Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Greetings SUN community!

As some of you may know, I am in the business of designing fundraising programs that are FREE. Programs that give back to more than just the organization hosting it, programs that are reciprocal in its giving. 

 

While exploring the day to day needs regarding this sector, and working on solutions, I started to piece together the puzzle that is now "GreenBeans"

 

GreenBeans is a rewards system that highlights and increases the sales of “green” products; creates reciprocal profits for those who do not necessarily sell  “green” products; sponsors the education and development of small businesses and entrepreneurs; helps support charities, organizations, schools and communities; promotes environmental awareness and conservation; and makes everyone money.

GreenBeans rewards folks for shopping, recycling & donating

GreenBeans offer programs for scholl fundrasing campaigns too!

Spend your GreenBeans on healthy, earth-friendly products!

Earn them, Give them, Spend them

GreenBeans are Good for You!

 

Right now Greenbeans is only available to a small local market, but as soon as the website is up, we will be nationwide! I hope that you will partcipiate!

 

So, as a first step, to better understand the businesses that exist here on SUN that will be served by the "green" initiative" working within this format, I am creating this topic to serve as gathering point for Manufacturers, Sellers & Promoters of environmentally friendly products to include organic products as well.

 

I hope that you will use this forum to introduce and promote your business, tell us why you chose to go "green", and any other information you might like to provide. If you suspect you might be "green" post anyway! Even if only a small percentage of your business or products are green, even if just one of them is, you belong here too!

 

I look forward watching this grow!

Hello Rachel!

 

I think you have a fantastic concept here.  I am interested in learning the specifics of your implementation strategy, if you have team in place & other companies/products you have on your radar.  What is your big vision?  Your passion & drive are very evident & I congratulate you on launching this venture! 

I strongly believe that manufacturers & retailers alike must create an alliance that is small business friendly & non-discriminatatory (aka affordable!) that will encourage the today`s start-up companies to work towards a green & sustainable way of life.  As you are probably very aware, to become "certified" organic &/or "certified" fair trade, for example, the costs involved are very high & it`s quite a beaurocratic process.  Unfortunately, this is both discouraging & frustrating to those of us who literally started out in our kitchens & garages to break the mainstream barrier & make a difference at a grandeur level.  Do we bankrupt ourselves for the sake of having the "official label", even though we already support sustainable practices & work solely w/fair trade suppliers? 

Someday this bridge will be gapped & SUN may be the platform to facilitate such a shift. 

I`m looking forward to participating in your live forums/events & contributing anyway I can.  As you`ve already implied, it`s a group effort & the rewards are mutually serving, beyond our own businesses & into mainstream trade.

Happy Holidays,

Christine Trice

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Christine Trice
Founder & President
Brown Bag Botanicals
877-SHEA NUT (743-2688)
www.brownbagbotanicals.com

Voted MOST POPULAR INSTRUCTOR at Borders Live Classes. visit www.bordersliveclasses.com & search Green Beauty Queen for class schedule.

 

Hello and Happy Holiday,

20% of each sale goes to Americans with Disabilities. I also purpose the same concept to SuN Community.  People with disabilities they too would like to be part of the internet`s dream. Accept many are including myself are on fixed income`s and are afraid to make that change. I for one understand their fear. Inorder to achieve dreams I feel first you have to conquer the fear of changes and look at it has an adventure. That is what Second Hand Rose Boutique represents (I hope). I share the errors that I have made and the pitfalls that are in the world of the internet.  So they can advoid and save them a great deal of money. Americans with Disabilities is increasing at a very high rate and it goes up each year. Now one out of every five Americans are disabled. The funding for the disabled is almost nil. Now I have people from other web sites donated to the cause. Which is beautiful, an artist started donating some paintings and I like that concept better than just selling my products (which I believe everyone has the same dropshipper). Which makes it unique and special. Nice way of sharing and at the same time raising funds for a very worthwhile charity. No age is targeted. It is increasing amoung the "Baby Bommers". I for one became disabled (at the age of 49) when a truck driver fell asleep behind the wheel.

Yours Truly,                                                                            Rose M. Palinkas                                                              http://secondhandroseboutique.com

 

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Yours Truly, Rose M. Palinkas, secondhandroseboutique.com

Welcome Christine!

Yes, I agree, there is an overwhelming need to bring attention to problem created by "certification" costs imposed upon this industry. This was one of the first problems I had encountered along this "journey". I believe I have found a way to turn that around and actually make the "certification" process not only CHEAP but PROFITABLE.

I will be addressing more about this particular issue as we move forward.

So glad you are here!

Your products are wondeful, and I am particularly inspired by your determination in regards to finding solutions, from the simple approach as stated on your site under "A little History"

http://www.brownbagbotanicals.com/pages/a_little_history.php:

"Our oldest daughter is allergic to just about everything under the sun, so we can’t realistically eliminate all of her allergens, such as her best friend (our cat), the chlorine in the pool (she’s on swim team), the grass outside, many fruits and wheat to name a few. However, even with exposure to many of her allergens, we’ve been able to prevent eczema flare-ups with the daily use of the Shea Butter. When her skin does start to flare-up, using more ample amounts of Shea completely prevents a full outbreak of eczema."

To your thoughts on the "big picture` as stated here in this forum.

