NORTH CANTON – Joe Knopp never felt he was creating a ripple effect.
So the former Walsh University baseball player headed to Florida with a backpack full of books and an open mind about his future. While on the beach, he found Blake Mycoskie’s “Start Something that Matters,” a book he couldn’t put down.
“The purpose of it is you’ll be passionate and want to work toward something that really matters in the world,” Knopp said.
The hope is that many people in Africa benefit from Knopp’s passion.
The 20-year-old Knopp spent his entire college savings to manufacture his first product line — Ripple water bottles. For every 2,000 sold, he hopes to build a water well in a developing nation. The first town he chose is Khobwe, a village in Malawi.
“I did some research and found out that for $8,000 to $10,000, we can drill a well in a developing nation for a small community,” said Knopp, an East Canton High School graduate. “My business mind was like, ‘Alright, let’s raise the funds. We came up with water bottles with the name Ripple. The idea is that our efforts here will have the ripple effect to help those on the other side of the world.”
Boxes of Ripple bottles fill the small dorm room Knopp shares with Walsh baseball player Chip Gottschalk. Over 250 bottles were ordered through the first three weeks. They can be ordered online at wearetheripple.com.
“We haven’t done any paid advertising yet, but we’re going to start that soon to reach a larger audience,” Knopp said. “We’re hoping for August to have all 2,000 sold, but by the end of 2021 at the latest.”
Gottschalk co-founded Ripple with Knopp. The 20-year-old Whitehouse, Ohio, native met Knopp through baseball at Walsh and became roommates with him this year.
Knopp’s passion does not surprise Gottschalk.
“Joe is a really energetic guy,” Gottschalk said. “He really goes after the things he wants. I could see right away this is something he was going to pursue and really go for.
“It struck a chord with me because I’ve always been involved with humanitarian projects at home. I’m a church-going person. I actually took a trip to the Dominican Republic and had some experience working with the underprivileged.
“What he’s working for is really amazing, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Spending his entire savings on the merchandise created sleepless nights for Knopp. He remembers having to wire an initial deposit of $4,900 to a manufacturer’s representative he never met in person. He still felt it was worth the risk.
“I had to put my faith into them making my water bottles, and we’re going to do something special,” Knopp said. “It was blind trust.”
Knopp said Khobwe was chosen because a water well there will impact the largest number of people from villages Water Wells for Africa is partnered with. It is expected to help around 1,000 people.
When it’s time to build the well, Knopp and Gottschalk hope to be there to lend a hand.
“We want to be a part of the community and see them put the well in,” Gottschalk said. “With COVID, hopefully we’ll be able to travel together there as soon as possible.”
Knopp said there is a group of “angel investors” interested in Ripple, but he wants to build a stronger foundation before any come aboard. The only other person involved is University of Toledo sophomore Kylie Sahloff, who handles marketing and social media.
The ultimate goal for Knopp is to build a multi-national, multi-million dollar business headquartered in Stark County. He hopes it attracts individuals who are talented and creative.
After originally coming to Walsh to play baseball, little did Knopp know his life would suddenly change direction.
“I came here for baseball,” Knopp said, “but I’m going to leave an entrepreneur.”
Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com
On Twitter: @mpopovichREP