Sustainability Isn't Optional: How Going Green Can Save Your Business Money

The sustainability revolution is reshaping how we do business, and for good reason. Whether you're running a product-based brand, offering services, or creating digital content, having a green strategy isn't just good ethics—it's smart business.

Forget the old narrative that sustainability is expensive or just for big corporations. The reality? Going green saves money. From reduced packaging costs to lower energy bills, the financial benefits are tangible. Most powerfully, data shows that 70% of younger consumers actively seek out eco-conscious businesses, with 55% willing to pay more for sustainable products. With supply chains evolving and regulations tightening, businesses without sustainability plans risk becoming obsolete.

My own journey with my candle business revealed how small, intentional changes can transform both operations and customer perception. Switching to soy wax, implementing recyclable packaging, and openly educating customers about our practices didn't just ease my conscience—it became our competitive advantage. Customers noticed, appreciated our transparency, and became ambassadors for the brand. The lesson was clear: you don't need to be a perfect "green business," you just need to be a business that genuinely cares and takes action.

Ready to start your own green transformation? Download our free "How to Green Your Business in 30 Days" checklist from the show notes. The five actionable strategies—auditing materials, switching to eco-packaging, going paperless, cutting energy waste, and educating your audience—provide a roadmap anyone can follow. Remember, this journey isn't about perfection; it's about progress. The businesses that will thrive tomorrow are the ones making these changes today. Will yours be one of them?

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello world and welcome back.
Before we get started into thepodcast, I just wanted to say
today's episode is sponsored byGalore Candles.
Visit the Candles site for allyour soy wax candle needs.
Alright, let's get into it.

(00:21):
Back to the unfiltered spacefor creators, entrepreneurs and
small business owners who arebuilding business on purpose and
burning the rule book.
I'm your host, tony, and todaywe're talking about something
that's no longer optional inbusiness going green.

(00:44):
No longer optional in businessgoing green.
And nope, I'm not just talkingabout slapping the word
eco-friendly on a label.
I mean a mindset shift, anoperations upgrade and a real
commitment to sustainabilitythat actually saves you money,
builds a brand trust and setsyou up for long-term success.

(01:08):
Today's episode why going greenis more than a trend, and I've
got a free checklist for you howto go green, how to green your
business in 30 days, and that'sgoing to be available on in the
show notes at the end of theepisode.

(01:28):
All right, so let's dive in.
Okay, let's get this out of theout of the way.
Going green is not a cutelittle marketing gimmick or some
social media moment that fades,media moment that fades.

(01:54):
This isn't the 2010s anymore.
Here's what we know Over 70% ofGen Z and millennials say they
prefer to support businessesthat prioritize sustainability.
We also know that supply chainsare shifting, energy costs are
rising and regulations aretightening.
With that being said, if yourbusiness doesn't have a green

(02:16):
plan, it will get left behind.
But let me be clear.
This isn't about perfection.
It's about intention.
You don't have to turn yourstudio into a solar-powered
fortress overnight.
You just need to start, andI'll help you with that today.

(02:37):
Here's what most people think.
They think that going green isexpensive and it's only for big
companies with money to burn.
That is false.
In fact, sustainabilitypractices can save you thousands
over time.

(02:57):
Let me give you a real exampleexample.
So, say, like switching fromplastic, recycled packaging can
reduce material and shippingcosts, and we all know how crazy
shipping costs can get.
Energy efficient lighting andsmart thermostats equals lower

(03:21):
electric bills for all thosepeople who have the studios and
the small buildings.
And also digital systems forreceipts, scheduling and
documents reduce paper waste andadmin hours, of course, and we

(03:42):
always want to get those back.
And here's the kicker Consumerswill pay more for a sustainable
brand.
According to the Nielsen's rate, 55% of people are willing to
spend more on products fromeco-friendly, conscious
companies.
Okay so, going green isn'texpensive.

(04:05):
Not going green Now, that willcost you, okay, so let me share
a quick story.
Okay so, when I, when, when Ifirst started the candle
business, I didn't think muchabout sustainability.
I just wanted to make somethingdope that smelled good.

(04:26):
But over time, I startednoticing waste piling up from
packaging and customers askingabout soy and clean burn, my own
discomfort with how muchplastic I was using.
So I made a few small changes.
Right, I switched to the soywax.

