photo credit: Creap

The transition to start a “green business” or “eco-friendly” one, as it is often called, is not I had launched
one of Mississippi’s first health food stores. There was no Internet, no Google, no blogging, nothing.
I paid high rent in a mall across from the local university. The local townsfolk felt I might be
possessed to believe that natural products might be better than what could be bought at A & P Grocery.
(I am showing my age here).

Many years career changes later, I finally settled on e-commerce and cartooning. I found a way
to have my cartoon images printed on demand and drop-shipped. Sales were great from the start, as
I had already built a name with a non-commerce producing cartoon site. There was one problem. I wanted some of my items, particularly tshirts to be made from organic cotton. I knew that I was and am but one person, but when I read that regular cotton production accounts for 10% of the world’s insecticide pollution, I knew I had to do something.

I started my search in 2006 after opening the first of my stores. No luck. I made call after call.
I did manage to find some organic textile manufacturers, but they wanted me to order the product in bulk and resell it. That is not “my thing”. So I kept trying.

Suddenly this year, while reading various blogs on unique cartoon gifts and collectibles, I ran across a post stating the name of a print-on-demand firm that offered not only men’s and women’s organic
cotton tees, but also made with totally nontoxic dyes. This was a major concern to me. I had remembered when in the health food business, back when non-food organic items were rarely paid much attention, I had told an organic clothing salesperson that if they could promise me the dyes were nontoxic, I would give them a try. They were not, and I’ve since learned many organic and other so-called organic items are printed with toxic dyes.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a fanatic. But many of my customers have a certain lifestyle. Just because it is organic, is not enough. It has to be healthy, and healthy means natural dyes. Just
this month, I found the firm, and finally, after a two year search, found the firm.

I launched the store this month and, true to form, those regular customers who had queried me so often about having “green merchandise” in the inventory are happy as can be, not to mention healthier. Our earth is fragile, and, often it seems easier to be ambivalent. But everyone can do a little something to make a difference. I by launching the store it has made my own approach toward the environment change (for the more positive). I try to wear the organics more often than not. I recycle. I associate
with a whole new network who are either own a green business or are transitioning towards one.
It is a very healthy and positive group of smart, savvy people with a good conscience and heart.

Rick London an entrepreneur and cartoonist, and founder of the Internet’s most popular offbeat cartoon, Londons Times. He just launched his first “green store” Rick London Organics http://www.ricklondonorganics.info which sells 100% organic cotton tees for men and women using totally non-toxic dyes. He also owns other stores such as Rick London Collection http://www.ricklondoncollection.com and his large megastore http://www.LTSuperstore.com

photo credit: Ben Kokolas

Food isn’t just something that we want, it’s also something that each and everybody needs. Without food we would all perish, which is why you can make a great business selling things that can be eaten.

If you are willing to put in a lot of hard work then there is no reason why you can’t create a profitable business by selling herbs and spices. It’s possible to start this business as quite a small concern, but then increase it easily in the future. In the south you can even get free bay leaves.

In order to make your fortune you shouldn’t just sell the fresh and dried herbs. You should also consider selling plants, and seeds. Herbs and seeds are pretty expensive and so people will want to try and grow their own. Try and differentiate your products by making them of premium quality.

You could even consider creating your own blends of spices to add to certain things, certain spices might work great on crisps, nuts or popcorn.

So how can you make $8000 per month? Well if you started by selling a set of herbs for $99, which may seem a lot but considering the prices of spices people will buy it. If you sell just 10 of these a week then you will make $4000 a month.

This is just the start though, if you expand your product range, perhaps offering a complete herb rack with all the herbs people will need for $200 then you will make $8000 a month if you sell just 10 a week.

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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.

Reduce Emissions

One of the biggest contributors to global warming is emissions from vehicles. Encourage employees to carpool. Allow them to work from home a couple times a day or work a 10-hour 4 day week to reduce gasoline consumption and emissions.

