All Articles Tagged "eco-friendly"
Happy Earth Day! Ten Eco-Friendly And Natural Products We Love
PETA activists in India dress up for Earth Day. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Remember the time of old-fashioned home cleanings in bleach, slicking back our ponytails in Ampro Pro Style gel and cooking our grandma’s best recipes in Crisco? When Earth Day, recycling, or buying more eco-friendly products never crossed our minds (or our neighborhood stores)? In 2013, there are various ways to help out your environment with a plethora of products that could help the Earth and possibly your health.
In celebration of Earth Day (check out the special Google Doodle for today), MN Biz rounds up ten eco-friendly products we love on our heads, in our homes, and on our plates. Enjoy!
Ten Environmentally Friendly (And Budget Friendly) Tips
iStockphoto
Do you know what your carbon footprint is? How environmentally friendly are your home appliances? These are a couple of questions you should take the time to ask yourself when it comes to how you contribute to your environment and your world. Your daily impact on the world isn’t going unnoticed: from your car’s emissions to the household products you use, you are either contributing positively or negatively to the environment and especially to your wallet!
Take heed to these small but effective tips to be more environmentally friendly and save yourself some money too this Earth Day.
Tags:
carbon footprint, carpool, clothing, donate, earth day, eco-friendly, environment, paper, plants, plastic, recycle, reuseFor Robin Wilson, Healthy Homes Pay Off
Robin Wilson, President of Robin Wilson Home
Before living “green” was the trendy thing to do, Robin Wilson was working to create living spaces where customers’ wellness and environmental impact were top priorities. Suffering from childhood allergies and asthma while growing up in the eco-friendly town of Austin, TX made healthy living a passion of hers from an early age.
In 2000, she walked away from a successful corporate career to become president of her own interior design firm, Robin Wilson Home, focused on eco-friendly and hypoallergenic products.
Her success as an entrepreneur has exceeded her own dreams. In 2004, her design of the Harlem office of President Bill Clinton was profiled in O magazine. She’s gone on to launch her own textile line, and build a full-fledged lifestyle brand.
I asked Robin about what it takes to have the vision to stay ahead of trends and build a brand that stays true to her mission of wellness.
Madame Noire: Can you describe Robin Wilson Home for those unfamiliar with your brand? What differentiates you from your competitors?
Robin Wilson: Robin Wilson Home is a lifestyle brand with two business areas: interior design and brand licensing. We have worked with some amazing clients across the U.S. to design eco-friendly homes and commercial spaces. Plus, we are the first brand to license our name to eco-friendly kitchen cabinetry sold by over 500 dealers nationwide — and made in the USA by Holiday Kitchens. We also have a line of textiles sold on Bed Bath & Beyond’s website and they will be coming soon to select retail stores.
MN: You had a successful career dealing with environmental issues before you started your firm. Why did you want to become an entrepreneur?
RW: I began my career at the Lower Colorado River Authority, a hydroelectric utility in Austin, and then worked at both a San Francisco and Boston-based consulting firms in their energy groups. These firms taught me best practices for corporate governance — but I also recognized that the founders of these firms were passionate visionaries. Since my family has a history of entrepreneurs, it was easy for me to understand the focus and charisma of those individuals. I made a goal on my bucket list to be an entrepreneur by the time I was 30… and was fortunate to see it come true for the past 13 years.
MN: What did the early days of Robin Wilson Home look like? How did you get your business off the ground?
RW: We had the wonderful opportunity to be self-funded due to a windfall received when the firm I was working for went public due to an IPO. I was the only employee and worked as a project manager and designer. The early days were amazing due to freedom from a desk, the chance to be casual everyday, and new projects through word-of-mouth.
MN: Did you know green living would take off the way that it has?
RW: It was never “green” to me… and I actually refer to our practices as eco-friendly (to your living space and the environment) and wellness-oriented. However, when the articles started to refer to us as in the “green” space, I had to accept the moniker as a way to describe our business. But I remain committed to telling people that the bottom line is “wellness” for you and your lifestyle.
MN: What gave you the courage to pursue a specialty that wasn’t mainstream at the time?
Robin: I live by the motto “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” So my focus has never been about what is mainstream but very much about what I believe is good for my friends and family.
