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19 Ways to Help the Earth Every Day

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There is no Planet B, so we all need to care for the Earth

While “Earth Month” has departed, I’m sharing 19 ways that you can do more for the planet by reducing your carbon footprint.  I use all of these, but my intent is not to pat myself on the back. Rather it’s to offer a variety of practical tips that you may choose to adopt in your life. Everyone’s situation is different. But therein lies the opportunity. If you add even one new practice that fits your life, then the whole planet benefits.

Some of these are “oldies-but-goodies.” Others are changes I’ve made just this year. It’s a cliché that “Earth Day is every day” but it’s also absolutely true. The world just inched past the 410 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere, and we all need to better understand where emissions come from, and how we can reduce them.

New this year:

  1. Changing our electricity to clean energy sources – This year, we signed up for Portland General Electric’s “Green Future” program. We still get our bill from PGE, but for about $6/month extra, we  ensure that a portion of our electricity comes from wind (70%), solar (24%) and other renewable sources in the Northwest.
  2. Attacking food waste – Imperfect Produce is a company that delivers fresh, organic produce to our door weekly. They snag produce that may have cosmetic issues that make them hard to sell in a supermarket but are otherwise perfectly fine to eat. This service (1) lets us eat organic (2) diverts fruits and veggies that would otherwise end up in landfills and create more greenhouse gas emissions (3) supports local jobs.
  3. Donating to support carbon offset projects in Appalachia – We are fortunate to be able to support a carbon offset program such as Clean Choice Energy is offering.  (Note: they are a client, but I receive no money for sharing the news about their “Replenish our Forests” program.) My husband is from Appalachia, so this is in his honor!

Every year at New Years, I make “green resolutions” along with the usual suspects like losing weight and exercising more. “Green resolutions” are more satisfying because they are all about creating a better life for everyone.

In addition to the 3 tips above, here are 16 more that fall into the “keep doing” category:

  1. Avoiding single–use plastic – like straws for sodas and plastic grocery bags. Recent studies have shown in graphic detail just how bad the “plastics in the ocean” problem is. It’s not hard to sip my drink from the cup and use paper bags (or reusable ones) for groceries.
  2. Downsizing our living space and the heating and cooling costs that go with it! The EPA offers a carbon footprint calculator that will show you that your home energy costs are likely the largest part of your footprint.
  3. Going from 2 cars to 1 – my husband loves public transit and was happy to stop driving. We save thousands every year on the gas, insurance, parking and insurance costs of a second car. And not having a second car means zero emissions from that source!
  4. Driving a hybrid car – we bought our first hybrid 16 years ago. We wanted to save gas and reduce our emissions. My Honda Civic Hybrid emits 202 grams of CO2 per mile. The Ford F150 pickup – the most popular passenger vehicle in the U.S. – emits 453 grams of CO2 per mile. (Nothing against pickups – I’m just saying.) Use the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov site to find out the CO2 emissions for your vehicle.
  5. Using Lyft and Uber – again, everyone’s needs are different. But we’ve been pleasantly surprised at the speed, efficiency and professionalism of these car services. If you don’t need to use a car 365 days a year, think about using these services when you need them.
  6. Shopping less – a smaller living space requires less stuff. As a master “window-shopper” I am happy to look at the latest fashions or décor, but I don’t have to buy.
  7. Shopping local – we are fortunate to live where we do because local fish, meat, bread, produce and fruit are all available. We eat healthy and support our fellow citizens who grow, fish or raise the food.
  8. Stepping away from red meat – I love beef, lamb, and pork but the impact of raising, distributing and eating them is decidedly bad for the environment.  Happily, my desire to improve my cholesterol levels aligns with protecting the environment in this way.  Steak is now a rare treat for occasions like birthdays and Christmas.
  9. Getting involved, building community – The number of organizations concerned with protecting the planet and fighting climate change has exploded. The Earth Day Network, The Nature Conservancy, the Climate Reality Project and the We Mean Business Coalition are just some of the places sharing science-based information and offering many local opportunities to get involved all year long.
  10. Reading books electronically – I have always loved books (and big bookcases full of them!) But chopping down forests in order to print books is a bad tradeoff. And studies show that e-readers overall are better for the environment.
  11. Avoiding air travel – of all the transportation choices out there, air travel is worst for the environment. Most airlines allow you to offset your carbon emissions as you are buying your ticket. Tell your favorite airline that reducing their emissions is important to you.
  12. Choosing recycled goods like toilet paper, napkins, printer paper. Yes, they do cost more, so pick the ones that fit your budget.
  13. Washing clothes in cold water – this saves energy that would otherwise be used to heat the water. With today’s detergents, your clothes will be just as clean.
  14. Driving a fully electric vehicle – This is an aspiration. My husband wants a Tesla, which we can’t afford. But we are keeping an eye on the prices and the features.
  15. Keep learning about climate science – if the word “science” scares you off, don’t let it. The basic idea is that greenhouse gases act as a sort of blanket around the Earth, warming land and seas to unhealthy temperatures. Once you understand that, you have many options to help reduce that heating.
  16. Remembering that the mantra “reduce-reuse-recycle” is as true today as in 1970 when the first Earth Day happened. The good news is, there are FAR more ways to do this today.

