Thinking about starting a "Green Business"?

Thinking about starting a "Green Business"?

Pros of Being Green:
Green is Hot
Is not just a fad.  Slowly but steadily, "green" concepts are being integrated.  Green can also mean sustainable.  With global economy growth, raw materials cost are increasing.  This creates opportunity.  These days everyone wants to be seen as being green, but that is not enough of a hook to hang a business model on.  You MUST have something that people need that is superior to non-green alternatives.  There are several Solid Business Opportunities with in the energy, clean tech or green tech sectors.  If you can solve a challenge people are dealing with everyday and are competitive, you may have something to build on.

Marketability Factor
Media managers still are attracted to "green" story ideas so you maybe able to capitalize on PR by placing your story.  Make sure your claims are legit or you might get bad press for green-washing (a term describing the deceptive use of green PR or green marketing in order to promote a misleading perception that a company's policies or products (such as goods or services) are environmentally friendly. The term green sheen has similarly been used to describe organizations that attempt to show that they are adopting practices beneficial to the environment.)

Competition Benefit
Your product must be as good or better than non-green alternatives.  If you can't compete on price, position your product/service in other ways to differentiate from competition, "green" is a way to do that.

Feel Good Feelings
If your product or service really makes a difference for the planet and society, you can leverage this in your branding and marketing. People want to lead a modern life and still minimize their impact on the world.

Cons to Being Green

Green is Fashionable
Once the wave subsides and people realize that the environment is harsh and human technology and development has created a level of comfort that never existed before, the "green movement" maybe viewed as a silly naive folly.  Make sure your business model does more than appeal to the current fashion but actually saves time and money.

Competition Increasing
Since green business is here to stay (not to be confused with the “buzz” or fad of being green), your competition will be bigger, more efficient and better financed.  They will squeeze and hammer your margins.

Complex Model
Government regulations are increasing worldwide in this area as competition moves in.  At the same time, the consumer is better educated and more sophisticated, less likely to fall for insincere greenwashing claims.

Green businesses, just like traditional businesses, must still pay rent, make payroll, figure out marketing and branding strategies and so on.  It is possible to help others solve their problems, make a profit and create sustainability. There is a sense of accomplishment and achievement when you succeed!p