
We’re always looking for new ways to stay hydrated. Our most recent find, S’well, gained fame and fortune from being able to keep water ice cold for up to 24 hours. We also love all the different ways you can infuse your water, from strawberries and oranges to coconut and lime. Well, there’s a new kid on the drink-more-water block. Meet Nava, a revolutionary water bottle that filters as you sip.
Designed and developed by the “hydration vessel” experts at KOR Water, Nava makes ordinary tap water taste crisp as you sip, making it even easier to stay hydrated. We love the green aspect the most. Not only does Nava save you money (no more buying $2 Fiji bottles), but it helps conserve natural resources as well (bye bye plastic bottles!).
First and foremost, the bottle looks good. It doesn’t have some crazy attachment that you run from your tap, it doesn’t seem terribly bulky, and it’s light enough to throw in your purse.
The cap open opens with a simple push-button click, meaning you can use it easily when driving or on the move. The cap is hinged right onto the bottle, so you don’t have to worry about losing it or dropping it on the dirty floor of your rental car. The base of the bottle is cushioned which means it won’t make a loud noise every time you put it down on your desk – a huge plus for folks with open floor plans.
Now, about that water filter. The filter itself is made from pure coconut shells. Say what? It’s true. Here’s a little more info on how the shells are used to filter:
After harvesting, the shells are converted to activated carbon using a proprietary process that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Coconut shells are widely recognized as the most effective material for carbon filtration. Unlike coal from underground, which takes millions of years to form and may contain heavy metals, coconut shells are a renewable and health-safe resource. Nava’s filter has been independently tested to exceed NSF 42 standards for chlorine taste and odor removal.
Each filter gets you about 40 gallons of crisp, clean water, or 220 refills. This is equivalent to approximately 300 disposable bottles! Serious savings. Nava also boasts a filter subscription service so that you can get filters delivered right to your door whenever you need a new one.
Now, how do you get your hands on one of these fancy water bottles? Kickstarter, of course! A $20 pledge will get you one bottle along with a filter – so affordable!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.