Calling All Eco-Friendly Indies...

I'm with you, Jessie. Thanks for issuing this invite. The hope for our new book, Celebrate Green! creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, is that people will begin to realize that acting in an eco-aware way doesn't mean terrible hardship, but rather it's a path to both personal growth and having a positive impact. I realize our first audience is those who already are "living green" in some aspect of their lives, but we really are hoping to attract people who don't think of themselves in that way or who think that it's too much trouble, too expensive etc.

As for what I'd like to see, for me it would be just the give and take that is so helpful here on Biznik. People bringing challenges forward and anyone who can help, jumps in. I know I'm facing some upcoming challenges and would love to brainstorm potential solutions here.

Right now I'm working on our book launch activities and while I very much want to participate in this forum, attendance may be somewhat spotty until October 1.

But if I can be of help to anyone, I want to do it. I'm excited to see what happens with this group.

Warmly, Lynn

Thank you for starting a great topic, Jesse!

My company makes eco-friendly educational products for children. Our vision is to not only offer green products, but also to model social responsibility to the next generation.

I would like to see this become a place to meet other like-minded businesses and possibly share marketing resources. Our communities as a whole are becoming increasingly keen to environmental issues, therefore green solutions to everyday issues. Simply getting the word out about our businesses to a larger audience would help everyone, while also benefitting our Earth.

Thanks again, Jesse! Angie

Hi Jesse, thanks for starting this.

I am a co-founder at Eco-Libris ( http://www.ecolibris.net) , a green company that lets book readers balance out the paper used for the books they read by planting trees. Customers also receive a sticker made of recycled paper for every book they balance out saying "One Tree Planted for this Book" and can later display these stickers on their books' sleeves.

We have programs for authors (Hi Lynn!) publishers and bookstores as well.

About 20 Million trees are cut down annually for virgin paper used for the production of books sold in the U.S. alone. What we want to do is to raise awareness to the destructive environmental impacts of using paper for the production of books and provide people with an affordable and easy way to do something about it.

We have partnered with three highly respected US and UK registered non-profit organizations that work in collaboration with local communities in developing countries to plant the trees. These trees are planted in high ecological and sustainable standards in Latin America and Africa, where de-forestation is a crucial problem, and planting trees not only helps to fight climate change and conserve soil and water, but also benefits many local people, for whom these trees offer many benefits and an opportunity for a better future. ----

My other "hat" is the of a Web Coach. I love helping small to medium business owners figure out what they can really achieve from their online presence, how to set up the right goals, optimize what's there, plan the next steps and implement it.

I wish to be able to help many other green and sustainable businesses achieve those goals and grow by working together.

For example, we can all benefit by some smart cross linking and cross promotions/reviews of our various services and products. I'll be happy to help facilitate that.

Great thread,

Eylon

Hi Eylon,

I've been talking with Raz. We're going to be working with you by allowing people who purchase the book from us online to donate $1 for each book if they choose. Then we'll add the stickers with their orders. Also of course will be offering them whenever we sell the books in person. Love what you're doing and I'm very interested in what you're talking about regarding cross promotions etc.

On our website, and in our blog, we'll be featuring people who make and/or sell things we approve of. We also offer companies the Green Year seal which means that products that carry it are good for people, good for the Earth and give back. The latter means they'll give a percentage of proceeds on whatever item(s) feature the seal to our current non-profit partner, Treeswing (http://www.treeswing.org).

Initially, we won't be selling anything but the book on our website, and are delighted to promote others who are genuinely trying to make a difference too.

Warmly,

Lynn

Look up Biznik member Sonya Neblett. She's a web marketing consultant in NC and founder of bestecostuff.com and bestecostuff.com/blog.

Thanks Ondine. I will.

Lynn

Hi Lynn, what a small world! I just now saw the correspondence between you and Raz (my Eco-Libris business partner) and I am glad we are going to work together.

Ondine, thanks for the tip.

Yup, it's still a small green world :)

L

Yes, Jessie. I hope everyone will spread the word about Green Edmonds and come out for it. We'll be selling our books there too, assuming we've got them in by then which I'm hoping for. Even though our "official" launch date is October 1, how could we resist letting people get their hands on the book if they want to!

Love your idea. You might take a look and put out an offer on www.TheSwitchboards.com Wonderful artists there and a good representation from this area. Not all are green, but those who are should be a good match for you.

Lynn

Hi Jesse, I have always enjoyed going to the monthly www.greendrinks.org in Seattle and on the East side for great networking and education along these lines, (usually Tuesday nights).

We have a side business as well that allows people to buy green soaps and household cleaning products at great prices. It is a mostly "do it for ourselves, not as a business" approach, but I am always glad to share if anyone is interested. Thanks for being and making a conscious contribution here! Andrew

Haven't left just yet - FOUR DAYS to departure!! Swimming in prep, wrap up and everything in between!

Great thread! I get very excited when I connect with other greenies. The event that Eylon hosted at MC Electric last weekend was a very good connector for me to a potential future venture I have been visioning!

Introduced to Jessie by Ruth Hartmann, who is helping me get my biz rolling, true to her tagline, and also another green passionate person. I am in business love with this lady. haha!

