My Stain-Prevent Business Grew To $7M/Year [Update]
This is a follow up story for DetraPel. If you're interested in reading how they got started, published almost 6 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
Hello. I'm David Zamarin, the CEO and founder of DetraPel Inc., a clean-tech advanced materials company revolutionizing the protective coatings industry.
You can find my original starter story here if you're curious about how our journey began.
Since our last conversation, DetraPel has experienced significant growth, expanding to encompass three pillars of our company. Each entity now offers diverse products and services tailored to various industries, all unified by our dedication to providing PFAS-free protective coatings, environmentally friendly household products, and comprehensive fulfillment solutions.
At DetraPel, our primary offerings are our PFAS-free protective coatings, serving three specialized sectors: Impermea Materials, ProofPlus, and DetraPel Solutions. Impermea Materials specializes in delivering sustainable coatings for various industrial applications, meeting the needs of companies seeking plastic-free and PFAS-free solutions in paper and food packaging, textiles, and more.
Our ProofPlus brand caters to consumers, providing PFAS-free and non-toxic household essentials with enhanced performance. Lastly, DetraPel Solutions operates as a contract manufacturer, offering private labeling, custom formulation, and contract packaging services to businesses in cosmetics, household care, shoe care, and other industries.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
Due to our expansion, DetraPel has experienced remarkable diversification since our last conversation! We've ventured into three pillars under the DetraPelCompany: Impermea Materials, ProofPlus, and DetraPel Solutions. These pillars cater to various industries, offering top-notch solutions and products.
A significant milestone in our journey has been the attainment of 25 full-time employees (FTE), a reflection of our team's growth, the expansion of our operations, and the escalating demand for our products and services. As DetraPel continues to scale its business, each new team member brings unique skills, perspectives, and expertise, contributing to our collective success and propelling us closer to achieving our goals.
Moreover, with the successful closure of our $7.6 million Series A funding round, led by Material Impact and supported by INX International and other esteemed investors, we've been empowered not only to accelerate our research and development endeavors but also to pioneer innovative products and bolster our market influence through strategic alliances and enhanced marketing strategies.
Thanks to our proactive marketing efforts, increased exposure, and active participation in industry talks and networking events, our customer base has experienced significant growth. Impermea Materials now serves clients in various sectors, such as food packaging, textiles, paper, tech, and firefighters, to name a few. They offer tailored coatings to meet specific needs such as PE alternatives, fire retardancy, etc.
Meanwhile, ProofPlus has recently refreshed its product lineup of PFAS-free, non-toxic fabric protectors and cleaners, all while ensuring top-notch performance. Additionally, DetraPel Solutions caters to contract manufacturers, including indie beauty brands and large corporations, offering services such as private labeling, full turnkey solutions, custom formulation, and contract packaging.
As we explore new PR opportunities to showcase our company's achievements, Impermea Materials recently snagged the Worcester Business Journal Manufacturing Excellence Award for Product Innovation. At the same time, ProofPlus Baby Fabric Protector scored big with the Mom Choice Awards Certification. We've also been making waves in the media with a feature on Made in Massachusetts by WCVB News.
Moreover, as part of our enhanced social media strategy, we're testing Account-Based Marketing (ABM) tactics, ensuring consistent posting of demos, educational content, and more on platforms like LinkedIn, where Impermea Materials has already amassed nearly 2,000 followers since our launch in April 2023.
We're committed to driving sustainable growth and positively impacting the environment and communities we serve. As we continue to innovate and evolve, we're excited to see where the next five years will take us and the opportunities ahead.
DetraPel closed out on one of our most profitable years to date in 2023, and we are excited to continue the momentum into 2024. With Q1 coming to an end, we are excited to say that Q1 is about to surpass 2024! With all hands on deck to keep momentum rolling, we can share that our industrial brand Impermea Materials has 4 of the 5 largest paper manufacturers in our pipelines with expected commercialization to go live in the next 12-18 months.
We have another 20+ customers who are actively using our product in the market, ranging from shelf-stable moisture barriers, and bakery containers that need oil & grease resistance with release capabilities to tackling the entire frozen food category with customers looking to maintain all barrier properties that plastic enables while being able to go straight from freezer to microwave or oven.
Our consumer product, ProofPlus, is expected to go live in several major retailers this year as we work to expand our offerings from outside Amazon and our website. Our last brand, DetraPel Solutions, which handles all contract manufacturing, currently supplies Walmart with one of their top sellers when it comes to fabric protectors for all household items, indoors & outdoors.
But through it all, our primary focus remains on keeping our customers happy and safe. We're committed to delivering high-performing solutions without harmful chemicals while staying true to our mission of sustainability and innovation. And with plenty more growth and exploration on the horizon, we're excited to see where the journey takes us next!
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year? What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
One of the significant hurdles I've faced is ensuring direct communication with top-tier individuals in each organization we target, particularly during enterprise sales endeavors. This targeted strategy optimizes our time and streamlines the sales process, leading to more efficient partnership acquisitions. Engaging with key decision-makers from the outset allows us to gain insights into their needs, address any apprehensions, and customize our solutions accordingly.
This proactive approach has been pivotal in surmounting challenges and propelling our business growth.
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year and the next 5 years?
Plans for the upcoming year include making significant announcements with customers introducing our products as commercially viable alternatives to polyethylene (plastic) packaging. We're excited about these announcements' potential impact on our business and the broader industry.
Additionally, we plan to continue expanding our market presence, strengthening partnerships, and exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation. We anticipate a significant expansion for DetraPel in the next five years. This expansion may involve scaling up our operations, entering new markets, and further diversifying our product offerings.
We're committed to driving sustainable growth and positively impacting the environment and communities we serve. As we continue to innovate and evolve, we're excited to see where the next five years will take us and the opportunities ahead.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
The best thing I've read in the last year is "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss. This book offers invaluable insights into negotiation strategies, drawing from Chris Voss's experiences as a former FBI hostage negotiator. The techniques and principles outlined in the book are highly applicable in business negotiations and everyday interactions. Learning how to communicate, empathize, and influence others effectively has been instrumental in navigating challenges and achieving successful outcomes.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
My advice for fellow entrepreneurs, inspired by my journey starting DetraPel at 15 in high school, is to begin as early as possible, even if you're still figuring things out. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and invest in your growth.
Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges, but remaining resilient and adaptable is essential. Setbacks are inevitable, but they provide valuable lessons for improvement. Stay focused on your vision, welcome feedback, and keep pushing forward. Every obstacle you encounter is a chance to evolve and excel.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
DetraPel is always looking to expand our team, and we are currently hiring for the ProofPlus Brand Lead and Impermea Materials Brand Lead positions. As ProofPlus Brand Lead, you'll help grow our consumer brands through marketing magic, digital savvy, and SEO skills. If you've got around three years of experience in B2C/consumer marketing, we want to hear from you!
And if you're more into the industrial side of things, our Impermea Materials Brand Lead role might be perfect. You'll be responsible for spreading the word about our industrial pillar and making a real impact. We're currently seeking full-time candidates to join our team, and we offer fantastic perks to our employees. Looking to learn more? You can check out our Careers Page for open opportunities.
Where can we go to learn more?
Want to learn more about Impermea Materials?
Want to learn more about ProofPlus?
Want to learn more about DetraPel Solutions?
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