BUSINESS MATTERS -WHERE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS  

What a fantastic show today!  My special guest, Vincent Smythe, talked to us about his Eco Art Movement, its origins, and what he hoped to accomplish. If you missed it, be sure to catch it in the archives.

An artist from his earliest childhood memories, from a family of artists, he always loved to draw and paint.  At a certain point in his life, long before Global Warming became a hot button topic, he knew he wanted to work with natural substances, and no longer use toxic chemicals such as benzine paint thinners, and oil based paints. As he began picking up leaves and tree branches off the ground, and using them in his art,  he began to rely less and less on other mediums.

After years of showing in galleries, and having his art well received in art circles, he began alliances with other artists to reach out  with this recyclable art. Thus his art movement was born. Still showcasing his art in shows, it is also available on his website, www.vincentfinedesigns.webs.com. He is working on grants and donations to be able to bring his movement into elementary and high schools, sharing with students, and into community centers and nursing homes. He feels we all must do what we can to reduce our carbon footprints, put an end to global warming, and why not create beauty while doing it.

We also shared tips on what each of us can do in our small businesses to be reduce our own carbon footprints, and combat global warming, one step at a time.

1. Bring your own coffee mug into your office, reduce the use of paper and styrofoam cups.

2. Decorate with live plants, instead of plastic to improve oxygen levels  and add beauty.

3 Stock your lunchroom with food grown by local farmers, instead of filing up the vending machines with junk.
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4. Avoid printing documents that can be emailed. Edit documents on the screen instead of printing out drafts. Use recyclable ink for the printers.

5. Print on both sides when able to, and use recyclable paper.

6. Use laptops instead of desktops, they use 70% less energy.

7. Turn olff all lights and equipment when you close at night. Unplug all equipment when not in use. Even when turned off, they still use energy.

8.  Fax documents directly from the computer, rather than printing them out and sending by regular fax.

9. Wear clothing made from organic or recycled fabric. Fashion can be green too!

10. Patronize other green businesses. Show your support!

While we may not be able to do all of them, each one we put into practice makes a difference!

And please remember to tune on Saturday as I am a guest on this exciting show:
HollisChapmanShow@nowlive.com. Airing at 1pm, the host will enter every 15th caller into a drawing for a free Hawaiian vacation!

And next Wednesday will be a very special hour, Overcoming Adversity, featuring the creator of The Wumblers. (www.wumblers.com) Widowed by cancer, left with 4 small children, this woman not only survived, she thrived. With a nationally syndicated cartoon, international rights, a toy division selling plush toys and dvd's, this woman has done it all. (www.giddygander.com) For all you Moms out there, stay tuned!
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