How To Decorate An Eco-Friendly Baby Nursery
About This Episode
We’re back with Interior Designer Robin Wilson as she takes us on an exclusive tour of her eco-friendly baby nursery. Be sure to check all all of Robin’s nursery tips when planning for your baby nursery!
About Robin Wilson
For more information on Robin Wilson Home, log onto http://robinwilsonhome.com/
About Karyn Parsons
Karyn Parsons is best known as the character “Hilary Banks” on the long-running television show, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Today she is a wife and mother of two. Parsons is also the Founder and President of the Sweet Blackberry foundation after being inspired by the true tale of a determined slave and the remarkable lengths he travelled to find his freedom. While growing up, Parsons’ mother, a librarian in the Black Resource Center of a library in South Central Los Angeles, would share stories of African-American accomplishment with her daughter. A mother and activist, Karyn created Sweet Blackberry to use the power of stories to inspire youth. Follow her on Twitter @Karyn_Parsons.
Want More Mommy In Chief? Watch these episodes:
Season 2
- Episode 1: Are You A Good Enough Mother?
- Episode 2: New Motherhood and Balancing A Busy Work Life
- Episode 3: How to Decorate an Eco-Friendly Baby Nursery
- Episode 4: Foodie, Nicole Friday on Kids and Career
- Episode 5: Melissa Beck, From Hollywood to Stay At Home Mom
- Episode 6: Single Mom in The City
- Episode 7: Mommy Mogul and Marketing Wiz Monique Jackson at Home With Her Boys
- Episode 8: Beauty Maven Jodie Patterson Talks Four-Day Work Week for Moms
- Episode 9: Tonya Lewis Lee on Motherhood and the Importance of Women’s Health
Season 1
- Episode 1: Back 2 School
- Episode 2: Happy Halloween
- Episode 3: Socially Responsible Kids
- Episode 4: Money Talks
- Episode 5: Keeping Families Healthy
- Episode 6: Thanksgiving Madness
- Episode 7: Highlights and Best Moments
- Episode 8: Stylish Moms
- Episode 9: Best Apps for Moms
- Episode 10: Socialite Kids
- Episode 11: Hair Talk with AfroBella
- Episode 12: Happy New Year!
New Motherhood After 40 and Balancing A Busy Work Life
About This Episode
We travel to the home of eco-friendly interior designer Robin Wilson and speak with her as she preps for the arrival of her very first baby and tells us how she will manage her thriving business as a new mom.
About Robin Wilson
For more information on Robin Wilson Home, log onto http://robinwilsonhome.com/
About Karyn Parsons
Karyn Parsons is best known as the character “Hilary Banks” on the long-running television show, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Today she is a wife and mother of two. Parsons is also the Founder and President of the Sweet Blackberry foundation after being inspired by the true tale of a determined slave and the remarkable lengths he travelled to find his freedom. While growing up, Parsons’ mother, a librarian in the Black Resource Center of a library in South Central Los Angeles, would share stories of African-American accomplishment with her daughter. A mother and activist, Karyn created Sweet Blackberry to use the power of stories to inspire youth. Follow her on Twitter @Karyn_Parsons.
Want More Mommy In Chief? Watch these episodes:
Season 2
- Episode 1: Are You A Good Enough Mother?
- Episode 2: New Motherhood and Balancing A Bust Work Life
- Episode 3: How to Decorate an Eco-Friendly Baby Nursery
- Episode 4: Foodie, Nicole Friday on Kids and Career
- Episode 5: Melissa Beck, From Hollywood to Stay At Home Mom
- Episode 6: Single Mom in The City
- Episode 7: Mommy Mogul and Marketing Wiz Monique Jackson at Home With Her Boys
- Episode 8: Beauty Maven Jodie Patterson Talks Four-Day Work Week for Moms
- Episode 9: Tonya Lewis Lee on Motherhood and the Importance of Women’s Health
Season 1
- Episode 1: Back 2 School
- Episode 2: Happy Halloween
- Episode 3: Socially Responsible Kids
- Episode 4: Money Talks
- Episode 5: Keeping Families Healthy
- Episode 6: Thanksgiving Madness
- Episode 7: Highlights and Best Moments
- Episode 8: Stylish Moms
- Episode 9: Best Apps for Moms
- Episode 10: Socialite Kids
- Episode 11: Hair Talk with AfroBella
- Episode 12: Happy New Year!
