Hope, passion and dreams filled the air as I stepped into the vibrant atmosphere of Syracuse University’s Blackstone LaunchPad for the Spring 2021 elevator pitch competition. Amidst the buzz of innovative ideas and eager entrepreneurs, I encountered Justin Diaz ’24, a student at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Justin’s genuine enthusiasm for building bamboo homes for disaster victims was palpable, evoking a sense of childlike wonder. However, the judges’ opinions diverged from my own, awarding him only $350 and a first-place medal. Little did we know that this modest beginning would blossom into over $20,000 in winnings for his EcoBamboo Living project from various business competitions held at Syracuse University.
EB: Building a successful career is like rocket science to many. How did you know this is what you wanted to do?
JD: I visited the director of LaunchPad, and it sounds simple now, but one of her biggest questions was, “Do you have a big idea?”
A simple question that propelled Justin towards the start of something genius, using one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth as a sustainable source of construction. Thus, to kick off our interview, Justin guided me to the very birthplace of his entrepreneurial journey: the Syracuse University LaunchPad.
Here, amidst the dynamic ambiance of innovation, mere inquiries about entrepreneurship had the potential to spark the inception of a groundbreaking business venture. Justin Diaz was a walking testimony.
JD: On the first day I visited the LaunchPad, she gave me an assignment.
EB: Ugh, I hate first-day assignments. What was it?
JD: Right, luckily it wasn’t classwork, but she told me to list everything that I wanted to do in life and to find some type of correlation.
A seemingly small question with a sensitive layer of emotion embedded in its simplicity. As the conversation transitioned from casual to heartfelt, it became clear that Justin’s path toward sustainability was deeply rooted in personal experience. Over the years, he had absorbed the heart-wrenching stories of his family members losing their homes to natural disasters in Puerto Rico. Thus, his passion for sustainability and his commitment to making a difference emerged organically from these poignant narratives.
EB: Out of all the things you could have mentioned, why sustainability?
JD: My grandfather lost his home to a natural disaster in Puerto Rico, and I already didn’t come from the easiest family, so…
EB: I hear you.
JD: It wasn’t like we could just go pick him up. With what money, you know?
At that moment, there was no room for smiles, only the weight of harsh reality bearing down on us. His testimony served as a red carpet showcase for the true power of motivation in entrepreneurship, a relentless force that often becomes the sole driver in the four-person car of life.
Justin’s additional consideration was eco-friendliness. Merging this aspect with his primary goal of aiding disaster victims, he birthed the concept of bamboo homes. This initiative highlights the swift growth of bamboo and its minimal environmental footprint during cultivation, making it an ideal solution for sustainable housing.
Up to this point, Justin has been tirelessly working to breathe life into his dream. He invested his winnings over the years, totaling over $20,000, into assembling a team of seasoned professionals who specialize in various aspects crucial to the realization of his bamboo home vision. Together, they have been working meticulously to craft a comprehensive module.
EB: You’ve won so much money, what did you do with it?
JD: I’ve been putting together this module. Sure, 20 grand might sound like a lot, but when you’re in the thick of building a home and gathering a team, it’s easy to feel like you’re stumbling around.
Armed with determination and fueled by love for his family and a passion for sustainability, Justin set out on this bamboo-clad adventure. Because in the end, amidst all the challenges and uncertainties, there’s one thing he knows for sure: with a little bamboo and a lot of heart, we can build not just homes, but a brighter future together.
Written By Elijah Brown ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications