In this insightful episode, we sit down with François Servon, founder of Green Gooding, an innovative appliance rental service in Brooklyn, NY. François shares his journey from humanitarian work in Africa to launching a circular economy startup in the US.
Highlights include:
How observing waste management differences between Africa and the US inspired Green Gooding's concept
The unique business model of partnering with local shops as pickup/dropoff points
Challenges and successes in building trust with early adopters
Insights on choosing the right appliances to rent, balancing cost, quality, and consumer demand
The importance of automation and technology in scaling the business
Strategies for changing consumer habits and promoting a "usage over ownership" mindset
Plans for expanding services, including a weekend delivery option
François discusses the potential for partnerships with manufacturers, the role of data in improving product reliability, and his vision for Green Gooding as a platform for occasional-use items. This conversation offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in building a sustainable, circular economy business.
