Draft:Mermaid Straw

Mermaid Straw is a mission based company that offers reusable alternatives to single-use plastic. This company was founded in 2018 by co-founders Lisa and Adam Harrington. They’ve spent these past few years building this company from the ground up. The initial goal of the company was to create stylish reusable straws, in order to encourage customers to ditch the single-use versions that have polluted our environment. The company experienced a rapid growth, and after outgrowing many office spaces, they’ve landed at the headquarters they are at now, in Valparaiso, Indiana. After dominating the straw world, they eventually grew into offering more products. Today, they offer reusable straws, a wide range of drinkware, flatware, handmade zipper pouches, and more.

In 2017, Lisa Harrington, CEO was diagnosed with a form of dysautonomia called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). As her POTS grew in severity, Harrington eventually found herself bedridden in 2018. One night, she dreamt of a company called Mermaid Straw. It would be a company that offered alternatives to single-use plastic items in a stylish fashion. They would also offer accessories such as silicone tips for people with disabilities, such as POTS, to use safely. Harrington woke up and described this dream to her husband, Adam Harrington. Almost immediately, the two founded Mermaid Straw.

In these past years, Mermaid Straw has gained over 4.4 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Using these platforms to educate users, social media has become their main source for driving sales. In introducing their products to TikTok Shop, they have seen a dramatic incline in business. Co-Founders Lisa and Adam go live on TikTok three times a week, and they have grown quite the fanbase.

Mermaid Straw currently has 12 employees, who operate out of a 7,000 square foot warehouse located in Valparaiso, IN. These employees help with packaging, shipping, production, and marketing. Their closeness to the Great Lakes gives them the opportunity to host monthly cleanups in the community to pick up garbage that litters the beaches.

Statistics show that one reusable straw can save 540 plastic straws per year. As of April 11th, 2024, Mermaid Straw has saved 402 million plastic straws from entering our oceans.