Business
Heather Bushby Kelly
Second Green City Sponsor: Heather Bushby Kelly
An Intellectual Titan Says Sustainability is Just Plain Smart!
By Gail Conners
What does local business woman Heather Bushby Kelly share with actress Geena Davis ("Thelma and Louise"), prolific science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, and - believe it or not - actor James Woods? All have scored in the top two percent of the population on approved intelligence tests, making them candidates for The Mensa Society. That society is not a country club where membership can be bought; you either have it or you don’t: a high IQ. Davis, Asimov and Woods are members of the society, among a throng of other individuals – famous or not. Kelly has achieved all the ranking and tests for acceptance in the group, but needs to finish some paperwork -when she has time.
Long before she created Vantage Business Solutions, LLC In Colorado Springs and the online resource Colorado Sustainability Record, Kelly was a “Jersey” girl, with the big “Jersey hair and everything,” she admits. She was the epitome of contradictions; while she was attempting to be a rebel and enjoyed shocking people at Hackettstown High School, she was also heavily involved in community service, home economics, and horticulture. Her actions led to various awards with 4-H, FFA (Future Farmers of America) and membership in the National Honor Society, and her academics earned her the distinction as a New Jersey Distinguished Scholar and the only girl among the three National Merit Scholar Semi-finalists in her high school class.
But it was Kelly’s involvement with the youth organization 4-H that truly impacted her values and goals and framed her talents. 4-H stands for Head, Heart, Hands, Health, and offers programs from youth leadership and citizenship to environmental science and plant and animal sciences. She learned “a good life is framed by how you holistically use all four, not just for your own success, but for that of your community and world as well.”
Not content to focus on just English at Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, N.J., she quickly honed in on computer science and software engineering. But Kelly’s passion transcended into helping small businesses succeed. Eventually she moved westward and worked on a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado/Denver until she decided to take a break to focus on raising her daughter. “I wasn’t interested in politics as much as non-profit work,” she says. “Plus, I like small businesses and supporting local owners.” So when she decided it was time to finish her Masters, she chose an MBA in operations management from Regis University and graduated with honors.
While at Regis, she was reconnected with systems thinking, which as she explains, “rolls right into sustainability.” Kelly says sustainability is essential to small businesses. “There’s always a connection to nature there, but the larger concept of sustainability is how systems work internally and with one another. By understanding the system(s) they are working in, businesses can cut costs and attract more revenue in ways that support their ability to be successful and strengthen the community.”
“I love working with small businesses,” she says with a smile. “They have a scrappy attitude. No one cares about a job description or roles of responsibility. There’s an excitement there – a ‘let’s get going’ attitude.”
Kelly says sustainability is essential to small businesses. She’s been learning it since the sixth-grade and understanding soil conservation. “There’s always a connection to nature there, but the larger concept of sustainability is how systems work within one another.”
She hopes her new endeavor: "The Colorado Sustainability Record" will become a regional repository of sustainability related information that makes sustainable actions fun and easy. Her plans include articles, directories, mobile applications, and most importantly partnerships. Kelly says, “There are so many great efforts going on, but we can be so much more when we work together. I am excited to see so many people interested in the wellbeing of the region.”
“SUSTAINABILITY IS ABOUT BUILDING COMMUNITY... SHARING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
WHICH IS ROOTED IN TODAY. FOR BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY SMALLER BUSINESSES,
SUSTAINABILITY CAN KEEP YOU IN BUSINESS AND NOT PUT YOU OUT OF IT."
About the Sponsor: Heather Bushby Kelly began her writing career while in college, with her column Boot to the Head. An irreverent look at “what’s ridiculous,” the column was written in the spirit of radio host and DJ Dr. Demento.
In addition to being President/Partner of Vantage Solutions, LLC, Kelly is a business counselor and educator with the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center, a member of the Chamber and EDC Small Business Advisory Council, and the new Co-Chair of the Green Cities Coalition.
Curiously I asked Heather if she had ever taken a Myers-Briggs personality test and she smiled and said “yes”.
Of the different personality types, she’s considered an Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging (INTJ) type, or one who is known as the "Systems Builders" of all the types, which combine imagination and reliability. They are described as having “tremendous value and need for systems and organization, combined with their natural insightfulness, (INTJs) makes them excellent scientists. An INTJ scientist gives a gift to society by putting their ideas into a useful form for others to follow."
Hmm… there just may be something to this test.
For more information, or to contact Heather Bushby Kelly, call (719) 358-8986; or visit the Colorado Sustainability Record at www.coloradosustainabilityrecord.com
Cleaning is a Dirty Business - Jan-Pro, the first Green Cities Sponsor!
Every motel, hotel, lodge and inn, from Caribou, Maine to Chula Vista, California, all have one thing in common – germs and commercial cleaning. Now, add offices, schools, movie theatres and other public points of contact and you’re looking at a huge cesspool of colossal proportions. Commercial cleaning is a necessity, because let’s face it, humans are cruddy, and 80 percent of infections are spread by hand contact.
“It’s not a sexy business,” says Robert Posch, Jr., who owns Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems of Southern Colorado with his wife Marylou. “And people would be amazed to learn where they pick up germs and bacteria the most."
Purses and pocket books are often the harbinger of illness Posch says.“Women’s bathrooms are dirtier than men’s,” adds Marylou. “Think of all the times women put their purses on the floor, or sink.”Marylou is correct, and in a study by a University of Arizona Professor of Environmental Biology, Charles Gerba, purses are a mobile petri-dish. Said Gerba in an ABC News Report, "The purses are really becoming subways for micro-organisms. They're being transferred from one location to another. So it's just like germ 'public transportation.' I'm afraid to touch them. You know, I know too much. I'll never become a purse snatcher, believe me."