Power Down

Turn off your computer and other office electronics at the end of the day. The EPA estimates that simple act can save nearly $75 every year.

Recycled Products

When you can, purchase recycled products or those with the “post-consumer” waste seal. If you’re a retailer, sell organic or environmentally-friendly products.

Go Paperless

If you send out statements or invoices to customers, offer them the option of electronic notification and direct debit payment or automatic bill pay.

Replace High-Energy Fixtures

Use CFL light bulbs and upgrade your old equipment to more energy efficient models.

Get Some Fresh Air

If you can, open your windows to get fresh air instead of turning on the air conditioner.

photo credit: Melissa Goldstein

Most public and private entities today are trying to promote “Green” processes as a way of doing business to help the environment or are touting their “green” attitudes to improve their corporate image. Common examples may include using recycled copier paper, buying items with a minimum percentage of post-consumer waste, and encouraging recycle programs for their own waste. While all those methods are valid, implementation can be very costly and may prevent the programs from being successful and widely accepted. What some “Green” coordinators do not realize is that utilizing and implementing technology solutions that eliminate waste can be just as good or better.

The common misconception is that technology equals huge dollar expenditures and long implementation schedules that may cost more than they are worth. This may be true in some cases, but not for electronic reverse auctions. Public and private entities can save thousands of dollars and trees every year by posting their bids online in either a reverse auction format or electronic RFQ, The specifications and terms and conditions documents can be uploaded to a website so they do not have to be printed out every time a request for them is made. The vendors can then respond to these bids by uploading their responses or placing bids during the live reverse auction.

Hard dollar savings can be achieved by both parties by reducing the amount of paper, the mailing costs associated with issuing bids and responding to them, and the time it takes to process and report paper bid results. With an electronic bidding process, bids documents can be uploaded and results can be instantly reported on and saved without ever having to print anything on a piece of paper.

Reverse auctions with http://www.eDynaQuote.com are easy to implement since you do not have to download anything to your computer to use them. This means that your IT department does not have to dedicate any resources to maintain your account. All documents and completed event results are archived in your account or can be saved in electronic format on your computer. We also offer many flexible and customizable payment options for your convenience.

Doug Luthringer is a Client Development Manager at http://www.eDynaQuote.com with over two years of strategy, implementation and training experience in online reverse auctions and nearly six years with online forward auctions such as eBay. Doug has also been invited to be a guest speaker to talk about how to properly use reverse auctions to small and medium size business, as well as university students.

photo credit: Iain Farrell

It’s everywhere you look, these days. People, companies, communities, and governments are making changes to “go green.” Considering what Mankind, and the Industrial Revolution, has done to the environment over the past 300 years, one can argue that it may be too little too late, but it is now the main focus for many. The old adage of “Better Living Through Chemistry,” is now under deeper scrutiny. However, can we truly create better products that perform just as well (if not better) than their more toxic counterparts? Can we manufacture them and bring them to market at competitive prices? Will the general public be willing to make the needed buying choice changes that they’ve grown comfortable with, over the years?

Ecological Science has proven to be able to step up to the plate, and deliver on products that leave little or no carbon footprint. More and more items are now being made that are far more environmentally gentle, and either break down with no residue or can be re-used multiple times. We can now manufacture products for the home, such as laundry detergents, cleaning agents, and bathing products that have little or no toxicity in their make up, plus have very little to no impact on the environment. Examples are laundry detergents with no harmful phosphates that both wear away on clothing as well as pollute our waters. Not only are these products environmentally safe and friendly, they are also proving to be a better choice, economically. They are proving to be able to do the same job, if not better than their toxic competitors, and they do it at a lesser cost to the consumer.

The question of whether or not the public will use these products is a matter of getting the word out, and having the consumer compare their old products with these new ones. That is really the ultimate litmus test. There are, of course, those who, no matter how good another laundry detergent may be, they are loyal to their “Tide.’ Perhaps it’s their ingrained fear of change or maybe they feel that if a product is a “known name brand,” it has to be better. However, for the greater majority of the buying public, it has been seen throughout history that the retail industry is the survival of the fittest. As better and more competitive products come to market, they will out-sell and ultimately take over.

