Smart Air was created over 10 years ago when Anna Guo started working with Thomas Talhelm. Passionate about a healthy lifestyle and aware of the importance of clean air, Anna has helped develop a company that provides low-cost clean air solutions around the world. Read a short interview with Anna to find out why she founded Smart Air, what she would do differently, and who she would like to meet.
What made you start Smart Air, and how has your vision changed over time?
I was motivated by the desire to help others and share my values. Instead of viewing it purely as a business opportunity, Smart Air genuinely cares about people’s health. Through our clean air workshops, we educate people about air quality, public health, and, most importantly, the simplest ways to protect themselves and their families. What we offer is a $30 highly cost-effective air purifier and a DIY solution for you to solve indoor air quality problems.
While addressing the problems of others, I am living by my values, which revolve around helping others. One of the most rewarding experiences is when someone tells me they are still using a DIY Cannon air purifier, even a decade after its launch. I am truly grateful when hearing this.
My motivation lies in the simple act of sharing valuable resources and knowledge. If you believe this could improve your life, I encourage you to pass it along to others. Thomas and I are aligned in these very same values, although realizing them requires lots of patience.
If you could go back to the beginning of Smart Air, is there anything you would do differently, and if so, what?
I would tell Anna from 10 years ago: Don’t worry! Smart Air’s mission of being an honest, transparent social enterprise will receive lots of support around the world, so do not be afraid and continue to grow the company. I would also focus more on expanding our educational outreach efforts and forming a non-profit organization dedicated to clean air advocacy. Seek more grants for social impact projects to amplify our international presence and make our content and products accessible worldwide.
By doing so, Smart Air will leave a meaningful imprint in the world. I would tell myself to also nurture Smart Air’s own company culture within the team, and affirm and consider the happiness and self-value of the team members to foster collective growth.
Lastly, have trust in our philosophy of simplicity and cost-effectiveness when designing air purifiers. Avoid getting caught up in mainstream design trends that prioritize profit over user benefit with unnecessary features. Stay true to our commitment to providing practical solutions to combat air pollution.
What’s the most surprising lesson you’ve learned about entrepreneurship while leading Smart Air?
It’s been a pleasant surprise to see my values evolve into Smart Air’s core identity. What began as an instinctive adherence to my own standards has flourished into a defining company culture shared by both Thomas and myself. This unexpected alignment of values has become the foundation for Smart Air’s ethos, setting us apart in an industry often driven by different motives.
Receiving positive feedback from our users and partners speaks volumes about the strength and authenticity of our company and its products. Even though we chose not to accept any investments, we’ve not only survived but thrived!
If you could team up with anyone, whether from the environmental field or not, who would it be and why?
I would like to work with John Mackey, the former CEO of Whole Foods Market. I read his book “Conscious Capitalism” and learned about the corporate culture he nurtured and its impact on people and the world. I resonated with the notion that the greatness of a business is not measured by its size or its performance on the stock market, but by the positive impact it can bring to the world.
Moreover, my interest in healthy food aligns closely with Mackey’s ethos. Just as clean air fosters well-being, nutritious food has the power to improve people’s health and happiness.
If you had to sum up Smart Air’s mission in one sentence, what would it be?
Smart Air’s mission is to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people and the world.
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