Building a Sustainable Business

Sustainably Sadie

Building a Sustainable Business

There are many ways for a business to practice sustainability.  Being mindful of the business’s carbon footprint, recycling, and making environmentally friendly choices are a few examples.  Food service businesses can cut down on waste by composting or feeding scraps to chickens and pigs.  Turning off unnecessary lights and lowering the heat at night will help save on energy costs; and the less we use (consume) the more we benefit the environment. 

To be a sustainable business you must stay in business.  Keep up with current trends.  Check out trade associations (we subscribe to Fresh Cup magazine) and Chambers of Commerce for new tips and opportunities.  Force a smile for your customers, even on a bad day.  A negative impression will stay with a customer forever.  Rotate stock and move displays often so that there is something new for customers to take in as they shop.  Thank your customers with sales, discounts, free samples that your business can afford to give in order to lure in new customers and keep current customers raving.   

You have in your mind the ideal result for your small business venture.  Despite how you feel about your business and how you reach your customers, there may be forces outside of your control that make your desires unrealistic.  Sure the countryside gift shop sounds quaint and fun but if you’re new to the area, don’t have clear signage, and have difficulty promoting your business you may find yourself wasting away behind a cash register, staring at an empty shop, wondering where the customers are. 

Join your local Chamber of Commerce.  If you don’t like the way your Chamber operates, then become a board member and create the change you wish to see.  The Chamber is an organization of business people in your area who care about doing business well.  The Chamber hosts social gatherings in order to connect local business people, sponsors local events and activities, and provides special advertising opportunities for members.    

It is difficult to figure out the best way to promote your business where we live.  There’s the media blitz with press releases to the local newspapers, advertising in those papers, putting your information on community calendars and Did You Know posters from Beacon Business Center.  The GRVCCA loves to promote local events.  And in this internet age, there is the f-word ….Facebook.  I was told to stick with it for our business, not to give up promoting Jumping Rainbow Espresso there.  It isn’t going anywhere, Facebook and the internet.  I think it is important even for our small, rural businesses to have an internet presence.  You could requisition the help from the younger generation to help manage your Facebook account.  The cost of membership to the GRVCCA includes a web presence through the chamber website www.rubyvalleychamber.com. 

Whatever steps you take to sustain your business, your small business success is necessary for the enrichment of our community.  Small businesses and ranches are the heart of the Ruby Valley, a community worth preserving. 

Twin Bits

Tom Agnetti, published artist, is teaching at The River’s Edge Gallery on Mondays and Tuesdays starting Jan, 9th.  Classes start after school and go until approx. 6 pm. Monday classes are for 4-8th graders and Tuesday is geared towards High School and adult students. The class is $5. All you need to get started is pencils and a pad or paper. Show up and leave when you want, pick Tom's brain to get your art on paper!!!  Check out The River’s Edge Gallery on Facebook.

The Twin Bridges Community Association is hosting its Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser Sunday February 26^th, 1 to 4 pm at The Shack .  Ticket prices are $25 per person or $40 per couple.  More details to come regarding entertainment, door prizes and silent auction items.  The next TBCA meeting is Friday February 3^rd, 8:30 am at The Old Hotel. 

The GRVCCA Annual membership meeting is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 pm at The Philanthropy Building in Sheridan, Thursday February 16.  This is business networking opportunity that will involve sharing local business successes and struggles and a Buy Local presentation. 

From TBS Calendar:

Thurs Feb 2:  Happy Groundhog’s Day!!  JrHi BBB @ Three Forks Tourney; BB @ Ennis, 2:30 pm BGBG

Fri Feb 3:  7^th Grade Fundraiser Chili Feed tba; BB w/ Manhattan Christian @ Home, 3 pm BGBGB

Sat Feb 4:  JrHi BBB @ Three Forks Tourney; SW “A” Divisional Wrestling @ Anaconda

Tues. Feb 7:  JrHi BBB @ Whitehall, 4 pm

Wed. Feb 8:  Elementary Spelling Bee, MT Room, 1 pm

Thurs. Feb 9:  JrHi BBB w/ Sheridan @ Home; JV B & GBB @ Butte High

Friday Feb. 10:  State Wrestling Tourney @ Billings Metra; BB @ Lima, 5:30 pm, GB

Sat. Feb 11:  State Wrestling @ Billings Metra; JrHi BBB @ Sheridan Tourney; BB w/ Sheridan @ Home GBGB, 2:30 pm, Senior Night!

Feb. 13 – 18, TBS Spirit Week.

Tuesday February 14:  Valentine’s Day; JrHi BBB w/ Ennis @ Home

Feb. 15 to 18:  BB District Tournament, Butte

Feb. 22 to 25:  BB Divisional Tournament, Butte

March 1 to 3:  Boys’ State C Basketball Tourney, Billings

March 8 to 10:  Girls’ State C Basketball Tourney, Great Falls