Green Cash for Green Business: FREE Webinar November 15th!
“Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems,” says Green America, a national leader in promoting green business practices. And while “being green” helps the environment, many people tout that “green” is also a strong revenue driver for small businesses that tap into environmentally conscious consumers.
However, Denise Hamler, director of Green America’s Green Business Network, says that “financing is the number one challenge facing green businesses today. Many of the small businesses we work with have strong market opportunities, but are not capitalized enough to really reach their potential.”
ACCION USA hears this story every day – from our own small business clients, as well as our focus groups. The verdict is unanimous: small business owners “strongly believe in green,” but at the same time, think that “going green” is not economically viable.
We can’t ignore the data. “Going green” can bring green ($)…but only if you have green ($).
Fortunately, microfinance organizations are perfectly poised to pull small businesses out of the same old “I can’t, it’s too expensive” mentality. With the right loan product and support services, small business will see a return on their investment and, at the same time, make the planet a more hospitable place to live.
For this reason, ACCION USA launched a Green Small Business Loan program that provides financing and consulting to green enterprises. Want to learn more? On November 15th at 2 PM EST you can speak directly with Renzo Mendoza, an ACCION USA Loan Consultant, about how to apply for a Green Loan. The “Green Cash for Green Business” webinar is free and will cover all you want to know about ACCION USA’s green loan program.
And ACCION USA will waive the $30 loan application fee for all “Green Cash for Green Business” webinar participants!*
So, if you are a small business with green principles and need working capital or want to invest in energy efficient equipment or upgrades, look no further. ACCION USA and Green America are bringing you an exclusive look into ACCION USA’s lending process.
Don’t miss this free opportunity – space is limited so REGISTER TODAY!
What will you take away from the webinar?
- A waived loan application fee* (a $30 value)
- The definition and benefit of an ACCION USA Green loan
- Information about credit, financial, and collateral requirements for loans up to $50,000
- An understanding of loan rates, fees, and terms
- Training and educational benefits
- Direct connection with an ACCION USA loan consultant
Not able to make the webinar, but have green loan questions? Search #GreenMyBusiness on www.Twitter.com at 3 PM EST on November 11th to join the twitter party and engage in good green conver sation.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday!
* Must apply within one week of “Green Cash for Green Business” webinar
Tags: accion usa, Financial Education, financing, green, green america, Green Business, loan consultant, small business
Beauty Salons Go Green
Entering your favorite beauty salon, the thought has probably crossed your mind: this chemical smell invading my nostrils cannot be healthy. Can products that stain, strip, and straighten hair take a toll on your body? On the other hand, can a “green” salon forgo the formaldehyde (yup, formaldehyde exists in your favorite hair straightening products) without sacrificing the quality?
By "going green," beauty salon owners are making their shops and customers healthier and standing out among competitors.
Some sure think so. On October 1st, greenSpaces announced that Fringe Hair Art of Kennebunkport Maine has completed its Green Business League Green Business Certification, making it the first Certified Green Hair Salon in the State of Maine.
What did the salon owners do to become green? They first directed attention to their space, using recycled glass and low-VOC paint to set the mood. Next, operations. The salon turned virtually paperless, and they ditched plastic cups for glass to serve water, tea, and coffee (how nice!). And then most importantly, addressing those pesky chemicals that give you a headache while you wait for your stylish highlights, Fringe Hair Art opted for ammonia- and formaldehyde -free hair styling products with a strong odorless claim.
It makes sense. In fact, www.TheBeautySchool.com blog states that “the new trend sweeping the beauty industry is going green.” But they warn that going green is not easy; you can’t skimp or try to fool your customers with faux-green products. Do your homework or hire a consultant to walk you through the greening process. To get you motivated, www.ehow.com has a list of considerations when starting a Green Beauty Salon.. And remember, it’s not just about your hair products: start simple with a commitment to reusing and recycling your business waste. Your world, and your customers, will thank you.
Not a business owner? As a consumer, check out green business directories like www.greenamericatoday.org and talk to your friends about greener options.
If you are a regular at the beauty salon, would green make a difference in your choice of salons? Let us – and beauty salon owners – know what you think!
