Going Green for the Planet and Profit

It’s not just cool being “green” anymore; it’s going to be very profitable.

The Obama administraion is doling out the dollars for energy-saving projects, and if you are looking for a modern-day gold rush that is sustainable into the next economic growth spurt, this is it.

Four out of five people say they are still buying green products and services today, which sometimes cost more, even in the midst of the U.S. recession. (Source: Reuters.)

If you are looking for a new business or an “add-on” to your existing one, there are real opportunities for funding your ideas from the government now and big profit payoffs for success. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for increases in funding, extended tax incentives and outright grants to encourage renewable-energy projects, energy savings and green jobs.

But the government stimulus is just one way to profit from the green movement. Another way to take advantage of the green trend is to tailor a product or service you have to “green.” For example, BMW’s hot Mini was small, smart and cheap to run. Now there is a new Mini E (which stands for electric) that will soon hit the streets, and there is already a pent-up demand to get them.

Payless Shoe Source has a new line of low-cost, eco-minded shoes. They are sure to be cool, but I hope they aren’t really green in color. On the other hand, even if the color affected the sale, the trend will attract attention to its entire product line. Truthfully, energy products may very well want to use a color or unique name to separate themselves from the rest because consumers will want their peers to know they are supporting the “green” movement. Green is, and will continue to be, cool again.

Another example of companies using the ECO trend to position themselves is CropToCup.com, which sells coffee through the use of a story about buying directly from the farmer and actually allowing the consumer to trace their cup of coffee back to the farmer who produced it. This, of course, brings personalization into the coffee-sale process along with good feelings about helping the small-coffee famer and not some big-company giant. Similarly, IceBreaker.com allows you to follow its product-production trail back to one of 120 sheep stations in New Zealand where your product came from.

Your home is also about to become a battleground for eco devices that monitor your energy use and provide eco training so you can learn new ways to adapt to energy usage that saves money and the planet. One state has a two-year waiting list for a training program that teaches people how to make older homes more energy efficient. This is certain to be a new area for private training programs and info-products, or even franchises, to take hold and prosper.

Check out RoofRay.com to see a California start-up that gives consumers the info they need to properly install solar panels. The firm provides modeling tools that use Google Maps to help determine how much solar energy a home could capture in its area and how that would translate into savings. GreenIrene.com is another interesting business model that offers a green makeover service, which involves a visit from an eco-consultant who offers money-saving solutions available from the company.

There is lots happening in the ECO marketplace, and its growth will offer many new opportunities. While there have been stops and starts in this industry in the past based on fluctuations in the price of oil, this seems to be a more sustainable trend because it has the president, Congress and lots of money behind it.

JW Dicks, Esq. is an attorney, best selling author, entrepreneur and business strategist. He has spent his entire 35-year career building successful businesses for himself and his clients bringing his golden touch to the marketing and sales of over $500 million of products and services. His professional versatility affords him a unique insight into the opportunities available for today’s business owners along with the knowledge of how to structure and position a business to take advantage of them.

He is the senior partner of Dicks & Nanton P.A.: The Business Growth Lawyers™, representing clients in the growth of their business using franchises, area exclusive licensing, coaching, idea licensing, info-marketing, joint ventures, syndications and explosion marketing to accomplish their goals. Jack has worked with a diverse set of clients ranging from an Inc. 500 fastest growing company with sales over $250 Million, public companies, down to a small start up that made fishing lures. He loves the challenge and excitement of them all.

In addition to coaching and consulting with clients nationwide, Jack is also a successful entrepreneur. He has built his own businesses, with annual sales over $35 Million, developed real estate in excess of $200 Million and both created, and sold intellectual property rights for as much as $1.8 Million.

Jack has led national conferences and conventions and has spoken to over 150,000 business leaders on venture capital formation, syndication, investing, and business growth strategies. He is the best-selling author of numerous legal and financial books including the 50 Volume set, How to Start a Corporation and Operate in Any State, Moonlight Investing, The Florida Investor, Mutual Fund Investing Strategies, The Small Business Legal Kit, The 100 best Investments For Your Retirement, Financial CPR, Operation Financial Freedom, and How to Buy and Sell Real Estate .

In addition to his Juris Doctorate degree, Jack holds securities licenses, 22, 7, 65, and 24. He is also a registered securities principal, registered investment advisor, and real estate broker. Although technically proficient in several professions, his clients consider his greatest attributes to be his innate creativity, visionary focus and ability to design and implement multi-layered profit centers for companies and individuals seeking long-term financial growth and protection.

Jack is a graduate of the University of Florida and George Mason College of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, NASD, National Association of Realtors, the Florida Bar and the Virginia Bar.

Jack’s business address is Orlando and his play address is at his beach house where he spends as much time as he can with his wife, Linda, of 32 years, two daughters, two son-in-laws, and two Yorkies. His major hobby is fishing although the fish are rumored to be safe.

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