Comments on: Unconventional Advice for Emerging Ecopreneurs

By: Maria Marsala

Maria Marsala — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:31:35 +0000

Lisa,
Here is an online sample of a One Page Business Plan(r) along with resources:

http://www.BusinessAndMarketingPlan.com

Let me know how I can be of service.

Maria Marsala
Certified OPBP Consultant.

By: Norberto Hoffmaster

Norberto Hoffmaster — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:21:08 +0000

Hello could I use some of the information found in this post if I provide a link back to your site?

By: Lisa Kivirist

Lisa Kivirist — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:17:29 +0000

Beware of the phrase “take some business courses” — whether it leaps from your mouth (as in “I need to take some business courses before I get started”) or the well-intentioned advice pulpits of others. Not to say never step in the classroom, but most often “taking some courses” — or getting a graduate degree for that matter — equates treading water and stagnating in mental excuses before plunging into what you really want to do. That said, sometimes classes make sense if you really need time to build your confidence, but identify your need as such and focus on school as more of a sabbatical from reality until you’re ready to be an ecopreneur, not something you have to do to get from A to B. I’ve played by the “learn as you need it” theory: Extremely focused, defined learning that achieves exactly that you need at that moment. Right now we have a copy of a QuickBooks guidebook and a QuickBook expert friend on call to help us take our business accounting to the next level of organization, a definite need . . .

By: Leah Edwards

Leah Edwards — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:50:23 +0000

Cathy, I’ll be interested in Lisa’s reply, but as a writer on Ecopreneurist, I’ll jump in with an opinion. I think there is a lot to learn from other people and a lot to learn from doing. If you have a business in mind that you would like to start, it would be a good idea to take a job (for now) in that industry. Or, if you just have to get started now, cultivate advisers and mentors that have the necessary experience. I do think you are right to think that accounting is one foundational building block that is useful for any business; it’s essentially a language, a way to communicate a lot of complex information in a uniform way. However, you might be able to learn all you need to know about accounting in an online course or from a book if you just can’t stand the idea of taking a class right now.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:11:19 +0000

Does one “need to take some business courses”? I just graduated undergrad and anything sounds better to me than going back, even just for a few courses. I am just itching to start my business. But, honestly do you think that some classes in business are really good? I guess I could use at least an accounting class…

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:32:55 +0000

I’m a 25 year old woman interested in developing my own eco-business and I was very pleased to come across this post. I have already meandered through some conventional work (book publishing) and less conventional (political organizing) since graduating college, but I have been facinated by wind power for residential use, as well as other eco-advancements. I need to take some business courses, but I hope to someday make my business a reality and help improve the environment in the process. Thank you for your words of encouragment, and I too would love to read some One Page Business Plan examples.

By: Lisa Kivirist

Lisa Kivirist — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:29:59 +0000

Thanks for everyone’s comments. Susan, love your OPBP idea. Have you used this yourself — or have seen any examples on-line that would be good resources for folks?

By: Susan L Reid of Alkamae

Susan L Reid of Alkamae — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:57:08 +0000

Forget about the tradition business plan. Instead, do a One Page Business Plan.

OPBPs are the easiest, quickest, least stressful way I know to write a business plan. It’s a five-step, one page process that can be completed in just three weeks. It’s perfect for non-profits, small businesses, and large companies. Gone are the months of agonizing meetings, thousands of dollars in consultation fees, and reams of wasted paper producing documents, spreadsheets, and flowcharts.

Here, in the One Page Business Plan, is everything you need to collect your green business thoughts and put them into a concise, relevant plan. A plan that connects your passion to a definable, achievable outcome. And it’s perfect for the green community because it’s eco-friendly, time conscious, and success oriented.

By: Eco Friendly Tara

Eco Friendly Tara — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:46:56 +0000

What an excellent post! I am so glad I found your blog!

By: Coach Kip

Coach Kip — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:17:14 +0000

I just found your site and I like the fact that we can become ecopreneurist. I would like to use that if it is OK. It is so fun in this time. Once you figure out that you don’t have to trudge to work everyday and do the same old same old you find out that there are a lot of opportunities for you.

The environment seems to be begging for entrepreneurs, and bursting with excitement. There are many ways to do this, and if we all do our little part we can all be very happy.

Good luck to you and I will be checking back often.