This summer I met Mike del Ponte, founder of Soma glass water filters, just months before the product was set to launch.
The Soma is an updated Brita: more stylish, more eco (filters are made from coconut shells), more convenient (said filters are mailed to you every 60 days once you sign up). Plus, for every filter you buy, they donate to partners charity:water and help provide clean water to people who need it most.
I got to be an early adopter and a Soma VIP, and received my filter in their first round of shipments. Unfortunately, it came and it was busted: the filter had shaken loose and had emptied into its inner packaging. But the Soma team was quick to respond on email, and sent me a replacement filter within a week.
About a month or so ago Soma mailed its VIPs a second filter to give away. Which I did, this Thanksgiving weekend, as part of a white-elephant style gift exchange. It was a hit, and got "stolen" from its first owner during the course of the game.
The new owner is a social worker with developmentally-challenged students in Connecticut. Her niece loved the box, too.
Soma is not only making something practical and utilitarian more sexy and cool--it's making it better (you know that thing that happens when you refill your Brita and pour it too soon, and the lid comes undone and water goes everywhere? That won't happen). I'd rather spend a little more and know I'm getting something that works well, looks great during a dinner party or everyday, and will last.
Soma has been warmly received with great press this fall and was featured in a few key gift guides: I'm sure they'll sell quite a few this holiday season. They've also raised nearly $5M in seed funding.
Cheers, Soma!
