How did you get into this business?
A happy accident. During the fall of my freshman year, I took prequestic classes for computer programming and early education. I wasn’t sure of my major yet, but it was in my art elective someone told me about graphic design. The next semester, I took GD1 and was hooked.
Describe a time you collaborated cross-functionally on a design project?
When FSCJ was transitioning into Florida State College of Jacksonville. I worked with a team of people that were in education, government, public relations, and administration to create a new brand. Along with the messaging to introduce their new position within the world of higher education.
How do you stay abreast of the latest design trends?
Being aware of my surroundings. I constantly survey the world around me. Design is everywhere, even the cereal box in the grocery store. I notice trends online and find creative ways to utilize them into my own work.
Are there key metrics you use to track your design’s success?
For most projects, I rely on feedback from my clients. Was their campaign successful, did they reach their goals and make adjustments from there.
Tell us about the best design project from your portfolio.
My favorite projects are always the ones where I get to create a new brand. For example, I love seeing my Florida Elite Soccer logo all over town.
If you didn’t work in the marketing world, what would you be doing?
I’m not 100% sure, but I wish I would have taken the summers in college to be a white water rafting guide in North Carolina.
Becky Russo is president of Jacksonville, Fla. -baded BecCreative. She helps brands and businesses reach their full marketing potential by providing the branding, creative, content and digital marketing expertise to show what makes them unique. Contact Becky.
North Florida Green Chamber member Zero Waste Disposal & Recycling uses environmentally compatible systems and solutions for non-hazardous waste handling.
They have been in business for three years and made an early commitment to promote sustainable business by joining the Green Chamber.
“It’s important to us personally and professionally to do what we can to be environmentally conscious,” said Zero Waste Vice President Jean David Charles. A locally minority and woman-owned business, La Fashion Charles is the CEO and Jose L. Bosque is the managing director.
Charles and his team have seen an uptick in business. Zero Waste recently installed a new submersible, well pump system for Saddle Brook water plant to assure residents have clean drinking water.
Other services include grease trap disposal, liquid waste disposal, and zero waste recycling and used cooking oil recycling. Charles puts that waste to work by creating energy, fertilizer and other environmentally safe solutions and products.
“Our goal is to protect our sewers, environment, and waterways, all while creating sustainable products with the waste. This takes reliable and safe equipment and processes to collect and recycle waste ethically and in an environmentally friendly manner,” added Charles.
Zero Waste’s practices are, in compliance with Florida’s bylaws and support the ecosystem and renewable resources for sustainability.
Learn more at https://zero-waste-disposal.com/
By Ashley Stephenson, Green Chamber Communications Intern
Growing a business is hard.
Between typical business procedures and navigating a pandemic, implementing green practices into your business may be the last thing on your mind. The North Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (NFGCC) understands this, and that is why we offer sustainability coaching.
“We offer a coaching program for members to help them to develop a strategic approach to sustainability. The program is aimed at start-ups and established businesses and brands that are working towards making sustainability values a core of their business model,” said NFGCC Executive Director Christina Kelcourse, Esq, CFP, CRPC.
This free program is a membership benefit that helps member companies and brands go green and become more sustainable.
When you choose a sustainability coach they will help you implement effective strategies to take out any guesswork. Sustainability coaches can go beyond small changes to take your business’s green practices to the next level.
Each of our sustainability coaches are experienced in their industries and prepared to provide custom coaching. Regardless of what type of business you run, there is someone prepared to help.
For example, Ashley Powell of Building It Green Consulting is a sustainability coach who specializes in green building.
“While small changes to a business sustainability plan can make a big impact, we focus on the whole building impacts. We focus on green building certifications for new construction and renovations of buildings which encompass site, water, energy, IAQ and materials categories,” noted Powell. “To get the most of establishing and achieving a business’s sustainability goals, we coordinate with all team members including the architect, engineers, contractors and owners from early design to post construction.”
North Florida Green Chairman Mary Tappouni of My Sustainability Officer and Breaking Ground Contracting is also a sustainability coach.
“As both a sustainability consultant and a building contractor, I am uniquely positioned to assist clients in their efforts to incorporate green practices into their business operations,” said Tappouni. “This can range from those who are just getting started in their sustainability endeavor to those who are looking to enhance existing programs. Our approach applies to a one-person home office as well as a multi-million-dollar business with multiple locations. It can be as simple as making slight modifications that save the client money and help improve environmental quality, to employee engagement efforts that provide a healthy and supportive workplace. Regardless of how many initiatives a business wants to tackle, it all starts with a written plan and affirming the goals by setting achievable targets.”
So why wait? Join the Green Chamber to find the right sustainability coach for you and start working on developing your green business.
Growing a business is hard. Practicing sustainability does not have to be.
Email us at [email protected] for more information.