Make a Green Splash With Eco-Friendly Promotional Items From PromosMatter -FREE Organic T-Shirt Giveaway!

Enter to win a free organic t-shirt!
You pick the color and size.

To ENTER DRAWING FOR FREE ORGANIC T-SHIRT:

1) Post a comment below and

2) Email me (greenwithceleste@yahoo.com) to let me know
why you should be the winner of this eco-friendly t-shirt & to provide
your mailing address should you be selected as the winner.

This will qualify YOU to be entered into the drawing.

A Go Green With Celeste winner will be randomly selected on October 18, 2008.
The winner will be contacted by e-mail.
Open to individuals in USA (lower 48) states only. One entry per person.
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Q&A with PromosMatter
www.promosmatter.com
www.promosmatter.com/efriendly.html

About PromosMatter:
PromosMatter is a direct marketing promotional products company, offering more than 350,000 products through a network of 3,000 plus suppliers. Kim Martin, the owner of PromosMatter, incorporated in October of 2007 after working from home and with another promotional company. In March of 2008, PromosMatter opened their retail location in Bartlett, TN.

CELESTE: Tell us how companies can go green when it comes to their promotional materials.

KIM: There is a wide variety of eco-friendly concepts in the promotional market today. Suppliers and manufacturers are providing items made from sustainable sources - examples being cups made from potatoes, beets, pens made from corn to lanyards made from bamboo. There is a movement to lower the amount of packing materials goods need to be shipped and making sure packing can be recycled. Even a resurgent in refillable/reusable goods such as pens, spray bottles, and travel packs has started to sweep the industry.
Many manufactures are going to organic materials and/or green process to create goods for the market. It’s always good to be able to show people that this process is having a smaller carbon footprint on the environment.

CELESTE: What statement is a business making to their customers when they provide eco-friendly giveaway products?

KIM: It is real simple – a company giving out eco friendly products is saying to their customer base, “We are not only interested in the bottom line but we have our eyes on the future.” Everyone knows that things are changing. Showing that you are ahead of the curve is never a bad idea.

CELESTE: How is PromosMatter, Inc., different from the rest of the companies out there who provide eco-friendly promotional items?

KIM: All promotional products companies have access to eco-friendly products. What we at PromosMatter are doing is just making so much easier. We have created an entire catalog of green, organic, and eco-friendly products on our web site www.promosmatter.com. As you will see, we gave these once second class citizens of the promotional world, a place on the front page of our web site.

In talking to our customers, we educate many of them on greener options – a recycled material, a reusable product, or just something with less packaging. Even in our showroom, we have an entire display dedicated to Eco-Friendly advertising so customers can handle the products and decide what best suits their needs. We want to help everybody get their name out to their customer base as effectively as possible and being green is one of those ways.

CELESTE: Your best selling green product is?

KIM: PromosMatter doesn’t have one best selling green product. We have seen an increase in customers requesting t-shirts made from sustainable or organic materials, which can be imprinted with eco friendly or soy based inks. We also have a large customer base for eco -friendly pens, which are made from corn products, recycled plastic, or recycled cardboard. As a whole, the industry has seen a switch from use once and toss to reusable products.

CELESTE: If you could share a secret with businesses about eco-friendly promotional products--what would you tell them that they may not already be aware of?

KIM: Something as innocent as a ceramic coffee cup is one of the most eco-friendly products there is - simply because they are reusable. Paper and styrofoam fill trash bags and landfills every day in this country. Many companies have forgotten many of the best promotional products can be washed and reused rather than thrown in the trash. This simple fact makes putting your company’s logo on a reusable product more visible to your customers and Eco Friendly when you stress the reusable concept.

I know of one company, which did away with the use of styrofoam cups and replaced them with washable coffee cups for the employees, made good business sense all the way around.

CELESTE: If a company comes to you with small budget but wants to make a big green splash---which product(s) would you recommend?

KIM: Recycled Sports Bottles that are BPA free would be my first suggestion. People carry their water bottles everywhere these days. Many states and municipalities have started to regulate the sale of bottled water making sports bottles a much more desirable promotional product. These bottles have a relatively large imprint area so a company’s name will be seen. It is also important to remember these bottles are reusable. I would like to stress when ordering it is very important to for a company to be specific and request recycled plastic that are certified BPA free. The price, set-up fees, and minimums can be low compared to other promotional items. Because they are plastic, being lighter than other products, shipping is also less costly saving money.

CELESTE: What has been the most memorable promotional product you have designed for a business?

KIM: Trying to get a tree frog with the companies name on latex balloons has been the most challenging. The frog was multi dimensional and multi colored, as tree frogs are known to be. In order to keep the cost down for the client we reworked the art so it was a single color, while maintaining the integrity of the tree frog. I must admit I learned a lot about art that day.

