Traid University - Misha Medvedev & Peter Frelinghuysen // Williams ‘22
Feb
18
February 18, 2021

Traid University - Misha Medvedev & Peter Frelinghuysen // Williams ‘22

Long Island, NY

hats and cups

Earth Caps Website | Instagram

Earth Cups Website | Instagram

 

Tell us about yourself.

I come from a Russian background - I grew up in Queens New York  - I moved to Long Island when I was 12 - I played tennis since I was 3 at a competitive level - I committed to play on the men’s tennis team at Williams College - I am majoring in Economics and Environmental Science - One day I ordered a couple sample hats and the rest was history. 

Woman looking at mountain range

How did you get started with your business?

My co-founder and I always knew we wanted to start something together. We had long hair, always wore hats, and loved the environment. So it clicked - we started an eco-friendly hat brand that gives back to amazing organizations. My two projects share the same mission: to reduce global plastic waste. Earth Caps reduces plastic waste through our unique fabric and Earth Cups are a replacement for toxic, plastic, non recyclable red party cups.

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Who is your targeted audience?

Everyone with a head.

How do you get customers?

Social media, word of mouth, and a lot of stickers. 

What do you do with your profits?

Donate and put every penny back into the company.

Who are your competitors?

Keep your enemies close.

How do you balance this work with all of your other commitments?

I don’t tend to think about this, I just sort of do it. I get so much joy from working on my projects that it never feels like work or something I am forced to do. It’s fun. It’s fun to see what I have built so far. It’s fun to keep working and watch the brand grow. 

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How has the pandemic affected your work?

The pandemic has given me a lot of free time to work on these projects.

What has been your biggest business-related accomplishment?

Created the first ever sustainable Earth Cap made out of recycled plastic bottles and organic cotton. Genuinely, one of the most comfortable hats I have ever worn. Like Cinderella's shoe, but on my head. 

 

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What has been your biggest business-related setback?

Not being able to sell more caps in person due to the pandemic. 

Who is your role model?

Elon

What is your ultimate business goal?

Sell until every person in the world has an Earth Cap on their head, an Earth Cup in their hand, and every river and ocean is plastic free.

How can your community support you?

Buy a cap and drink sustainably! :)

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What are some other businesses you support?

A note from Misha: “To succeed, work hard, never give up and above all cherish a magnificent obsession.” -Walt Disney.

be cool 😎

Drink Sustainably

be cool 😎

Drink Sustainably

The Cuban
Tangy and Delicious

A zesty cocktail named after one of our zesty investors, perfect for investor meetings.

  • 2 oz Tequila
  • 4 oz Ginger Beer
  • 1 Lime Wedge
The Cuban Earth Cups Cocktail
The Startup
Sweet and Crisp

The perfect pick-me-up after a long week of protecting the environment.

  • 2 oz Mango vodka
  • 2 oz Lemonade
  • 3 oz Cranberry
The Startup Earth Cups Cocktail
Aperol Spritz
Light and refreshing

Six of these classics and you’ll forget our planet is burning up.

  • 3 oz Aperol
  • 3 oz Prosecco 
  • 1 oz Club Soda
  • 1 Orange Slice for Garnish
Aperol Spritz Earth Cups Cocktail
Gin & (Not) Toxic
Fresh with Citrus Tones

One of these a day will keep the microplastics away.

  • 2 oz Gin
  • 4 oz Club Soda
  • 2 Lime Slices
  • 2 Mint Leaves
  • Sugar to Taste
Gin and Not Toxic Earth Cups Cocktail