gimme good (coffee)

My fiancee and I are admittedly somewhat of coffee snobs, and we are willing to spend money on quality grounds for our morning brew (method of choice: French Press). For the past six months we've been buying them at Gimme! coffee, right down the street from our apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Gimme!'s customer service is so thorough that it's almost over the top: the barista nearly jumps over the register to walk you through their bean offerings, describing each in florid, Portlandia-esque detail. They also have a handy wall chart for which roasts are shade, relationship-based, rainforest-sensitive, and more: organic and fair trade are a given.

Their business' sustainability doesn't just cover the bean growing, though: they have a long list. An actual list, that I will paste here. Gimme! is

• sourcing certified coffees including Fair Trade, Organic, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and Rainforest Alliance
• sourcing relationship coffees that bring us together with growers in long-term agreements
• sourcing Cup of Excellence coffees that pay top harvest prices to farmers
• sourcing shade-grown coffee that preserves habitat
• traveling to origin to collaborate with our growing partners and learn about sustainable agriculture
• sharing coffee origin data with our customers
• serving local, hormone-free milk in espresso bars
• using corn-based compostable cups instead of plastic
• using local providers of goods and services whenever possible

And their commitment to community is in this next list, wherein they are:

• energizing neighborhoods by creating popular gathering places, often where none existed before
• educating consumers through an active publishing effort that includes posters, web pages, and barista training
• educating our staff by hosting sustainability lectures with local college faculty
• promoting sustainability thinking by sponsoring social justice documentaries at the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival
• preserving historic buildings through renovations and donations to the Historic Ithaca preservation fund
• partnering with dozens of community organizations, locally and globally, for philanthropic purposes
• supporting AIDS relief work by raising thousands of dollars annually for the regional foundation
• examining our choices through ongoing conversations with our customers, vendors, and peers in the specialty coffee trade
• reaching a wide audience with educational content by using the “podium” of our growing business

They also admit that they 'are not sustainability experts,' claiming they learn as they go and are more than open to feedback and additional information. Coffee growing is one of the most fascinating examples of supply-chain scrutiny, because people still balk at any cup of coffee over $2, and yet most of these individuals are still in favor of rights for coffee farmers and quality over quantity. Frankly, I don't fully understand how New York coffee shops make ends meet. But thanks to a healthy level of caffeine dependency, I'm doing my part: gimme more!

more clean thoughts...

This morning I picked up dish soap from the Sunac market on Metropolitan and Union Ave in Brooklyn. I had a choice between Ajax and Joy brands (in the $1.99 - $3.50 range) and then brands like Meyer and J.R. Watkins (below), more like $5.99 - $6.50. Quite a price differential, but I squashed my penny-pinching tendencies and went for the Watkins soap, despite its schtick-worthy 'conscience-cleaning power,' a pitch clearly targeting softies like me.

Which led me to think: how much of this choice is about keeping my conscience clean, and what will it actually mean in impact on my health, the water supply and overall environment? What is Ajax dish detergent's level of harm?

Turns out, many of them contain petroleum-based compounds sodium lauryl sulfate and diethanolamine, which besides creating suds, can also combine to create cancer-causing nitrosamines (awesome). Ajax does not, and its label also boasts 'no phosphates.' While Ajax's packaging doesn't list ingredients (hm) its website does, and explains each ingredient's function.

I remember at a very young age being read a list of what foods you should definitely buy organic, like berries, and which you could buy non-organic and not worry too much, like avocados. At this point, with the breadth of information (and opinion) in the world and online, individuals could benefit from a similar top-10 list, or even better - an app! - that told them which products and services were most important to buy sustainable or green. (I do like this top 10 list of products you should never buy again).

I don't know if I will buy the $6 dish detergent every time, but I'd feel much more comfortable making this decision if I knew that Ajax detergent was harmful in ways x, y and z. We have so much information at our fingertips: we just need help extracting the meaning.

Impact Investing and WikiPositive

Traditional non-profits are riddled with red tape and insufficient resources these days, and there are some indications that model might not be sustainable in the long run. We are seeing a shift to b-corp model, L3Cs, and a greater emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility. But non-profits are not trying to make big profits, they are trying to do good above all else, and measuring that impact can be really difficult at times. So what if profit-driven companies started using their powers for good? What if the way we invested money and conducted business could have lasting societal change, rather than merely correcting damage that has already been done to the environment and community?

3Sisters is an example of one company that is trying to do just that. A top- performing investment management company and incubator, 3Sisters invests in companies that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility. Companies must offer products or services that render a positive social or environmental impact, be purpose-driven and leaders in CSR, or demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility throughout their operations that show tangible results. The investments are intended to make a positive and sustainable impact either by directly financing private initiatives supporting sustainability or indirectly by supporting public companies that are contributing to the change for the better. They are making money for their clients but doing so in a responsible way. Who doesn't want to make money and improve the world while doing so?

