Founder Friday Series: Fresh Solutions to Outdoor Essentials
Bringing Fresh Perspectives to Outdoor Essentials
This week’s Founder Friday introduces two innovators bringing fresh solutions to outdoor essentials. WildBatch, founded by chemist Lacramioara Schulte, reinvents backcountry cleaning with a biodegradable powder soap that’s leak-proof and eco-friendly. Meanwhile, Dave Brissette of On Trail Bars channels his passion for wholesome, delicious snacks into energy-packed bars designed to fuel adventures both big and small.
Lacramioara Schulte, WildBatch
Anyone who’s backpacked or camped with liquid soap knows that soap is notorious for leaking. The bottle tips, the cap pops off, the bag tears, something always happens. Lacramioara Schulte knew this was a problem, especially way out in the backcountry, so she used her training as a chemist to create a biodegradable cleaning powder that stays dry in your pack but becomes an all-purpose cleaner when mixed with water. Put a teaspoon in your hand, pour in a little H2O and you have a grime-eating but residue-free soap that will clean your hands, hair, gear, and dishes.
Unsatisfied with the plastic bottles that house most backcountry soaps, Schulte also decided to package her power in a beautiful bamboo capsule. The backcountry soap industry “was ready for a reinvention,” she says. “We just showed up with the formula.” The fragrance-free scent she makes is great for dishes or anyone who has sensitive skin, while the Liquid Wood scent matches the smell of your campfire jacket. Schulte jokes that her Cashmere Quiet scent is the softest scent and made for when “you’re going back into civilization and need people to like you again.” In five years Schulte says she hopes her audience has continued to grow and that everyone from thru-hikers to hunters to day-trippers at local parks see the value of always having WildBatch on hand.
Dave Brissette, On Trail Bars
Like many of us, Dave Brissette had a favorite bakery order: the cherry bar from a gluten free bakery in Northwest Arkansas. Unfortunately that bakery closed so Brissette decided he would carry the torch forward and develop his own version. Once he nailed the recipe he realized he was onto something and decided to expand his repertoire to include a variety of bars that not only were delicious but could provide useful fuel for anyone adventuring in the backcountry. Today he and his wife run On Trail Bars and offer a variety of flavors including Cherry and Almond Butter, Peanut Butter and Chocolate, and Blueberry and Cashew Butter.
All the bars are made from whole and simple ingredients and taste good whether you’re sitting at a computer in town or 15 miles down a trail with a 50-pound pack. “Every ingredient in our bars has earned its spot, from the ancient grains and fruits, to seeds and nut butters. We don’t compromise when sourcing what goes in them,” Brissette says. The plan from here is to secure nationwide distribution in carefully selected retailers and to continue the company’s commitment to innovative product development. He’s excited to have the brand at Outdoor Retailer to help spread the word, but also to make connections with other small brands he can learn from. “I’m excited to soak-up as much as I can because there is still so much I don’t know,” he says.
Why These Founders Matter
Founders like these demonstrate what happens when founders listen to the needs of the outdoor community and respond with thoughtful, human-centered design. For retailers, these brands represent the kind of innovation your customers crave: practical solutions that enhance functionality, ease of use, and quality of life outdoors.
Ready to stock products that make a difference? Discover more innovative brands like these at Outdoor Retailer, where the next generation of outdoor solutions comes to life.