They say entrepreneurship often starts out of a necessity — a need to fill a gap or solve a problem that hasn’t been adequately addressed.
For Scott Miller, founder of Conscious Water, this necessity rose from not one but two health scares that underscored the importance of safe drinking water. Instead of letting those challenges knock him down, they sparked a fire within him.
Through this fire Miller found purpose, and through Conscious Water, he not only provides products that promote holistic well-being, but also foster a deeper understanding of our relationship with water.
“For me, the problem was the solution,” he says.
An avid traveller, surfer and canoe tripper, Miller grew up with a deep appreciation for water. However, firsthand encounters with waterborne illnesses, including giardia or “beaver fever,” prompted him to seek a more efficient solution than the current water purification methods on the market.
In 2011, Miller discovered the Berkey.
For those unfamiliar, Berkey water filters are fully portable gravity filters, meaning they use gravity to filter water from an upper chamber through filters that traps more than 200 contaminants that may be present in the water as it passes through to the storage chamber. Purified drinking water can then be tapped off from the lower chamber.
The filtration systems differ from other at-home water filters because the contaminants they remove are not limited to basic contaminants such as chlorine, taste, odours and bacteria, but extend to over 200 harmful contaminants, including waterborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxic heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals and fluoride. The empowering Berkey Water Filter does not require electricity or water pressure to operate, thus it’s a true health, wellness, and emergency preparedness tool.
Needless to say, it was the solution Miller had been looking for. “It ticked all my boxes,” he says.
He purchased a Berkey for himself and his firsthand experience affirmed its efficacy — he was a big fan.
Berkey’s versatility in filtering various water sources, from lake water to river water and even dirty street puddles, opened up a world of possibilities for the outdoorsman. He shared his knowledge and his friends and family were equally impressed.
“Mother nature does the best job, but Berkey is second.”
The real turning point came during a casual dinner conversation one night, when Miller’s Mother jokingly suggested that he should sell Berkeys given how much he advocated for them.
He woke up the next morning and thought, I really should sell these.
Inspired by the principles of water consciousness explored in The Hidden Messages in Water, Miller founded Conscious Water as a brand dedicated to raising awareness about water quality and its impact on health and well-being.
Miller always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur, but before the Berkey, he hadn’t found something he was truly passionate about.
“I needed it to be heart-centred,” he says. “Something I really believed in.”
So he started small, becoming a distributor and slowly expanding his reach. Leveraging his knowledge in search engine optimization, he built a website and promoted the Berkey both online and at local markets and eco-shows. Within three months, it became his full-time endeavour.
Miller’s philosophy is simple but impactful: since our bodies are primarily composed of water, it makes sense to fill ourselves with the best water possible. Berkey filters, he says, with their natural filtration process, come second only to natural spring water.
“People always ask me if it’s the best drinking water. Mother nature does the best job, but Berkey is second.”
From the outset, Miller was driven by the desire to give back. His first donations were physical Berkey systems and filters to organizations working in Haiti. As he became more involved in his local community, he started donating to First Nations reserves, the local women’s shelter, and environmental causes.
Every year, Conscious Water makes contributions to a number of charities, including Water First, Environmental Defence, Blue Mountain Watershed Trust and My Friend’s House.
Miller’s commitment to giving back also reflects his belief in the interconnectedness of all beings through water.
When it comes to business, he values under-promising and over-delivering and believes in focusing on one’s strengths while outsourcing other tasks.
“Do what you do best and for the rest, write checks,” he says, quoting a saying he learned from one of his mentors.
Exceptional customer service, driven by patience and grace, remains at the forefront of his business.
Miller’s work-life balance is grounded in setting clear boundaries. He does not work on weekends and aligns his work schedule with his love for outdoor activities like skiing and surfing. This approach ensures he remains in harmony with his surroundings and enjoys the freedom he values.
Choosing Collingwood as the base for Conscious Water was a natural fit for Miller, driven by his love of Georgian Bay and the vibrant local community.
Looking ahead, Miller envisions modest growth for his business. He is expanding his offerings to include other eco-friendly systems such as a salt free water softener called HydroFLOW.
Visit ConsciousWater to learn more. He is also beginning to focus on educational initiatives and leading surf retreats.
“If any aspiring entrepreneurs are reading this, my best advice is: believe in yourself. Believe in your idea. Lead from your heart, and dive in head first.”
Words by Maddie Johnson
Feature surfing photo by Ryan Osman Photography