Tags: accion usa, green, Green Business, small business
The Diversity of Green Business
- Today’s green businesses include much more than just organic farms and alternative energy. Image via Wikipedia
What do you think when you hear “green business”? Is your imagination stuck in the same old stereotype? A solar energy company, an organic farm? Yes, we love solar and organic as much as the next guy, but I’m always reminded by our entrepreneurs that green colors every industry.
Case in point, check out Triple Pundit’s yearly “Green Business of the Year” nominees. The industries on the voting block range from a chocolatier, organic clothing, biodegradable diapers, to professional printing!
A quick web search brings up a number of green business directories. My favorite is Green America’s with 194 separate and distinct green business categories for you to search.
So when ACCION USA announces the dates for our Green Webinars this fall – don’t be shy. Any business can be a greener business. Make sure you’re following us on Twitter and Facebook to get all the updates and visit www.accionusa/green for in depth tips and information.
Tags: Green Business
Green Business Advice: Catching up with ‘g’ Green Design Center
By Cailey Ryckman
We recently caught up with Nicole Goldman, Founder and President of ‘g’ Green Design Center, to talk about her unique green business!
What does your company offer? Is a green business sustainable? Is there a demand for your products?
‘g’ Green Design Center is a green-building design center and retail showroom providing a full range of materials from flooring to renewable energy to build or remodel residences and small commercial facilities.
Yes, a green business is sustainable – at least we believe so and are proving this through our success at our flagship showroom on Cape Cod, and with the expansion of our business to new franchise locations–presently one in Norwell, MA, and one opening in Toronto Canada this fall.
We have seen the demand for our products grow tremendously since we opened three years ago. What was once the hope and dream for a homeowner seeking green building materials, has flourished to become a resource that homeowners and businesses can rely on for well-researched, quality, reliable green products.
Who are your clients? How has your client demographic changed in recent years?
Our clients are homeowners who are building new or remodeling, builders, architects, contractors and small businesses.
I think the client demographic has broadened to include certainly builders who were previously skeptical of changes in building techniques, homeowners who were under the impression that green materials would be more expensive or out of their price range which they are not, and the general public who has embraced their part in considering the materials they use, reuse, ingest, throw away or recycle.
What do you think the current perception of “green” is? Is it just a fad or is it here to stay?
“Green” has really come into its own. Everyone wants to understand the concepts better and to participate to some degree. The underlying truth is that “green” is not a fad and not something that we need to learn to understand. “Green” is really just smart. It’s about being smart about your choices, about using only what you need, being careful about how you use materials, and dispose of things. All of the recent issues with climate change, oil spills, food contamination, etc. reminds us that we have to be responsible for how we use the environment around us, or we will not have it available for us to enjoy. We have to change our interaction with environment – the macro view and the micro view (in our own homes). People are coming to understand their part.
What advice would you give to other green businesses?
Work within a proven business mode— absolutely. Do not give it all away because we are guilty for how much damage has already been done, or to gain initial acceptance. A business has to make money to survive. If you are providing a necessary service or product with a focus on assisting your customers, and in the green economy thereby helping to contribute to some of the answers, then you should be proud of your work. Believe in yourself and never give up.
Micro-boosting Weatherization Programs
We are the weatherization nation – and so much the better for it. Last year, the Obama Administration injected $8 billion of stimulus funding into the weatherization industry, with a lofty tripartite objective: create green un-exportable jobs, save energy consumers cash, and make the environment happy.
But what happens when government money is injected into a system that doesn’t exist? Community, government, and for-profit groups scramble to create the infrastructure. After much “building”, what has been made clear is that “there are currently not enough skilled workers and green entrepreneurs to expand weatherization and efficiency retrofit programs on a national scale,” as Vice President Biden concluded in a recent task force report on the subject.
- Contractors need loans for items like blower doors, which are used to check a building’s insulation.
ACCION USA is currently talking with groups in Massachusetts and New York about leveraging microlending to help contractors jump into weatherization and/or aid those already in the game to expand to meet growing the demand. While many states have used government funding to provide incentives for weatherization, many of these incentives are rebates. And without the money to front the cost, many contractors are opting out.
By incorporating a microlending component into weatherization programs, contractors will be able to move quickly – reacting to the market. Once they’ve taken hold of the weatherization opportunity, these businesses will continue to flourish, in large part due to the education and credit training received with their microloans. So even after the nation has been duly weatherized, contractors will continue to employ and grow.
Do you think microlending has a part to play in weatherization?