To help finish up a fantastic week here at 1% for the Planet, we wanted to extend a warm welcome to new member business One Tribe 2010. Founded and operated by a great couple of guys, it’s great to have their enthusiasm in the network.
Here’s some words from the owners about why they’re in business.
We’re fueled by our passion for Surf, Skate, Snow, Global Ecological Harmony, Philanthropy and anything else we find that is Rad, Gnarly & Straight up Bad Ass. Now in its fourth year, One Tribe 2010 Clothing & Apparel began as a hobby of creating clothes with original silkscreen, old school heat press designs for family, friends & ourselves. Selling our first tee in 2010, this hobby has turned into an amazing endeavor. Offering high quality clothing and apparel products, the designs are a reflection of our proud culture, which is carved out and influenced by the old school evolution of the 60’s & 70’s along with a continued progression through the 80’s, 90’s, and today. With growing community demand, we are extremely stoked to officially launch One Tribe 2010 to the world.
At One Tribe 2010, the original badass attitude of the 70’s is still as alive as it was when the roots of surf, skate and snow began to define the scene and explode into the mainstream. During this time period, people were simultaneously being given a shock of environmental consciousness. The birth of Earth Day catapulted a new perspective on how and why we live with each other on this big blue marble and why we should be channeling our energy towards environmental concerns. By bringing forth our own proactive initiatives and desire to embrace new innovative ideas, we believe teaming up with 1% for the Planet would help refine as well as positively impact our goal for global ecological harmony.
The important work being done through 1% for the Planet’s networks of businesses and nonprofits is not unlike several of our own in house programs. To simplify this message, we created “Envy Green”, which is dedicated to conservation and sustainable resources. Why Envy Green? Basically, we would like everyone to be envious of this awesome planet we call home and be encouraged to help preserve it for future generations. This platform will promote collaboration with 1% for the Planet members and assist global/local communities by helping them initiate their own programs or financially complement their efforts.
We hope to engage with the community to celebrate the flourishing ecological plans of companies that bring more attention to creating unique quality products and services. We are stoked to contribute one percent of our annual sales to aid ongoing programs and ecological projects throughout the world. One Tribe 2010’s enthusiastic focus is maintaining the original culture of this revolutionary period of sport with greater emphasis on putting our efforts into creating positive and sustainable results. Helping everyone to become successful promotes good health. The connection to 1% For the Planet illuminates the power of knowledge and how talented and passionate companies can bring together a variety of awesomeness to get the party started. And we at One Tribe 2010 like to party.
Making the 1% commitment with your business is about more than growing the bottom line; it’s about investing in a world that you want to live in. With each donation, our members are helping to create a more sustainable world that our children and grandchildren will get to enjoy. Two of the most recent businesses to make this pledge are EcoTaxFile and Ozone Global.
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, EcoTaxFile provides personalized accounting services to businesses and individuals who want exemplary accounting services combined combined with environmental assessments. The experienced tax professionals will maximize your tax refund and take the stress out of tax time – all while providing advice on how to reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably.
You can use EcoTaxFile’s Free carbon calculator to discover the impact of your carbon footprint and get a personalized EcoReport with over 150 sustainability tips.
EcoTaxFile: Accounting that can change your life.
If you haven’t done so already, it’s well worth taking the time to take a look at this free tool. You might be amazed at your own footprint and the suggestions provided to minimize your impact. Thanks EcoTaxFile for making this available and welcome!
Australia based Ozone Global invests in a variety of business sectors / environments throughout the world with a focus on working together with people and their vision. They especially enjoy being involved from the ground floor up with new and exciting business ideas, until such stage that the founders are able to take their vision and business model to the table of a larger audience.
What inspired Ozone Global to join 1% for the Planet was no doubt the same reason that inspired many others to join. To stand up and do something positive to Protect the Planet for future generations. According to the owner, “this really hit home last winter when my 7-year old Daughter was sitting in in a cold room and shivering with the heating turned off. When I asked her why she doesn’t turn on the heat she answered, if I turn on the heater the planet it will get too hot and the Polar Bears home will melt. I felt ashamed to be a so called grown up. Why does a 7 year old get it and the educated world doesn’t. From this point forward I start a new road to Respect & Protect Our Planet and promote this in all areas of my life.”
Sometimes inspiration comes form the least expected places. We’re thrilled to have Ozone Global in the network!
