Business Network News

December 4, 2009

Green Business Leadership Award to Dharma Merchant Services

Green Business Network presented the eighth annual Green Business Leadership Award to Dharma Merchant Services. Dharma is a registered Merchant Service Provider offering socially responsible and certified green credit card processing for green businesses.

Dharma Merchant Services was chosen as the winner by the Green Business Conference attendees. Other nominees included Vital Hemptations, Ecowood Displays, and Salazar Packaging.

Dharma donates 10% of processing profits to the charity of each merchant’s choice. Dharma has completed the Bay Area Green Business program, received the Green America Seal of Approval in 2007 and has been vetted as a certified B Corporation. Sustainable business practices include green banking with New Resource Bank; 100% solar powered hosting; use of public transportation and recycled paper; and involvement in local organizations Green Chamber of Commerce and EcoTuesday.

We are pleased to offer a new Member Benefit to you—check out how your business or social enterprise can start saving money now with Dharma Merchant Services.

Faces of the Green Pages: Blue Summit Financial Group

Like many of the long-time members of our Green Business Network, Judy Seid has seen her vision change since the first inception of her green business. "Originally I viewed myself being a personal financial advisor with a small private practice," says Judy. "Now I envision Blue Summit Financial Group as a larger firm and along with other SRI firms being the ‘gold standard’ of investing."

Green Americans agree that Blue Summit is setting the standard, voting Judy and her investment firm into one of the top-ten slots in our 2009 People's Choice Award contest—a first for socially responsible investing (SRI) firm. In honor of this achievement, we asked Judy to tell us more about the evolution of her business, how she got her start, and recently being featured on the cover of a magazine.

TS Designs Named Sustainability Champion

Eric Henry, president of TS Designs and Green America Board Member, received the Sustainability Champion Award from Sustainable North Carolina for his leadership in promoting a sustainable economy in the state and advancing a triple bottom line approach to business.

TS Designs prints t-shirts using organic fabrics and chemical-free dyes and recently unveiled TSD Recycled, made entirely from 65% recycled water bottles and 35% recycled cotton. They also have a new organic cotton line that is grown in North Carolina.

Check out the new line »

An Excellent Partnership – Fundraising Opportunity for Schools/Nonprofits

GBN Members Twisted Limb Paperworks, Purrfect Play, Simply Neutral, and Fairie Made Soaps have joined forces to offer schools and non-profits fundraising opportunities through their new collaboration, EcoSimpleFundraising.

According to Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese at Twisted Limb, “This unique partnering came about by our membership in the Green Business Network … we became acquainted through the Network and decided to launch this new initiative.”

Products include handmade 100% recycled paper/stationery, organic pet toys, non-toxic household cleaners, and natural handmade soaps. All are handcrafted in the US by women-owned micro-businesses committed to creating high quality eco-friendly products and running green businesses.

Learn more »

NOTE: To get connected with other GBN members, join the list serv and Green Business Lounge. Follow Green Business Network on Twitter and Facebook.

Green for All Announces the Portland Project and New Recovery Resources

Cities and states are beginning to report how many jobs have been created through funding from President Obama's Recovery Act. Green For All states that “with just this first small glimpse, and less than 50% of the recovery money distributed, we are already seeing amazing victories for green jobs from across the country.”

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All, was at our Green Business Conference to report on the results and the new Portland Project. According to Ellis-Lamkins, “Green For All is partnering with the City of Portland on a landmark project. In using Recovery funds they will create thousands of good clean-energy jobs for low-income workers, weatherize 100,000 homes, and launch the first model of paying for home weatherization through utility bills.”

Watch a video about the project »

Green for All also released the Recovery Resources series to help businesses/organizations understand the Recovery Act and how to put it to work in their communities. These resources help people understand key components of the Recovery Act, including what funds are available and how funds may be used, and how cities/states and other entities can maximize the benefit to their communities.

Go to the Recovery Resource Center »

Green For All teamed up with GOOD Magazine to show how Recovery dollars are being spent around the country to make buildings and communities more energy efficient.

See how green jobs are growing »

Seventh Generation Mobilizes Against Toxic Chemicals and Palm Oil

Seventh Generation is bringing attention to toxic chemicals found in household products through a virtual Million Baby Crawl. The consumer campaign asks the US Congress to reform policy on toxic chemicals found in products.

Seventh Generation recently held a webinar to educate consumers about the harsh effects of palm oil production on endangered species, rainforests, and the climate.

Join the Crawl »

Lazy Environmentalist Wins Best Reality Show

"The Lazy Environmentalist" won the Best Reality Show by the Environmental Media Association at their 20th Award Ceremony. The show produced by the Sundance Channel puts real-world environmental solutions to the test with everyday people. According to host Josh Dorfman, “we find out what really works and what even the laziest among us are willing to do.”

The Environmental Media Awards recognize film/television productions and individuals that increase public awareness of environmental issues and inspire personal action.

Read more »

GenGreen and 3rdWhale Media Merge

GenGreen, LLC and 3rdWhale Media have formed the new GenGreen Digital Media. The merger brings together GenGreen’s massive database of green and healthy living businesses and 3rdWhale’s leading green location-based service for mobile technology. Charisse McAuliffe, founder of GenGreen and CEO of GenGreen Digital Media says about the services, “This is an amazing opportunity to create a world class team and combine a portfolio of leading web and mobile technologies in the green space.”

(NOTE: As a Green America Member you are eligible for a free listing on GenGreen – if you are not on the site, check it out now.)

RSF Grants Boost Business Network Members

RSF Social Finance recently provided financing to GBN members gDiapers and HAPPYBABY. gDiapers produces a flushable hybrid diaper that balances convenience and environmental benefits. HAPPYBABY provides an organic baby food line. They also won $10,000 as a finalist in the NBC/American Express Shine a Light Competition.

RSF Senior Lending Manager Ted Levinson spoke at the recent Green Business Conference.

SR Business Plan Competition

The William James Foundation offers Green Business Network members free entry into a socially responsible business plan competition that offers more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind support. If your business has the Green America Seal of Approval, the processing fee for submitting a plan will be waived.

Submit an executive summary (limit 5 pages) by December 4th.

Learn more »

Interested in judging? Head here »
These positions are available to successful entrepreneurs with over 20 years experience.

RETECH Renewal Technologies Conference February 3-5, 2010

All Renewables, One Place, One Time, the ReNEW Frontier.

Plan now to join 3,500 government, business and technology professionals at the world’s premier event for the renewable energy industry.

RETECH 2010 will take over the Washington D.C. Convention Center February 3-5, enabling U.S. and global companies to showcase their products and technologies for top representatives from government, the financial world, and other business leaders and investors.

As a member of Green America, you can receive an additional $100 off registration by using Promotional Code: SUP2010 when you register. Register before December 16th and save an additional $100.

Go to www.retech2010.com to register or check for updates on speakers, exhibitors and more.