Worm Bucket
About the Company
Worm Bucket is an indoor composting kit that allows users to convert food waste into worm castings, a beneficial soil amendment. The product is designed for individuals who want to compost but have limited outdoor space. The Wynkoops aimed to make composting more accessible and sustainable by creating a product that could be used indoors without causing unpleasant odors. The company primarily targets environmentally conscious customers interested in reducing household waste.
Idea Behind Company
The concept for Worm Bucket arose during the pandemic when Audrey and Rob were gardening and experimenting with vermicomposting. They realized that many people living in apartments or condos lacked the space for traditional composting methods. Rob began designing a compact, indoor-friendly worm composter that could meet the needs of these individuals. This idea filled a gap in the market for an accessible, space-saving composting solution.
Creating the Company
Rob, a former U.S. Marine with entrepreneurial aspirations, and Audrey, who was unfulfilled in her corporate job, decided to pursue the Worm Bucket idea full-time. They invested their savings into developing the product and building a website. After much trial and error, including experimenting with different designs and researching competitors, they created a product that addressed common complaints about existing composting solutions, such as being too heavy or made of brittle plastic.
Launching the Business
The Wynkoops launched Worm Bucket by sharing their journey on Reddit, which helped the product gain initial traction and sales. However, they faced challenges with supply chain management, underestimating demand, and difficulties in getting approved to sell on Amazon. Despite these obstacles, they focused on building their brand through SEO, content marketing, and social media, though the latter proved to be time-consuming and sometimes discouraging.
Earnings
Worm Bucket has achieved $6,500 in monthly revenue and has sold over 700 units since its launch. The product has a 70% gross margin, and the Wynkoops have managed to recoup their initial investment. However, they have not yet been able to replace Audrey’s previous six-figure income. The business continues to grow, with plans to expand sales through platforms like Amazon and Walmart.com, while also exploring new avenues like corporate composting webinars.
