Build and Market a Successful Green Business With These Tips
Guest Post by: Tina Martin
This article provides advice and resources for green entrepreneurs who are looking to start a sustainable business.
Building a green business is often viewed as a complicated process that requires an abundance of money and time, and while there are several details to consider, entering that process with a solid plan that’s broken down into manageable parts can help you meet your goals with ease. Figuring out your products or services, creating packaging, working on a marketing strategy, and planning for growth are a few of the most important aspects of building any business, and by tweaking these details a bit for an environmentally friendly angle, you can start the business you’ve always wanted to run. Here are a few tips on how to get there.
Look to the future
You may not have a crystal ball, but thinking about the future is crucial when you’re running a green business. Stay up-to-date with the
latest green technology news so you’re always one step ahead of your competition, and think about how you can integrate that tech into the growth of your company. It’s also important to consider how the costs you face as a green business owner will change over time. Startup costs typically
include supplies, insurance, payroll, equipment, office or storefront rental, and fees associated with licenses and permits, but these will be affected by the number of eco-friendly changes you have to make.
Look for guidance
One easy way to plan out your business’s future is to look at what
other green business owners have done. Learn from their mistakes and successes, and find inspiration from what they’re doing right. Every new entrepreneur
needs a mentor to help guide them through certain processes, and because eco-friendly companies haven’t been the norm for very long, it’s especially important for business owners to share and network. You can even learn from
major corporations that are making a positive environmental impact; Google, for example, uses wind and solar power, while Nike utilizes 100% recycled cardboard for their shoeboxes and has reduced the amount used by 30%. Burt’s Bees uses organic materials and uses a zero-waste policy throughout the company.
Take a look at what sustainable e-commerce businesses are doing, too.
Look for the right tools
Running a green company requires much more than a good plan; it also requires the right tools to make every moving part work together. Need to find a great freelancer for a remote position? Head to
Simple Sasquatch to search for the most qualified candidate. Ready to start marketing your products? Utilize a marketing strategy template that will allow you to work out your business plan and streamline all the details with ease.
Here’s a go-to-market strategy template that will make the process as easy as possible as you consider ad placements, packaging
options, e-commerce solutions, and in-person shopping options that are all eco-friendly.
Look at every angle
Even with a solid business plan, there may still be details you haven’t considered. You already know the pros of starting a green business; now look at every angle of your plan and think about the possible cons. Building out an environmentally-friendly company takes a considerable amount of time, so if you’re looking to get things up and running very soon, you may find yourself disappointed or facing setbacks you hadn’t planned for. Bracing yourself for potential negative outcomes will help you stay on track with your goals even when things become challenging.
Starting a green business is a wonderful thing for the planet, and it can open up a lot of doors for you as an entrepreneur. Network as much as possible–both in-person and online–to introduce yourself to like-minded business owners so you can teach and support each other in this admirable venture.
Questions about
Simple Sasquatch? Reach out today to find out more.