FOUNDING MEMBERS
Paige Davis, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer
Why BlueAvocado:Spending the majority of my career in entrepreneurial pursuits in the Bay Area, I have always been a dreamer for innovation and sucker for a good giggle in all that I do. Through a combination of working with several green companies and my early studies in Environmental Science, I can fully appreciate all shades of green from the old school treehuggers to the eco-chic trendiness that is taking hold. BlueAvocado is that best friend, sister, or colleague that can help clear through the clutter of "shoulds" and "enviro-guilt" and inspire change from a place of hope, awareness and humor — all over a couple of cocktails! As the world continues to change at the rapid pace it does, we can no longer deny that we can each make a difference, the question is how. For me, BlueAvocado is the first step to "how."
My Green Journey Means: Changing the planet from the inside-out. That means reinventing every little thing I do, make and consume. Tapping into my background as a certified Pilates trainer, I see the body-mind connection in every action, and live for those sweet moments of transformation.
Green Crush: Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan, Founders, Method — Two friends from San Francisco that literally turned dirty inside out. Creating non-toxic cleaners that are hip, healthy, and fun — big big luv!
I Never Thought I'd: Work with my sister(s) — seriously.
Amy George, Founder and Chief Ozone Officer
Why BlueAvocado? When my 3-year old son is my age scientists believe he will witness major ice caps melting. I must act now, for the planet, my children and my grandchildren. We founded this small company with big ideas. We believe each of us has the power to make change. It can come in the form of a reusable bag or a bicycle. For me, its about creating products that invite more people and companies to understand global warming and take steps to do things differently — starting today.
My Green Journey is About: Making things better for those around me, especially future generations. I founded the Austin Farmer's Market because I believe in more sustainable options & healthy food for our bodies and sound stewardship of our land. Making better choices available is just a way of life. Those who know me know that I am typically a tireless advocate — a cheerleader. Thanks Mom!
Green Crush: Anita Roddick, Founder, The Body Shop — From a remodeled gas station, Anita brought us animal-friendly lip-gloss made from natural ingredients that transformed lives in developing countries. She boldly inspired the world to make products better — for the planet and the women who use them.
I never thought I'd: See my mom get so excited to use a reusable bag!
Melissa Nathan, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer
Why BlueAvocado? For me — BlueAvocado is about the people. It is about starting a business with women that I love, creating a community of people that care, and most important — finding JOY in coming together. More than anything — it is about the ripple — helping to create a first step on a journey for myself and others — a life-changing and life-affirming path toward living consciously and LOVING it! At BlueAvocado, we work hard everyday to introduce relevant products that make it easy to do good and get it done. We recognize we are only as strong as the people who surround us. My greatest hope is that we are able to make this little ripple — a HUGE splash — TOGETHER! I am just so grateful to be along for the ride...
My Green Journey Means: Treating the world the way I love to be treated — with kindness, compassion and lots of good mojo. As a mom of 2 toddlers my big "aha" was about proudly accepting the fact that I'd rather have a clean conscience than a spotless kitchen. So my journey is not about being militant, it's about being mindful. Ohmmmmm.
Green Crush: Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Founders, Ben & Jerry — Two hippies in tye-dyes showed us how easy it was to be good and do good with a little soul and a lot of cherries.
I never thought I'd: Plan meals around locally available produce — heck, I never thought I'd plan meals.
DO GOOD PARTNERS
KIVA.org
Kiva.org is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. To date, Kiva has enabled lenders to send $44,484,310 to the working poor around the world. Microloans really allow for families (women, men, and children) to prosper, and businesses to flourish generation after generation. Supporting Kiva lenders since its inception, BlueAvocado will invest 1% of corporate sales to Kiva.org.
GREEN MOUNTAIN ENERGY
BeGreen is a division of Green Mountain Energy Company, the longest serving green power provider in the U.S. BeGreen offers businesses and consumers simple and effective ways to reduce their carbon footprint through the purchase of renewable energy, forest sequestration and other project-based offsets. All purchases and sales of BeGreen's carbon offset and REC products are verified by an independent auditing firm to ensure their quality and effectiveness
BeGreen's carbon calculators follow the EPA Climate Leaders methodology, which is based on the World Resources Institute's Greenhouse Gas Protocol (WRI GHG), a widely accepted industry standard.
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD
- Ken Beigel — Natural & Organic Products Expert
- Angie Blankenship — Senior Buyer, The Container Store
- Geoff Cline — Former General Counsel, Patagonia
- Barry Davis — Davis, Tuttle Venture Firm
- Megan Davis — Founder, Davis Consulting Group
- Abe Frishman — Chairman, Infinity Industries
- Jack Long — Former CEO, LoneStar Overnight
- Glenn Murray — Former Controller, HEB
- Suzi Sosa — Chief of Staff, MPower Labs & Founder, Austin Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)
- Sallie Trout — Owner & Designer, Trout Studios
- Jennifer Vickers — President, Community Investment Corporation