For me, making Earth Day every day is not about being “elitist.” No one feels smug driving around in a Honda Civic Hybrid. I am simply trying to do my part – however small – to make things better for my fellow citizens. In doing so, I have discovered many people who share similar priorities. There’s a lot more common ground than you might think!

Trees for Puerto Rico – in time for Earth Day

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by Alison Lueders

Still not sure how to get involved with Earth Day, which happens this April 22?

Help plant trees in Puerto Rico

Join with the Earth Day Network  (EDN) in doing something awesome. It’s inviting contributions to help reforest Puerto Rico after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria last year. In addition to buildings, the vast majority of trees were flattened on the island as well.

Replanting them is not for decorative purposes. Trees are a building block of virtually any healthy ecosystem. See “Top 22 Benefits of Trees” to see what I mean.

Trees blown over by force force of Hurricane Maria winds

Indeed, according to the Miami Herald, the entire damage estimate for PR from Maria is $90 billion. Given that the island’s entire GDP was last measured as $101 billion in 2016, the financial dimensions of the problem are stark.

And the human dimensions of the problem – how do you recover from losing EVERYTHING? – are unimaginable. Planting trees is one part of the solution, and EDN makes it easy.

Earth Day Network makes it easy!

One dollar plants one tree through the Earth Day Network. And in case you’ve forgotten, EDN is on track to  plant 7.8 billion trees worldwide by 2020 as part of their Canopy project. I have contributed already. In the interests of full disclosure, I receive no money from EDN for writing about this. Just happy to spread the word!

Need help spreading the word about your green efforts?

Speaking of spreading the word, do you have a great green story to tell, but just haven’t had the time? Contact me at Alison@alueders.com to set up a free consult. No pressure – just talking.

Wishing you a Happy Earth Day!

Make Your Plans for Earth Day – April 22

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by Alison Lueders

Earth Day is April 22.  According to the Earth Day Network, the theme for this year is “Ending Plastic Pollution” – a more-than-worthy cause.

Three things you may not know about plastic, whether it’s grocery bags, plastic bottles or snack bags are:

  • Most plastic sticks around. According to National Geographic, of the 8.3 billion metric tons that have been produced since the 1960’s, only about 9% of that has been recycled. The rest is in landfills or the environment, breaking down – or not.
  • The 6 most common sources of plastic pollution are listed here. Which one(s) could you avoid?
  • China stopped accepting plastic from the U.S. and the E.U. as of January 2018. I don’t blame them, but this has caused a major headache for waste management folks here and around the world who are basically letting the plastic pile up at home at the moment.

