Incubator Spotlight - Aquabarrel

By Dana Burton

Many people support water conservation. But only some go the distance to actually collect and use rainwater in their household. Aquabarrel.com exists for those who DO. Founder Barry Chenkin sells a wide range of off-the-shelf water collection and storage systems to homeowners who find the surmountable challenge in such work. Aquabarrel’s “green” product line also fits right in among the other “green-izens” of the Bethesda Green Business Incubator.

Chenkin’s odyssey into water collection technology began with a casual question from his wife about rain barrels. His passion to craft the best-engineered, highest quality product for her led him through numerous prototypes until Chenkin realized this was a business opportunity, not a quest. He started Aquabarrel in 2005.

Marketing for Aquabarrel is almost exclusively done over the Internet. Chenkin’s webmaster put Aquabarrel on the first page of hits when consumers search for rain barrels. Chenkin thinks this placement is essential for the kind of target customer he has. Aquabarrel customers use the Internet to inform and teach themselves while they are shopping. Chenkin’s website gives them the “how-to” content as well as the range of products needed to make a big impression straight off. Aquabarrel provides so much knowledge about the subject, customers judge it also has top-quality products at fair prices.

Aquabarrel incorporates as much “green” in its product line as possible. Many of the rain barrels and other accessories are produced from recycled or recyclable materials. Generally, materials were food containers of edibles from olives to Coca-Cola. Chenkin is uncompromising in selecting products to add to Aquabarrel’s assortment. They must be the best possible in materials and construction. A product must be one Barry Chenkin wants to stand behind and support from the standpoint of the user. Every successful customer is another witness that water conservation does not only make sense, but each of us can do it.

Aquabarrel
Barry Chenkin
info@aquabarrel.com
301-253-8855
206-202-1487 (fax)
www.aquabarrel.com