Ecopreneuring: Putting Purpose and the Planet Before Profits

by John D. Ivanko, Lisa Kivirist

Ivanko and Kivirist - innkeepers, authors, and wearers of many other hats - truly walk the green talk, detailing the nitty-gritty of running a green business. - Library Journal I'm not even sure I'd call this a "business book." ECOpreneuring contains plenty of advice on starting a small, eco-conscious business, but the authors focus primarliy on how entrepreneurial efforts can incorporate values and priorities beyond the bottom line. Lifestyle choices trump profit motives, but neither have to be sacrificed in order to create meaning and income.
This kind of positive thinking is repeated again and again throughout the book. In addition to sharing their own success, and the stories of others, ECOpreneuring is filled with practical information about starting and running a small green business. A potential ecopreneur will discover ideas on everything from bookkeeping to marketing, and the authors point to numerous other resources that will help you set up your company, and run your business without running afoul of tax codes, licensing agencies, or litigious competitors.
I really enjoyed this thoughtful, well-written book - a business book that's inspiring and practical is hard to come by. ECOpreneuring lays out a blueprint for making health, happiness and abundance an integral part of the work we do.
Reviewed by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, Sustainablog Powerful social trends toward green living, relocalization, and self-sufficiency have fanned the fires of would-be ecopreneurs in North America, driving a shift toward prioritizing purpose over profits, and building community over building market share. A nation of nine-to-fivers is giving way to a spirited bunch of innovators, searching for ways to make a life instead of simply making a living. This accessible and inspiring guide includes profiles of successful ecopreneurs and provides an in-depth exploration Ecopreneuring shows how we can earn our daily bread on a local or regional level while saving money, strengthening the economy, and helping restore the planet to ecological health and social stability. Part small business manifesto, part personal finance primer, Ecopreneuring is essential reading for small business owners, prospective entrepreneurs, and anyone who dreams of a livelihood based on independence, creativity, passion, and a commitment to green practices and sustainability. John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist are innkeepers of the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast, which is powered by renewable energy. This husband-and-wife duo are national speakers, organic growers, marketing consultants, and authors, whose books include Rural Renaissance and Edible Earth and a number of Global Fund for Children multicultural books.

Genres: Business, Sustainability, Nonfiction, Environment

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

In addition to co-authoring Homemade for Sale (homemadeforsale.com), Farmstead Chef (farmsteadchef.com), the award-winning ECOpreneuring (ecopreneuring.biz), Rural Renaissance (ruralrenaissance.org) and Edible Earth, John Ivanko has co-authored, with Maya Ajmera, six multicultural children's books, including the highly acclaimed To Be a Kid, Be My Neighbor, Animal Friends, Back to School and To Be an Artist.

Ivanko is a regular writer or photographer for numerous national publications including Mother Earth News, BackHome Magazine, Urban Farms, Natural Awakenings, Mother Earth Living and Hobby Farms. He was the lead writer/photographer for the book Renewing the Countryside: WISCONSIN and a regular contributor to projects with the non-profit organization, Renewing the Countryside.

With his wife (and co-author), Lisa Kivirist, and son, Ivanko operates the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast (innserendipity.com) on a small organic farm in southwestern Wisconsin, completely powered by renewable energy and featuring vegetarian cuisine prepared with ingredients from the Inn’s organic garden.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book while researching a change of careers. It was refreshingly optimistic and practical. Most of us live complicated lives full of debt, high taxes, employer demands, and a heavy footprint. Perhaps that wouldn't be the case if we all knew about Ecopreneuring. The grass is definitely greener on the other side of the fence... if only I had a good business idea.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ecopreneuring" authors share their lifestyle as bed & breakfast owners as well as their secrets for pursuing their business goals. Not so much a straight-edged business tome as it is philosophical. Some practical ideas, though more discussion than tangibles.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I had the pleasure of visiting Lisa and John’s Inn Serendipity to research the BnB industry and figure out if we are cut out for it. Lisa and John were really encouraging, helping us see our strengths and specialties that could draw people to our potential business. Meeting with them personally, combined with reading this book, helped us look at starting a business from a different angle. I love that quality of life is preferred over quantity of profits! We have a much better idea of how to get started thanks to their help and advice.

[Barbori Garnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Ecopreneuring' provides so many areas of business and life to consider when thinking about starting and setting up a business. The authors share the things they have considered and implemented into their work such as what their most productive work times are and working seasonally. The authors also give a peek into their approach to budgeting and how they make ends meet and reduce costs.

Reading 'Ecopreneuring' was the inspiration for me to begin writing and then publishing my first book!

[Catherine Edmundson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Must Read for those interested in developing an ecologically sustainable business

Packed with a trove of valuable information!
A Must Read for those interested in developing an ecologically sustainable business.
Great references.

[Joselle McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of Family Reading for middle school years as my son began thinking what could he do with his outside science interests. Good into to another thought process of how you want to work and Live! My son is now at CNR UC Berkeley Environmental Science Student.....reading matters!