Here’s what I’m doing to reduce my plastic pollution:

  • Kicked my Starbucks habit.  Learning that their paper cups are lined with plastic that clogs recycling machinery, I decided to be part of the solution.  I brew my own coffee at home now and use ceramic mugs. 4 billion one-use Starbucks cups are thrown away each year. Now it’s 4 billion minus 365.
  • Swapped my plastic bottles of water for cans. I now hydrate with the best of them, but I know that aluminum cans are “infinitely recyclable.”
  • Skipped plastic straws. They are a bigger part of the problem than you might realize. According to the National Park Service, U.S. consumers use some 500 million straws every day. Most are tossed out and because they are so light-weight, they are more likely to blow around and end up in places like the ocean.

Most plastic is still with us.

Another surprise to me: according to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, burning the plastic that sits in landfills today is not a bad option. I had assumed that burning anything would release greenhouse gases.

But in fact, “modern waste-to-energy facilities produce electricity and heat in boilers designed for complete combustion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said they produce electricity “with less environmental impact than almost any other source of electricity.””

How about you?

If you’ve already wrestled your plastic challenges to the curb – congrats! The Earth Day Network has 6 other major campaigns that help the planet. (I’m supporting The Canopy Project which focuses on planting trees.) Which one will you choose?

Climate change-driven fires choke Portland with smoke and ash

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It’s raining ash in Portland right now

Western wildfires are climate change symptoms.

While there have been air quality alerts for days now, from a number of fires around the state, a new wildfire blew up over the holiday weekend. What started as the Eagle Creek fire has now expanded into the Columbia River Gorge. One of the nation’s most scenic places is burning to the ground as I write.

It’s a tragedy that a place of unique natural beauty is being utterly destroyed. Perhaps, if you are out of a job or straining to pay your bills, you may not care – I get it. Life is difficult, and for a great many of us, just getting through the day is a challenge. There is no emotional bandwidth for some vague concept like “the environment” or “climate change.”

Because climate change is at work

EXCEPT that “the environment” is the air we all breathe, the land we all share, and the water we all drink. We don’t want to breath smoke (as I am as I write this.) We don’t want 40 miles of normally busy highway shut down by wildfires (as I-84 is right now), thus stopping commuters and commercial drivers in their tracks. We don’t want rising seas literally flooding through the front doors of our homes, as our fellow citizens in Houston just experienced.

Floods and storms are fueled by climate change.

The environment – quite simply – makes all our lives possible. When we damage or pollute or destroy “the environment,” we are hurting ourselves. That’s the point that people seem to miss. It’s not about polar bears – not really. It’s about people. It’s about keeping the planet habitable for ourselves. As it happens, that means keeping it habitable for a lot of other creatures too.

50 inches of rain in one week in Texas is not just “extreme weather.” It’s one more example of the climate change that is all around us now. Climate scientists – who have been raising the alarm about climate change since the 1980s – know that things will only get worse, unless we act. In Oregon, my Senators, my Congressman, and the Mayor of my city all acknowledge the reality, and have been taking steps – for years – to address it. But elsewhere, there’s a lot of denial.

No matter where you live, there is much that you can do to help:
• Believe your eyes. The floods, fires, droughts – that’s climate change in action. It’s not a fluke, and it’s not going to get better on its own.
• Educate yourself. Climate change is not rocket science. Much of it is driven by burning fossil fuels that emit gases like carbon dioxide that get trapped in Earth’s atmosphere. Those trapped gases act like a blanket around the planet, making it warmer and warmer. Warmer air causes more water to evaporate (and come down in torrents) while at the same time drying out huge swaths of land that become tinder for wildfires. And the vicious cycle continues.
• Take whatever actions you can. Large and small, it all helps. Crank the A/C a little less, participate in a beach or river cleanup, recycle everything you can. These suggestions are as valid as ever. But these days, there’s much more you can do to help. Eat less meat, drive a hybrid or electric car, find a job in a booming “green” industry like renewable energy or electric cars. The sky is the limit because the whole economy needs to be re-designed around more sustainable principles. No one has that all figured out yet – which means that you can help.
• Find your climate community. Returning our planet to a healthier state will take all of us. In a time when politicians seek to divide us, don’t let them. Climate science is science. Would you argue that 2+2 does not = 4? Nope. From 350.org to the Citizens Climate Lobby, from GreenBiz.com to organizations that are building a circular economy, from universities like PSU and ASU who focus deeply on sustainability issues to faith organizations that feel called to protect the earth – find an organization where you want to contribute, and do so.

