Shopify Masters The Simple Formula Behind an 8-Figure Sustainable Brand
Mar 10, 2026
Lauren Gropper, founder of Repurpose and maker of compostable tableware and bamboo goods, turned film-set frustration into a sustainable brand. She discusses launching with a standout cup, the product decision matrix balancing performance and price, omnichannel shelf strategy, packaging claims like compostable versus biodegradable, and avoiding R&D pitfalls while scaling impact.
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Film Set Frustration Sparked Repurpose
- Lauren spotted piles of disposable plastic on film sets and reframed it as a design problem from her sustainable design background.
- That realization led her to found Repurpose to create plant-based, compostable alternatives for disposables.
Concentrate Early Marketing In Key Markets
- Focus marketing spend on high-interest geographic markets instead of spreading thin nationwide early on.
- Lauren regrets peanut-buttering limited budgets and suggests going deep in coastal/metro pockets first.
Omnichannel Visibility Multiplies Sell Through
- An omnichannel presence creates a halo effect: online visibility increases in-store recognition and vice versa.
- Lauren credits simultaneous availability on e‑commerce, Amazon, Instacart and retail for improving sell-through.