When faced with the challenge of supporting ourselves financially it can become easy to neglect the support of our fellow entrepreneurs.
We’ve got to cut corners whenever possible. So we might sell our car, settle for a cheaper apartment, and skip the daily latte. Quite frankly – maybe we just can’t afford the independent book store, coffee shop, or graphic designer.
But we still need tons of stuff. We need groceries, clothing… office supplies. We need entertainment. Information. Our age group holds the world’s largest number of consumers.
Everyone markets to us!
With expense cutting in mind — we young entrepreneurial consumers may decide that dining on Ramen noodles from Wal-Mart, (or some other discount food from a discount chain) is an acceptable option that keeps us satisfyingly in the black. After all, we’ve got a business to Start, and we need to give it time to grow before we can splurge on eccentricities, right?
Well, I came across three smart business women who might disagree. In fact, their examples show us how to begin supporting each other, and in turn – they’ve gained my support. I think they’re genius.
Anna Lappe and her partner Bryant Terry recently released Grub: ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen — a cookbook with a movement attached. The Brooklyn-based team teaches the reader about sustainable food and encourages us to buy locally and from Farmers Markets.
Lappe and Terry have taken their concept to the streets, or should I say gardens of America. They’re touring and enlightening people like us on the health importance of organics and locally grown food choices, and the politics behind theses choices.
Grub gives you a bit of an idea about where your money REALLY goes when you decide to shop big-box retailers. It suggests the old get what you pay for theory. Did you realize that spending less at some cheap-o-rama superstore may lead you to paying higher cost for taxes and other items?
It’ll make you think. It’ll make you hungry.
Michelle Garcia’s Bleeding Heart Bakery offers a breath of fresh organic air to Chicago’s Wicker Park/ Bucktown neighborhood. Michelle swears by sustainability and buys all of her produce from Illinois farmers.
When I took my first bite of the vegan lemon bar – I think a tear came to my eye (really). Sure it was tasty and rich as ever – but there’s real satisfaction in knowing that you’re not swallowing 12 different chemicals, or supporting the already rich folks who’ve stopped caring about quality.
Bleeding Heart’s prices can be a tad higher than other local bakeries – but the benefits of supporting entrepreneurs like Michelle and area farmers, as well as contributing to the conservation of fuel (needed to transport produce from other states and countries) makes it worthwhile for me.
The food and display in this place is amazing. Stop by if you’re ever in Chicago. You can even learn more about sustainability and Michelle’s mission through her convenient framed info sheets.
Christina Carano created Holy Cacao! just over a year ago. It’s a line of pure organic chocolate sold in raw form for baking or medicinal purposes. That’s right, Christina suggests ways in which pure chocolate or cacao can cure common ailments and prevent others.
The Los Angeles based 26 year old entrepreneur is now slated to open her first physical shop. Planet Earth Eco Café will serve up vegan, vegetarian and creative raw treats at moderate costs. Her passion for food and art has inspired her to teach through feeding her audience.
Planet Earth’s products are fair trade and local whenever possible. This has undoubtedly added to the struggle of Christina’s start up. But now she’s here – (and I hope) to stay.
Young entrepreneurs around the globe are making their mark. Those of us who try to do the honorable thing or the smart thing for the bigger picture or the common good, often get swallowed up by larger companies who can afford to offer services at lower prices.
But, maybe if we follow the example of these three successful women – we can start to afford to support each other.
Then, we will learn that we will grow exponentially by supporting others like us.
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Awesome article, Gina! Living in New York City, I come across the Farmers Market all the time; I’ve always thought about purchasing from them, but usually opted to getting my veggies from Whole Foods Market. I think I’ll purchase from them next time, though. It only makes sense. BTW, are you vegan? Only asking because I am and you’ve made reference to it in the article. You must tell me more about this vegan lemon treat.. hmmm… Keep ‘em coming!