CELESTE: Any other eco-friendly ideas for businesses looking to make a green statement?

KIM: The old teacher adage, “Monitor & Adjust.” Look around.

Do ANY of the products currently being used in business have a recycled, green, organic, or more eco-friendly equivalent that will meet the needs of the business while providing for the environment?

Can ANY of the products you have in your business be greened up?

Other ideas:

• Add recycling bins to the hallways and break areas can be a planet saver.
• Get everybody flash drives instead of having to make copies to move files around.
• Offer an embroidered jacket with the company logo to your employees and lower the thermostat in the winter is another great idea.
  

PromosMatter through our network of suppliers has over 3,000 eco-friendly products with more being adding on a regular basis. If a business is unsure where to start, they can call one of our representatives, 901-347-0468 or e-mail info@promosmatter.com and we can help get them started.

CELESTE: Have you considered teaming up with an organic/natural cosmetic company to offer personalized items specifically for men and women? (Such as lipsticks, lip balms, lotions, etc.)

KIM: Of course, some of our health and beauty suppliers have gone green.
Organic lip balms, insect repellants, and refillable hand sanitizers are just some of the eco-friendly printable products we offer. However, our industry has not brought in a full cosmetic line, but anything is possible.

CELESTE: Kim, would you like to add anything?

KIM: We really enjoy working with people who are interested in the green movement. We love providing them with small, simple steps that can have a big positive impact on our environment. Going green is not as difficult as some seem to think. It starts with one step forward, and working with knowledgeable people. We are more than happy to help someone take that first step. We are always here to answer questions and give bright ideas.

Website – www.promosmatter.com
Eco friendly page www.promosmatter.com/efriendly.html

To ENTER DRAWING FOR FREE ORGANIC T-SHIRT:

1) Post a comment below and

2) Email me (greenwithceleste@yahoo.com) to let me know
why you should be the winner of this eco-friendly t-shirt!

This will qualify YOU to be entered into the drawing.

WaterCheck.Biz Reveals The Dangers of Plastic Water Bottles

Replace your plastic sports bottles with stainless steel.
Order on www.watercheck.biz website and use
Code 2468 to receive 8% off your order.
Plus, FREE standard shipping in the US
for all orders over $40.
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Q&A with Leslie Gabriel
Founder www.WaterCheck.biz
WaterManBlog.com

CELESTE: Why are plastic water bottles so dangerous and in what way do they negatively impact our environment?

LESLIE: A few things you should know about Plastic Water Bottles - Besides Being Yucky :)

• The most commonly used plastic for making water bottles is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is derived from crude oil.
  

• Making bottles to meet Americans' demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year.
  

• Worldwide, some 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year.

• Recent studies link plastic toxins such as Bisphenol A (BPA) to breast cancers and reproductive mutations.
  

• Plastics leach carcinogens including BPA during regular use, exposure to heat and especially after cleaning.
  

• From manufacturing to use and disposal, plastics pollute our health and environment.

CELESTE: Do you donate a portion of your proceeds to water sustainability projects?

LESLIE: Every quarter (3 months) we choose a non-profit, water related organization to support. Beyond money, we also provide these organizations with free publicity - with over 15,000 unique visitors every month - we place a hot link logo of the h2o organization on every page of our vast website. We also provide additional publicity to the chosen organization on over 10,000 letters to our customers, when an order ships.

Baking Soda: The Best Health & Beauty Product

Buy Aubrey Organics at iHerb.com and SAVE! $5 Discount Code Here.

For my Go Green readers...
If you are a first time customer at www.iHerb.com-
you can use my referral code above (CEL445) to get $5 off your first order!


Yay! My Aubrey Organics products quickly arrived from www.iHerb.com.
Can't wait to try this
Natural Lips Sheer Tint -Sugar Clear (clear lip gloss),
Sea Buckthorn With Ester-C Rejuvenating Antioxidant Serum and
Sea Buckthorn & Cucumber with Ester-C Moisturizing Cream.

Aubrey Organics is one of my favorite vegan lines.

• 100% natural items
• Earth-friendly packaging
• Earth-friendly ingredients
• No animal testing

Mariah's Sassy Fashions: Introducing Eco-Friendly Duct Tape Purses & Comic Book bags--FREE Giveaway--Duct Tape Wallet!

Enter to win this one-of-a-kind Mariah's Sassy Fashions duct tape tri-fold wallet!
A Go Green winner will be randomly selected on October 18, 2008.
How to qualify?

To enter giveaway, simply comment on this blog (no registration required) and e-mail me (greenwithceleste@yahoo.com) to let me know why you should be the winner of this eco-friendly wallet!

