MADE Magazine Global Impact Issue | Page 43

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. made-magazine.com | 43