There’s no doubt that having the courage to do what is right has an amazing effect on others. More often than not, we hear from new members that it is interactions with sustainable businesses and environmental nonprofits that ultimately helped encourage them to give back to the environment. Leaders of sustainability set an example that inspires others to make a more serious effort. Two new members, Color by Amber and Lifetime Legal, recently came to us with great stories of inspiration.
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Color by Amber is in the business of making amazing eco-friendly jewelry. According to the website, Amber is the concept of creating gorgeous materials from the natural world and encapsulating them in stunning eco-resin. Hand-spun silks, exquisite mohair, artisan-crafted fossil leaves: each piece of Amber is a beautiful expression of style, sustainability, and social responsibility.
CEO Talley Goodson was inspired to join 1% for the Planet after a meeting with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. “Some time ago I had the chance to spend a couple of days surfing with with Yvon Chouinard, at his place north of Santa Barbara, California. Yvon’s house was built from dry-stacked recycled sidewalks and as we talked, I couldn’t help but be impressed by his deep commitment to the environment both personally and as the spiritual leader of Patagonia. Over the years, I have sought to incorporate similar principles of sustainability into my business ventures. I love the idea that private enterprise can have a positive impact on the planet. I am proud that Color by Amber is a member of 1% for the planet!”
We’re so happy to have Color by Amber in the network. In the years to come, hopefully their efforts will help to encourage additional businesses to adopt similar values and practices.
Based in Camarillo, California, Lifetime Legal provides a variety of services to its clients including estate planning, living trust packages, charitable planning, estate administration, wills, and advanced healthcare directives and durable powers of attorney for financial matters. Owner and attorney Eric Smith pays particular attention to his clients’ values, concerns, needs, and what can be done to protect those you care about.
Through his involvement with the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, Eric was inspired to have Lifetime Legal join 1% for the Planet. He learned about 1% for the Planet from a short clip at the Wild and Scenic film festival in Ventura and was impressed that so many business owners had made such a commitment to work for the common good of our planet. While his new law firm, Lifetime Legal, is still in its growing stages, he decided to make the environmental commitment as well. While estate planning, which is the firm’s focus, has little to do with the environment directly, Eric believes that any business can help do its part and every business should. Eric would love to meet other local business owners and 1% members who share this concern and commitment.
Lifetime Legal is the perfect example of a business that is making its commitment to the environment an integral priority. Hopefully other 1% members and nonprofits will have a chance to meet Eric at an upcoming California meet up.
Coming aboard at the beginning of the year, Greentag is one of 1% for the Planet’s most exciting new member businesses. Greentag’s mission is to design great products with minimal environmental impact, promote sustainable living, and inspire others to stand up for Mother Nature.
The company is in the process of launching a t-shirt line that will redefine sustainable clothing. Rather than farming organic cotton or recycling plastics into polyester, they are reusing the whole t-shirt. Their post-consumer t-shirts come from textile recyclers that purchase the excess donations Goodwill can’t stock. Inspired by the methods of graffiti, Greentag prints new designs over pre-existing designs their 100% unique ‘assorted’ t-shirts. The pockets from their pocket tees are cut from recycled handkerchiefs and scarves sewn onto post-consumer blank tees. Greentag also makes salvaged leather wallets with a zero-waste initiative. The leather comes from other Los Angeles-based fashion lines that cut leather to make jackets.
Greentag’s Kickstarter Project
Greentag needs crowd funding to help produce their first run of inventory because textile resellers ask a high minimum. They also want to educate the public about the environmental cost of producing each cotton t-shirt.
Founders Armand and Chris started Greentag hoping to make a difference. They grew tired of seeing recycle symbols printed on crisp new t-shirts pretending to be Eco-friendly. Isn’t the mantra Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? That’s exactly what Greentag does with their t-shirts. It takes more than 700 gallons of irrevocably damaged water to produce one cotton t-shirt. That’s enough water to quench a person’s thirst for 900 days. Greentag is dedicated to salvaging shirts and other materials, turning them into great products without harming the planet. They hope to inspire a change within an industry fostering the wrong type of green. Greentag hopes that its new methods of sustainable clothing production will replace organically farmed cotton or recycled plastics as the spearhead of ‘green’ clothing.
It was another fine early Spring weekend here in the Mad River Valley. With a little bit of sun and mild temperatures it’s a little difficult to get back in the office. Luckily speaking with our member businesses and NGO partners is always an invigorating experience and gets us excited to be back to work!
