Not Just Candle Talk: Burn the Rules. Build Your Legacy

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

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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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Speaker 1:

Hello world and welcome back. Before we get started into the podcast, I just wanted to say today's episode is sponsored by Galore Candles. Visit the Candles site for all your soy wax candle needs. Alright, let's get into it. Back to the unfiltered space for creators, entrepreneurs and small business owners who are building business on purpose and burning the rule book. I'm your host, tony, and today we're talking about something that's no longer optional in business going green. No longer optional in business going green. And nope, I'm not just talking about slapping the word eco-friendly on a label. I mean a mindset shift, an operations upgrade and a real commitment to sustainability that actually saves you money, builds a brand trust and sets you up for long-term success. Today's episode why going green is more than a trend, and I've got a free checklist for you how to go green, how to green your business in 30 days, and that's going to be available on in the show notes at the end of the episode. All right, so let's dive in.

Speaker 1:

Okay, let's get this out of the out of the way. Going green is not a cute little marketing gimmick or some social media moment that fades, media moment that fades. This isn't the 2010s anymore. Here's what we know Over 70% of Gen Z and millennials say they prefer to support businesses that prioritize sustainability. We also know that supply chains are shifting, energy costs are rising and regulations are tightening. With that being said, if your business doesn't have a green 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 your studio into a solar-powered fortress overnight. You just need to start, and I'll help you with that today.

Speaker 1:

Here's what most people think. They think that going green is expensive and it's only for big companies with money to burn. That is false. In fact, sustainability practices can save you thousands over time. Let me give you a real example example. So, say, like switching from plastic, recycled packaging can reduce material and shipping costs, and we all know how crazy shipping costs can get. Energy efficient lighting and smart thermostats equals lower electric bills for all those people who have the studios and the small buildings. And also digital systems for receipts, scheduling and documents reduce paper waste and admin hours, of course, and we always want to get those back. And here's the kicker Consumers will pay more for a sustainable brand. According to the Nielsen's rate, 55% of people are willing to spend more on products from eco-friendly, conscious companies. Okay so, going green isn't expensive. Not going green Now, that will cost you, okay, so let me share a quick story.

Speaker 1:

Okay so, when I, when, when I first started the candle business, I didn't think much about sustainability. I just wanted to make something dope that smelled good. But over time, I started noticing waste piling up from packaging and customers asking about soy and clean burn, my own discomfort with how much plastic I was using. So I made a few small changes. Right, I switched to the soy wax. We switched to the soy wax, of course, kosher. We are really we're into the kosher soy wax, as a matter of fact and we did try recyclable jars. I started using biodegradable fillers and recyclable shipping boxes. We also we educated our customers about this uh stuff, cause people always ask what's, what's the kosher uh soy wax? Um, and they notice and they appreciate it and they started telling their friends you don't have to be a green business, you just have to be a business that gives a crap. Right, be able to educate your customers. Let them know what you're doing, the changes you made and why. Okay, just keep them informed. All right, I promised an actionable strategies. I did promise that at the beginning of the episode.

Speaker 1:

So here are five ways you can start 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 day that's wasteful? Is it the packaging, printing supplies? Whichever one of those it is, just start there first. Number two switch to eco-packaging. Let's do like recyclable mailers, biodegradable peanuts and craft tape. Number three go paperless. That's your invoicing, your receipts, your scheduling. Of course, they're all green tech 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 right ones that fit for your brand and company. Number four cut energy waste. Use the smart power strips, go for the LED bulbs and unplug your gear at night.

Speaker 1:

Number five educate your audience. Tell them what you're doing and why. Let them be a part of your journey. Like I said, that's what we did. We informed our, our customers, especially when we were doing pop-ups and markets. We were educating. That's what our booth was mainly about was education. And just remember, you don't need a full overhaul, you just need to take the first step, do your research and you educate your customers Also educate yourself, and to help you do that, I created a free checklist called how to Green your Business in 30 Days. It's a bite-size, actionable and made just for creators and entrepreneurs like you. So, again, you can download that in the show notes at the end of this episode.

Speaker 1:

Here's the truth, my friends. This episode here's the truth, my friends. Sustainability isn't just good for 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, the businesses that thrive will be the ones that adapt. I've said that. I've said that in other episodes. It's time to adapt. Even if it's painful, you have to do it, and that includes taking environmental impact seriously. 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, there's a green strategy waiting for you, all right. So if this episode sparks something in you, if you're ready to lead with intent, integrity and impact, make your first move. Download the the green your business in 30 day checklist. That's free, of course. And if this and if this episode hit 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.

Speaker 1:

This isn't about being perfect, that's never about that. It's about being better together, about being better together. Okay, so until next time I will uh, I probably, like I said before, like I've always said in just about every episode, I will probably do a part two of of this. Um, uh, of course we are here. I think it's actually I think I'm overdue to do an episode, like an episode or two, about Echo Friendly, and I don't know why I haven't done done it before, but I did a revamp on our, on our Web site. So you know, I'm like, wait a minute. I haven't even done an episode about our soy. Actually, I think I will do my next episode about our soy wax candles and how we use them and what our thoughts are on being kosher.

Speaker 1:

So thank you for listening. As always, I want to do a deep dive 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 coming up. So remember, this isn't just Candle Talk. It's your comeback, your creativity, your cause. So let's go. Thank you so much for listening. Talk to you soon. Bye.