We were lucky to catch up with Justin Mahy recently and have shared our conversation below.
Justin , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I am from New Zealand and got the idea for KOPU when I first came to the states. In New Zealand, when you go out to dinner you’re served New Zealand bottled water. In Europe, when you go out to dinner you’re served European bottled water. In America, you go out to dinner and you’re served European bottled water. I was like “Wait a minute?! This is weird”. America this vast, resource-rich country with sprawling mountains and amazing springs. It made no sense that bottled water was being imported from half-way around the world in heavy glass bottles.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am the Founder and CEO of KOPU Water, a modern, American luxury bottled water brand and sustainability solution for dining and hospitality. KOPU has an award-winning taste and is packaged in sleek aluminum bottles that look beautiful on the tables of restaurants, hotels and resorts and communicate leadership to diners and guests in this era of luxury which commits to authentic environmental consciousness.
KOPU is making an authentic and substantial impact on eliminating the real world problem of food & beverage packaging landfill waste. The KOPU Aluminum Stewardship program picks up all empty KOPU bottles and aluminum cans from participating clients and we provide back-of-house recycling containers. On the next delivery, our driver collects the empty aluminum and brings it to a local metal scrap yard.
KOPU is the official luxury water brand of Forbes Travel Guide and is a sustainable luxury alternative to imported European brands primarily packaged in glass and plastic.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My wife, Mindy Mahy is my co-founder. Mindy and I met in New York City, we moved to California, got married, and together launched KOPU, building a brand founded on love and respect for the planet and each other.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The biggest pivot I have had to make is when I became a parent. In life you pivot when you have children. Prior to having children you have all this spare time and then you need to prioritize and find ways to be more efficient.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kopuwater.com/
- Instagram: @kopuwater
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-kopu-water-company/
Image Credits
The Miami Guide, Fruit of Dreams Photo, and Gold vs. Black