Making IT: e-Cycle
June 27th, 2011
By Angela Slezak
e-Cycle, a DEMO at IT Martini Hour 13, was founded by Chris Irion and Tonia Irion in 2005 to collect wireless devices from charities, schools and businesses. The company then reimburses organizations for devices that still have value, recycling all others at no charge through an EPA-registered facility.
e-Cycle has grown triple digits since its founding in 2005 and was named by Inc. magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the U.S. It currently works with over 8,000 organizations, has recycled more than seven million phones and is doubling its staff this year.
Due to this success, founder and CEO Chris Irion is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 Award in the South Central Ohio and Kentucky region.
Irion attributes his success to one word – “passion.”
"When I decided to start a company," Irion said, "I talked with lots of entrepreneurs. The underlying theme of each talk was, "What are you passionate about?""
Irion said he was told, “if you are up at 2 a.m. still working wondering if your company will survive it’s your passion that will get you through.”
Irion took six months to define his passion which consists of three concepts – “charitable giving, environmental stewardship and his love for technology.”
Voilà, e-Cycle was born. The company's first client was the American Cancer Society. In partnership with the State of Ohio, 20, 000 used cell phones were collected in the first four months earning the charity of its largest donations.
Irion's concern with environmental stewardship is a testament to his strong social conscience and progressive global thinking. According to a May 2011 Scientific American article, in 2007 Americans threw away 2.25 million tons of electronics and 82 percent of it went into landfills.
Irion’s love of technology helped him understand cell phones are no longer simply devices used to talk to other people but “store huge amounts of personal data, business data and corporate applications,” he says. Phones are now “mini computers.”
In 2005, Irion said, “90 percent of Americans had cell phones. Today, 50 percent of Americans have smart phones.”
Because of increased smart phone usage, e-Cycle is not just in the business of recycling, but in the business of information security. Before cell phones are recycled or resold, data is stripped effectively so corporations feel secure that their data is not compromised.
When it came to gathering a team to support his passion Irion was heavily influenced by the book “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins.
“It’s challenging,” Irion said, “to grow any organization if the employees don’t share the core values. The employees also must believe in our passion.”
Getting the word out, i.e., networking, was also important for e-Cycle. For e-Cycle that meant telling communities, “90 percent of all cell phones are not recycled. We’re here to help.”
Irion rarely speaks of the success of his company. He simply talks about the effect his efforts have on charities and the environment. He refers to himself at “employee number seven,” meaning he “cuts the checks,” but also “sweeps the floors.”
Editor's Note: This is the 25th anniversary of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program.The program recognizes business leaders in more than 140 cities and 50 countries around the world. Award winners will be announced at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of They Year gala on June 30, 2011. If selected a winner in the regional awards ceremony Irion will become eligible to receive a national award.
Angela Slezak
