Rich ‘Raz’ Razgaitis co-founded FloWater in 2013 with a singular mission to put an end to single-use plastic water bottles. He started his career in Fortune 500 companies, including Johnson & Johnson and Eli Lilly. Since 2002, he has been the CEO or president of several venture-capital-backed startups and privately held turnaround and growth.
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Guest Resources
FloWater Website – Get a quote about The Complete Transformation of Tap Water.
Raz’s Instagram – Connect with Raz on Instagram!
3 Value Bombs
1) Focusing on your purpose, not just your passion.
2) The key is to address the problem at its source by reducing plastic contamination in the environment and your bodies.
3) Small actions matter in both your business and personal lives. Success or failure often results from a series of decisions, not just one big move.
Sponsors
HubSpot: With HubSpot’s customer platform you can spend less time switching between systems, and more time on growing your business. Visit HubSpot.com to learn how HubSpot’s customer platform can help you grow your business!
Thought-Leader: Ever thought about giving a TEDx talk? Visit Thought-Leader.com/fire to join a free training and learn how to land a TEDx Talk and spread your message to millions!
BuckedUp: Right now you can save 75% on BuckedUp’s Kickstart Kit! Get a t-shirt, shaker bottle, and 5 stick packs all for just $9.99! Claim this offer today by texting “FireKit” to 312345, or go to GetKickstartKit.com/fire!
Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: Transforming America’s Tap Water with Rich “Raz” Razgaitis
[1:58]- Raz shares something he believes about becoming successful that most people disagree with.
- Raz believes in focusing on your purpose, not just your passion. If they align, that is wonderful, but prioritize discovering and fulfilling your purpose over solely chasing your passions.
[2:59] – Raz talks about the Systemic Issues in Tap Water. Can you trust tap water in the United States?
- Many people either trust or are accustomed to trusting tap water, but the data shows that about 75% of Americans either dislike the taste or do not trust it.
- The main issue is that tap water can no longer be trusted due to contaminants like glyphosate, heavy metals, lead, chromium-6, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and herbicides. Unfortunately, many of these substances exceed safety guidelines.
- Therefore, you cannot rely solely on government entities to provide safe water; individuals must take responsibility for their drinking water.
[4:45] – Can systems like Aqua Sauna and under-the-sink filters attached to your tap, which go through filtration, remineralization, and reverse osmosis, be trusted?
- Starting with a single-stage carbon filter, like many Brita filters, is better than having no filtration
- Since water is vital for health and a significant part of our bodies, aiming for a higher-quality filtration is crucial.
- Ideally, you want your water at a 9 or 10. Reverse osmosis water is the gold standard, removing up to 99.99% of contaminants, but pure RO water lacks the minerals necessary for taste and better absorption in the body.
- Look for systems with an RO system for thorough purification and incorporate remineralization to add essential minerals to the water. This ensures both purity and a more enjoyable, healthful drinking experience.
[7:13] – How can we shift from an ineffective recycling system to a more successful approach, often called “uncycling”?
- Recycling efforts, despite decades of promotion, only see about 20-25% of Americans actively participating, with even less making it through the entire recycling process.
- A more effective solution is “uncycling,” which focuses on preventing the creation of contaminants like single-use plastic water bottles.
- The microplastic problem is significant, as evidenced by its presence in bottled and tap water.
- Studies show that, on average, every liter of water in the US contains over 300 microplastic particles.
- This pervasive issue extends beyond environmental concerns; it affects human health, infiltrating internal systems and even reaching newborn babies through umbilical tissue.
- The key is to address the problem at its source by reducing plastic contamination in the environment and your bodies.
[12:04] – A timeout to thank our sponsors!
- HubSpot: With HubSpot’s customer platform you can spend less time switching between systems, and more time on growing your business. Visit HubSpot.com to learn how HubSpot’s customer platform can help you grow your business!
- Thought-Leader: Ever thought about giving a TEDx talk? Visit Thought-Leader.com/fire to join a free training and learn how to land a TEDx Talk and spread your message to millions!
- BuckedUp: Right now you can save 75% on BuckedUp’s Kickstart Kit! Get a t-shirt, shaker bottle, and 5 stick packs all for just $9.99! Claim this offer today by texting “FireKit” to 312345, or go to GetKickstartKit.com/fire!
[15:34] – Raz discusses Flow Water’s interesting announcement in 2022 regarding blue water.
- In March 2022, Flow Water merged with Blue Water, a strategic investor since leading Flow Water’s Series B financing in 2018.
- Blue Water, an investment arm with a strong ESG focus, was founded by a successful entrepreneur passionate about water.
- Both companies began in 2013, unaware of each other until around 2016-2017.
- The merger, finalized in April 2022, contributed to Flow Water’s best-performing year, achieving profitability.
- The partnership is characterized by goal alignment, with FloWater emphasizing commercialization, brand building, and market development, while Blue Water, based in Stockholm, focuses on commercialization, R&D, and product development.
- The collaboration has proven to be a highly successful and complementary venture.
[17:43] – Raz discusses the mission of challenging primary bottled water and beverage corporations to stop the proliferation of plastic-filled, sugary, carbonated, and caffeinated drinks and reduce the environmental impact.
- Every promising entrepreneurial startup needs a kind of villain, similar to how every good movie has one. Their “villain” is what he compares to the Big Tobacco of the 60s and 70s, a big beverage and bottled water today.
- They contribute to environmental contamination with billions of single-use plastic bottles, harming the planet and our bodies. Additionally, big beverage companies target children, addicting them to sugary, caffeinated drinks from a young age.
- His role is driven by a mission to encourage people, especially kids, to fall in love with tap water. This improves their overall well-being and addresses issues like ADHD, where proper hydration can make a significant difference.
- You need to resist and counteract the subtle and overt marketing tactics and prioritize what is genuinely suitable for you and your children for a healthier future.
[20:46] – Raz gives takeaway.
- Small actions matter in both your business and personal lives. Success or failure often results from a series of decisions, not just one big move. The same goes for environmental efforts—every little change counts. You do not have to make drastic sacrifices; even reusing a bottle or expressing your preferences as a consumer makes a difference. The market responds to consumers’ wants, so standing up for what is right, healthy, and good for the environment is essential. Your choices shape the world you leave for our children.
[23:03] – Raz gives his call to action.
- FloWater Website – Get a quote about The Complete Transformation of Tap Water.
- Raz’s Instagram – Connect with Raz on Instagram!
[23:40] – Thank you to our Sponsors!
- HubSpot: With HubSpot’s customer platform you can spend less time switching between systems, and more time on growing your business. Visit HubSpot.com to learn how HubSpot’s customer platform can help you grow your business!
- Thought-Leader: Ever thought about giving a TEDx talk? Visit Thought-Leader.com/fire to join a free training and learn how to land a TEDx Talk and spread your message to millions!
Killer Resources!
1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!
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