Small Business Goes Green
Case Studies: Big Ideas to Benefit Your Small Business
Explore a wide variety of ideas for making your small business more sustainable in these case studies:
 
Architectural Design Guild
Architect Barry Greenberg has been investing since 1980 in the energy efficiency of his early 1900s office buildings. Applying Green knowledge before the now-thriving Green Building industry evolved, this firm offers clients a deep-Green base of project experience, demonstrated in their working space. Learn more
Extra Thyme Café and Catering
Kim Cuddebank’s investments in sustainable practices and national "Green Restaurant" certification give her workplace and special event catering business a competitive edge with the corporate clients she tastefully serves. Learn more
Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
As Catholic sisters serving God’s people since 1901, this order has adopted care of the earth as a modern core function of their ministry, working through education, collaboration and advocacy. Learn more
Home Eco – St. Louis’ Green General Store
Owner Terry Winklemann and partner Phil Judd retrofitted lighting and air conditioning in their City of St. Louis specialty store, in a building they converted for retail sales in 2005. Learn more
Kakao Chocolate
Owner Brian Pelletier has been sustainably producing all-natural, hand-made chocolate confections since 2008. Learn more
Lighting Service Incorporated
Owner George Irwin leverages his staff’s bi-state electrical contractor licensing and local utility Trade Ally registration to provide customers—including many small businesses—with energy product market-savvy, energy efficiency expertise, and skilled electrical contracting and sign maintenance. Learn more
Lulu’s Local Eatery
Loren Loomis and her fiancée Robert Tucker’s Food Truck business serves Green perspectives along with locally sourced, all-natural lunch and dinner specialties. Learn more
Marietta Parking Lot – Maplewood Business District
Free parking is a valued asset to the special business district in this St. Louis County municipality—even more so now that trash dumpster space and hauling impacts have been reduced by making recycling available to all business owners and tenants adjoining this centrally-located lot. Learn more
Silly Jilly the Clown
Jill Schmidt’s home energy-efficiency investments are keeping bills low for her business. Learn more
Verde Kids
Former teacher Jessica Kester opened her specialty retail business in 2010 featuring 100 percent eco-friendly clothing and toys for kids age newborn to 8. Learn more
Small Business Greening Conversations

From Growing Green St. Louis, the Garden’s weekly radio talk show, hosted by Green Jean Ponzi, these three interviews spotlight practical resources for saving energy, reducing waste and marketing your business—green ideas worth hearing! Click on the title to hear the MP3:

  • St. Louis County SAVES
    Low-interest loan resources to help home-based businesses boost energy efficiency and cut operating costs with guests Ann Klein, Manager of St. Louis County SAVES and Richard Reilly, Manager of home energy programs for the EarthWays Center of Missouri Botanical Garden.
  • Small Business Greening, Part 1  
    Local examples, options and problem-solving with guests Craig Jung, Owner of StLouisGreen.com and Barry Greenberg, Owner of Architectural Design Guild and member of Maplewood City Council.
  • Small Business Greening, Part 2
    Local examples, options and problem-solving with guests Craig Jung, Owner of StLouisGreen.com and Terry Winkleman, Owner of Home Eco–St. Louis’ Green General Store.

Tune in to Growing Green St. Louis on Sundays from 1—2 p.m. on the Big 550 KTRS.

Greening Conversations
These interviews spotlight practice resources for saving energy, reducing waste and marketing your business — green ideas worth hearing!

Learn more and listen

 

Green Resources for Small Businesses
Take advantage of free online sustainable business resources.

 

Green Business Case Studies