Today’s consumer is a great deal more savvy than his earlier predecessor. Comparison shopping, along with the ease of the internet is becoming more and more the rule of thumb. Even Madison Avenue is realizing this, and tailoring their ads to at least seem more believable and real.

For the entrepreneur who wants to take advantage of all this, now is a perfect time to get involved. People’s awareness is growing and is more focused. Concerns over the environment and personal well being are being discussed all the time in the media. The Wellness industry is fast becoming the Number One industry on the net, with BILLIONS of dollars being spent each year. Baby Boomers, who are hitting middle age and retirement are also becoming more and more concerned about their health and maintaining their quality of life and health.

Focusing one’s business on the Green Awareness will not only help to create a better environment, and also a more responsible business, but will also put more green into the entrepreneur’s bank account. Never has the timing been so right and perfect for this to happen.

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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. For example, fewer piles of overflowing paper will make it easier to keep that working space clean and uncluttered so you can stay focused.

Sharing that you care, whether it’s about the planet, the people, or some other angle, or some other cause entirely, helps you connect with your market and become more “real” than just a hidden person behind a faceless website. It’s okay to allow your personality and passions to shine through your website and marketing. In fact, it’s smart marketing!

So with those benefits in mind, here are some small steps you can take to make your business greener:

1) Reduce the amount of paper you use. Before you print, think. Do you *really* need to print out that email or document? If you just need a backup copy, pick up an inexpensive USB thumb drive and use it to save copies of important files.

2) Reuse and recycle. Keep a small box or tray for paper that you’ve printed on but no longer need and announce to your children that they are welcome to color, paint, cut, etc with the paper. Kids don’t mind recycled paper and some really creative projects can result from paper that’s already been used.

3) Buy EnergyStar appliances. Watch the energy usage on any appliances you purchase–computers, sergers, sewing machines–whatever tools are required for your trade. Always turn them off when not in use.

4) Go paperless for billing. Many business models easily lend themselves to e-billing. If yours does, do it. It will save you not only paper/envelopes, but also time and postage. Bills get where they need to go quicker, too.

5) Use organic, recycled and/or natural elements. If you’ve got choices in the materials you use, take a few minutes to research your options. You may be pleasantly surprised by the range of choices available.

6) Choose reusable. Instead of notebooks and paper for your to do lists, consider a dry erase board or go to a digital online version. Try Google Calendar instead of a paper planner. If your products require certain materials during the production process, can you use something reusable instead of disposable?

7) Buy in bulk. You’ll save time as well as trips back and forth to the store if you purchase in bulk.

Change your lighting. Open the windows in your home office or working area and enjoy the beautiful, natural light! Replace your old style light bulbs with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs to save energy and reduce your electric bill.

9) Choose a VA (virtual assistant) instead of an in-person assistant. Work with employees or contractors who work from their homes and you’ll help save the gas and emissions from cars driving back and forth as well gain as many, many other benefits.

10) Combine errands and schedule meetings selectively. Can you do them all on one day? Fewer trips in your car are better. If you can eliminate some errands by having the USPS carrier (who’s already driving by) pick up packages or meeting with clients via Skype instead of in-person, consider it.

11) Buy Green Tags. With green tags you can compensate for your CO2 usage. I purchase mine through Green Tags USA.

12) Go 100% Replanted. Through Replant Trees you can have trees planted to make up for your paper usage.

13) Choose your packaging materials carefully. You can find green packing materials starting at sustainablepackaging.org Recycle or reuse when feasible.

14) Deliver your products digitally. Can you offer a digital version of your products? How about offering your patterns as a PDF download? Or a PDF ebook option of your printable book? Encourage the digital options. Check out e-junkie.com for an easy way to sell digital items online.