3Sisters uses wikipositive.org to research social and environmental activities. Unlike most information, which is proprietary and focuses on negative impacts, WikiPositive explores businesses doing good. The site supports job seekers, investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone else looking to learn more about positive initiatives around the world. Households looking to learn more about where their goods and services are coming from can also benefit from the site.

Sounds to me like Slavery Footprint but with a greater scope. The site certainly needs some work and is not very easy to navigate, but it gives a great list of companies for the socially-curious. It is a new initiative, and they are looking for contributors who will support the vision of transparent social and environmental research: send them your thoughts here.

High Desert, Four Corners, 3 L's

High Desert Foods in Dolores was one of the Rocky Mountain region's first companies to become designated as a low-profit limited liability corporation, or L3C, another new business model that allows for the operating efficiencies of a profit-driven company but with reduced regulation and simplified IRS rules (similar to nonprofits). The “hybrid-model social enterprise” structure allows businesses to maximize profits but recognizes and encourages more formal community partnerships, aimed at social responsibility and community giving.

High Desert Foods makes and sells local food and baked goods, as well as owns and operates Froodles dried fruit products and Telluride Gift Baskets. The company was featured in this article, which also gives some context on the L3C model. The article states that until now, for-profit and nonprofit models have often been "uneasy bedfellows" and operating toward fairly distinct returns. Now, they are enthusiastic about the benefits of this new model and how it could change conventional thinking: for company owner Bill Manning, it means his business can partner with schools and local government in nutrition education and sustainable food systems, and he believes it's a model "for the times."

High Desert highlights their efforts in sustainable farming (vs. typical 'agribusiness'), "shelf-stable" products, and community relationships. They've been featured in DailyCandy and in local and regional news since about 2004. They are clearly small, and to be honest, the website could use updating, but their company is a good example of what could be the next era of hybrid models, if L3C legislation is passed in other states (currently only in Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming). High Desert currently ships to probably 100 retail outlets nationwide, including Whole Foods in the midwest and Village Market in San Francisco's Ferry Building.

Got yer Goat

We would be amiss not to write about Karmagoat, at startup, for-profit for-good company founded last year by UCLA b-school grads. They began as a sort of 'Craigslist for charity,' where individuals could list unused or unwanted stuff and sell it to benefit their cause of choice. Deals are coordinated through the website, and the vetting process is aided by full Facebook integration (you can shop from your friends' collections, see who you have in common with the seller, and sellers/buyers exchange a 'payment token' in person to complete the deal).

But the platform doesn't just apply to 'stuff': an individual could also sell their skills or services for charity: for example, a tennis lesson or a home-cooked meal. For nonprofits looking to engage their supporters and raise donations in every way possible, this is a brilliant solution: to monetize volunteer talents and interests that aren't otherwise applicable to the organization's work. Suddenly, that pro tennis player who wants to help but hates asking for donations becomes a fundraiser in their own right, and leverages their expertise within their comfort zone.

The KarmaGoat founders are charismatic, high-energy guys who would Skype with me at a moment's notice as they worked 'round the clock to get their company off the ground. They take 15% of the proceeds to cover their overhead, and 85% is directed to the partner charity (there are about 40; you can suggest new ones too). Because the model is highly dependent on geographical location (no shipping yet), they launched first in the UCLA community and are working on the greater LA area next. They hope to spread to other cities soon, likely through university networks (given the focus on reselling and Facebook integration, their model is very student-friendly).

Karmagoat was written up in the LA Times and the HuffPost a few months ago and most recently were listed as one of PC Mag's top 100 websites. They found success in their first year, but not as much as they'd hoped and, as any good entrepreneur would do, have re-assessed and re-vamped their approach. They will launch the new model this spring, but I don't think I'm allowed to talk about it yet. Consider this part 1 of a two (or three) part series. Go, Goats!

Over the Moon for Europe

Why does it feel like the US is lagging when it comes to social enterprise? In this blog we are talking about buying smarter, which is inextricably tied to the supply chain. So which businesses are employing people who are at-risk or who belong to a vulnerable population? With more and more individuals wanting to see donations supporting sustainability, empowerment, and results, social enterprise and socially conscious sourcing is a natural next step. Many expats set up shop in developing countries, with the aim of supporting the local community. This makes sense, but it doesn't seem to be happening much in our own backyard.