The environment is our home – let’s defend it!

A Mistake of Historic Proportions

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It’s a mistake of historic proportions for the U.S. to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Once again, forgive me for stepping out of my “business person” role and speaking as a concerned American citizen.

The world needs U.S. climate leadership…

America can lead on climate change solutions.

Experts ranging from scientists to economists to business people explain in blunt, clear times why the U.S. will be the great loser here.  China and European nations will step into the vacuum of climate leadership that we – inexplicably – have created.

That agreement, signed by 195 countries in 2015, put the world on a path to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing our world to warm to a dangerous and unhealthy degree. One of the reasons I launched Great Green Content back in 2011 was because I had done my own reading and learning about climate change. (It helps to have MIT business school professors to call up and ask, “Can you show me the climate models?” – and they do!)

… to help meet climate change risks

I was stunned that a threat so serious was so poorly covered by the media.  And as an MBA with a corporate career that spanned multiple industries, I saw first-hand the often-tepid efforts that companies make to address a problem that may leave them with both no business – and no customers. This despite the fact that – like most problems – the solutions to climate change will create jobs: from wind turbine technicians to solar panel installers and more.

Climate change drives floods, droughts, wildfires, hurricanes and other severe forms of weather. It kills the crops that feed people, enables deadly infectious diseases to spread far beyond their geographic origins, and causes billions of dollars in property damage every year. It’s a “threat multiplier” according to the U.S. military. It’s a business risk that more and more investors demand that corporations report on.

The future – if we are to have one –  has to be green

Green jobs are the future.

Today I am speaking as a citizen, a wife, a mom, a neighbor, a member of my community. This decision will not create one new job here. It will simply make us – and our global neighbors – less safe in the months and years ahead.

I will ignore this decision and push on with what I know needs to be done. Join me!

Marching with “Mad” Scientists in Portland

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Last Saturday, I attended the March for Science in Portland, Oregon – with lots of company!

Scientists and supporters on 4th Ave.

Thank a scientist today

I am not a scientist, but I’m amazed and grateful for what they do. A wildly abbreviated list of sciences includes medical research, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, materials science and yes – climate science.

Those vaccinations against diseases that you received as a child? There was a huge scientific effort behind that. Those digital devices you love so much? Computer scientists work day and night to make those chips ever tinier and more powerful.

And climate science – while a newer branch of science – focuses on the facts around things like global temperatures, how much water vapor is in the air, and how much oceans and seas are rising. Because those things are affecting all of us – right now.

“Just the facts, ma’am”

To me, the wonderful thing about sciences is that they are all about facts. Scientists, by definition, WANT their facts to be checked, they WANT their theories to be tested. If their theories don’t stand up to scrutiny, other scientists will let them know post-haste.

There’s a rigor and an integrity to the scientific method that keeps us safe from – ahem – “alternative facts.” And allows scientists to move from lab-tested theories to real-world applications that help people live better lives.

Science is a unifier

I attended the March for Science both to show my support and to see who was there. Every kind of science was represented: from marine biologists to crop scientists, medical researchers to conservationists. In a time when public life seems scarily polarized, it was encouraging to see so many people turn out to affirm their commitment to the sciences.

No one asked, “What kind of scientist are you?” Science is a unifier, not a divider.

Marching with a “Mad” Scientist

As I marched, I noticed a woman in a white lab coat, walking with her 2 kids. Her simple, hand-made sign said, “This is what a “mad” scientist looks like.” I had to laugh because that said it all. She’s a mom with a job in the sciences and it must be “discouraging” – to say the least – to live in a time when basic facts are deleted from government web sites, and rigorous research is dismissed as “belief” or opinion.

