Founder Friday is a content series from SuperAngel.Fund highlighting companies in our portfolio and the inspiring founders behind them.
In our 20th edition, we are featuring Steph Hon, Founder & CEO of Cadence, a one-of-a-kind sustainable organization system for the $560B personal care industry. Their first product line, The Capsules, are beautifully designed, fill-and-go travel size containers for everyday personal care and wellness items (e.g. vitamins, hair gel, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, sunscreen, moisturizer, small jewelry).
Between her travels to and from work, camping trips, and workout classes, Founder/CEO Steph Hon noticed her own consumer need when it came to a well-designed solution for her personal care routine. However, nothing existed on the market that was aesthetically pleasing, eco-friendly, and extremely durable.
So, Steph leaned on her past experience as a home organizer for celebrities to research and design her own elegant solution. Over the course of 3 years and nearly 200 prototypes, she finally arrived at the Cadence Capsule system. These patented designs are uniquely customizable, leakproof, BPA-free, magnetic, TSA-compliant, made from 20% ocean-bound plastic with 100% recyclable packaging, designed to replace single-use alternatives. As if that wasn’t enough, the Company also reuses their own manufacturing “scrap” which gets reintegrated back into their finished products!
Cadence has seen explosive growth since launching in January 2020, quickly catching the attention of social media influencers, celebrities, traditional press & media outlets, and consumers. Their mission is “to eliminate single-use plastic from the personal care industry” which, unsurprisingly, is resonating deeply across all demographics. “Cadence’s beautiful modular Capsules are a travel game changer”, so says CNN and we couldn’t agree more!
Describe your company in 5 words or less.
Steph: Innovation for home and away.
What was your primary motivation for starting your business?
Steph: As a consumer, I needed a company like Cadence. After years of scouring the internet and buying disappointing products, I recognized that the solution I wanted didn’t exist and I needed to invent it.
What piece of advice would you give an entrepreneur starting a business today?
Steph: You win with fortitude.
What do you love to do in your free time?
Steph: Rock climb.
What is the most interesting place you’ve visited recently and why?
Steph: Thailand, to visit one of our manufacturers.
What is your favorite app or tool in your work or personal life?
Steph: Superhuman, definitely. It’s all about efficiency, and I love being efficient.
What do you believe is the most important skill or attribute of a successful founder?
Steph: Listening to listen, not to answer.
SuperAngel.Fund is an early stage fund that invests in Consumer, PropTech & Future of Work. You can learn more at SuperAngel.Fund.