Innovation is sprouting from every corner of the retail industry. Whether you’re focused on implementing more sustainable business strategies, reimagining customer loyalty programs, embracing innovative social media tactics or boosting supply chain efficiencies, there is a never-ending list of challenges to embrace and overcome.
Enter: the award winners from the 40 under 40 class of 2022.
This group of incredible executives are proving how retail can be reimagined with each of their unique experiences. It’s inspiring to see the work they’ve done so far to really make an impact on the retail industry. What do they all have in common, you ask? Each of them is incredibly passionate about the work they do. One award winner that is making a huge impact on the environment is Ryan Lupberger, CEO and Co-Founder of Cleancult. Ryan has helped create a simple, sustainable cleaning products brand that truly fits into every home. Combining paper-based packaging, patented biodegradable ingredients and carbon neutral shipping, he has created a beloved sustainable brand that helps reduce the amount of plastic in our oceans and landfills.
Read on to get more insights on Ryan’s experiences!
Retail TouchPoints (RTP): How do you explain your profession to people outside of the industry? What do you find most exciting and/or rewarding about this work?
Ryan Lupberger: Cleancult makes effective, natural cleaning products in milk cartons, versus plastic bottles, to reduce the waste in the plastic-ridden cleaning industry. Our mission is to redefine cleaning shelves worldwide. I love how we’re completely reimagining packaging and how for every carton we sell there is less plastic in the world.
RTP: What milestone or accomplishment have you made in your career that you are most proud of?
Lupberger: My proudest milestone has to be the development of our carton and packaging technology. Most people said putting soap in cartons just wasn’t possible. We were the first in the world to do it, now have over 16 patents, our owned machinery and a really robust supply chain that allows us to service the world’s largest retailers.
RTP: What is one notable achievement (personal or professional) that you’ve made over the past year?
Lupberger: Personally, we closed our Series B round with a group of great investors who I’m personally and professionally proud to partner with. This funding has allowed us to really scale and launch with some of the biggest retailers in the country.
RTP: What is a piece of media that has inspired you professionally?
Lupberger: I just finished Burn Rate by Andy Dunn and it was really impactful. He’s an impressive entrepreneur, but his imperfectness and true account of how leadership can be flawed and still succeed has been helpful in my own personal journey as a CEO.
RTP: Please share one fun or surprising fact about yourself:
Lupberger: Every year, I motorcycle across a state or country. This year, it’s Mongolia!
We’re rooting for Ryan and wish him the best as he continues to prove the naysayers wrong with Cleancult! (We also will be cheering him on during his next motorcycling adventure!) To continue reading about impressive stories like Ryan’s, check out the full list of executives in the 40 under 40 class of 2022.
