Laulima is an exciting new e-commerce startup founded by a QUEST Cohort 17 alumnus, Steve Eyring. Steve graduated from the University of Maryland in December 2013 with a degree in Statistics. As an undergraduate student, he was selected to participate in StartupBus, a three-day startup competition that took place on a bus ride from Washington, D.C. to Austin, Texas. During his time at UMD, Steve also studied for three months in Hawaii, where the meaning of “Laulima” originates. Laulima means “many hands working together,” and is a perfect name for Steve’s new company, which he envisions as the Amazon of Goods for Good. Steve worked at two jobs prior to starting Laulima, but he decided that starting his own entrepreneurial venture would be far more rewarding.

In Hawaii, the local people are very passionate about helping each other and maintaining the island’s culture. Steve named his startup “Laulima” because his vision is to help impoverished people in third-world countries get on their feet. Laulima is an online marketplace with over 300 partner companies that all have socially responsible missions; examples of these partners include TOMS Shoes and Warby Parker. This online marketplace offers a single-stop shop for 25,000+ products from many categories including apparel and food. Laulima will provide online consumers with an unprecedented ability to shop consciously. Consumers will know exactly what they are buying and where their money is going. With over three billion people in this world living on less than less than $2 per day each, Laulima is truly going to help make the world a better place. The company officially launches this Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2015) at www.shoplaulima.com. Thank you to Steve Eyring for sharing this story and for staying actively involved with the QUEST community!