Based in Laguna Beach, California, La Vida Laguna is a must-stop if you plan on partaking in a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you plan on paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, or even biking along the coast, they have exactly what you need. La Vida Laguna offers private and group tours, lessons, and rentals at the best prices around. In other words, they definitely have what you need to enjoy what coastal California has to offer: a rugged and dramatic coastline, thousands of acres of conserved wilderness, world-class surf, protected coves and beaches, abundant wildlife, and unsurpassed beauty.
La Vida Laguna joined 1% For the Planet because they are committed ocean stewards with a great respect for the environment. According to the company, “everyday we witness the degradation to our oceans and the threat to our planet’s survival. We hope to direct some of our contributions to local non profit, Get Inspired. This organization has inspired us with their commitment to restore the kelp beds in Laguna Beach, re-populate abalone, and educate school children on our fragile eco-system.”
Now you can have a great time enjoying the outdoors and feel great about what your purchase has helped to support. Welcome La Vida Laguna. We’re psyched to have you!
project^ also recently joined the 1% for the Planet network. This firm is a values driven real estate developer providing resources, practices, and stewardship for their partners. They maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits inherent in meaningful places.
“Our practice is based on the fact that there is an interdependence between the natural and the built- a kind of symbiosis. The way we develop urban land helps to conserve precious (natural) resources and enables access to the natural environment. We joined as an acknowledgment that our work is only possible with, and is directly benefitted by, a healthy ecosystem. The people and companies associated with 1% for the Planet are shaking things up with innovative products, industries, and ideas. Those kind of people inspire and influence our own work”.
One of the most amazing aspects of the 1% for the Planet network is that it’s comprised of such a diverse group of partners. Whether you’re searching for sustainable home goods, legal advice, a winery, or other products and services, the network most likely has a business that can provide you with what you need and that also shares your environmental values. Along the lines of variety, we are very proud to announce that Earth Business Network and The Innocenti Strings recently became members.
Earth Business Network works with businesses and organizations that have made protecting the earth an integral part of their operations. At the core of their mission is the belief that, if given the option, consumers will choose to support environmentally-responsible businesses over those that are not. They encourage this choice by elevating our client’s sustainability efforts to the forefront of the messaging, and promoting it using traditional and digital marketing strategies. Based in Portland, OR , Earth Business Network combines the love of great storytelling with a passion for sustainability. They act as their client’s advocate –a team of dedicated individuals who understand sustainable culture and how important it can be in business. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the 1% For The Planet project because partnering with people who care about sustainability is what we’re all about.”
We couldn’t agree more. The 1% for the Planet network is truly about creating a collection a like-minded group of businesses and individuals that are committed to a more sustainable future. We will be able to achieve more together than we could do on our own. Earth Business Network will be an amazing resource for any organization that is looking to better promote and represent their passion for the environment!
Based in Chicago, Innocenti Strings is a network of professional musicians who provide entertainment for all kinds of events, including weddings, parties and corporate functions. As musicians, their work is to create and celebrate beauty in the world — the beauty of music and the beauty of special occasions in people’s lives. Innocenti Strings recognizes that the world is in need of healing and we want to be part of the solution. “1% for the Planet’s mission to help create a healthy planet is definitely something we are proud to be a part of; together we can create harmony with the work we do in more ways than one.”
We love having an amazing collection of musical artists in the 1% network and really value their ability to create moments of joy in the world. Innocenti Strings is a perfect example of a business that not only helps us to enjoy the special moments in life, but that is also seriously committed to benefiting the environment. Thank you for your support and your generous support of our nonprofit network!
If you’re like the rest of America, you spent your Sunday night watching the Super Bowl, snacking on your favorite comfort food, and analyzing the commercials. As usual there were some favorites and of course some misses. Call it favoritism, but we loved the Wonderful Pistachios commercial. It was hilarious and it definitely made us want to Get Crackin’. Congratulations Wonderful Pistachios on such a great advertisement!
It’s not quite a 30 second spot during the Super Bowl, but we wanted to provide some super promotion to new 1% for the Planet member businesses Ethan Abramson and Happy Yogis.
Ethan Abramson is a New York based furniture company founded in 2008. Using Traditional and Modern techniques it produces its own line of furniture as well as builds custom commissions for people and pets. Whenever possible, wood from reclaimed sources or sustainable foresting is used. Designs and shop techniques are built around the idea of minimal waste, re-purposing, and environmentally conscious production methods. Ethan Abramson is proud to join with 1% and the 1% community to help better the world we live in.
