Marius Smit, an impactful entrepreneur, has a remarkable story that will captivate students. A dozen years ago, he embarked on an extraordinary mission as a lone adventurer. Armed with little more than a desire for change, he declared, "I want to construct a vessel from plastic waste, despite never having sailed a boat, let alone crafted one. Will you join me?" The response was overwhelming, and thus, his first venture, Plastic Whale, was born - the world's first professional plastic fishing company.
Over time, Plastic Whale evolved into a thriving social enterprise, birthing several successful business ventures, such as WasteBoards (skateboards crafted from plastic caps), Plastic Whale Circular Furniture (high-quality office furniture made from Amsterdam Canal Plastic), and the popular Plastic Fishing events.
Marius has now embarked on a new, exhilarating challenge, one that's gathering momentum: the creation of Cathedrall, a floating cathedral in the heart of Amsterdam, constructed entirely from urban waste streams. With Cathedrall, he aspires to make sustainability tangible and alluring to a broad audience, igniting the transition towards a circular economy. "Cathedrall brings together individuals who are convinced that we can, and must, reshape the way we do things," says Marius. He is determined to convert individuals, organizations, and governments to embrace the spirit of DOISM – the belief that audacious goals, collaboration, and innovation can solve modern challenges.
Marius Smit embodies the essence of a contemporary sustainable entrepreneur, demonstrating that it's possible to build a business while making the world more beautiful and better. He is an inspirational speaker who passionately shares the story of his company, emphasizing the significance of having a clear, ambitious mission and the adaptability to navigate unexpected twists. He speaks of having confidence in your ideas, in yourself, and in others, recounting personal setbacks and victories. Marius's journey is a testament to vulnerability, resilience, and the power of unwavering determination.
It’s all about the people
Plastic Whale is a movement of people who love doing, creating, making progress. We firmly believe taking action is a positive step forward. What happens next is not always certain, but that’s part of the fun!
Stop Talking. Let’s start doing is our motto, and shows our urgency to take action and the belief in the positive power of doing together.
