How Start a Green Business or Become an
Eco-Consultant
Why Start a Green Business?
There are several opportunities in green business,
and they are increasing as environmental awareness grows around the world. Not only do people want to
live more eco-friendly, doing so can help people save money, live healthier and become more independent.
Do you want to know how to start a green business?
Seven green business ideas that are hot right now include eco-consulting, weatherizing homes, selling green
products through an online store, building wind or solar power systems
for people, green investment consulting, water conservation landscaping and offering eco-friendly dry cleaning
services.
Start an Eco-Friendly Online Store
Starting an eco-friendly store and selling
green products online can be fairly easy and requires little capital to start. Ecommerce storefronts can
be cheap, and you can sell products for free through affiliate programs.
How to Set up a Store: Ecommerce websites that are easy to set up and offer maximum
capabilities for a low price are Shopify and Instant
Superstore.
Yola has
websites that you can set up for free
Where to Get Products: A free affiliate program that can supply you with green
environmentally friendly products is Neutral Existence Eco-Store
. Generally,
their "Affiliate Program" links are near the bottom of their home pages. You can sign up free
there.
Become an Eco Consultant
Working in the "Green Industry" is becoming more and more profitable as more homeowners and businesses
are becoming aware of the advantages to going green. However, many still don't know exactly what they
need to do to get started.
That's where eco consultants come in. They teach homeowners how they can save money and what they need to
do. In addition, many companies are looking to acquire a Green Business Certification, which eco
consultants can help with as well.
As an Eco Consultant, you can help
homeowners go green and save money.
Work generally includes giving "Home Makeover" solutions including energy conservation upgrades, energy
efficient lighting replacements, water conservation and purity systems, indoor air quality improvements and
harmful chemical reduction tips.
If you prefer to work as an independent distributor for an existing company rather than starting your own
business, Green Irene is direct sales
company that offers a turn-key eco consulting business opportunity.
They also provide online training, so no experience is needed.
75 Green Businesses You Can Start
Glenn Croston is a green
scientist, author and entrepreneur. His book discusses 75 green business ideas from a variety of different
industries, including green schools, green investment consulting, eco-tourism, water conservation
landscaping, small wind power and more.
He walks readers through the resources needed for each opportunity, the challenges your need to be aware of
and success strategies to use when starting a green business.
If you are an entrepreneur with a passion to make a difference in the world but don't know where to start,
you'll find some great ideas in this book.
75 Green Businesses You Can
Start
See also:
Advertising Green Business Services
If you're busy meeting with clients, you
don't necessarily want to spend a lot of extra time marketing your business. It's ideal to have
advertising techniques that consistently bring in new clients, but at the same time don't cost a lot of
money.
One way to do this is through an online network for companies that ofer services for homeowners like
MiNeeds or Merchant Circle. Pay just for customer leads as they are delivered to you. See also:
Find Local
Customers Online
You also want to have business cards on hand. You can design your own online for cheap, and even get
Business Cards on Recycled Paper through
Vistaprint. See also: how to design your own
logo online.
If you drive frequently, you may want to consider adding company information to your vehicle. Not only can
people see your company logo and contact information on the road, but while you're parked. You don't have to
spend a lot of money to do this. You can get a custom car door magnet designed
online for cheap. Keep in mind that you want an attractive sign that is easy to read and conveys a message
quickly about what you do and how to reach you.
See also: Starting Green: An Ecopreneur's Guide to Starting a Green Business from
Business Plans to Profits.
Eco Business Resources:
T I P : "How Do I Write a
Proposal?"
Use Professional Proposal Kits to create proposals, contracts and estimates. Proposal Kits make
work easier, protect your business, can get you more clients and create more accurate quotes for
you. |
Green Business News
Find out what is happening in the green business community so you can better prepare and grow your
eco-business.
Green Certification & Eco-Labeling
The US Government website provides a list of resources for both domestic and international green certification.
This is a good way to demonstrate that your products and services are environmentally sounds, and you can
include their logo or "ecolabel" on your product's label and other marketing materials. Getting third party
certification can instantly raise the value fo your prducts and make them more marketable.
EPA Campus offers online training and continuing education credits for industry professionals working in the
environmental field and green construction get details: Environment Training and
Green Building Courses.
Grants and Funding for Green Businesses
In order to spur development of new environmental technologies, the EPA provides financial support and grants
for small private companies, universities and other nonprofit organizations to develop these new
technologies.
10 World-Changing Green Trends
If you are thinking about starting a green business, it's a good idea to be informed on current trends that are
affecting the growth and development of eco-businesses. When you understand what is driving people and
businesses to go green - you'll see where the business opportunities lie, and be better able to profit when you
start your own green business. This article from Entrepreneur Magazine discusses 10 of these big trends.