15) Sell locally. No need for shipping if you sell to local customers. Try craft shows or farmers markets if they fit your products. You can find listings online at Indie Craft Guide or Indie Craft Shows. Depending on your products you could also work out discounts or commission based deals with tourist shops, museums, locally owned bookstores and other businesses or organizations in your local area.

16) Support green businesses. Does your webhost power their servers with green energy? Does your printer offer recycled paper for brochures or business cards? Look for ways to support other businesses who are making an effort to be green.

17) Share your commitment! Several websites (EcoFirms, EcoBusinessLinks, Green People, Coop America, and others) maintain link directories of eco-aware businesses. Add yours if you’re taking action steps to be earth friendly.

Work at home mom extraordinaire Michelle Shaeffer publishes The Muses Brainstorm, a weekly ezine with tips to help you balance, manage, and market your home based business. If you’re ready for inspirational guidance and bright ideas sign up free at http://www.thesmallbusinessmuse.com

photo credit: DanielaNob

Moms who stay at home to take good care of their children still have the opportunity to earn. Through home based cleaning business, they can make profit to improve their family’s financial earning. Actually, this kind of business is the talk of the town today but still some people doesn’t know how to start a green home cleaning business. They have the capital and time but they don’t know how to actually start and run the business. As response to this problem, online websites are offering books, manuals and CDs that covers all aspects necessary to be learned by one who plans to start a cleaning business. These guides are proven reliable and based on actual business experiences so getting it in an affordable price will be your first step to success.

The starter kit on how to start a green home cleaning business is worth its cost because you can learn everything from this. It will not just teach you how to start your business, but it will also let you know how to make it grow and how it can give you more profit. The books, manuals and CDs can discuss from how you can register your business up to the last phase of how to develop your concrete business plan. Through this, you can access and weigh already the risks that you will take or the how your business will prosper. This is a must before you start your business to have adept knowledge about the industry that you what to be with. The familiarity that this starter kit can give you can minimize or even eliminate your chances of experiencing losses.

Learn how to start a cleaning business, visit StartACleaningBusiness.org.

photo credit: angela7dreams

Like the automotive and manufacturing sectors, the aesthetic industry along with organic skin care companies are focusing on limiting the impact they have on the environment. Rather than just focusing on the end product, aesthetic companies are now focusing on how their entire business, from production to marketing plans and packaging, to find ways to help the environment and the customers. Producers of green beauty products want the earth to look as healthy and beautiful as all of the faces on it.

Green Products

Green companies in the aesthetic industry have turned their backs on unsustainable resources and harsh chemicals in their products. Years ago, ingredients were taken from the natural environment or made in the lab without a thought to the devastating effects this has on the earth’s ecosystems. Chemicals used in the growth of resources and the production of products go into the air and the water supply. These substances are also absorbed into the bodies of consumers.

Today, the resources used in organic skin care products and the cosmetic industry, come from sources that can be produced through organic farming and other renewable methods rather than being harvested from the natural environment. With these new green practices, care and consideration for endangered species and the rest of the animal and plant population is also taken into account. Items such as sun block, for example, would be applied to the skin only to be absorbed into the body and leeched into the water. Today, organic skin care products like Sunsation are being created that do not contain chemicals that harm marine life and consumers.

Green Business Practices

The way the aesthetic industry conducts day-to-day business has also changed due to the introduction of green practices. Rather than tossing mountains of paper and ink into the garbage, computers and the internet have eliminated a lot of the waste. Paper and ink that is used by cosmetic businesses is now recycled along with packing materials and many other items that used to end up in the landfill.

Energy, water, and other resources used in offices and factories are being conserved as much as possible. An emphasis is placed on using energy efficient appliances. Machinery and production methods are changed to use less renewable energy or are altered to work more efficiently.

Organic skin care and cosmetic companies have augmented their marketing plans to include eco-friendly practices as well. Media kits, for example, are now available online and paper flyers, ads, and catalogues have disappeared. Things such as telephone and web conferences are helping to cut down on travel.