Please feel free to tell us more!

Welcome Rose!

You have been on my mind lately in regards to your postings in the "can we create a business forum".  This is a cause particularly close to my heart, as my oldest son is challenged by Cerebral Palsy.

Prior to your post, I had been addressing the specific needs of this sector is a very general way. Your posting helped me to regain perspective on certain issues, and focus on some better solutions.  I have a great way to address the fundraising challenges faced by organizations such as yourself, and an innovative system that will allow you to highlight your business structure in regards to "second hand" business. I promise to elaborate more as we move forward!

So glad to have you with us!

Please tell us more about your business!

 

Welcome Katt!

When it comes to compiling resources, SUN member SolidGrnd ( Leah Tucker) has pioneered some excellent work in her field! You can learn more about her here: http://www.startupnation.com/profile/SolidGrnd

There are also many netowrks that exist to bring charities and non-profits together under one roof, although there is some time before we see a perfect working model...

In regards to your innovative solution: Bravo! Way to think out of the box! As you may already suspect, you could be cultivating the seeds for a licensing arrangement!

I look forward to growing with you and I am glad to count you in!

Hi everyone!

Rachel, thank you so much for your compliments on my product line!  I only have my flagship products listed on my site right now, but in the next week or so I will have several more added following some photoshoots with a couple publications. 

My company did evolve from a personal necessity - I found a solution to our daughter`s eczema, which was a formula I orginally developed in my private pregnancy massage practice to help women avoid & overcome stretch marks.  It didnt take too long for the lightbulb to go off in my head that I was onto something quite viable, but I greatly lacked the experience to take a concept to market....and the knowledge.....and the support.  It`s been a tough & still rewarding road to travel.  Honestly at times I thought my entire family was going to kick me to the curb!  Luckily my husband is completely on-board w/my vision & we`ve embraced happiness beyond the confines of financial limitations (aka - we`ve managed to survive the famine & still have each other!!)  I`ve also "hit the wall" a handful of times, but still never felt that I should walk away.  And it seems that everytime I`ve hit the wall, I`ve had an epiphany or breakthrough moment once the smoke clears.

I think one of the biggest lessons I`ve learned thru all of this is that:

1)  I didnt know what I didnt know

2)  I will NEVER solely self fund another start-up

3)  I will build TEAM before I begin execution

 Okay, that`s three lessons (luckily I have a fabulous accountant!)  I think this forum will serve as such a valuable resource.  I would even consider a resource as this an extension of a board of advisors or even a form of masterminding.

When I first started my company, what I lacked in planning, experience & knowledge & compenstated for in ego.  It took me about three years & some big brick walls (metaphorically speaking, ofcourse) to humble me to the budding entrepreneur that was screaming to come to life.  Then I started to work smart & hard, not just spin wheels & not accept accountability.  I grew up & my company began to blossom.

Before I go on & on & on here (I`ve had a wee bit too much caffiene today) & invite your questions & your suggestions.  Please visit my website & let me know what you think.  If you`ve tried my product, what do you think about it?  If you havent & would like some samples, let me know!  If you`d like to see it sold at a retailer near you, let me know that too!  My product that is on store shelves today is not the exact same product I piloted 2 years ago.  It evolved based on consumer & buyer feedback & the improved formula was just released this summer, with an entire product line to follow in the fall.  Woo-hoo!

Have a fabulous week.  Looking forward to connecting with you all soon.

Best,

Christine

 

 

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Christine Trice
Founder & President
Brown Bag Botanicals
877-SHEA NUT (743-2688)
www.brownbagbotanicals.com

Voted MOST POPULAR INSTRUCTOR at Borders Live Classes. visit www.bordersliveclasses.com & search Green Beauty Queen for class schedule.

Outstanding Christine! You`re very welcome! What a wondeful & helpful post!

Will be ordering my samples ASAP! From one mommy to another, that shea butter is a million dollar product!

It is ironic that you have mentioned some themes recurring in my mind such as building a team, board of advisors (just posted some experiemtnal tenets for just such as business structure) & `masterminding".  I was just reviewing an invitation to a secret (ooooh)  "masterminding" group today. If you or anyone is interested in that, please PM me and I will send you some info.

Also quite ironic are the themes that reasonate throughout your posting of determination, faith, desire & rewards as they relate to the first reading of the book club I just started here on SUN, we`re only into the first chapter with Napoleon Hill, going on the second, but feel free to pick it up whenever: http://www.startupnation.com/pages/community/forum_posts.asp ?TID=2734&PN=9

Enought talking out loud for me...Your thoughts?

Funny thing, that law of attraction.  What a universe!

Happy Tuesday All!

Hope everyone`s has a great day going!

So last night, in my sleep ( all two hours ) I was mulling over the issues conerning the expenses, red-tape and hoop-jumping associated with the current systems in place for "certification" process.

The system I have developed most definately addresses the here and now of these isssues, but what for the future? How can we make it better as a whole?  In the Big picture?

I thought a good place to start on this brainstrom might be airing the greivances!  Any personal, second hand or whatever kind of experience you may have had with these processes and the problems you see that exist in the current system.  Let`s take this badboy apart and put it together again, maybe even new & improved!

Onward with our Green Ideas!