Environmental Business

Business Loans, Angel Investors, Venture Capital and Start Up Capital for Environmental Businesses

Environmentally sensitive practices are becoming increasingly important for many businesses and restaurant franchising is no exception. The environment is a hot topic and the public is becoming more vocal about what they expect from retailers, manufacturers and service providers alike. Environmental issues which are foremost in the public’s mind, and which restaurant franchises must now take into account, include energy conservation, recycling and organic locally sourced food.

In Britain, a government sponsored “Green Achiever Scheme” has been created to enable companies to demonstrate their environmentally friendly credentials to suppliers, customers and other bodies interested in green business. In the United States, federal tax incentives and recycling programs have been set up to facilitate those companies wanting to improve their green credentials. The number of restaurant franchises opting into such schemes in both countries has been steadily growing, as business owners take note of the public’s demands when it comes to the environment.

photo credit: wearitdotcom

The world is becoming extremely environmental conscience. With great pushes to save the environment and reminding everyone that they can do their part, the market in green has become huge. By the “green” market we are speaking of items that are environmentally friendly. There are several areas where the opportunities for small businesses are huge.

One area is the search for green apparel. Individuals are looking for eco-friendly clothing and the market in this area is growing. This means using organic materials such as cotton and using environmentally friendly dyes. Small businesses can find a market in this area because they can offer unique environmentally friendly clothing.

photo credit: Kevin Krejci

It looks like investing for green now has a double meaning.

A couple of years ago, if you would have asked someone about “green investing” they probably would have told you that you were just trying to make some cash. Today, “green investing” not only means investing to make money, but to invest your money in an environmentally friendly way.

So, how can you get in on this type of investing? Aside from investing in mutual funds that specialize in these sorts of companies, it seems like there’s really one of two ways for you to invest your hard earned money “greenly”:

photo credit: myuibe

A Green Business is something to be proud of. By establishing such a business you are contributing to the well being of the Planet and of your fellow man. It doesn’t matter if you are a consulting firm that advises others on the best ways to Go Green or if you sell merchandise that is “green”, by adding your voice and your resources to the Eco friendly movement then you are doing the world a great service.

As the Green Movement gains momentum and more companies are joining the fold it is important to make certain that your business does not become another tree among the ever growing forest. You have to market your business in such a way that it is noticeable and necessary while maintaining the right to be Green.

photo credit: MK Media Productions

Adopting environmentally-friendly business practices has become more than a passing trend – companies and organizations are rapidly learning the importance and benefit of becoming green. Not only will you do your part to encourage and support eco-friendly habits, but you may just find you have more greenback in your wallet by going green.

Recycle and Reduce

Take a good look at what your company consumes and see what (if anything) can be recycled and reduced in use. Recycle all paper products, bags, and cardboard, and other applicable business products. Try and print less and communicate electronically whenever possible.

photo credit: Larsz

Whether or not you believe global warming could be the end of civilization, there are other compelling reasons to take action to be environmentally friendly in your business. Respect for the planet and life all around you is the most basic of those reasons, but here are three others: it will reduce your costs, increase your efficiency, and add to your USP (unique selling position).

By following the familiar reduce, reuse, and recycle mantra you can save financially, which will allow you to invest more into growing your business or free up family finances.

You can increase your efficiency and get more organized by making small “green” changes such as printing less.

photo credit: MSFP

Sometimes it takes one event or trigger to change your life or the direction you are going. I have been very much in my element the last 12 months trying to develop more and more content and services for consulting and coaching clients. I have had clients on a regular basis, even though I always feel I should have more, based on all the time I spend finding them.

As any good coach and entrepreneur should, I keep up on the developments in the industry and believe in the concept of “paying it forward”. The developments in our economy didn’t really help my relatively new company.

photo credit: thingermejig

There’s one thing you need to know about the green consumer. They want to know.

According to the Roper Green Gauge, over 50% reported they would do more if they only knew what and how. So moving your communications to educate and inform can do a lot to grow your green business.

While representing an eco-friendly paint company, we raised the issues of indoor air pollution which is caused in part by the out-gassing of toxins in conventional paints, stains and cleaning products. We built into their quarterly consumer catalog an educational component called “Did You Know?” Sprinkled throughout the pages were various statistics that enlightened consumers.

For instance, using EPA statistics, we informed them that “indoor air pollution is two to twenty times worse than outdoor air pollution even in a heavily industrialized city.” A few pages later, a statistic from Scientific American stated, “A baby crawling on a conventional carpet inhales the equivalent of four cigarettes a day.”

These eye-opening facts broadened their audience considerably, bringing many mainstream people into their consumer base who now understood the close-to-home benefits of their products. Then we launched the branding line for their non-toxic paints, “Beauty without the Beast.” We struck the balance between the reasons people buy their products: To beautify their homes AND avoid unnecessary toxins – the real reason for that “just painted smell.”

Most of us trust the marketplace to bring us products that are safe, useful and effective. Consumers have not trained themselves nor felt the need to examine everything that’s out there before they purchase. But that’s beginning to change.

The thousands of recalls of everything from children’s toys to chopped meat are beginning to wake up and energize a more informed consumer. They’re demanding to know more before they buy and that has profound implications for marketers.

photo credit: Unhindered by Talent

It’s a good thing that “going green” is finally a trend. Big businesses are going green with environmentally safe products, environmentally safe fabrics and environmentally safe packaging. But, the trash isn’t entirely off the streets yet.

There are still companies cutting corners and not only that, but we our starting to feel the crunch from the lack of valuable resources. Worrying about the environment is not just worrying about maintaining safe guidelines on resources we use. But, it also includes making sure we have resources to use in the future.

photo credit: thingermejig

In my discussions over the years with clients, one question seems to pop up more than any other: Are Americans willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly products?

For the segment of the population that is most affluent, most educated and most eco-conscious, the answer has always been – yes.

Now, a survey conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media and the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, shows that an ever increasing number of Americans are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products.