Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauryn Menard

Lauryn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I started my career in fashion, captivated by the intersection of design, materiality, and culture. Over time, my focus shifted to the potential of sustainable materials, which became a guiding thread as I moved into footwear and furniture design. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most innovative companies, including Adobe, Nike, Redbull, Coalesse, and Vitra, where I honed my ability to create meaningful, forward-thinking designs. Each experience reinforced my belief that materials and processes could do more than just serve a purpose—they could shape a better, more responsible future.

About five years ago, I co-founded PROWL, a design agency dedicated to bridging the gap between mass manufacturing and a regenerative future. Guided by our ethos, “Begin with the End,” we championed designing products with their full lifecycle in mind—ensuring they could have a responsible and meaningful end. PROWL attracted an incredible roster of clients, including Herman Miller, Target, Steelcase, and Air Company, all of whom shared our vision for a future grounded in sustainability and innovation. While I’ve since shifted my focus, PROWL continues to thrive under the leadership of my brilliant co-founder, Baillie.

GOB, my current venture, was incubated through the PROWL ethos. The idea for compostable, mycelium-based earplugs emerged from my passion for material innovation and my conviction that everyday products could align with a regenerative future. It’s been an incredible journey taking GOB from concept to reality while staying true to the principles that shaped PROWL. Today, GOB reflects not only my personal mission but also the evolution of my career—a continuous exploration of how design, materials, and business can work together to create a better world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Starting GOB has been a total adrenaline rush, I’ve spent my career building teams and diving headfirst into the blank space of early design concepts, so operating in the unknown feels like my natural habitat. I thrive in ambiguity, which is good because launching a startup feels this way every day.

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Our mission to ditch single-use plastics in the wellness space (and ideally the world) is, let’s face it, no small task. Taking on something as big as companies like 3M is a huge mountain to climb, but I’m not afraid of a little altitude.

What keeps me going? The fact that I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Plus, I’m fueled by the sheer absurdity of the challenge.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I’ve been working with biomaterials since long before I even knew what they were called. As a kid, I spent 90% of my waking hours outside, building forts out of sticks, birch bark, and anything else the woods around my house provided. That connection to nature, and the creativity it sparked, has been the common thread in my life and career. I entered the design world caring deeply about sustainable methods and materials, probably because I grew up so immersed with natural surroundings.

That mindset carried through to my professional work, where I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of design and materials. Whether it was furniture, footwear, or fashion, I sought ways to push boundaries and find healthier, more regenerative approaches to making things. It’s why my agency, PROWL, was built around designing with healthy materials at the forefront and asking the tough questions about the entire lifecycle of a product from the very beginning. That ethos shaped everything we created and ultimately inspired GOB.

Now, with GOB, I’m continuing that mission—designing with nature instead of against it and rethinking everyday products like earplugs with the planet in mind. What sets me apart is that this isn’t just my work; it’s my DNA. I’ve always been driven by the belief that we can create things that are better for people and the planet. GOB is my proudest example of that yet, and I like to think it’s proof that the kid building forts in the woods was onto something all along.

What matters most to you? Why?

That the work I do and the things that I build do more good than harm. Period.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gob.earth/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gob.earth/