Need a new reef-safe sunscreen or an all-natural muscle relaxer? Check out this year’s Marin School of Environmental Leadership (MSEL) businesses. Every year, MSEL juniors create their own business, where they manufacture, promote, and sell their products. The process starts with taking a College of Marin business class, taught by Professor Tim Wat. In Introduction to Business, the junior’s final project is pitching their unique business plan. A panel of judges makes recommendations, and MSEL funds eight of the 31 pitched businesses. Each student whose business is chosen becomes a CEO and “hires” the remaining students to become employees of their businesses, the team members working together to run a successful company.
Sublime Suds
The first business is Sublime Suds, a shea-butter soap business created by Josie Campo ‘26. If you’re looking to buy this product, a bar will cost you $6.99. Campo explained that the business is “actually testing two different recipes right now, one using a soap base and one using raw shea butter.” Campo knew from the beginning that she wanted to make something using shea butter “because it has a lot of environmental benefits.” After that, the idea of creating a soap bar came naturally. As of January 2025, Sublime Suds has sold 22 bars and counting.
The SunStick
The SunStick company, with CEO Simone Dayton ‘26, produces all-natural, reef-safe sunscreen. After struggling with constant sunburns, Dayton decided she wanted to do something about it, and came up with the idea for The SunStick. The business uses a group of eco-friendly ingredients, including mango butter, grape seed oil, zinc oxide, beeswax pellets, and coconut essential oil. This team has started their manufacturing, and Dayton shared, “Our first batch took longer than we anticipated to make, but the time it takes should go down from there as we get more used to the process.” The business had its first selling day at Big Rock Deli recently, and looks forward to hosting many more in the coming months!
StepFresh
Sacha Fontaine ‘26 had a unique idea; StepFresh, shoe deodorizer pouches aimed towards athletes and those who struggle with bromodosis, the common condition of sweaty feet. Inspired by his athletics, he commented, “I’m affected by these sorts of issues, so I decided to create a product that can help others.” The team plans to promote their business through word of mouth, social media, and posters. According to Fontaine, the manufacturing process itself doesn’t take too long with “each item (2 pouches) taking around two minutes.” With such a short production process, they will hopefully be able to sell many products and help plenty of athletes!
Reclaimed Roots
Reclaimed Roots is the sustainable herb box business created by Ben Smulewitz ‘26. When Smulewitz learned how much wood is wasted in his engineering class, he decided he wanted to combat this issue in his business by using reclaimed/donated wood. When they do projects in class, the scrap wood often just gets thrown away, not going to good use. Smulewitz decided he didn’t like that, hence inspiring his idea. Because of the different steps the company needs to take to create their boxes and buy the herbs, their production process takes a little longer. “One box takes 5 minutes, but then another 20 per box to plant the herbs and put on the labels,” shares Smulewitz. If you’re looking to buy this product, Smulewitz shared they are “going to be selling in front of Big Rock, as well as Scotty’s Market, some other local grocery stores, and at school events.” Make sure to support their business!
SEAS (Sustainable, Eco-friendly, All natural Shampoo)
Do you need a sustainable shampoo for your hair? Consider buying from SEAS, an all-natural shampoo bar company run by Josephine Fetterman-Riggle ‘26. “I’m a competitive swimmer, so I wanted to make a product I knew I would use daily that would improve my health,” shared Fetterman-Riggle. The main ingredients are coconut oil and rosemary oil. The shampoo bars require a lengthy production process, as each one takes 30 minutes to create before they’re set to dry for 2 hours. SEAS is still working on perfecting their recipe before they start selling, but once they do, be sure to check it out!
All-Star Balm
The sixth MSEL business is an all-natural muscle relaxer. Allie Marovich ‘26, the CEO of All-Star Balm, came up with this idea after using the popular muscle relaxer Icy Hot and realizing that the product used paraffin wax, a harmful ingredient for the environment. This inspired her to create a more eco-friendly version. Once her business was selected, her team got right to work, perfecting their recipe and planning their selling days at local markets. This business has already made a few sales and will continue to grow their business over the coming months.
Spray Away
Spray Away, a business selling odor-eliminating spray bottles, is run by Liza Reed ‘26. The CEO explained, “I work at a hot yoga studio where the yoga mats smell really bad, and I was sitting there one day and I was thinking, ‘How can I change this?’” The product can be used for a variety of items, including shoes, jerseys, bags, and so much more. The spray costs $7, and they’ve already started making sales. Along with flyers, social media posts, and word of mouth, Spray Away has also been heavily marketing at the yoga studio that originally inspired the business.
Fleece and Fetch
Meadow McPherson 26’ is the CEO of Fleece and Fetch, a pet toy company. McPherson has been making these toys for a while on her own and decided to bring her idea to MSEL. “I’m a trainer, and I’ve worked at Marin Humane for two years now. My mom also works there, so animals are very important in my life,” she shared. The toys are made from thrifted blankets, meaning they’re very affordable and environmentally friendly. This business has already made 30 sales as of January 2025. They sell at different locations every weekend, typically on Sundays. If you’re looking to get your furry friend a new toy, take a look at Fleece and Fetch on Instagram.
Staying educated and trying our best to keep the Earth clean is truly vital in today’s world, and supporting any of these eight products can help us do our part. Whether you need a dog toy, scent eliminator, or herb box, consider checking out these high school businesses at their events!
