1. Why do you think a simple concept such as a tablet case made from up-cycled material became successful?
2. How were the ReFleece founders able to fund their start-up company? What risks did they accept to make their idea into a reality?
3. How has the partnership with Patagonia likely affected ReFleece’s sales?

Sam Palmer and Jennifer Feller took a risk with their idea for a sustainable iPad case. They refinanced their home and took out a home equity loan for $150,000 to found ReFleece in 2012, a business that uses up-cycled fleece as material for tablet cases. Up-cycling refers to reusing material without compromising its quality. The only new materials on these tablet cases are thread, snaps, and elastic. The entrepreneurs have been praised for their ability to create a useful product from old materials as well as for their commitment toward social responsibility.