Women in Green and Natural Businesses

There are alot of successful big companies out in the business world, many run by women, but there are so many more successful small businesses and those that aspire to becoming a success. According to the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), women own 7.8 million of the 27.2 million small businesses in America. What is even more exciting is when these companies specialize in a niche market like green and natural. Many women create companies born out of a personal mission to improve family, health, lifestyle, environmental issues, etc. which seems to drive them 24/7 to create more than just a product, but a company they can be proud of.

Many originally had jobs outside of the home in other sectors when they decided they wanted to live their passion and others are moms with a great idea born out of necessity. Product categories such as pet, chocolate, vitamins, feminine hygiene, household, food, baby, and full service agencies that can promote them like ADinfinitum are more important than ever.

Sue Taggart, President and Founder of ADinfinitum, originally from England, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis many years ago and was told there was very little that could be done except to be on drugs for the remainder of her life. She was only in her 30’s at the time. Going the traditional medical route and using so many toxic drugs was not acceptable to her. She decided to see an herbalist who turned her life around and taught her to manage her symptoms with natural solutions and dietary changes. Soon after that she started her full service agency, which has been specializing in promoting green and natural brands for over 20 years. In July of 2011, Sue founded eco18.com to provide online consumers with green and healthy lifestyle information for everyday living.

Diva Cup, an eco friendly alternative to women’s menstrual products is a family business run by Corrine and Francine Chambers , who have not only built a successful business, but have an amazing community of loyal brand advocates. Green Depot, founded by Sarah Beatty in 2005, is the nation’s leading supplier of environmentally friendly building products, services and home solutions with many retail stores. Some companies like Shazi Visram’s Happy Baby Food and Marie Moody’s Stella and Chewy’s pet food have gone on to be multi-million dollar companies.

Sweet Riot’s Founder Sarah Endine helps other women get the resources they need for their business in addition to selling great tasting chocolate, having fun and being sustainable. Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow micro businesses to million dollar enterprises. Hallie Rich, founder of Rich Vitamins called Alternavites committed to using better packaging and giving to health-related nonprofits. She is the third generation of vitamin manufacturers in her family. Logic Product Group, created by Jill Taft for her family, is a company that manufactures green, non-toxic products to help prevent and treat lice, bedbugs, fleas, ticks and other pests for families including their pets.

There are groups such as Women in Naturals who meet at Natural Product Expo shows for networking and business opportunities, to source jobs and look for mentors. Sustainablebusiness.com, created by Rona Fried in 1996, provides online global news and networking services to help green business grow. Although Victoria Colligan’s Ladies Who Launch isn’t all green and natural it offers resources and connections for women entrepreneurs in many different fields.

Translate your passion into a resource, product or service that makes a positive difference for the planet or for good health. It’s an exciting time for women in sustainable and natural business. Is this your time, too?

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Eleanor Roosevelt