bags.
"There's so much stuff out there," Eaves said. "If you keep buying new, our natural resources are going to be diminished."
He finds many of his products in thrift stores. He cleans them up and transforms them.
It's not just a business for Eaves; it's a way of life. He chooses used as much as possible, even for footwear. He buys his shoes on eBay -- Converse Chuck Tailors, the original ones, not the remakes. He tends toward newer cars, however, because they are better for the environment.
His concept is catching on. Stay Vocal recently won an Internet popularity contest on ideablob.com, a business networking site run by Advanta Bank Corp. The contest is sort of an American Idol for entrepreneurs. Contestants post their ideas and visitors vote for the ones they like best.
The site also lets people comment on ideas and offer advice. Suggestions for Eaves ranged from teaming with a local college to targeting concerned moms.
Eaves said a big benefit for him was the exposure and hearing from other entrepreneurs. The prize money is a pretty big benefit, too. The monthly winner gets $10,000. As an Advanta customer, Eaves won an additional $10,000.
Eaves is planning to use his prize money to revamp his Web site while he moves his products into more stores. He's also working to get more groups, such as bands, to go green.
Eaves finds T-shirts at thrift stores, washes them, treats them and prints them with a new logos. Despite the extra work, they are still cheaper to produce than new T-shirts, he said. Besides, they'll appeal to a whole generation that is learning about being "earth smart."
"The concept of reuse has been around for a long time, but for so long people didn't really take advantage of it, people wanted disposable," Eaves said. "I want a company with a conscience. I want to change the way people do business and the way they buy things."
jpowell@excellentwriters.com
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