Would You Shop Here? Austin Grocer Goes Green With Healthy, Package-Free Goods
Image: in.gredients.com
A new grocery store in Austin, in.gredients, is selling all of its goods the eco-friendly way: without packaging.
We’re not just talking about loose potatoes and peppers. The way this works is you bring your containers from home, they fill them up with with your items, you eat the items and then bring your containers back to the store on your next shopping trip. If you don’t bring your own containers, they’ll provide you with recyclable and compostable containers. The few items that come packaged are meats and dairy (which is required by local law) and eggs.
In.gredients is striving to create a zero-waste, locally-sourced, healthier way of eating. In addition to be package-free, they rely on area farmers for their inventory. Eating locally and going organic are definitely trends right now as people try to find ways to eat better and be kinder to the environment. However, price is always a concern. After all, there was a good reason why Whole Foods was nicknamed “Whole paycheck.” But even that market has tried to bring prices down.
“Bottom line, buying in bulk eliminates the cost of packaging and allows the buyer to allocate exact amounts of in.gredients to recipes / buy only how much they need – making even traditionally expensive items more approachable. We care about lowering the cost barrier to healthy, local foods, and want to make good food accessible to everyone,” in.gredients writes on its FAQ page.
With the severe drought covering a good chunk of the country, prices are expected to go up. With that in mind, many shoppers will likely opt for a lower-cost option that will keep the fridge filled and bypass items that, though a little healthier and better for the environment, will deplete their budgets.
At stores where you do find packaging, there are efforts to make the packaging more useful. Tests using a “stoplight-style color-coding system” aim to give the important dietary information in a clear and easy way. A study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital found that the simple system coupled with greater accessibility resulted in the consumption of healthier foods. The results were equally strong among blacks, whites and Latinos.
So are you shopping with eco-friendly, organic purpose? Or are you most concerned with sticking to your grocery budget? If in.gredients came to your neighborhood, would you grab some empty containers and head on down?
More on Madame Noire Business!
- The Number of Black-Owned Businesses, and the Need for Resources, Is Growing
- Are You Pinning? Pintrest for Individuals, Small Businesses, and Big Brands
- Women, Minority Businesses Face an Added Burden of Proof
- Are Black Businesses Suffering From an Undeserved Rep for Bad Customer Service?
- How to Tackle Office Enemies
- Here are the Five Highest Paying Jobs You Don’t Need a Bachelor’s Degree to Do
Land & Luxury: Celebrities Who Have Their Own Island
For some actors and actresses, its just not enough to own sprawling estates, million-dollar cars and every high end fashion label hot off the runway. For these 7 celebrities, owning property has striked their interest and lead them to purchase some of the most beautiful real estate in the world, tropical islands. When these celebs want some privacy, they don’t hire a team of security guards, they jet off to their 100% private island in the sea. Get ready to be impressed (and Goggle Earth these tropical oasis’s!)
Mikki’s Natural Makeup Obsession: LAMIK Beauty Products
Everywhere we look people and companies are “going green.” Cosmetic lines have also followed that trend. I have not been a proponent of natural makeup because I was not willing to sacrifice my aesthetic for the sake of being mineral based. I’ve always used the best product to accomplish the overall goal (a whipped face) regardless of the ingredients until I encountered the black-owned, eco-chic brand, LAMIK Beauty! Celebs like Chrisette Michelle, Jennifer Holiday, Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Elise Neal, Kim Burrell and Yolanda Adams have all worn the Houston-based cosmetic line developed by licensed esthetician and CEO of LAMIK Beauty, Kim Roxie.
“She’s The Boss” Episode 8 – Robin Wilson, Chairman & CEO at Robin Wilson Home
About This Episode
Robin Wilson is making waves in the eco-friendly design industry as a designer and healthy space interior consultant. Originally from Texas, Wilson launched her design firm in 2000 after transitioning from corporate America. With projects such as the Harlem office of President Clinton and the White House Fellows office, Wilson’s firm focuses on consultation with developers, showhouses, healthcare facilities, residential and office spaces.
Wilson is the author of a book, Kennedy Green House (Greenleaf, 2010) which has a foreword written by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She also serves as the ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America where she helps increase awareness of indoor air quality as they pertain to issues involving asthma.
Find out why She’s The Boss.
