MADEINC
Sanitary products for women are
crazy expensive. That’s a fact.
Although South African women
have accepted them as a necessary
evil, Eckard Steyn decided to
disrupt that notion and turn the
feminine care industry on its head
with Smart Cups, an alternative
menstrual tool.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO LAUNCH
SMART CUPS?
77 million girls throughout Africa not having
access to education due to sanitary and
health reasons. Young women make up
two-thirds of the global illiterate population.
About 29 million live in sub-Saharan Africa
and they face a life in poverty. We know
educating girls means a world of more
educated women who tend to be healthier,
earn more income, have fewer children, and
provide better health care and education
to their own children, all of which can lift
households out of poverty. Water and
sanitation issues cost the African countries
more than the total economic aid these
countries receive. The need for medical
relief supplying communities and 3rd world
countries.
YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A
SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR. HAVE
YOU ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR
BUSINESS, EVEN AS A CHILD?
I’ve always aspired to have a better life and
had a mentality of going down with the ship,
Once I commit to something or drive my
passions towards what I want, even if I fail?
Well it’ll be something I’ll learn from, which
has been in past experience, but never given
up while wondering the reason why I didn’t
succeed.
ACCORDING TO MARIE CLAIRE,
MENSTRUAL PRODUCT WILL COST
THE AVERAGE SOUTH AFRICAN
WOMAN ABOUT R40 000 OVER THE
COURSE OF HER LIFE. HOW WILL
SMART CUPS REMEDY THIS?
SMARTCUP
ECKARD STEYN
The Smart Cup is equivalent to an approximate
1000 medieval Sanitary products over a 5
year term (R45 average cost for pack of pads
or tampons). Cost of the Smart cup R199.99
as opposed to cost of medieval sanitary
products R45 000 over the same 5 year term.
Also, contributes to cost savings on water and
sanitation issues / landfill.
The Smart Cup can be used overnight for up to
12 hours. No surprises – the cup can be utilized
a day or two before you expect your period -
Minimal Changes - 2-4 times a day (depending
on your menstrual flow). There are also no
chemicals in the cup. Unlike pads and tampons,
cups present no risk of absorbing toxins. It also
works for all activities and it doesn’t slip or leak.
Lastly, it’s completely hygienic. The sanitizer
solution that is utilized with the cup acts an
infection barrier.
WHAT’S THE END GOAL FOR SMART CUPS?
Our short term goal would be to reach 1 million
women within the next 5 years and continue
being able to do so thereafter.
HOW CAN WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
SMART CUPS AND YOUR OTHER
ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS?
Our website www.smartcups.co.za.
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