When my son Matthew was born three months early, weighing just two pounds, nine ounces, it was a difficult time. With him in the neonatal care unit for over two months, the emotional and financial stress took its toll. My husband and future Vice President of Refreshing Ideas, Richard, had to rush me to the hospital one night with my blood pressure reaching dangerous levels. Released, and ordered bed rest, I could only try to relax, and wait for news of Matthew's condition. Soon, by the grace of God and the hard work of the doctors and loving nurses of the NICU, my son began to improve, and even thrive.
Meanwhile, with our financial situation not exactly at its strongest, and with new-found time on my hands, my mind began to go into overdrive. Seemingly out of nowhere, I began to notice a lot of stories in the news about the environmental problems of plastic, specifically plastic water bottles, billions of which, I learned, end up in landfills every year. I wondered if there was a more environmentally-friendly alternative container, and one that would allow for clean, pure water with no risk of chemical leaching. A container that would be every bit as convenient for the consumer, or even more so. "Why don't they just put it in a box?" I asked. Then in a moment of epiphany, I found myself asking, "Why don't I put it in a box?" After all, I had had years of business ownership and operational know-how behind me, and Richard would be able to bring business experience himself to the table.
So, just like that, an idea was born. And a movement was begun. It's been difficult at times, time-consuming, and a lot of hard work. But it's all come together in an amazing, incredible way in a very short period of time. The end result is h20. It's water on-the-go, in the packaging of the future. And it all started from a single idea in a difficult time of great uncertainty. It's funny where great ideas come from.
Oh, and little Matthew is healthy and strong, and the delight of his big brothers Adam and Rory. Mom and dad? We're doing just fine, thank you.
Julie Atherton, Founder and President, Refreshing Ideas LLC