2+2=4. Whether you believe or not.

I suspect that most of the marchers would have preferred to be in the lab or in the field, rather than marching down the drizzly streets of Portland that day. But I am so glad they came out to show their scientific spirit!

Up Next – The People’s Climate March this Saturday, April 29

Once again, the “big” one will be in Washington, D.C. But I’ll be strutting my stuff in the “sister march” here in Portland. Click the link and plug in your zip code to find a sister march near you. I’ll be looking for your pictures on Facebook, telling me all about it!

Acting Up on Earth’s Behalf

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It’s April – the Earth is calling

At long last, it’s the wonderful month of April. Here in Portland, the cherry trees are blooming and there’s an energy in the air as winter releases its grip.

Image result for cherry blossoms in PortlandApril is also the time to show your serious support for the planet.  Earth Day is on April 22. This year the  Earth Day Network is organizing the huge “March for Science” in Washington D.C. on that day.

In my work, I happily focus on the intersection of the earth and business every day. But this year, April’s Earth festivities call for “all-hands-on-deck.”  And you can help.

The withdrawal of clean energy help at a federal level…

The new administration has chosen to withdraw its support from the Clean Power Plan, sign off on building the Keystone pipeline that carries fossil fuel, and label global warming a “concept … invented by the Chinese” – to name just a few truly awful actions.

In fact, global warming is something that scientists have been worried about since the 1980s. And for many of us regular citizens, it’s something we have seen with our own eyes. Think Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, or the massive wildfires that burned over 10 million U.S. acres in 2015 alone.

I am baffled that the feds have chosen to ignore the hundreds of thousands of American jobs that come with renewable energy, smart home technologies, and electric vehicles. There are endless business opportunities, right here in America, for everything from sustainable fashion to sustainable agriculture.

That’s where you come in.

Image result for daffodils

 

… means that action at the state and local level is crucial

I moved to Portland, OR because the city has a well-deserved reputation, not only for being weird and making lots of craft beer, but also for being “green.” My apartment building is LEED-certified, the public transit is so good that we sold one of our two cars, and there are more farmers markets offering organic food and locally made goods than I can shake a stick at.

That’s the norm here. You may have heard that Nike and Intel have their headquarters here. But did you know that SolarWorld and Vestas (the world’s largest builder of wind turbines) are just down the street too? Did you also know that “wind turbine technician” is one of the most sought-after employees right now?

I’d rather support American jobs and American workers, and green businesses do that far better than organizations that outsource overseas. Indeed, “green” thinking is so embedded here that it starts early. I recently read of the Portland teen who developed a portable solar panel that homeless people can use to power lights or devices.

Here’s what I’m doing to push the clean energy agenda forward

So this April, I’m putting my time (and money) where my mouth is by:

  • Marching in Portland’s “sister march” for the big March for Science on April 22. Much as I’d like to be in D.C., flying from Portland to D.C. would just create more greenhouse gas emissions. Here, I can walk to what I expect will be a big march, and still get my point across. To those who think “it won’t make a difference,” I beg to differ.
  • Visiting my Senators in person this month. Oregon’s Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have done yeoman’s work to advance policies for clean energy and GHG emissions reductions. I plan to say, “Thank you” and “how can I help?”
  • Mentoring a student from a local university. Starting this month, I’ll share my career experiences with a Portland State University student who majors in Sustainability. I want these kids to succeed, even if I have more mistakes to share than victories.
  • Continue telling the truth on this blog about climate change and business. Because climate change is a clear and present danger. And businesses can remain profitable while addressing it. Facts matter. We ignore them at our peril.

How about you?