(04:50):
We switched to the soy wax, ofcourse, kosher.
We are really we're into thekosher soy wax, as a matter of
fact and we did try recyclablejars.
I started using biodegradablefillers and recyclable shipping

(05:14):
boxes.
We also we educated ourcustomers about this uh stuff,
cause people always ask what's,what's the kosher uh soy wax?
Um, and they notice and theyappreciate it and they started
telling their friends you don'thave to be a green business, you

(05:37):
just have to be a business thatgives a crap.
Right, be able to educate yourcustomers.
Let them know what you're doing, the changes you made and why.
Okay, just keep them informed.
All right, I promised anactionable strategies.

(05:59):
I did promise that at thebeginning of the episode.
So here are five ways you canstart greening your business in
the next 30 days and, yep,they're on the free checklist as
well.
Number one audit your materials.
What do you use every daythat's wasteful?
Is it the packaging, printingsupplies?

(06:23):
Whichever one of those it is,just start there first.
Number two switch toeco-packaging.
Let's do like recyclablemailers, biodegradable peanuts
and craft tape.
Number three go paperless.

(06:46):
That's your invoicing, yourreceipts, your scheduling.
Of course, they're all greentech tools, for all of it.
We can find them, they're here,they're there.
All of it.
We can find them.
They're here, they're there.
Just have to find the rightones that fit for your brand and
company.
Number four cut energy waste.

(07:07):
Use the smart power strips, gofor the LED bulbs and unplug
your gear at night.
Number five educate youraudience.
Tell them what you're doing andwhy.
Let them be a part of yourjourney.
Like I said, that's what we did.

(07:27):
We informed our, our customers,especially when we were doing
pop-ups and markets.
We were educating.
That's what our booth wasmainly about was education.
And just remember, you don'tneed a full overhaul, you just
need to take the first step, doyour research and you educate

(07:49):
your customers Also educateyourself, and to help you do
that, I created a free checklistcalled how to Green your
Business in 30 Days.
It's a bite-size, actionableand made just for creators and
entrepreneurs like you.

(08:09):
So, again, you can downloadthat in the show notes at the
end of this episode.
Here's the truth, my friends.
This episode here's the truth,my friends.
Sustainability isn't just goodfor the planet.
It's good for your positioning,it's good for your profits and
it's good for your peace of mind.
In 2025 and beyond, thebusinesses that thrive will be

(08:43):
the ones that adapt.
I've said that.
I've said that in otherepisodes.
It's time to adapt.
Even if it's painful, you haveto do it, and that includes
taking environmental impactseriously.
That's one of them.
That's.
You know we're here, okay,whether you're running a
product-based brand like mine,or a digital business or service

(09:03):
, there's a green strategywaiting for you, all right.
So if this episode sparkssomething in you, if you're
ready to lead with intent,integrity and impact, make your
first move.
Download the the green yourbusiness in 30 day checklist.

(09:23):
That's free, of course.
And if this and if this episodehit home, share it with someone
your fellow business owner,entrepreneur or creator, and you
can also tag us on Instagram,not just Candle Talk, and let's
keep the conversation going.
This isn't about being perfect,that's never about that.

(09:47):
It's about being bettertogether, about being better
together.
Okay, so until next time I willuh, I probably, like I said
before, like I've always said injust about every episode, I
will probably do a part two ofof this.
Um, uh, of course we are here.

(10:10):
I think it's actually I thinkI'm overdue to do an episode,
like an episode or two, aboutEcho Friendly, and I don't know
why I haven't done done itbefore, but I did a revamp on
our, on our Web site.
So you know, I'm like, wait aminute.

(10:31):
I haven't even done an episodeabout our soy.
Actually, I think I will do mynext episode about our soy wax
candles and how we use them andwhat our thoughts are on being
kosher.
So thank you for listening.

(10:51):
As always, I want to do a deepdive into more going green and,
like I said, on my next episode,it will be about our soy candle
business and where we're going,where we're at now and all the
good stuff that we have comingup.
So remember, this isn't justCandle Talk.

(11:13):
It's your comeback, yourcreativity, your cause.
So let's go.
Thank you so much for listening.
Talk to you soon.
Bye.