Introducing Mariah's Sassy Fashions

One-Of-A-Kind Original Duct Tape Creations

Most pieces available at Funky Findz & Design
Wausau, Wisconsin
715-298-3463

Have you ever seen a duct tape bikini?
This is an exclusive creation by Mariah!
You just may see this piece worn by a live model in the upcoming Funky Findz fashion show on
October 25, 2008, @ the Landmark building in Downtown Wausua, Wisconsin.
The public is invited. Mark your calendar--you don't want to miss it!

This was Mariah's first signature creation. Her eco-friendly comic bag. When asked
about this piece, Mariah shared, "I ask all my family and friends to save the comic section from the Sunday edition of the Wausau Daily Herald for me so I can recycle the pages!"
And recycle she does. Her comic creation is a true conversation piece.

This duct tape Messenger Bag is amazing!
Did you know duct tape came in these vibrant colors?
Exclusive Mariah's Sassy Fashions creation. $45

Mariah's Sassy Fashions signature Peace Sign silk screen t-shirt $21

Have your own style with this handmade silk screen tank by Mariah

Write all your thoughts in this one-of-a-kind silver splashy duct tape journal

Funky Findz & Design
Downtown Wausau, Wisconsin
We can all "go green" by supporting our local artists.

Are you sassy or do you know someone who is?
This is Mariah's sassy plastic purse, a keeper for anyone with an attitude.

Go Green with Mariah's green, white, silver and black
Sassy Fashions Duct Tape Messenger Bag $45

Placemat tote with hoop handles. Too pretty to eat on.

Mariah's Sassy Knit Sweater Purse made from a pre-worn sweater.
So cozy you want to wear it.

T-Shirt tote with sequin bling

pen in your favorite people in a funky duct tape address book

Duct tape purse with retro vibe

Treat yourself or someone special to a one-of-a-kind duct tape cell phone case.
Why buy a product made in China when instead, you can support a local artist.
There are many talented creative artisans among us. We don't have to look far.

The "It" girl, Mariah Lueras, showcasing her
one-of-a kind creations @ Exibitour
on September 20, 2008.

The Comic Book Purse fits nicely on your shoulders.

Mariah's Sassy Fashions t-shirt bag made from, you guessed it,
a favorite t-shirt.

Silver and blue duct tape bag

Beauty With A Cause: Educating Women, Product Dedications, Donations to Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer & Scleroderma Research

Patsy Pink & Queen Amy Lip Sheers
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Q&A with
Julie Ann Price
President
Beauty with a Cause

CELESTE: Tell us about your inspiration for Beauty With A Cause.

JULIE: I started my company after learning what was in the products I was using. I was very uncomfortable using products that contained artificial ingredients that were suspected hormone disrupters and carcinogens. I spent a great deal of time researching what was available for "safer" products and was disapointed. I couldn't find a site that had a wide range of products available at a price I could afford. So...I figured I couldn't be the only one in this position and started making my own products.

CELESTE: What sets B-cause apart from all other organic companies out there?

JULIE: B-cause has a lot of differences from other companies.

• We are very focused on education. I want women to make smarter purchases for themselves and their families.

• We do lectures on the connection between cancer and skin care products.

• Our newsletter [B-cause We Care Newsletter Archive: http://www.beautywithacause.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=11]is full of wellness articles and product articles on products outside of the skin care arena such as laundry detergent. If my products don't fit the bill for someone, that is ok. I am more than happy to point them in other directions.

• I offer samples (www.beautywithacause.com) of the majority of my line and encourage women to try before they buy. I offer a refund on the cost of the sample if you order the full size product later on. I give a full refund of the product costs to anyone who is not happy with the product.

• Our products are named after women who have battled breast cancer, ovarian cancer and scleroderma. There is no charge to do this. It is a nice way of celebrating the strength of the women that surround us. We are a very personal company and follow up with every person who places an order.
  

Want to know more about product dedications? Visit our website at Beauty with a Cause

CELESTE: Do you donate a portion of the proceeds to charities?

JULIE: We donate 10% of the profits from the sale of all of our products year round to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and scleroderma research.

Duchess Eye Powder

Duchess is a shimmery pastel pink color.

Learn more about Duchess eye powder here:

http://www.beautywithacause.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=duchess+eye+powder

CELESTE: Are all your products natural/organic?

JULIE: My products are mostly natural and many have a large percentage of certified organic ingredients. However, any product that contains water has to have a preservative to prevent against contamination. There is no such thing as a natural preservative at this time so that is where artificial ingredients do come into my product line. Having said that, none of my products contain parabens or ingredients that are highly suspected to have negative side effects.

Ingredients to avoid:
http://www.beautywithacause.com/index.php?main_page=page_2

CELESTE: If you could share an important secret to women about cosmetic and
personal care products that they may not already know-what would it be?