  • Check out the sister marches in your area and go. April 22 is a Saturday, so you’re off work (I hope)! I suspect you’ll find an amazing amount of camaraderie there.
  • If you’re not the marching type, write a letter to your local paper about how important you know climate change is. Did you know that subscriptions to newspapers like the New York Times and Washington Post since the election? Your words will reach more people than you might think!
  • Get involved at the state and local level. While I salute all the folks who have decided to run for office – everything from local school boards to state wide office – that takes time. Go to your Congressional Town Hall that will be held this month and speak up about climate change, clean energy and green American jobs.

Let’s make April awesome for the planet!

Here’s why I voted for Hillary

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Speaking up

Politics is a divisive topic for some people. Normally I steer clear of it in my dealings with clients and readers. Great Green Content is focused on promoting sustainable practices in business, which protect the planet while generating profits. It’s a win-win for everyone.

America is already great. Not perfect - but great!

America is already great. Not perfect – but great!

…about the most important election I’ve seen

However, 2016 is a year in which it would be irresponsible for me to say nothing about the election. I am a citizen who cherishes the right to vote.  I am also the mother of an 18-year-old daughter who will be voting this year for the first time. This campaign season, I thought I’d be  talking with my daughter about where the candidates stood on various issues, and how she might evaluate them in choosing which candidate is best for the country.

… on behalf of me, my daughter and everyone I know

Ha! That never happened. Early this spring, after listening to Mr. Trump on TV, she kiddingly informed me that she would move to London, England if he won. He was –  and is – that utterly appalling. And he has only doubled-down on his appallingness since then.

I’m with her

I will simply share that I have happily voted for Hillary in this election, and I hope you will too. While her support for sustainable business certainly aligns with mine, it’s not the most important reason for my choice. Nor is it just because she’s an extraordinarily qualified woman who I think will do this country proud.

… because words matter

Mr. Trump is not a “normal” Republican candidate. He is not a “normal” human being (narcissistic sociopath come to mind, but I digress.) He strikes me as a clear and present danger to democracy and all that is good and decent about our country. And I cannot remain silent and “hope for the best” in this election.

…and silence might be seen as acceptance

Edmund Burke wrote: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This is my Edmund Burke moment. America has seen leaders of the Trump variety emerge in other times and places – with devastating consequences. I will not allow the country I love to follow that path without a fight.

Please join me in voting for Hillary in this historic election. It’s that important.

Fired Up About Green Business

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A talk with students

Earlier this week I spoke at Eckerd College on the topic of “Starting a Green Business.” I was thrilled to be invited. As I head into my 5th year as a content writer for green businesses (and a certified green business myself!), I have far more to share with the students than before. And the truth is, I came away feeling wonderfully optimistic about the future of green business. Here’s why:

Eckerd College teaches students how to launch green businesses.

Eckerd College teaches students how to launch green businesses.