Shipping And Packaging

The adoption of green practices in the aesthetic industry has altered the way products are shipped and packaged. Organic skin care and other cosmetic companies eliminate unnecessary packaging. Any packaging used for their products are recyclable and made from earth friendly materials. This not only saves on waste, but it also maximizes shelf space and makes shipping more efficient because more products fit into each load. Packing materials used when shipping products to retailers and distributed are made of recycled material as well.

The aesthetic industry sees green practices as a necessary step to doing business successfully. Organic skin care companies and other businesses in the cosmetic industry are constantly changing their products and the way their businesses run to ensure they are as customer and environmentally friendly as possible. Everyone in the world is responsible for the fate of the world and the only way to change it is to work together.

Kent Campbell is an author for DNA Skin, an organic skin care company offering a variety of formulas that utilize the ionic chemistry technique. Developed by Dr. Noel Aguilar, DNA Skin products are available through professional dermatologists and at elite spas throughout the globe.

photo credit: Wonderlane

When you think about ethically sound, green business ideas, you immediately think of ways to reduce green house gases as part of your business model. Making money is one thing. But when you consider that your effort will go into making more and producing more of whatever you choose as your home business in an effort to of course make a reasonable income, you begin to think, whatever it is you are selling and producing must be environmentally sound.

One of the most wonderful green home business products that can be sold online is information in the form of a digital download. Quite commonly people are searching for information online and there are always specific niches that people are willing to pay money for. These niches can be fulfilled easily as a digital download. The consumer can read and benefit fully from the product without necessarily printing the information. The book, the ebook, is a digital download that can happily sit on a consumers hard drive for years and years. It is easily found and easily retrieved and read using a pdf (portable document file) reader which allows the information to be accessed. A perfect green home business product!

Selling this kind of information is 100% environmentally friendly. It also makes sense from a business perspective because it is available right away for the consumer. This means no waiting for the mail. The consumer of such information products makes their payment via credit card and are immediately referred to a secure download area where they can retrieve the specific information they paid for. In this way, it is highly susceptible to impulse purchases, which any business graduate can tell you, can represent up to 30% more sales over any given year. This makes it not only environmentally sound and a green home business opportunity, but smart business sense.

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photo credit: Torley

Tip #1: Make your green business fit your skills.Green cosmetics and cleaning supplies are very common in the eco-friendly world. But what if your particular niche is computers? You can create a green business in computers if you want to. Research how your skills and talents can be combined together to make a green computer business or any other business that could use a bit of eco-friendliness.

Tip #2: Support your green business with a green lifestyle.Look into ways in which you can promote your green business while being green in both your professional and private life. Buy products and office supplies that are recycled. Use suppliers that only sell green items. Use organic cleaning products and energy saving methods. Recycle both at the office and at home and see if there are other power sources – such as wind or solar power – for your home and office.

Tip #3: Educate your customers.If they are shopping in your store, then they are interested in the benefits of the green products you sell. Educate them why your products are better, how they help the earth or conserve resources. Show them differences between your eco-friendly item and the competitor. Make sure you know products and are professional. This adds value to the items you sell and your customers appreciate the information.

Tip #4: Word of mouth is good.When you make it a point to present your customers with as much information as possible about your green products, they in turn will tell their friends. Make your customer your best friend and best sales marketer. The happier they are with what you sell, the more they will talk about it. You, your staff, and your customers are the best promotional team any business could ever have.

Tip #5: Hire staff that shares your feelings about improving the environment.

People who feel the same as you do about going green and living a greener life will be more apt to invest into your business than those who aren’t. Employees will be more passionate on the sales floor when making a sale. While you want your business to succeed financially, you also want to sit back and witness how it is helping out the world around you environmentally.

Start a Greener Life has been especially created for people looking to be more environmentally friendly during the course of their everyday lives. Our mission is to be a reference bank where everything you need to make greener choices for you and your family is readily available and easily accessible. Take a look at our articles and tips at http://www.StartAGreenerLife.com