JULIE: Read the ingredients. Don't be fooled by marketing. Many of the big brands that are known as being "natural" have some nasty surprises hidden in their ingredient list. I have seen well known brands have one or two great non-toxic products but then see that the rest of their line is toxic.

B-cause We Care Newsletter Archive:
http://www.beautywithacause.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=11

CELESTE: If a woman is considering switching her conventional beauty products and personal care items to organic-which would be the most important product(s) to go organic first?

JULIE: The ones to switch first are the ones that she uses daily and of those, the ones that stay in contact on her skin the longest. For most women that is lotion, deodorant and facial moisturizer. To make it less overwhelming she should only replace a little at a time. When one product runs out, replace it with a non-toxic version. Whenever possible she should try a sample of the product before she invests in the full size item. Just because a product is "natural" does not mean that everyone can use it. Some women have reactions to certain essential oils and scents. That is why a sample is advisable.

CELESTE: Julie, would you like to add anything?

JULIE: We are also environmentally aware of the impact our company has on the environment. We use minimal printed material. For example, we do not include packing slips in our shipments. Our brochure is printed on recycled paper and is only distributed to first time customers. We are working on packaging that has a low impact on the environment. Our workshop uses power purchased from wind generated power sources.

Check out all B-cause products here!
http://www.beautywithacause.com/index.php?main_page=products_all


Beauty with a Cause

Book Giveaway: The Truth About Email Marketing by Simms Jenkins

NEWSFLASH: BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win a free copy of Simms Jenkin's book,
The Truth About Email Marketing.

DETAILS: Simply post a comment below and then Email me (greenwithceleste@yahoo.com) to let me know why you should be the winner of this book!
This will qualify YOU to be entered into the drawing.

A Go Green With Celeste winner will be randomly selected on September 30, 2008.
Open to individuals in USA (lower 48) states only. One entry per person.
All entries must be received by September 29, 2008, by 11PM CST.
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~Q&A with the author,
Simms Jenkins~

www.TheTruthAboutEmailMarketing.com

Q: Simms, how did you become sold on the power of email marketing?
A: Prior to founding BrightWave Marketing, I ran the Customer Relationship Management group for a major media company that had a network of websites. When I saw first hand the ability to send a message and minutes later see a surge of responses and resulting web traffic as well as the ability to measure this response in real time, I was hooked. I then built the company to help clients more efficiently and strategically seize the benefits of email marketing.

Q: What sets your book apart from all the rest of the email marketing books?
A: I think there are only a couple of meaningful and serious books on the subject by true industry experts and hopefully my book is equally approachable for email novices as it is for big company email marketing managers. The feedback and reviews http://www.thetruthaboutemailmarketing.com/reviews/ I have received have been really strong to date so I feel like I accomplished that. It is worth mentioning that the biggest compliment I could get on this book would be for an email marketing professional to use it on a daily basis and keep it on their desk as a reference guide.

Q: Give us an email marketing secret that most small business owners would be surprised to learn about.
A: There are many small businesses using email more effectively than Fortune 500 companies. That is one of the beauties of email marketing. It is not about money like some other marketing and media channels but it takes time, resourcefulness and the understanding that permission email is a powerful method of communication but one that should not be abused. Because it is so measurable, any small business owner gets incredible feedback on what their customers and prospects are interested in as well as what they are not. That info can be priceless.

Q: Email marketing is certainly eco-friendly. Did you have a "green" plan from the start?
A: I wish I could tell you that it was part of the master plan but it wasn’t. It is certainly a major reason to consider using email marketing though. I am still surprised to find many leading companies not finding that to be an attractive benefit of email marketing. I know I appreciate the companies that offer me the opportunity to receive bills or promotions via email as opposed to a catalog or letter that gets thrown away immediately. We have found some our clients (http://www.brightwavemarketing.com/clients.html) are leveraging the benefit of email as an eco-friendly communication tool as it makes sense and relates to their brand and offerings. I hope and expect to see more of that.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simms Jenkins is Chief Executive Officer of BrightWave Marketing, an award-winning email marketing services firm specializing in the strategic optimization of email marketing programs.

Jenkins is regarded as one of the leading experts in the email marketing industry and the expertise of both Jenkins and BrightWave clients have been recognized and featured by many media outlets including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bloomberg TV, eMarketer, Email Marketing Reports, MarketingSherpa, DMNews and ClickZ.

Jenkins and his column for iMedia Connection, a leading interactive Marketing and Media publication, has been called one of the top 21 information sources for email marketers.

Jenkins serves on the eMarketing Association's Board of Advisors and is a Board Member of Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association (AiMA). Jenkins is a graduate of Denison University in Granville, Ohio and resides in Atlanta with his wife and two sons.