To be fair, my research consists of Googling and various pull factors (i.e., emails hitting my inbox from people who are starting businesses that aim to make the world a better place). But assuming that my scientifically unjustified research were to be correct, the majority of these companies are cropping up in developing countries and in Europe.

One example that came to me today is called RubyMoon; a company that is investing profits of swimwear (it's reversible!) into micro loan programs supporting female entrepreneurs in the developing world. As the loans are repaid, RubyMoon can produce more swimwear, generating revenue to support more women and their families.

All of the products are made in the UK, and RubyMoon ensures that producers are protecting their employees, keeping ink and fabric waste to a minimum, recycling and behaving as green as possible, among other sustainable activities.

The bathing suits are all completely unique and some have a psychedelic essence to them. The beautiful models look as though they are likely made in the UK as well, judging by the pale skin tone.... But nevertheless, we are over the Moon for their concept, mission and vision.

give me the anti-dirt

Thank goodness for search engines: when I decided to write about Method soap, I typed both method.com and then methodsoap.com into the browser - and both were owned by other companies having nothing to do with cleaning products. The site is in fact www.MethodHome.com, which pops up at the top of searches.

Founders Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan present their story in the context of a superhero metaphor (their 'toxic exposure' to regular cleaning products gave them super powers--and, let's be honest, a million-dollar idea) and, as is the emerging theme in this blog, their packaging and product is alluring and well-designed. The founders also seem like nice dudes you'd enjoy talking to at a party in the SF Mission district.

But the company's straight-ahead, responsible (dare I say clean?) and stylish approach has gotten them far: the company is privately-held, and Method products are in more than 35,000 retail outlets in the US, Canada, UK, France and Australia. Recently there's been some discussion about green products losing their allure when wallets are slim, but Method is holding fast at$100M per year - likely because the other companies may be perceived as 'greenwashing.' Wouldn't you choose Method over Clorox Greenworks, a brand that first and always makes me think of toxic bleach?

They've also had some smart partnerships, including TerraCycle (a company that facilitates collection for hard-to-recycle items and then turns those materials into green products--upcycling. Watch for future blog post on this.) in the Method Refill Brigade, encouraging folks to collect their used soap refill packaging and send it to TerraCycle.

And the real reason I chose to write about Method: their animated music video at the beginning of Virgin America flights, where sketchbook passengers and animated soap dispensers sing 'We're all in this together.' I sing this song in my head more than I should - which means their marketing folks must be doing something right.

Project 7: Deadly Sins Defeated

Wrath. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Lust. Envy. Gluttony. No, this isn't about Brad Pitt's Se7en (though we're pretty sure he supports this blog).

1. Wrath. "Anger." What if we provided a day of counseling for a child of war instead?

2. Greed. "an excessive desire to possess wealth, goods, or abstract things of value with the intention to keep it for one's self." What if instead we fed the hungry, providing 7 meals to American communities by purchasing a single item?

3. Sloth. "a wasting due to lack of use, concerning a person, place, thing, skill, or intangible ideal that would require maintenance, refinement, or support to continue to exist." What if, alternatively, we took care of the environment and our surroundings, and saved the earth by planting fruit trees?

4. Pride. "an inflated sense of one's personal status or accomplishments." What if we supported a week of education to a student in Africa instead?

5. Lust. "an emotional force that is directly associated with the thinking or fantasizing about one's desire." Instead of tending to our personal fantasies, what if we focused on providing food, healthcare and shelter to an orphan for a day?

6. Envy. "occurs when a person lacks another's (perceived) superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it." What if we quashed this emotion by healing the sick, providing medicine for those with malaria?

7. Gluttony. "over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste." Instead of overconsuming here, what if we provided water for someone in need for one year?

This is Project 7's solution and we love it. They are not asking us to buy more stuff, they are asking us to buy smarter. We all drink coffee and chew gum, so why not buy the brand that lets us buy so they can give? Their site lets you choose those brands.

Did you know that more than 1 in 10 American households does not have enough to eat? Or that one acre of rainforest is lost every second? By purchasing any Project 7 Feed item you are supporting 7 meals for someone right here in our own backyard, and each Save the Earth product plants fruit trees back into the earth. Their product range varies, from fair trade coffee to mints and gum, t-shirts and water. The causes each counter one of the 7 deadly sins that our churches - or Morgan Freeman - taught us were bad and dangerous.

If you want to know where you can buy the products, Project 7 has megacompanies like Walmart and DELL on board (and smaller shops as well), and is in stores around the country. If you can't find it in stores, you can always shop online.

Project 7 also has a volunteer platform called 7 Days that encourages individuals to volunteer with one of the causes they support. You can start a chapter here.

