October 23, 2014 - Read the full Your Mark on the World article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/1w6qAJP. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. One of the highlights at this year’s SOCAP was the presentation of the Gratitude Awards from the Gratitude Network; DrinkWell won the award for Health. DrinkWell founder and CEO Mihaj Chowdhury explained why he established the company in Bangladesh, “In water, the more your value chain relies on out-of-country parties, the less likely your product will succeed. By creating a value chain that enables locals to make a margin each step of the way, you can ensure a cash-efficient, scalable business. Minhaj continued, “The best way to crack the problem of distribution in rural regions is to co-opt existing distribution channels. When locals see an immediate opportunity to radically improve their earning ability and standard of living by adopting your product, you can have a practical conversation about eradicating intractable issues such as the arsenic water crisis.” "Whenever possible, we need to treat customers at the Base of Pyramid the same way we treat customers in the West - by appealing to aspirations of beauty, happiness, and prosperity alongside long-term improved health outcomes. Only then will consumers be willing to part with their hard-earned dollars for something they can otherwise access for free," Minhaj concluded.
#136: Entrepreneur Seeks To Clean Water For 200 Million In India, Bangladesh