About Beyond Cubicles
📢 #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina D’Souza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.
Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industries—ranging from tech and education to wellness and adventure—who share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers.Â
✨ Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.
“My goal is to contribute meaningfully rather than just add noise.”
In 2014, long before plastic-free water solutions were mainstream, Shawn Green faced a choice: stay in his job or build something meaningful.
Having lived in the UAE since the early 90s and spent nearly a decade in Germany’s heavy cranes industry, he saw niche businesses thrive, which resonated with his engineering background.
He set out to create a world where plastic-free drinking water is easily accessible.
But launching Sprudel® – the planet-friendly water company® meant challenging deep rooted perceptions.
Businesses relied on 5-gallon dispensers, and tap water skepticism ran high.
“It took years of advocacy and demonstrations to prove our system’s reliability,” he says.
The entrepreneurial shift meant financial uncertainty, market resistance, and making every decision alone. “In corporate, you have buffers: teams, budgets, fallback plans. As an entrepreneur, you’re the buffer,” he says.
But Shawn held firm. “Sprudel, meaning sparkling water in German, was always a long term vision where sustainable water solutions are the standard, not the exception.”
Over the years, he’s learned that success isn’t just about a great idea. “Your network is your net worth. The right relationships can open doors no amount of marketing spend can,” he says, adding product-market fit is a continuous process of refinement and adaptation.
For the first decade of Sprudel, he focused on building the company. With a stable base, he is now building his founder-led brand: “My goal is to contribute meaningfully rather than just add noise. Authenticity and long-term value remain my guiding principles,” he says.
Today, Sprudel has evolved into a full-fledged water tech company, committed to sustainable water solutions that eliminate single-use plastic and support local production. Made in the UAE isn’t just a label for the company; it’s a commitment to manufacturing locally, using homegrown talent, and reducing waste at the source.
The journey shaped him in unexpected ways. “I’ve become more decisive, more adaptable. I’m still learning to celebrate wins,” he says. Backed by a strong team, he explores golf, DJing, and industrial design.
Dubai was home in his formative years and remains so as a business owner. “I don’t see myself elsewhere ever,” he says.
For those contemplating a leap, he advises: “Validate your idea, build a financial runway, and don’t overthink it. There’s no perfect moment, just the right level of preparedness.”