Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

OrigAudio Hits It Big With Fold and Play Recycled Speakers Two friends create quirky portable speakers inspired by a takeout box.

By Jennifer Wang

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Listen up: OrigAudio's Fold and Play Recycled Speakers and Designears.
Listen up: OrigAudio's Fold and Play Recycled Speakers and Designears.
Photo© Ben Alsop

A mere three months after Jason Lucash and Mike Szymczak started their company OrigAudio, they hit the jackpot. It was November 2009, and out of the blue, Time magazine called about featuring their Fold and Play Recycled Speakers among its "Best Inventions of 2009." Inspired by a Chinese takeout box, the ultraportable product--packaged flat and made entirely out of recycled materials--can be folded into a pair of cube-shaped speakers requiring no batteries or external power. It sells for $14.99.

The day the article came out, they sold 1,500 units (before that, their daily best was 10). Just prior, they'd received an order from the Marines for 50,000 Fold and Plays, launching OrigAudio's corporate gifting division with a bang. By Black Friday, the first batch of inventory was gone--resulting in an emergency air-freight shipment from their manufacturer in China to fulfill Christmas orders.

This is a subscriber-only article. Join Entrepreneur+ today for access

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Devices

Get This 4-in-1 USB-C Charger for Apple Devices for $19.99

Get this useful, lightweight charger for a great price (regularly $29).

Business Solutions

Get MS Office for Mac and Rosetta Stone for $199.99 (reg. $518)

Boost your skills and take advantage of these lifetime deals on sale for a limited time.

Leadership

A Guide to Effective Crisis Leadership — Key Steps to Lead Your Team Through Turbulent Times

The essential strategies and skills required to be a successful crisis leader and guide your organization through difficult times.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

Too many entrepreneurs are counting too heavily on a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.