We like the Project 7's direction, and we hope other companies will follow their lead. Perhaps down the road Project 7 could focus on employing some of the at-risk population they serve in their product development and supply chains. In the meantime, we can all be a little less selfish by buying ourselves things we want and need, while simultaneously doing something good for society. Who can argue with that?

Rickshaw Bags

This item came to me as a Christmas present from my brother, who runs a startup in the Dogpatch area of SF:



Rickshaw bags is a stone's throw away from his office, and the name of the company comes from

three Japanese characters meaning “human powered vehicle”–delightfully apropos for a company making bags for bicycle enthusiasts, and our metaphor for the strength of the human spirit.

They are a small company with a bricks-and-mortar storefront and active online sales. The website is clean and appealing; they even have a live chat function (when no one's available, it shows "we're out making fresh bags.") My bag in the photo is a custom-made zero messenger bag, and I chose each of the colors (inside, outside, piping) from their broad palette. The bag itself is recyclable, and made of sustainable materials, according to their three F's of design: Form, Function and Footprint.

Rickshaw's FAQ section even addresses their manufacturing (mostly overseas, with some custom-made bags in the SF shop) by explaining their close relationship with their factory in China: they visit frequently and acknowledge that while there is controversy around off-shoring, they are being realistic and practical about keeping expenses low and product quality high. They address this question head-on and the answer is reasonable and honest, explaining that the Shenzhen province has become a hub for “soft goods” and footwear:

"What Silicon Valley is to high-tech, and Detroit is to automobiles, Shenzhen is to bags and shoes. And as a result, that's where the expertise, equipment, technology, manufacturing capacity and all the related suppliers are clustered."

And of course, their staff engages in charitable projects too, making book bags for low-income youth, supporting bike advocacy in SF and raising funds for educating new parents about infant health. In another self-aware move, they state that these projects "remind them constantly of things that are far more important in life than simply making and selling bags."

Good design is truly good business.

Surf's Up

Participate in creating a better world, one couch at a time.

This is Couchsurfing's motto, an organization based in SF whose website facilitates informal free lodging, in a sort of networked house-swap, plus other ways to connect. Members can sign up to browse available couches in their destination city, host visitors, and even join community activities with no travel required.

Before doing the research, I was surprised by their motto, because my only experience with CouchSurfing (CS) was via my younger brother, who found a pull-out couch in a co-op pad dubbed 'Rancho Relaxo' when he and his girlfriend first moved to Austin, TX. He made some friends, played some music, and even returned to visit the Rancho after landing their own Austin apartment. During SXSW, they have hosted backyard concerts. Great guys, but I couldn't immediately connect his stories with the greater good.

It seems my understanding of his experience only skims the surface of CS’s goal: to create inspiring experiences that help members explore the world and connect with one another, stemming from a belief that true social change starts with the individual, and that lasting education happens through personal experience. Impromptu lodging with strangers pushes both parties outside of their normal social interactions, and facilitates cross-culture exchange and a breakdown of prejudices, large and small. I can see how Rancho Relaxo lends no space to prejudice or judgement.

CouchSurfing is also naturally self-selecting. A certain personality is required to even want this kind of intimate at-home interaction, and guest and host have chosen this experience because they enjoy social exchange with new people, and are likely looking for some adventure. CouchSurfing.org explains that 'they are committed to helping the world become more understanding, more connected, and more generous across all borders, be they physical or psychological.' Generous, indeed: my initial reaction to CS has always been 'well, I'd be interested in crashing--but I wouldn't want to host.' How selfish--and missing the point, in that by hosting is that you not only give back to the communal pot, but that you benefit by meeting travelers who just might offer you some enlightenment in your own (literal) backyard.

In August of 2011, CS received 7.6M in venture funding, which immediately prompted skeptics to ask if the organization would 'sell out.' This article addresses the fact that in its five years of growth, the organization has already inherently changed in its demographic and community base, and that this funding would allow the organization to address some long-standing issues and improve its services and processes.

The article also addresses one of my biggest questions: crime. It seems that crime is very occasional, considering the number of surfers and hosts (over 23,000 surfers just last week!) but the site still doesn't have good reporting and response systems for reporting crime. Hopefully some of the 7.6M can address this and other concerns--like so many groups that started as a grassroots volunteer network, they are at the point of needing some serious infrastructure (and transparency). Will CouchSurfing be able to grow and keep its majority as adventure-seeking travelers, and not a crash pad for freeloaders and petty thiefs?

I choose to see the potential good in the tens of thousands of interactions going on each week thanks to CS, and the ability for it to grow as a socially responsible business (CouchSurfing is also a certified B Corporation). Besides, isn't it refreshing to see this level of trust in an online to personal exchange, whether or not you choose to participate? Surf's up.