I do write regularly for my biz blog (thanks Jessie!) and for Examiner.com/Seattle as well, as the Green Living Examiner. I also managed to attract the attention of a Stanford-supported online health blog called Wellsphere and am one of their featured Green Living bloggers! Holy Smokes!

My biggest passion is actually putting all those ideas into reality in home and office environments! There is nothing like watching a client's face light up when they see their spaces transformed and I get tickled pink myself with some of the creative ideas that pop at random into my head!

I'm just putting a finished re-design up on my site so take a gander over and check it out! My client complimented my work as "phenomenal"....blush Aw shucks!

I will be at Green Edmonds as well so I look forward to meeting you all there. I'll be at the SOSTANE booth as a part of Sisters of Sustainability, marketing and networking EcoKind.

I will also be at Seattle Tilth on Sept. 6th, another great opp. for marketing to the greenie crowd. I know SOSTANE has space for a few more ladies that want to market your biz with us if you want to share our table. It's SUPER cheap and we are a hoot to hang out with!

Too busy to make linkies so here they are for cutting and pasting: www.sostane.com www.examiner.com/seattle www.wellsphere.com www.wheelmakerinc.com www.seattletilth.com

See you all Sept. 6th and onward!!

Its great to see like minds connecting. I am a great advocate of educating what it means to be green but I feel there is much to be done to find those who are intimidated, frustrated or feel confused as to what it means to be green.

I try to in my business work with both professionals and non in finding their right shade of green. Being green should be something that is neither political nor financial but "organic" in the spirit of what that fully means.

I hope people flow to the green movement in that spirit and find ways to make their lives and others greener however they pursue that goal.

So keep up the good work and share your knowledge with someone who is trying to find that green balance.

Tanya, I totally agree with you. All the information can mean overload and a lot of people get turned off by that. They want to know what to DO, once they've been educated about the whys. On the other hand, there is so much to be done that they can just turn off to that as well. Finding the balance between being overwhelmed and doing some things, can be very challenging, but I also think that a lot more people are open to the possibilities today than were even a year ago and that's really exciting.

Lynn

http://www.CelebrateGreen.NET

WOW! I was just browsing through Biznik and came accross your post! I really love what you are doing, and have to say that Amy Woidke is AMAZING! We've met in person and I've seen some of her designs!

My Company, on the other hand, is an Eco- Body Care Manufacturer and Esthetician. We are in several Stores here in the Northwest, and a part of Green People.

We are gearing up to move our manufacturing and Esthetics Studio to South Lake Union. You should join us for our open house Sept. 13th! 535 Pontius Ave, Suite 126 (entrance on Mercer Ave).

See our Invite online at www.corymichael.com

We'd love to see you there. Come, see what we do and introduce yourself to all of our Eco Savvy Custies!!!

All best, Jesseca

Amy, just took a look at your site. Beautiful! I can see how we might work together and will be in touch after our book comes out.

Jessie, glad you like Celebrate Green! so far. And you're right, we think it will make a terrific gift. That's obviously going to be one of our focuses for the holiday season. We've already gotten quite a few pre-orders based on gift giving. (Of course it will be printed on recycled, FSC certified paper.)

Anyone here who thinks their products or services could be given as gifts or could be connected in some way to a holiday, please contact me. Our website goes live soon (www.celebrategreen.NET--there's a fun holding page there right now) and we'll be featuring companies that offer sustainable/Free Trade/eco/green goods. So email me offlist using this email please LynnATCelebrateGreen.NET.

Thanks! Lynn

I just cruised in to Seattle from the Upper Skagit Valley where I spoke with three artists. Each was looking forward to the village-green-gifts online method of showing their sustainable woodwork and art made from recycled glass. Most of these artists present exclusively at summertime outdoor shows and move within a good sized network of other artists, but were suprised and pleased to see that Biznik provided this expansive method to communicate with other eco-friendly indies online. I expect some new members here soon! ---Karin

@Jesseca - good luck with the move. I am curious, are your products vegan as well as eco-friendly?

And everyone - what kind of green themed events would you like to see on biznik? The first one we held (with Jen of MC Electric Cars) was great, and was mostly about the networking.

Wondering if you have any ideas on where to go with it next.

Best, Eylon

Off the top of my head Eylon, I'd love to think about collaboration. Another topic from the PF/marketing perspective is green burnout, i.e., studies I've read that people are getting tired of green messages, partly because they're getting so many of them. How do we who are in this arena cut through and stand out, but also, how do we mitigate the effects of overkill?

In addition, I have one more thought. Perhaps we should find a way to meet virtually. I live in Renton and try to use my car as little as possible. Someone on Biznik must know how we could set up an online meeting. I don't mean we should do this every time, but it could be that we can set a good example and walk the walk.

Warmly, Lynn www.CelebrateGreen.NET

Hey, Jessie!

I work with individuals to create health and vibrancy through dietary and lifestyle changes. Inherent in my programs are education on local, sustainable foods and body products, living in harmony with one's highest good and finding ways to add greater peace, joy, and enthusiasm to daily life.

I think online meetings are a great idea! I just relocated to San Diego and thus have no way of meeting Seattle folks in person.