Gerba is the guru of germs and has conducted numerous studies on how germs are carried. In one, he found that the average desk has 400 times the amount of bacteria than a toilet. The list of germiest places doesn’t end there either. The hot spots for grime include: hotel room remote controls, ATMs, door handles, microwave handles, and coffee pots.
“Cleaning alone doesn’t wipe out the germs,” says Posch. “You have to use disinfectant. That’s what we stress with our customers. We disinfect – that’s the difference.” Gerba also concluded in his study of office spaces that using disinfectant wipes regularly cut bacteria levels by 99.9 percent. So how did Posch, who was senior vice president, legal executive and chief privacy officer for BOOKSPAN, a division of Doubleday Book and Music Clubs, become the leading industrial and commercial cleaner in Southern Colorado with nearly 90 franchises, and the first sponsor of the Green Cities Coalition?
“We chose Colorado Springs mostly for its sheer beauty,” says Posch.Residents now for four years, they have also come to appreciate other qualities of the region. “I like hanging out with honest people,” he states. “People seem more honest here than where we lived in Long Island, and the quality of life is impressive. Our property tax is far more reasonable here, and our utility bill is a third of what we used to pay.”
Upon purchasing the business, the Posch’s got involved with local sustainability groups, which led them to the Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network and Southern Colorado Sustainability Conference, where they have been exhibitors and conference speakers. They have attended local Green Drinks and Robert is now a steering committee member for the Green Cities Coalition.
Start the Conversation
The Poschs both share an interest in sustainable ways of living and working, such as encouraging businesses to clean during the day rather than night. Day cleaning addresses a number of factors, none the least of which is reducing energy costs. In an article on industry’s website, CLEAN LINK, it’s reported that companies using night cleaning spend up to one-third of the budget cleaning and sanitation.
"It’s a win-win to me,” says Posch. “You cut 25 percent of your utility use painlessly, use less fossil fuels and employers would get a 25 percent reduction in fixed costs.” Energy efficiency and cost reduction are not their only concerns. Posch will be the first to tell you that the commercial cleaning industry has a greater impact on water environmental cleanliness than any other industry.
"Every school room, hotel room and office building is cleaned every day. It’s not enough to just clean, you have to disinfect,” he says. “And although there are a number of ‘green’ cleaning products on the market, no disinfectant is considered ‘green’ by the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Professionals use antimicrobial pesticides to destroy or suppress the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses that can lead to illness. The two main types of antimicrobial pesticides are non-public health products used for cooling towers, jet fuel and treatment of paper products; and public health products such as sterilizers, disinfectants, sanitizers and antiseptics. Jan-Pro uses a patented eco-product called EnviroShield.
"This is the first commercial cleaning process to combine an electrostatic sprayer with a disinfectant,” Posch states. “The electric charge allows the disinfectant to cover every surface at 100 percent because of its ‘wrap-around’ effect. Sanitizing only removes some of the germs, but disinfecting eliminates them.” The disinfectant is a Category Four, which means there is no harmful side effect to the eyes, skin or lungs, and its non-toxic.
As first sponsor of the GCC, the Poschs are also interested in the industry’s impacts on water, a topic that has gotten their attention. At the GCC’s annual meeting on Jan. 26, one subject area focused on water quality and quantity and Posch is looking to build a water working group within the GCC. Considering his gregarious nature and the Posch’s combined energy and sense of community responsibility, the water group will add invaluable input to our region’s long term sustainability goals.
About The Sponsors: Bob and Marylou Posch run a very busy company, which has among its clients: Catamount Institute, the Marion House, Skysox, and Xcel Energy. In all, they have roughly 90 franchises serving 550 customers in the Southern Colorado area, and were ranked as the number one fastest-growing franchise in 2008, 2009 and 2010, by Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500. For being relative newcomers to the Colorado Springs area, they have immersed themselves in the business and sustainability communities, and have been recognized for their efforts. In 2010, they received the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum award. They are members of many organizations including the Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network, Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce, Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Tri-lakes Chamber of Commerce, Green Cities Coalition, Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Apartment Association, U.S. Green Building Council, Colorado Springs Diversity Forum, The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Pueblo Economic Development Corporation.
If you happen to find yourself at an event the Posch’s are sponsoring or attending, walk up and introduce yourself, as they have plenty of fun, sensible, and fact-filled stories to share. Robert has also authored several books, including The Complete Guide to Marketing. For information on Jan-Pro Cleaning System, call 719.264.1117 or visit Jan-Pro Cleaning's website
Business
Members, Sponsors, Partners and Advisors
Approximately 60 businesses are now members of the Green Cities Coalition, as well business-oriented organizations like the Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network and the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Please see the list of businesses that are sponsors, partners and advisors to Green Cities Coalition.
Benefits
There are several ways to promote your business to the sustainability community in the Pikes Peak Region:
Become a GCC Sponsor: Add your name to our "Sponsor" list with a donation of $10 or more. All sponsors with websites get a hyperlink to their names on the Members page.
Sponsor a Green Drinks: Nearly every month, we organize a Green Drinks/Sustainability Happy Hour at the site of one of our member companies or organizations. We always need 1-3 businesses to sponsor the place, the food and/or the beverages. Between 50-100 people regularly attend Green Drinks and your business will receive sponsorship recognition in the publicity materials.
Advertise on the website: For a donation of $100 or more, we will place an ad for your business on the GCC website front page.
Underwrite a Green Cities Action Alert: For a donation of $100 or more, we will place an ad for your business at the end of two of "Green Cities Action Alert" emails, which currently go out 2-3 times a month to nearly 1,700 email addresses.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities for business, contact Steve at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
