Reflections of an amazing first event

After launching our first Small Biz Green seminar the other week, I am more convinced of the opportunity that exists in South Florida for Green Business and the prospects to create jobs.  I met dozens of business owners who are not only growing small businesses but they are doing it with a social conscience.

More importantly, these business owners are finding ways to reduce costs in their business because of the "green" things they do. We heard all kinds of ideas on how businesses can save money.  From changing lighting, to slowing down in the car/truck, to unplugging equipment, to inflating tires (we had a few chuckles about the politics of that one), re-using items, new recycling ideas, you name it.  There must have been at least two dozen take-aways.

We heard from Ken Yerves, the EVP at JM Families about all of the amazing operational improvements they have made including a very impressive solar installation on one of their buildings.  Ken talked about the culture of sustainability in the company and he proved it with many examples. 

We then heard from an ex-FPL executive, Tony Altmann about his new small business.  He is saving companies thousands of dollars a month on their energy bill by implementing energy control systems.  Not only is he saving his clients money, his company is growing!! 

Our interactive table discussion may have been the highlight of the morning.  To see the energy that came from the passionate discussions was so inspiring. Not to mention we got some really good ideas out of the discussion.

Our small business owners panel discussion really hit it on the head for me.  We had the owners of a water management company, a house cleaning business, a pizza restaurant chain and a social marketing firm.  What do they all have in common?  They are all saving boat loads of money because of the green initiatives they have implemented.   It doesn't matter what business you are in, you can always find ways to save money by going green.

We ended the day with a talk from the owner of a Hospitality/Hotel business in South Beach.  Wow, the passion and work they have put in to making their hotels green is inspiring and compelling.  Brian talked about the amazing amount of savings he recognized from reducing his energy costs and how he significantly reduced the costs of his cleaning products.

It is so obvious to me.  Going Green doesn't just make good social sense, it makes good business sense. 

I cant wait for the next one.