When Benjamin Stern appeared on ABC's "Shark Tank" at 16 years old and landed an investment deal with billionaire Mark Cuban, it was far from the pinnacle of Stern's entrepreneurial career. In fact, it was the only the beginning.
Stern's company, Palm Bay-based Nohbo Inc., significantly expanded in the past year after landing a $3.4 million investment round in March 2020. As a result, Nohbo opened a new factory for the production of its sustainably packaged self-care products, such as shampoo and conditioner. Plus, the company has more growth plans for next year, Stern said.
Stern is one of Orlando Inno's inaugural Inno Under 25 honorees, Central Florida residents who are 25 years old or young and making significant contributions to the region's innovation ecosystem. Here’s more:
Briefly explain what your business does: Nohbo encapsulates and pods beauty and personal care products in water-soluble films, eliminating the need for excess plastic waste in the environment.
What are your firm’s greatest accomplishments of the last 12 months? We got three issued patents, with multiple other patents filed. We vertically integrated our supply chain further, and opened a new factory in Palm Bay. We onboarded six new people.
What are your company's goals for 2022? Post-Covid expansion in hotels, running pilots for large groups and hopefully making prominent impact in plastic waste reduction
What's the greatest business lesson you learned in the past year? Growing a positive company culture is so vital to the strength and health of an organization. Live by it, and die by it!
What’s your go-to drink to power you through the work day? Iced tea, unsweetened
Benjamin Stern,
founder and CEO, Nohbo Inc.
- Age: 22
- Education: Viera High School in Melbourne
- Hobbies: Flying (he's a private pilot), backgammon, boxing and taking his dog Leo for a walk
- Contact: info@nohbo.com
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