We also want to welcome Happy Yogis, owned by Elle Griffin. Located in Fairfax, California, Happy Yogis provides the support and training that it takes to improve personal wellness. In her own words, Ells says, “I am a wellness coach and yoga instructor on a mission to improve health and happiness the world over. It starts with my business, through my three-month wellness revolution, yoga where you want it, and my blog: HappyYogis.com. But I also want health for more than just my clients. My goal is to contribute to the health of our community at large by eventually donating 10% of my revenue to the causes I support. One percent for the Planet is the first step for me and I’m so excited to give some love to the earth we live on! This beauty is worth preserving and I’m so excited to be part of that!” We love Elle’s commitment to both people and the planet. That is an amazing goal and we hope you’re able to achieve everything your striving for.
Thanks again to super new members Ethan Abramson and Happy Yogis. We look forward to building these partnerships through 2013 and beyond.
1% could not end the month without congratulating a couple of amazing new 2013 members. Both TruSweets and Northern Star Partners came aboard on the first of the year and we couldn’t be happier to have them.
TruSweets is a socially responsible company dedicated to making the world’s most flavorful candy using all natural and organic ingredients. They were inspired to join 1% for the Planet because our ingredients come from nature and they are committed to taking care of the earth for the enjoyment of themselves and their families. By working together with other like-minded companies, these efforts can be multiplied. As innovators in the natural and organic candy category, TruSweets hopes to meet organic ingredient suppliers, packaging innovators, and more people who enjoy naturally sweet treats!
The great folks at TruSweets were kind enough to send a couple of samples to the 1% office and they were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Both the Surf Sweets gummy treats and the all natural TruJoy Candy Canes were huge hits. Thanks so much TruSweets!
Based in the Netherlands, Northern Star Partners is dedicated to sustaining and enhancing the quality of all life on earth. It does so by developing and implementing training programs for individuals and organizations that are based on similar work methods and procedures to those used in the cockpits of airliners. As a captain of an Airbus A330, the owner of Northern Star Partners has a solid background in process efficiency. For profit and non-profit organizations are given the chance to work more efficiently and improve their results, while at the same time minimizing their environmental impact.
By integrating “People – Planet – Partners”, Northern Star Partners seeks to forge a commitment with all it’s clients and executes its training programs with the smallest ecological footprint possible. This results in partnerships that exceed the objectives of the training programs alone.
Northern Star Partners believes that the earth and all it’s life forms need help. 1 Percent for the Planet is the organization that helps provide global scale and Northern Star Partners will do it’s part to help. The firm’s consultancy services will be perfect for businesses and professionals seeking to achieve efficiency in terms of both productivity and sustainability.
Thanks go out to both TruSweets and Northern Star Partners for making this commitment. With organizations like these in the network, 2013 should be more exciting than ever!
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
- Winston Churchill
Although, I’m not sure if every member of the 1% for the Planet network would completely agree with this quote, it is one that I think of often when speaking with new members. I have heard the motivation for becoming part of 1% described in various ways, but in the end there’s a general consensus about doing well while also doing what is right. If there wasn’t some intrinsic value in this theory, then there wouldn’t be so many new businesses contacting us everyday. Two of the newest additions to the 1% family are the John Corcoran Law Firm and Goodgood Box.
Owner and Attorney, John Corcoran was kind enough to give us a little insight into his businesses background and his rationale for joining 1% for the Planet. In John’s own words…
One of the books I re-read during 2012 and which has had a big influence on me was Drive by Dan Pink. In Drive, Dan Pink uses 50 years of social science research to explain the “third drive” – that is, the most common motivators for workers today. He found there are three common motivators for most people when it comes to their work – self-autonomy, mastery and purpose. He finds that truly driven, successful and happy people tend to be those who have autonomy over their work, the opportunity to achieve mastery in their work by being challenged on a regular basis, and who have a larger purpose in the work they do.
I realized I have numbers one and two down, but since I started my law firm in 2011, I have not defined a larger purpose. What is the purpose in practicing law? One purpose is helping entrepreneurs and business owners to build their dream businesses. That’s a great purpose. But it’s not all.
I did a lot of thinking during 2012 about what my larger purpose should be. I knew I don’t want to be another lawyer who plugs away for 25 years in a small office then just turns off the lights on the way out. That would be far too boring. I have a bigger vision for myself. After a lot of deep thinking, I decided that my businesses (both the Corcoran Law Firm and the affiliated business, Smart Business Revolution) would join 1 Percent for the Planet in 2013.
