While hiking the Appalachian Trail this past summer, Connor Moynihan, 21, came up with a business idea all about lifting people up. Inspired by companies like Toms and Love Your Melon, the Central Michigan University senior wanted to build a company to provide both premium hammocks and comfort to those in need.
Armed with a business idea and a passion for giving Moynihan reached out to two fellow CMU students, Georgiana Klem and Christian Cullinan, to make his idea a reality. The High Hopes Hammock Company was founded Sept. 25, 2015 at Kaya Coffee House. A popular hang out for many CMU students, the trio had its first official meeting there.
“It was such a swift process,” said Cullinan. “We got together that first time and talked for six hours about our passion for the outdoors and giving back. Then boom we had a company.”
“We’ve made so much progress since then,” Moynihan says. Since its start five months ago the company has raised about $6,100 on Kickstarter, a funding platform for creative startups. It also launched an ambassador program with more than 30 ambassadors from all over the world and sold over 250 hammocks.
High Hopes Hammock is unique because it’s not just a startup, it’s a social startup. With each hammock sold the company gives one to someone experiencing homelessness. High Hopes creates an opportunity for consumers to give back. With each cocoon hammock purchased consumers have the opportunity to write an inspirational note to be included with the donated hammock.
Moynihan, Klem and Cullinan have big aspirations for their social business. High Hopes Hammock is a company born out of a deep desire to serve others and that’s exactly what the founders would like to continue as they grow their company.
The three will take their startup and compete in the Central Michigan New Venture Competition, a “Shark Tank” style competition among CMU students, in April. They are hoping to win the $30,000 grand prize so they can expand their business and create their own non-profit organization.
Klem says, “It was never about hammocks. It was always about lifting people up.”
For more information on the company, visit their website.
