FAQs

We need help writing a business plan.  Where should we start?

A business plan always starts with research and feasibility.  If you haven't yet done the necessary research to find out if your idea is feasible, then you should stop and focus there.  Think in terms of understanding the details of your target market. You don't want to be flying blind when your capital is on the line.  If you have a limited budget, check with your local SCORE office.  In Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, you should also check with Women's Economic Ventures to see if you can get into their next Self Employment Training class.  If those options don't work for you, call us and let's meet to discuss your needs and see if hiring a consultant is the way to go.

What does the term sustainability really mean?

The most popular definition of sustainability can be traced to a 1987 UN conference. It defined sustainable developments as those that "meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" (WECD, 1987). In terms of business, sustainability is seen as referring to a triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit. It's a 3-legged stool that requires each leg to be strong and sturdy in order to work and thus, be sustainable.

What does LOHAS stand for, and why should we care?

Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) is a  demographic defining a particular  market segment  related to  sustainable living, "green" ecological initiatives, and generally composed of a relatively upscale and well-educated population segment.  Worldwatch Institute reported that the LOHAS market segment in the year 2006 was estimated at $300 billion, approximately 30% of the U.S. consumer market.  If you are selling a product or service that is important to this market segment, then you need to understand it intimately.  We do.

What is a Social Enterprise?

A social enterprise is an organization or venture that achieves its primary social or environmental mission using business methods. The social needs addressed by social enterprises and the business models they use are as diverse as human ingenuity. Social enterprises build a more just, sustainable world by applying market-based strategies to today's social problems.

I think we need the help of a sustainability consultant—but we're not sure what we're looking for...can you help?

Absolutely. We specialize in helping clients who may already understand the “why” of sustainability (it's the right thing to do, reduces costs, happier employees) but aren't quite sure what it means for their organization. Contact us to set up a meeting—a 15-minute phone call is generally enough to get us started. We'll put together a few ideas on ways we can help, and when you're ready to move forward, we'll be here for you.

Our marketing efforts haven't been fruitful, and we're concerned about spending more money on something that might not work.  Do you offer a guarantee?

Yes, all of our services are guaranteed in terms of your satisfaction.  And different services will require different things of both the consultant and the client.  We will determine together what the measurable goals are for your project so that we all understand from the outset just what the factors are for your success.

How does "sustainability" fit with your marketing and business planning services?

Closely!  In our opinion, you don't want to create a strategic plan without doing a 360° assessment of your operations first.  Analyze your strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and challenges facing your organization.  And then you can create a truly valuable plan for moving your organization forward.  Besides - if your operations aren't up to par, any money you spend on marketing will be a waste of valuable time and resources. Because what happens when all those new clients show up and you can't manage them properly?

I'm thinking about starting my own “green” business and would like some advice. Can you help?

Yes, we've coached several start-ups. From sharing basic information on how to get a business started to defining your market niche, understanding the “green” consumer, and determining how to price your services, we can help in 1-on-1 sessions. Choose from single sessions, or a longer-term commitment—just email us to get started.

My organization wants a sustainability expert to come and talk about options for “greening” our operations (or our employees/members' personal lives). Do you offer this service?

Yes, we offer a variety of one-off services like seminars, workshops, and webinars. We might have the right consultant for you—but it will depend largely on your location and whether or not we have someone in your neighborhood. Give us a call to check out your options.

Do you have any full-time positions available?

Unfortunately, no. We work with a network of freelance professionals on a project-by-project basis. We don't have—or plan to hire—any full time staff.