I decided to join because participating will allow me to get back in touch with my commitment to environmental causes which I’ve focused on earlier in my career when I worked in politics and public affairs consulting. For example, when I worked in the Clinton White House, one of the subject areas I worked on was environmental issues. Although I played a small role, it was rewarding to be involved in helping to communicate environmental policy at such a high level. Later, I worked as a Speechwriter for the Governor of California, and during the California energy crisis of 2000-2002, was instrumental in the creation of the award-winning Flex Your Power energy conservation campaign. I also served as a public affairs consultant working with various public and private sector clients, including as a consultant to the County of Marin on the successful effort to establish the groundbreaking Marin Clean Energy program.
1 Percent For the Planet membership sends a message that there is a greater goal at work here. The goal is to help entrepreneurs and business owners to build epic businesses, sure. But the larger goal is to do this work as a citizen of the world, to give back to the rest of humanity and to help care for this precious planet to deliver it to future generations. I also sincerely hope that by joining 1% FTP, other larger California law firms will decide to join as well. Many larger firms can have a much greater impact than our boutique firm can. I want my son to live in a world that has abundant forests, clean water, and healthy oceans, and by joining 1 Percent For the Planet, I feel like I’m doing my small part.
Thanks for the inspirational message John! We’re excited to do our part in helping you realize your goals.
Based out of Millwood, Virginia, Goodgood Box also joined the movement in January. Goodgood box is a monthly subscription service that offers all natural, safe, non-toxic products in a convenient box delivered to your doorstep. The company’s mission is to provide a convenient way for those interested in all natural products to discover products they may not have found and ultimately help an individual or family convert to using exclusively all natural, safe products.
We joined 1% for the Planet because of the immediate impact that our donations would have not just on us, but the entire world we live in. The values and mission of 1% for the Planet are exactly in line with what we believe and stand for, and joining to give our support was part of our business plan from day one. We hope to partner and build relationships with as many organizations in the 1% for the Planet family as possible, but especially those organizations that produce or distribute all natural consumer products. We’d like to thank 1% for the Planet for the impact they’re having on the world we live in, and the opportunity to be a part of their family. It’s truly an honor!
In our opinion, the real thanks should all go to our new members. It is these companies’ ambitious commitment to giving back that makes it all possible. We look forward to working with Goodgood Box and John Corcoran Law Firm in 2013!
We are thrilled to say that 2013 is off to an extremely busy and productive start. It seems that 1% for the Planet membership is on a lot of companies’ to-do lists this year. There’s a tremendous amount of interest and a really interesting and diverse group of potential new members. Two recent additions to our ever-growing list of businesses include Diablo Burger and The Coffee Camper.
Diablo Burger is a local food based burger joint in Flagstaff, AZ (and opening in Tucson, AZ in March of 2013). Our motto is “All About Local,” and our aim is to connect community to ecology through gastronomy — which really is just a fancy word for cheeseburger. We serve 100% local, grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free open-range beef from the two ranches that founded the Diablo Trust, a landscape-scale collaborative conservation group dedicated to 426,000 acres in Northern Arizona. The Diablo Trust is an approved 1% for the Planet partner, and our participation in the 1% for the Planet program both formalizes our support of the Trust’s long-term conservation work and legitimizes our foundational commitment to local environmental sustainability efforts. We are very proud to be a small part of the incredible 1% for the Planet network.
Between Diablo Burger’s highly respectable philanthropic work in their local community and their amazing menu of quality foods, you can see why this place is so popular. What’s better than a delicious cheeseburger and helping the planet at the same time. 1% for the Planet is so excited to see this business grow and encourage all of our Arizona fans to try this place out asap!
The Coffee Camper is one of the most original and fun-loving businesses to contact 1% for the Planet in some time. In describing their business, the owners say “we have lovingly restored our 1976 Citroen HY Van and converted her into a mobile coffee cafe, serving up premium quality coffee and freshly baked cakes. You’ll find us at music festivals, sporting events and any other social occasion where the demand for caffeine is strong! For us our greatest experiences have always involved nature, so we feel a responsibility to protect and preserve the natural environment in our commercial activities as well as our daily life. By joining 1% we feel that we are establishing a set of core principles for our new business as well as contributing and helping to make a difference to the issues that we feel passionate about.”
At about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, we would love to see The Coffee Camper pull up right outside the 1% office. Not only does this business provide customers with delicious treats to help break up the day, but with every transaction they will be giving back to important environmental causes.
Thank you to both Diablo Burger and The Coffee Camper for joining our movement. Here’s to a prosperous and meaningful 2013. Is anyone else feeling hungry?