  • Green business is part of the curriculum. I give a big shout out to Eckerd College and Professor Laura Singleton for teaching the course. It’s an intensive class to help students learn about, articulate and actually pitch a green business plan within one month. I like the fact that the class has such a practical, actionable focus. Green business is not some airy-fairy, far-away dream. It’s here now and we need more people like these students jumping in to the pool.
  • There were no slackers in this crowd. Far from tapping away on their smartphones while I spoke, these students were engaged. I was bombarded with questions ranging from “How do you handle greenwashing?” to “Why do you think the government in Florida bans people from talking about climate change?” to “You say your hybrid car is a good thing, but what are we going to do about those toxic batteries?” These are thoughtful, informed questions that say good things about the students asking them.
  • These students GET climate change. They know that climate change is real, and they know that they will likely bear the brunt of it. Not one student asked, “But isn’t climate change a hoax?”  Not one student asked, “But won’t addressing climate change destroy our economy?” It’s a given. These students give me hope.
  • Green business means big bucks. I shared with the class a recent article from The Guardian listing the 9 companies that currently make $1 billion a year or more with sustainable products. That’s “billion” with a “b.” Target is the tenth company that will join this ranking. While my green business is small, there will be a need for green businesses of every size and shape. That’s exciting for people looking for a place in a new, green economy.
  • My New Year’s gift to you. Interested in exploring your own green business ideas? After class, I emailed Professor Singleton a list of 10 sources of information on green business to share with her students.  This list barely scratches the surface, but it’s a good place to start:
  • Greenbiz.com
  • Climate Progress – this is more about climate change than business, but many business-related articles appear.
  • American Sustainable Business Council – this group is located in D.C. and has a public policy bent, but the name says it all.
  • WeMeanBusinessCoalition.org – this came out of the Paris Climate Talks. Mike Bloomberg (of Bloomberg Business Week) is one of the business people who has gotten involved in the green economy in a big way.
  • Ceres.org – while this is a nonprofit, they work mostly with for profit-businesses to help them understand and adopt more sustainable business practices.
  • Newsweek 2015 Green Business Rankings – normally I avoid lists like this, but it does give a sense of the sheer scope of green business today.
  • Sustainable Brands.com – the link is to an article about the Circular Economy, but SB is one of the heavy hitters in the green business space.
  • Sustainable Business.com – Rona Fried is the woman behind this site, and she curates a daily stream of interesting news articles about sustainable business.
  • The Guardian Sustainable Business section– source of the “9 Billion Dollar Companies” article above.
  • Triple Pundit.com – all the latest on balancing people, planet and profit – the Triple Bottom Line.

As I told the class, this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Whether you are looking for ideas for a green business to start, a green job to train for, or a green company to work for there is plenty of opportunity. Be bold – don’t wait – you can do this!

Why I Love Starbucks – the Company (and the Coffee!)

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Making Monday Marvelous

I love Starbucks - the COMPANY. Here's why.

I love Starbucks – the COMPANY. Here’s why.

I am a regular Starbucks customer. I go almost every day, in spite of the financial monster in my head who screams, “$3.70 for coffee??? You could retire earlier if you SAVED that money!” Which is true. Except that I can’t count on reaching retirement. So I have my “fancy” cuppa joe each morning before work because it makes me happy, in that moment, every day.

THIS morning when I arrived, the barista handed me a grande version of my usual drink – café mocha, non-fat, no whip, 2 pumps. With a hand-written note on it that said, “Just because we love you, Alison!” And then they told me it was on the house. On a Monday morning, that made my day, week and month.

Now I know that a company is not a person. (Really – Justice Roberts, it’s not.) But Starbucks is a company that I choose to emulate in my own little, one-person shop. Not around coffee (I’m no expert) but in the WAY they do business and the WAY they treat their customers.

What do I mean? Let me count the ways.

The baristas know me and I know them. I am thankful for their name tags because I am terrible with names initially, but once I remember I ALWAYS remember. And it’s cheerful to walk in and say, “Hi Ericka/Mitch/Brooklyn” to whoever happens to be across the counter.

They are unfailingly friendly and polite. I know that’s part of their job, but at my Starbucks, they do it really well. In this time where simple courtesy and respect seem to be in short supply, I appreciate the fact that they DON’T let it all hang out. I know they’re being nice to me, and I am nice to them back.  I like nice.

But there are also deeper reasons I start my day with Starbucks. Their environmental stands on everything from ethically sourcing their coffee beans to building LEED certified coffee shops just resonate with me, as owner of a certified green business myself.

Their support of education with programs like the full tuition reimbursement for Bachelor degrees through Arizona State shows their recognition, not only of the importance of education, but also of the fact that it’s something their employees want. So many companies trim back benefits every year. To see such an important one added is refreshing!

“Nice” can make for smart business

The main thing that I admire about Starbucks is that they’ve made me want to start my day with them.  And that feeling of anticipation and happiness is something I want to create for my own clients. I want my interactions – whether in person, on the phone, over email or Skype – to be the best part of their day. Even if we’re talking about something relatively unimportant in the overall scheme of things, I want to make you feel like I’m happy to see you, that I’m glad I can help, and that you are in good hands.

Because that’s how I feel – every morning at Starbucks!