Sarah Kauss built S’well, a reusable bottle brand, from a $30,000 personal investment into a $100 million company. Her story shows how a single moment of inspiration can spark a lasting sustainability movement.
Sarah Kauss’s Early Career
Sarah Kauss grew up in Jupiter, Florida, raised by parents who ran small businesses. She earned a degree in accounting from the University of Colorado Boulder. Afterward, she began her career at EY as a Certified Public Accountant. She then spent six years as an international real estate developer before shifting paths entirely.
The Idea Behind S’well
In 2009, Sarah Kauss had a life-changing moment while hiking. That experience sparked her passion for conservation and product design. So, in 2010, she founded S’well to combine both interests. She bootstrapped the company using just $30,000 of her own savings.
Building a Sustainable Brand
Sarah Kauss built S’well around fashion, function, and sustainability from day one. Additionally, she earned her MBA from Harvard Business School while growing the business. As a result, S’well became a Certified B Corp early in its journey. Furthermore, the company partnered with UNICEF USA in 2015 to support clean water access worldwide.
Under her leadership, growth came quickly. S’well surpassed $100 million in annual revenue within a decade. Meanwhile, the brand helped displace more than 4 billion single-use plastic bottles. This impact positioned Sarah Kauss as a genuine pioneer in sustainable consumer goods.
Recognition and Transition
Sarah Kauss earned recognition as a Fortune 40 Under 40 honoree. She also received the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Woman award for her work. However, by 2020, she recognized the company needed different leadership to scale further. Therefore, she stepped back as CEO and brought in an experienced operator instead.
Life After S’well
Today, Sarah Kauss advises public and private companies across multiple industries. She also serves on several corporate boards, sharing hard-won lessons from her entrepreneurial journey. Her story continues inspiring founders who want to build purpose-driven, sustainable businesses.