Is it harder for small businesses?

My mother owns a small business - a drycleaners, actually - in a small town in Arkansas. When I was in high school as a classic nerd, i entered the science fair with designs on how to add solar energy to the business. This was in 1981. I won 2nd place at the science fair, but we never installed the system. So much of a drycleaners relies on steam heat. During Arkansas' summers, this can be brutal for employees, but it sure does leave nice creases in the pants and shirts. The system placed solar panels on the roof at the correct angle yada yada yada, and instead of using traditional sources to fire the boiler to heat the water it relied on solar energy. tada. 2nd place.

It is now 2007, 26 years later and I am seeing so many companies change to green operating practices. They talk of reduced foot print, carbon neutral, and earth friendly. Now that Mr. Gore has a Nobel Prize, these same companies are touting their efforts and seeking a bonus for their value added. These are all mostly larger companies and companies that have a greener clientel to begin with. But what about the smaller business.

I'd like to figure out a business model that supports a consulting practice that works with small businesses to reduce their carbon usage, and become more earth friendly.

The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats need to be reviewed. But with out hesitation many come to mind immediately.

• There are many more small businesses than mega businesses. Strength and Opportunity
• They are often only marginally profitable. Weakness Threat.
• How does one price such a service to small businesses? Weakness.
• Though it is sometimes requires initial financial outlay, greening often has long term savings. Strength.
• Added marketability results from success of almost any measure. Strength and Opportunity.
• Business analysis that increases efficiency is good in and of itself. Strength and Opportunity

A great website to start with is based out of Northampton, MA. The Center for Ecological Technology.

If someone were to proactivley go out and solicity small businesses, would it be good thing. This could be combined with training. Maybe training could be underwritten by trade associations or chambers of commerce, electric companies.

More to ponder. Good night.

Running on a cold day

I went for a 10K run today. It was 30 degrees and there was snow and ice on the shoulder. And Paulo Nuttini's song new shoes played on my ipod. and i was inspired to come jot down some notes on what might "feel alright". so here you go.
Yes new shoes would be great. I was running in my Adidas Adistar Cushion 6.0 or something like that. But while they are light weight and great for summer running, I had to wear two pair of socks to keep my feet warm. So maybe it is time to find a good pair of winter running shoes. And so I am in search.

Shoes: Need to come in a size 5 1/2. Be attractive. They should fit a women's neutral foot, narrow heel, and wide toe box, and moderate to high arch. Waterproof would probably be good for winter's sloppy roads. There is a pair of Vasque trail shoes that got Outdoor Magazines Gear of the Year award. Blur.

It might be a good idea to be able to add some sort of extra traction if necessary for slick streets. I have had Yaktrax Walkers before and blew out the rubber thing and had the coils come unwound. This might be time to try the new Kahtoola Microspikes or to upgrade to Yaktrax Pro.

Sox: Warm, Smart Wool. Some of my favorite include the Women's Adrenaline Mini Socks.

Tights. I really want to try the CW-X tights. These are the ones that are designed to help support your joints. The CW-X Insulator Expert Tight looks perfect for what I need.

Tops. EMS Techwick lightweight 1/4 zip and or the Hind Windproof Sport top

Head wear. I have a wee noggin. I like to wear earwarmers over hats if at all possible to vent the brain. Perlizumi have some nice ones that wick really well.

Gloves/ Mittens: Like my noggin, my digits are pretty small and get cold really easily and take forever to warm up. I prefer glove liners down to freezing and then mittens preferably with a windproof shell below freezing.

Undergarments: The fewer seams the better. The world would be a better place all around with less chafing in sensitive regions. And since I am of modest means and can't afford to own one for every day of the month and have to wash them often. Because, well, I sweat. I can tell you are shocked. And because I sweat they need to be washed. Bras and undies that let go fo the odor of the last good sweat would be fantastic.

Well that's a start.
Get out there and run. Don't let the weather hold you back.

Mom's sausage cornbread dressing recipe

You will need the following ingredients

• Cornbread mix. (Preferably Martha White's Cornbread mix. (white better than yellow, but I can't find the stuff in the Boston area, so I used Betty Crocker). Follow the instructions for the skillet version. Mom says not to forget to spray the skillet with Pam and then place it in the oven to preheat.
• White Bread. Lay it out overnight to get stale and crusty.
• 2-3 cans of Chicken Broth.
• Celery
• 1 big Onion
• Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage

1. Chop up the onion and the celery
2. Cook the celery and onion with the sausage.
3. Cut up, or tear up the cornbread and the white bread. (wonder how this would be with whole wheat bread?) Mom says to get the mixture pretty fine. You can even use a blender.
4. Dump the crumbs in a bowl.
5. Add the sausage, onion, celery mixture to that. And Stir. And Stir.
6. Add warm chicken broth, and Stir. Add Warm chicken broth, and Stir. And Stir some more.
7. Taste.
8. Add salt, pepper and poultry seasoning to taste. Careful not to much salt.
9. Throw the whole concoction in a casserole pan (not in the &%$$^** bird) and bake at 350 degrees until top is brown (about an hour).

Tada

Clothing and Gear for a Small Planet

Patagonia, while often a bit more expensive, have added a substantial social and environmental component to their mission. One would hope that more outdoor and womens clothing company would follow suit. Maybe someone should write a book called clothing and gear for a small planet. A green mission should include raw materials, trade practices, corporate energy useage, vendor practices, retail practices, product lifespan repair-ability, and of course recycling, employee and hiring practices.

