Being Green & Still Making Some Green

I had a wonderful lunch this week with Lynn Miller, of organicmania.com, and president of 4GreenP’s , a strategic marketing firm for environmentally friendly brands. Lynn works over at Bethesda Green, a real treasure within our community.

Bethesda Green is a public-private partnership that promotes sustainable growth and living practices. Some of the leading businesses in our community are supporters of this venture. You can learn more at the Bethesda Green site, and I encourage everyone to visit their beautiful office space to see the latest in green construction.

I have worked with Lynn on numerous environmental initiatives through my work as Environmental Health Campaign Director at MomsRising.  I really admire her commitment to running a business in accordance with her personal values. Of course, it’s not easy.  A woman’s got to make a living, right? But Lynn is making it happen, and as a result, sustainable businesses, our local economy, and consumers all benefit.

That’s why supporting small business owners like Lynn and entrepreneurial initiatives like Bethesda Green is so important to me.  Too often, business and environmental interests are perceived as opponents. In fact, going green (and other socially conscious commitments) makes sense for businesses small and large.

Maryland led the way this year by passing the first-in-the-nation Benefits Corporation law. District 16’s own Senator Brian Frosh and District 20 Senator Jamie Raskin partnered with Delegate Brian Feldman (D-15) on this. If elected, I pledge to strongly support B-Corps, entrepreneurs and small businesses, and our state’s large employers as they transition to the fresh, green economy for which we all strive.