Finalist Q&A: Go Green Go

Go Green Go creates T-shirts that promote eco-friendly activities, such as walking, hiking, biking, sailing, etc. The logo is a "little green guy" carrying the earth. Their tag line is "Saving the Earth One Shirt at a Time". These T-shirts are a walking billboard--not only do they raise the awareness of the need to preserve the environment but they also promote eco-friendly activities.

How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what, or who, is your main source of motivation?
Go Green Go was conceived as my husband and I were sailing one day last summer. A powerboat passed by and we were thinking about how much it was costing for gas (last summer it was about $4.50 a gallon) and how our boating experience was costing us nothing. I quipped to my husband "they need to go green...they should go sailing". I started to think about all the activities that didn't consume our natural resources such as walking, hiking, biking, the list goes on and on. A few years earlier we had produced a few T-shirts geared to the New Hampshire sailor so we merged the two ideas and Go Green Go was born - a T-shirt company that promotes eco-friendly activities. We know that there are many ways to help our environment by the choices we make each and every day. We believe that if we all take positive steps whenever possible regardless of how small, we can make a difference in the world we live in. Although very comfortable, our T-shirts will not be a fashion statement; they will be a powerful tool to help raise the awareness of how we can all participate in "Saving the Earth One T-shirt at a Time”. They will be a billboard of sorts enabling people to share the message about saving the environment while engaging in their favorite eco-friendly activity. One of our primary motivations to create and develop this company was to provide funding for WorkcampNE which is a non-profit organization that helps the elderly, under-resourced and disabled residents of the Northeast. They provide free home repairs for residents within the communities. It is our hope to fund this organization in order that they could grow and help more residents of the communities

What is a unique feature of your business?
Obviously, T-shirts are not the unique aspect of our business. The unique aspect of our business is not only how we are going to develop the business, but also who will reap the benefits of this business. We are working with students from the local community college to help to develop, design and market the company. Once the company is up and running it will be a win-win situation for all involved - not just Go Green Go. The students will have the real life experience of developing a company. The community college will be able to promote itself as having had a hand in developing a successful company. WorkcampNE will have the benefit of additional funding to help residents in many communities. And Go Green Go will be able to grow into a successful enterprise. Go Green Go is a true grassroots company, relying solely on the resources and talents of the local community to help develop and build the business. As you can see many people will benefit from the success of this company not just Go Green Go.

What are your thoughts on the connection between small business and the local community?
From the business model that has been presented, we know that the connection between local community and small business is essential and indispensable. We are focused on developing relationships within the community, by utilizing the talents of the young to help build a business. We will also use our energies to connect with the elderly, under resourced residents of a community to make their lives easier and more pleasant by helping them when they are unable to help themselves. It’s not just about the local communities purchasing products from small businesses, it's about showing compassion and helping others . These are things that will change lives and endure forever.

Why should the Idea Cafe regulars vote for you?
The regulars of Idea Cafe should vote for Go Green Go because it's a great idea. Not many companies have the potential to impact the lives of so many people. We have that potential if given the chance. The possibilities are endless - we just need a beginning. Besides the "Little Green Guy" is cute.