Robyn Hochglaube, MBA ’02, always wanted to change the world.
It’s what took her to the jungles of Guyana at age 24, where she learned to read malaria statistics and collect blood swabs for research. But while Hochglaube was working in Kurukubaru - a village so remote that it doesn’t register on Google Maps – she realized that, despite her noble intentions and worthy vocation, she could be making a greater impact somewhere else.
Since starting a West Coast adventure travel camp venture for 14-15 year old kids at the age of 19, Hochglaube has enjoyed working with youth. The opportunity to have an impact on young people as they discover who they are at a summer camp far outweighed anything Hochglaube could accomplish in the jungles of Guyana.
For the past 14 years, Hochglaube has run a number of successful youth camps. And while her latest venture, CitizenRad, is a departure from that mold, her focus hasn’t shifted. A social enterprise centered on a fashion accessory, CitizenRad is looking to champion non-profits and young philanthropists while providing young people an avenue to express their support of ideas and causes.
CitizenRad – Creating a Community
Launched this past February, Hochglaube describes CitizenRad as ‘Pandora for young and athletic people,’ but with a strong social impact component.
The silicone, and soon to be released distressed leather, bracelets come in youth and adult sizes and carry a host of tags (called RaDTaGZ) that can be used to customize the bracelet. The social impact side is the real driving force behind CitizenRad, according to Hochglaube. She wants her brand to highlight and support young philanthropists and small to medium size charities.
“There’s always money for startups that are for-profit but all these small startup charities out there with incredible sustainable ideas don’t have anywhere to go,” said Hochglaube. With CitizenRad, she hopes to create a community where philanthropists can talk about what they are doing and build financial support to accomplish their goals. A large part of that initiative will be accomplished through CitizenRad’s ‘For the Love of Good’ collections where 100 per cent of all proceeds originating from purchases of these custom designs goes to the organization that created them. CitizenRad will boost that amount with $1 from any bracelet sold along with those tagz.
With endless possibilities to personalize and brand both bracelets and tags, Hochglaube sees potential for CitizenRad to work with any group wanting to be a more permanent part of a supporter’s personal brand; especially those who want to connect with the up and coming Millennial and Generation Z givers. There are also opportunities with corporations with CitizenRad becoming a connector of youth and corporate initiatives. According to Hochglaube, the next generation of givers want to support causes, not institutions, and there is a real opportunity for CitizenRad to help bridge that gap.
The revamped e-commerce site is set to launch in late October and will host collections from Pancreatic Cancer Canada, the L.O.V.E Project and Coat A Kid before the end of the year. Hochglaube hopes to grow that number to at least twelve collections in 2017 along with an app that will drive the community building component of CitizenRad.
Combining Passions
Taking risks comes naturally to Hochglaube.
“I honestly believe it is nature. You are the type of person who enjoys risk and is willing to work all hours. You put your heart and soul into something because that’s just who you are.”
Likewise, Hochglaube stressed that no one chooses to go into the social enterprise or non-profit space because it’s glamourous, but because it’s part and parcel of who people are. With the rising popularity of various social impact models, Hochglaube has a two-part process for students to consider if they feel it is their calling.
“Ask yourself, what do I think is wrong with this world and what am I going to do about it?”
For Hochglaube, her calling has always revolved around youth.
“They see things from a different perspective than us jaded adults and it’s really unfortunate that they are not given enough attention by corporations and organizations who can really benefit by bringing them into the fold,” said Hochglaube.
That is the space CitizenRad is planning to occupy in becoming a platform where young people can inspire each other, collaborate and build financial support to create real change. For Hochglaube, it’s about empowering future generations, not just giving them a “good for you” pat on the back.
Furthermore, Hochglaube is also planning to help deliver trend-setting marketing strategies for corporate brands that want to create authentic and meaningful connections with youth.
Time at Ivey
Coming from a nonprofit background and having only worked for herself, Hochglaube found Ivey a steep learning curve and recalls wondering if someone at admissions had made a mistake. After a month, she settled into the program and changed her focus from grades to building community and learning.
“I’m here and I’m not going to give up. I’m going to have a lot to give and I’m going get a lot from Ivey,” she said.
During her two years at Ivey, Hochglaube was voted “most outstanding contribution to the class” and helped start MBA Laundry (an entertaining end of year review show on the class’ Ivey experience) and the precursor to Ivey Connects (a volunteer initiative for MBA students).
Hochglaube has continued to keep those connections alive, previously serving the Ivey Alumni Association of Toronto and being on the early planning committee of Global Ivey Day. She has also found mentorship in the shape of John Rothschild, MBA ’73, regarded as one of Ivey’s finest entrepreneurs.
“To me he embodies the drive of an entrepreneur, because of all the things he has been able to share with me,” says Hochglaube, who is glad to have the support of those who have gone before her and succeeded as entrepreneurs.
“You often question yourself, ‘am I doing this right?’ You wear the Marketing hat, the Operations hat, the Finance hat… so you’re questioning yourself constantly. Knowing that others have gone through that process and knowing that you are not alone is what makes having an Ivey Entrepreneurship community so fantastic.”