My Role
Product Design Lead, Service Designer, and Researcher
Context
In Atlanta, black youth have started selling water bottles at intersections to earn money for their families and futures. A lack of compassion from citizens and authorities has twisted the hustle of Black youth into a safety threat.
Problem
The issue at hand is not about the danger of the hustle, but the stigma surrounding it. With existing child labor laws and the recent bans, these children are left without an avenue to reach their financial goals.
Solution
Shifting our focus from Atlanta to Dallas, we partnered with 7-Eleven to create a guided vending program for young entrepreneurs to safely reach their financial goals. The program leverages Texas' lemonade law as well as 7-Eleven's commitment to community.
7-Eleven
We had the privilege of presenting our final product at the Research and Development office of 7-Eleven. The presentation resulted in us receiving high-level feedback from eight professionals, and knowledge about how they would move forward from where we left off.
Water Rep's home screen
Water Rep's wallet
Water Rep's wallet
Parent overview screen
Hustle to opportunity
water bottle
Water Rep's sign with their purpose and price
Concept stand rendering
In Atlanta
Selling water bottles at intersections has become a popular way for Black youth in Atlanta to get money, especially those who are too young to find employment. This entrepreneurial spirit is admirable as they are saving for education, bikes, or cars, or they are providing for their families.
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Unfortunately, prejudices and bias have led to backlash and difficulties for many of the sellers. Due to incidents of violence or disturbances linked to their operations public safety became a concern and in turn, the city placed a ban on their hustle.
Shift to Dallas
By shifting our focus from Atlanta to Dallas we were able to stay local and still address a relevant population.
Economic Similarities
Both cities have a history of economic and housing inequality based on race.
The Lemonade Law
This Texas law allows children under 18 to sell non-alcoholic beverages within certain parameters.
Street Vendors
Both cities are working to put legislation in place to limit or stop the act of street vending.
7-Eleven
We chose to partner with 7-Eleven due to their Texas roots, commitment to community, convenience-based approach, and pre-existing youth programs. This collaboration aims to enhance local connections while contributing to the well-being of the community.
Lemonade Law
Enacted in 2019, the Lemonade Law allows children under 18 to sell non-alcoholic beverages within parks, residential areas, and other approved locations. This prevents the children from needing permits, a lisence, or paying fees.
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Considerations
As we moved forward through the system, we had to take a few things into consideration.​​
Working with children
Providing children with financial opportunities while also prioritizing their safety
Parents
Making parents feel
secure and updated on their child's whereabouts
Corporate Participation
Keeping in mind implementation and responsibilities that would be added for in-store employees
How to sell
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Learn about H2O through educational channels or outreach materials.
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Register online with parental guidance.
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Reserve a time slot at a pre-approved location.
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Arrive at the store on the day of selling.
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Purchase water bottles and retrieve the stand from the designated 7-Eleven location.
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Head to the selected selling spot with your materials.
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Sell water!
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Return the stand to the 7-Eleven location once the selling session concludes.
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Collect your earnings, save up, and repeat!
Who is Who?
Water Rep
Out selling water and talking with the community, working within their own schedule.
Team Lead
Assigned 2-3 Reps. Brings additional water and responds to safety concerns.
Store Attendant
Only additional responsibility is providing and retrieving the stand for the Reps.
Logistics
Requesting assistance, the Wallet, and the sign-up pages are the key points of interaction for Water Reps during their selling journey.
Water Reps can make a request for more water or for assistance
Water Reps can track and collect payments in their wallet
Water Reps can select a time on the signup page to sell at a given station
Safety
In the case of an emergency, the Water Reps can call 911 through the app. This will also alert the Team Lead and the child's parents.
Parents
On the parents side, they are able to track and monitor their child's location while they are out selling. Parents can also view their child's current and upcoming schedules.
In-Store
These will be in use at participating locations to create public familiarity with the program. Additionally, bottle sales in-store will go towards operational costs for the program.
Gas pump flyer to increase brand recognition
The Hustle 2 Opportunity water bottle which will be sold at the stand and in-store
Napkins to be given out at the stand and in-store
Out-Reach
These were created with the intention of not only creating brand familiarity within the communnity, but to educate them on the mission of the project and its participants.
Dry erase signs for the Water Reps to display their price and purpose
Informational pamphlet to educate on the mission of the program
Click to enlarge
Billboard to help with brand recognition
Billboard to help with brand recognition
Stand Options
Most cost-efficient stand option
Premium stand
Collapsible stand with storage inside
Impacts
On the Water Reps
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A safe entrepreneurship program for teens under the working age of 16.
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An opportunity to learn skills such as business, public speaking, customer service, and money management.
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Resume builder by a known and trusted company.
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Future growth opportunities through joining the
7-Eleven team.
On 7-Eleven
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Increased profits from the direct sale of their H2O branded water.
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Ability to reach new audiences and communities.
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Positive brand equity compared to competitors.
On the community
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Uplifting and protecting the youth of your community.
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Education on local laws, citizen regulation, and law enforcement.
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Increased accessibility to clean drinking water
anywhere and anytime.
Interaction at stand