sustainable detroit

SMSBF 2019 Triple Bottom Line Business Leader Award Nominees

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Now in its third year, SMSBF’s Triple Bottom Line Business Leader Award is becoming the most coveted by sustainable business leaders in Detroit and the region. 

We are so excited to announce this year’s nominees; they are…

Aubrey Lopatin, Arbor Teas

Rebecca Wittekindt, Bee Present Honey

Romy Kochan, Gingras Global

Kylee Guenther, Pivot Materials

Gerry VanAcker, The Detroit Zoological Society

Ashley Atkinson, Keep Growing Detroit

Devita Davison, FoodLab Detroit

Check out the great things these 3BL business leaders are doing to advance sustainable – people, planet, profit – business in Detroit and the region. 

And be sure to join SMSBF on Thursday, January 30th for Sustainable Resolutions 2020. The event, which will be held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48201) starting at 5:30 pm, is your opportunity to learn who the winner of SMSBF’s Triple Bottom Line Business Leader Award for 2019 will be.

Opinion – What Does a Just Wage Have to Do With Pursuing Happiness?

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Let’s face it, whether you’ve stayed in Detroit your whole life, or you’re from the burbs and are just now discovering the meaning of urban existence, there’s excitement in the air. It’s always been here – I believe it’s the spirit of the city – and it has always been driving change. But for a Baby Boomer who grew-up to become the quintessential “corporate man”, this excitement – the entrepreneurial energy – is pointing to a revolution in the way we practice business.

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Call for Nominations – Triple Bottom Line Business Leader Award

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On January 30th, SMSBF is hosting our third annual Sustainable Resolutions event at the Charles H. Wright Museum. Join us in getting the New Year off to a great start by celebrating Detroit’s sustainable business movement! The evening will be filled with opportunities to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new faces. Best of all, we will be recognizing what’s being done to make the Triple Bottom Line a reality in our community.

This year, we are seeking public nominations for our “Triple Bottom Line Business Leader Award,” which will be presented at the event. Do you know someone who’s made an impact in 2019? Has someone in your network made a difference advancing sustainable, 3BL business strategy and practice?

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Opinion – Things Evolve and All is Emergent

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We Americans are an interesting lot: for all of the great qualities of our “anything is possible” culture, there are some that defy imagination. The reaction to the most recent United States Business Roundtable (USBR) statement is a case in point.

As we read in this month’s lead story, the USBR statement is certainly a good sign for those of us committed to the sustainable, triple bottom line business movement. On the other hand, to go from a good sign to the complete conversion of our entire economic system is a bit of stretch. Yet, some seem to think the USBR statement has brought the US to the precipice of becoming a northern European style social-democracy overnight!

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Opinion – A Hedge Against Wealth Disparity: Employee Owned Businesses

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We live in an age of income and wealth disparity. A recent Pew Research study indicates, “The highest-earning fifth of U.S. families earned 59.1% of all income, the richest fifth held 88.9% of all wealth.” Other measures indicate equally disturbing trends. What is it about this system that leads to the grotesque disparities we see?

One criticism has to do with business ownership. In this system, business ownership is reserved for those who have access to sufficient capital and are willing to take the risk of starting a business. The owners of the business are those who benefit from its profitability, and the argument goes, since they took the risk, they ought to enjoy the spoils.

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Want to Help Challenge the Status Quo? MiSBI is Hiring!

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The Michigan Sustainable Business Initiative (MiSBI), a collaborative of the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), SMSBF, the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF) and the People First Economy, is seeking candidates for its Statewide Coordinator Role.

Nothing happens in a vacuum. The present, neo-liberal system of economics didn’t occur on its own: It evolved over many years and relies on policy that favors the “maximize shareholder value” model of business. To change this system to one that is sustainable, triple bottom line, local, diverse and resilient will take progressive business policy. And this is what the MiSBI seeks to do: challenge the status quo.

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An Emerging Local Economy – what does that mean for cities like Detroit?

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Our recent Triple Bottom Line (3BL) Forum, titled “The Power to Change Things,” highlighted many avenues our community can pursue to change the very nature of the businesses we own, work for, and aspire to be. One such theme that arose from several presentations discussed the rise of the emerging local economy here in the Detroit metro region.

In earlier articles, we discussed the concept of Localism and the notion of “human scale” economics. Michael H. Shuman, economist, attorney, entrepreneur, and author has become a leader of the local economy movement. He boils the discussion of local economy down to a simple notion, “relationship-driven economy as opposed to an anonymous-driven economy.” In other words, in the spirit of 3BL principles, a local economy cares about the social and environmental impact as well as the economic bottom line. Where we shop, who we support, and how, matters.

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Who Are Your Stakeholders? Identify, Prioritize, and Engage

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Have you ever tried to make a list of everyone that affects or is affected by your company? It can be quite a daunting task; but, one that can greatly impact your success. Identifying stakeholders in a company or a specific project will allow you to holistically analyze your goals, needs, and challenges and make sure you put your limited resources to the right initiatives.

Broadly, stakeholders can be thought of in two groups: Internal and external, individuals or organizations that impact or are impacted by your organization. While the exact list will be specific to each business, generally this can include:

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Gatsby Party Offers Rare Evening Inside Architechtural Gem

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Roaring Twenties Gala in Support of the Eimers Foundationgdlogo_mediasponsor

West Egg’s got nothing on Detroit as the people who brought you the Detroit Gatsby Lawn Party launch the Detroit Gatsby Winter Gala to benefit the Eimers Foundation.

Saturday, March 5th from 8pm to 1am, guests are encouraged to arrive in their finest 1920s black tie attire as they step through the doors of the Charles T. Fisher Mansion in the heart of Detroit’s Boston Edison district and step back in time to one of the hottest eras in American history.

This is a unique opportunity to travel back in time to the Charles T. Fisher Mansion and enjoy its spectacular historic details, including a hidden personal speakeasy and a ballroom with a marble dance floor, and showing off your most elegant black tie 20s fashions, all while raising money for the Eimers Foundation. Robby Eimers began the foundation at the tender age of 11 and in the last two years has eased the plight of countless homeless Detroiters by providing warm clothing, blankets and nourishing meals each and every Saturday.More

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