0409 April 2009.pdf - Pacific San Diego Magazine

CONNECT
GreenPeeps
the color of
“Kimpton Hotels
recognize that it
is our social duty
to reduce our
ecological footprint.
It is about more
than contributing
financially; it’s about
embracing change
that begins at home,
is expanded at work
and extends to who
we choose as
business partners.”
“Each day,
my designs
are inspired
by the colors
and forms of
nature. At SB
Creality, we
work hard to
be green - by
using green
printers.”
“Making
environmentally
friendly choices
in the office is
often just as
cost-effective as
at home. It’s as
easy as turning
off lights and
powering off
your computer
and power strip
when you leave
for the day.”
When it comes to scoring more business, green is in
Ed Nesfield,
Director of Catering,
Hotel Solamar +
JSix Restaurant,
hotelsolamar.com
jsixsandiego.com
Sofia Bergin,
Graphic Designer,
SB Creality,
SBCreality.com
Arika
Anderson-Daniels,
Principal,
The PR Mavens,
theprmavens.com
by heather nelson
The green movement provides young
professionals and businesses with
opportunities to grow and succeed.
Stand out from the pack by making a
difference: Conserve energy, minimize
waste, recycle. By stepping up your
green game (and bragging about it) you
can elevate and update your reputation.
Green-focused companies often prefer
to work with other such firms, so if you
aren’t green, you might miss chances to
get into the black.
Take, for example, Midori Connolly,
whose audiovisual company, Pulse Staging
& Events (pulsestaging.com), has
received accolades for creating and disseminating
eco-guidelines for her profession.
“My commitment to greening
my industry came from seeing a need for
change and making it happen,” she says.
“I couldn’t stand by while we were the
silent offenders at events.”
Joining the green movement has
paid off for Connolly, scoring her
new contracts and speaking engagements
– which can lead to even more
connections.
While she is passionate about her
company’s commitment to the
environment, Connolly suggests that
greenification can begin with small steps.
Rather than trashing functional office
furnishings, for example, simply replace
broken equipment with energy-efficient,
eco-friendly models when necessary.
Donate the old stuff to a charity or thrift
shop, or as a last resort, recycle.
When it comes to emulating the
practices of eco-friendly companies,
the grass really is greener… and can
put some green in your pocket.
Green Means Go
Get involved with these San Diego organizations
that are committed to the green movement.
San Diego Green Business Network
Monthly networking meetings, greenbusinesssd.org
San Diego Chapter of the
U.S. Green Building Council
“GreenMeet” mixers and an annual conference, usgbc-sd.org
Eco-Investment Club
Connects investors and entrepreneurs and holds mixers,
ecoinvestmentclub.com
San Diego Green Drinks
Casual atmosphere for making connections,
biothinking.com/greendrinks
San Diego Loves Green
Provides a business directory categorized by services,
sandiegolovesgreen.com
Heather Nelson is CEO of Social Betty.com, a website that
links people and party planners with venues. She is engaged in
San Diego—from networking to charity to extreme
entrepreneurial living. socialbetty.com
Jerry Hall
Executive Director
iLoveSchools.com
Green’s cool for schools
Every school year, America’s teachers spend an average of $500 each (out of their own pockets) to purchase
classroom materials and supplies. To help combat this problem and reduce waste, iLoveSchools.com, a San Diegobased
non-profit group, donates new and used classroom resources and services at zero cost to educators. As
an indication of the company’s success, President Obama’s staff recently contacted the firm to donate furniture,
computers and more from 200 campaign offices. iLoveSchool.com’s new website launches April 14.
38 | APRIL 2009 « PACIFICsandiego.com