Companies like Ben and Jerry's that added a social bottom line to the financial bottom line are to be commended for their bravery. The challenge is the accountability and responsibility to their shareholders. But yet they are still successful. Do they make compromises here and there? I am pretty sure, but they try.

I love companies that try to use materials like organic cotton or that reuse stuff and repackage it like the bike chain bracelets or bottle openers. It seems like we can do this more. I love the fact that some stores are recycling stuff like old sneakers. There really needs to be more incentive for folks to return their clothing and gear for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal. Places to return old backpack, old boots, old bikes, old skis. More on this later.

Sizing information refined. I get curious.....

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plus_size_clothing

Although statistical data suggests that the average women's size in the U.S. is size 14 with over 60% of the female population wearing that size or higher, American retailers continue to predominately cater to smaller-sized customers. This exclusive attitude is beginning to change as companies realize vast growth in profits in the plus-size garment sector, and in year 2000 plus-size items were 30% of the total women's retail market. The longest-established and therefore most recognizable plus-size brand is Lane Bryant, part of the Charming Shoppes group which has four plus size brands serving the national market.

The fastest growing sector of the plus-size garment industry is junior or youth designs, and many brands are seeking ways to evolve into a younger customer base from what is traditionally viewed as a rather conservative and old-fashioned aethetic and clientele. Market-leader Torrid evolved from the Hot Topic company, and continues to sell products such as ironic slogan and musician t-shirts, and punk/goth/rock clothing that appeals to customers seeking to express themselves outside of mainstream popular culture.

What about those of us who are petite. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petite_sizes

"The average height of an American woman is roughly 5'4" (163 cm), with a standard deviation of roughly 4" (10 cm). Thus, 40% of all American women are 5'3" (160 cm) or shorter (z < = − 0.25) and roughly one-quarter are 5'1" (155 cm) or shorter (z < = − 0.75). Different ethnic groups and age groups may also have a high population of shorter women. Thus, it is rather remarkable that clothing manufacturers have not responded to this large, relatively untapped market."

And here is one that is becoming more and more popular yet very frustrating. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_sizing

Make stuff for me. I have a credit card

Yesterday, I was at an outdoor sporting goods store eager to buy new clothes with credit card in hand. I also had a coupon for 65% full price items. Cool huh. Well not really, as I worked my way around the store, I found nothing (did I say nothing) I was willing to spend my money and coupon on.

This morning I hear on the radio (a factoid not verified) that over half of the women in this country wear a size 14 or larger. That's fine I have no problem with that. But in this store there was nothing, save a few incredibly unattractive pants, that were larger than size 14. It just goes to show you that people making women's clothing are on a different planet than women buying clothes.

As a novice blogger, this might be somewhat taboo, but let me describe myself. I am a middle aged woman, not particularly wealthy or particularly poor. I am 5'2" and weigh about 110 pounds. I am somewhat active, running, biking, playing golf, tennis, or racquetball, dog walking, even doing yoga, gardening, and housework. I don't want to appeal to young college men with overactive hormones or any men for that matter. I am pretty comfortable with how I look. I enjoy the outdoors. I appreciate function, practicality, efficiency, and the environment. So yes I maybe an outlier, but I have clothing needs and money too.

Yesterday, I shopped the women's side of the store, and found nothing. What I found was either designed to fit too tightly, designed with no functional purpose, or just plain dumb. Jackets had wide waist bands and short torsos. Sleeves were too long. Sweaters were thin.

There was plenty of stuff on the men's side that would have worked. But often there was not an analogous product in the women's side. For instance, I found this fantastic, MEN'S synthetic turtle neck shirt that would have been a perfect base layer for winter outdoor activities like xc skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing. It was even attractive. It could have come in some softer colors, but the standard blue, black, gray, were fine. So having found something so basic in the MEN'S side I was sure I could find one in the women's side. BUT NOOOO. The turtlenecks on the women's side were a strange cotton, synthetic blend with these incredibly useless darts leading from the neck to the chest. What is up with that. GRRRR.

Okay another bad example. The women's zip-off pants that convert from hiking pants to hiking shorts by a zipper mid-way down the leg. Great idea. Especially if they are create a cargo short for all that stuff we want to carry in our pockets while hiking for immediate access. But no...When we zip off the leg on the women's cargo short,we create a short with a 5 inch inseam (can you say CHUBB RUBB) and we remove the cargo pocket.

Another thing, why are we making women's t-shirts with only 5 inches of sleeve to cover the top of the deltoid. What woman on the planet wants to show off her tricep, save Serena Williams. More commonly we have waddles that say "Hi Joanie" when we wave. Our arms burn too.

At least if you refuse to make women's stuff that works for me, make men's stuff in my size. Make the occasional XS for me that i can at least have tailored.

I could go on and maybe I will do so in another post. till then.

Two roads or is it a rotary?

Well this is a start at a career change ----- kinda. More like a shift.

So many different ideas have cropped up

1. Environmental consulting for businesses. could do homes to but i am more thrilled by the prospect of figuring out a business model that encourages businesses to invest in doing it right.
2. Ross gave me a great idea to do outdoor gear reviews through blogging and affiliates. very intriguing.
3. And then there is working with outdoor companies to be more sustainable.
   
4. Putting together a gear catalog for middle aged outdoor athletic women
5. Planning and brownfields redevelopment. Always sounds fun.

So i could head down any one of these roads.

How to get started. Do i find a group. A career coach. Just start researching each and blogging on each and the muse will guide me. I need to set up some realistic yet challenging goals for me around this stuff. Just getting a blog started could be fun.

A blog ablog my kingdom for a blog

At last, my blog. ......Time for dinner.