Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Well, I read 9 pages and have to say, didn`t learn much lol.

1st. Decentralization of power, is the future imo. But it`ll take training people to think of it as a personal responsibility, and that`s hard to do. People are so use to the "one place fits all" need, they are stuck on a major provider for their services. Look at phone companies offering package deals for internet, phone and TV nowadays.
I have looked into energy options for my self, including DIY wind turbines, and solar panels. There`s a lot of info for the DIY`er out there. Planetgreen even did a story on a company that rents solar panels out to the homeowners, and locks in their power rate for up to 50 years.

2nd. Being Green? It`s about being more responsible about what you purchase and how you use it. Actually giving thought to how something is made, and shipped to you, instead of just the bottom line dollar figure it will cost you. As a populace, we tend to look for the cheapest thing, and don`t care about what it took to make it....hence why we by China made products more than American made these days, and why Wal-Mart is the biggest reatil store. And once you`ve bought that product, what do you do with it? How do you dispose of it when it`s lifespan is over?

Of course there`s a whole lot more to "being green" but I think it really boils down to responsible living. Giving thought to what you do, and what you consume. As someone else said, let`s not get too technical with people. It really IS the small things we do that make a difference, not the arguing over napkins.

This brings me to my biz idea I`ve had...one of the many in my head lol...

1 part "green consultant" one part "green retail" biz. There is a green biz already called "Green Irene" that is similar and I think could be built upon. Green Irenes go into homes and help show them ways they could live more green by making small changes such as changing water spigots, shower heads, changing to CFL bulbs, etc. I think they offer a good way to get started in the biz. They`ve got a $450 "training and kit" to help you get started as your own Green Irene. You can use your own biz name of course. So that`s a way to start that I see. Green Irene also has all the products you could buy from them that supposedly have been tested and approved by them as being quality materials. Your profit comes fromt he fee for the home audit, and commisions off the products you`ve sold.

To add to that though, you could do home energy evaluations using a current cost meter, and visually showing the home owner, or businees, just how much certain energy using products are costing them hourly/daily/yearly. The show "Wa$ted" on Planetgreen uses these meters. I looked them up, and they are around $150 and seemingly easy to use.

Now, take these things and add them together. And then also expand your business in to other green items such as cleaners, BPA free plastics, beautycare products, clothing, etc. Evolve into a brick and mortar business with your own retail store.

For me, I think the Green Irene thing could be a great way to start up your green consulting business and possibly lead in to the other avenues I`ve listed. Even in to the decentralization of your energy sources if you wanted to take it that far. Hire employees to run your store, become consultants for you, etc. and you`d have a huge business possibly.

To me there are just so many ways you could go here, the opportunities are limitless. So, I wrestle between this biz idea, my RE advertising biz, and a few other ideas, including focusing more on my current public works position. Now if I could decide which way to go, I`d be good.

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"Friends Don`t Let Friends Burn Paraffin"

I would consider something in the realm of alternative energies. It`s certainly a growing aspect of sustainability, but it`s also one of the only sustainable industries successfully weathering the economic climate. Solar might not have a great ROI today, but it`s expected to be a primary energy source in less than 20 yrs

http://www.themcompanies.com/blog/alternative-energy-companies-grow-even-as-others-falter/



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THE M COMPANIES - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BLOG

Rich- here is my new business that I just launched a month ago to help people remember their reusable bags- does this count as a green business?  www.bagnesia.com We think so...!

Have you ever wondered what candles are really made of?  Did you know that petroleum and kerosene waste has been the primary material for candles?  The petroleum is bleached and texturized with a chemical called Acrolein, color and scent is added to create a paraffin candle.  Sounds relaxing?  Yep, the fuel residue powered for our vehicles is what you are burning and breathing in your home.   

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently rated indoor air pollution as one of the five most urgent environmental issues accounting for over $1 billion in direct healthcare costs each year. In fact, the EPA, the American Lung Association (ALA) and the Envirodesic Certification Program, all believe that the air in most homes is likely to be ten times more polluted than the air outside!  Only from a few candles. Testing and air chambers analysis by the EPA has found the following compounds in a random group of over 30 paraffin candles tested.  These tests also show that burning paraffin candles can produce a variety of harmful substances in SIGNIFICANT quantities including,                                  

                     

Acetone, Benzene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Carbon Disulfide, Butanone, Trichloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, Carbon Black (soot) Particulate Matter, Styrene, Xylene, Ethyl benzene, Phenol, Cresol, and Lead.

What is the natural alternative?

Soy wax is made from natural soybeans grown right here in the USA.  In a 60lb bushel, 49lbs of soy meal and 11lbs of soybean oil are produced.  The soy meal is used for soy milk, tofu, "veggie" burgers and also animal feed.  The 11lbs of soybean oil is made into wax through a partial hydrogenation process.  Therefore the entire soybean is not wasted.  Purchasing soy candles is an excellent way to support American farmers.

Per ounce the all natural soy candle will burn approximately 9 to 10 hours depending on the location of the candle.  For example, an 8oz candle it will burn approx 70-80 hours, definitely a better value for your dollar. Soy burns cooler, longer, cleaner and has a greater scent throw (scent distance), up to 3 times further than paraffin candles, for the entire burn of the candle.  Since there are no added chemicals, soy candles are non carcinogenic and no black soot residue is emitted.  Hot soapy water is all you`ll need to clean the container and a spill.   

Soy candles are the next new trend for the candle industry.

to find out more visit www.candlewealth.com/phillycandle

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"Friends Don`t Let Friends Burn Paraffin"

I have started a curbside recycling business in my county, Carson Valley Recycling; www.cvrecycling.com.  I feel I have the "GREEN" term down!  I can`t tell you yet how profitable it is as the market in the recyclables has crashed, but everybody pays a "subscription" fee for us to come and pick it up, so that in itself covers the expenses.  We have been in full operation since June of 2008.  It took about 1.5 years to get it started and lot of our own money.