About this time last year, I launched my new company OurPlanet365, which helps companies define and build their environmental sustainability platforms. The timing was perfect. But then the pandemic began building steam and every company was in survival mode, including many beloved Seattle companies such as Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Holland America Line, Expedia, Nordstrom and Starbucks. OurPlanet365 and the parent company By the Sea Communications LLC, which I own, were no exceptions.
I still have hope for OurPlanet365. In a year that I wanted to be passionately working with a few major clients to build environmental sustainability platforms, I spent more time learning about it than actually doing it. A few people took me under their wings including a few executives at a major software company in the Seattle area that is doing excellent work in the environmental space themselves. I am grateful for their guidance and kindness. And for the contributions of my super smart and accomplished advisors as we launched OurPlanet365 and through the first few months when things were especially uncertain and tumultuous.
I tried different approaches with the company, I read a lot, I got a better feel for the current landscape and kept persevering. At the same time, I had to do some communications work for start-ups to help keep everything alive. Some of them have a strong environmental play and I helped them with those, which is gratifying. Others did not.
One of the things I learned this past year is that several large and mid-size companies are at least attempting some work in the environmental sustainability space already. This is good for the planet. The environmental challenge is a long one and every bit helps. Some companies are much more organized that others and yet I can applaud those that are trying in their own way.
When I started OurPlanet365 last year, I was hell-bent on working with mid- to large-size companies. Now I realize that, in addition to them, there is a need within smaller companies. The ones that are really starting to take off. There are good people who want to do their part at some of those companies, but they are too slammed to know where to start.
One of the key tenets of OurPlanet365 is to provide an accessible way to engage companies in environmental sustainability. This work doesn’t have to be confusing or difficult. I do the heavy lifting to build the programs that can work for a company. It does, however, require some initial focused attention to get to the heart of how a company most wants to do its part to sustain this vibrant planet we live on.
This is all to say OurPlanet365 lives on and I am excited to work with some new companies. I have been an environmentalist for decades and have countless years of relevant experience. Maybe more important, it is an area for which I have great passion.
