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Stick out Like a Green Thumb!

In the wake of An Inconvenient Truth, the eyes of the business world have opened wide to the consumer demand for doing greener business. As a business advisor, I have noticed that my clients are always looking for ways to set apart their business in order to increase their company's bottom line. For many companies using environmentalism can be a very effective way of differentiating their business from their competitors.

One example of a company that uses its green thumb to stand apart from the crowd is Greenkarat.com. They sell jewelry that is made of recycled metal taken from old jewelry and other items. The company emerged with the goal of starting a trend to limit industrial methods of extracting jewelry's precious metals and gems from the earth that damage the land and endanger ecosystems. They knew that there would always be a demand for jewelry yet they saw an opportunity to do things differently. Their mission is to "...provide an ecologically and socially responsible jewelry alternative to those who seek change." Greenkarat rings have been featured in top magazines like InStyle Weddings and are enjoying much international success. While your company may not be able to be as green as Greenkarat, it is wise to observe how the trend of environmental awareness will affect the behaviors of your customer base and, in turn, do what you can to use this trend to your business' advantage while also taking part in helping this noble cause.

There are many ways you can go green. One thing all companies can do is recycle their garbage. Other potential recyclables include computer hardware and office equipment. You can also join one or more green organizations that can easily be found through the internet. Those with more money to invest in the cause can use solar panels to reduce their energy needs. Everyone can find ways of becoming a more paperless office. As a working mom, what are you doing to go green?

Of all the business trends in the market today, the recognition of the value of being environmentally conscious and eco-friendly is one that excites me the most. You have the power to not only add value to customers but also to make the world a better place. What better way to differentiate your business than by joining the fight against waste and pollution and actively working to preserve our natural resources?

Elizabeth Gordon is the author of "The Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business in Higher Heels".

Reclaim Your Closet

Is your closet working against you? If you can't find an article of clothing you want to wear, or easily get dressed in the morning, your closet isn't working for you--it's working against you.

Is this your closet?

- Too much stuff – why did I buy eight pairs of black pants?
- Inaccessible – every time I remove a sweater from the shelf all of the sweaters fall!
- What do I wear with this?

Reclaim your closet and your wardrobe with a few simple organizational solutions.

- ASK YOURSELF HOW YOU PULL TOGETHER AN OUTFIT
Do you choose your top first or your bottom first? If you pick your top first, the tops will be front and center and very visible in the closet. If you pick bottoms first, the pants and skirts will be front and center on the top double-hung rod, with tops hanging underneath. It is easier to find what you are looking for if all your hangers are the same style and all your clothes are facing the same direction and

- PUT ALL YOUR SHOES ON DISPLAY
Shoe shelves are very helpful. Install as many as you need to keep your entire collection on display, in sections for each season, and then grouped by color. Put one shoe from a pair toe forward, and its partner heel forward, so you can quickly see the heel height and details on the front of the shoe. That way you can quickly tell different black shoes apart.

- DISPLAY YOUR ACCESSORIES
Keep your finishing touches visible and accessible so you don't forget about them. Consider sliding baskets, as well as custom hangers like tie-and-belt organizers, which can also hold scarves and necklaces. Or, hang the accessories next to their matching clothes, such as a pair of trousers with their "perfect" belt.

- GROUP BY SIZE AND COLOR
Women often have multiple sizes of clothes in their closets. Group the same size pieces together, and then color coordinate the entire closet.

These tips will make your closet easier to manage, and take some of the guesswork out of the morning routine! It's all about the way your closet functions for you. Take back your closet today!

This article was written by Carson Tate, certified professional organizer and founder of Living Simply and Working Simply. For more information please visit our website at www.livingsimply.net. You may also contact Laurie Jones, the Residential Manager at-laurie@livingsimply.net or 704.362.1526.

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