Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Gorski.
Hi Wendy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Sustainable Stillwater MN is a 501c3 nonprofit, formed by a group of local citizens who want to make our city more sustainable, green, and resilient. We do a number of projects like create and tend raingardens, remove invasive species, set up cigarette butt disposal units downtown, label storm drains, monitor our City Council’s activities to advise them on sustainability issues, and encourage biking as a form of transportation and recreation. Also in 2020, a small team created the Greater Stillwater Area Green Business Directory and Awards. We certify businesses as sustainable using criteria from GreenAmerica.org and give those businesses well-deserved recognition with awards and social media exposure.
There is no charge for a business to apply to the directory, and no charge to be listed. We are entirely supported by grants and volunteer hours.
We now have over 60 businesses in the Stillwater area that excel at reducing carbon-based energy consumption, reducing waste, converting to clean energy, use sustainable materials in their products and services, and do work that enhances the local community.
This Green Business Directory itself at GreenStillwater.org is also designed to help the city as a whole to boost economic growth. The Green Business Directory, it is hoped, will attract to Stillwater a new generation of socially and environmentally conscious consumers. The timing of the Green Business Directory and Awards project coincides with the opening of the Lift Bridge Loop Trail in Stillwater and the recent designation of Stillwater as an Audubon Bird City, additionally bringing thousands of health-conscious consumers to our area.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Although public reception has been overwhelmingly positive, the project was a lot more complicated to put together than we realized it would be. We had our work cut out for us. I started researching green business directories all over the country just before the pandemic hit. A business plan had to be written. Other nonprofits and local government agencies like Washington County BizRecycling had been enlisted to help. We had to learn about grant writing and applied for $20,000 in funding. We also licensed application criteria from GreenAmerica, a certification nonprofit. Finally, we had to create branding and the website.
Originally we planned to launch the Greater Stillwater Area Green Business Directory in the summer of 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was delayed to summer 2021.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have a background in communications media and entrepreneurship. I was a reporter and anchor at WNYS, CNN and KGO-TV in San Francisco in the 80s. I also created the Newsbytes News Network wire service, which covered technology news in Silicon Valley and expanded to international tech coverage in the 90s.. The company was purchased by The Washington Post Company in 1997.
During the next decade, I created a successful commercial photography business. I became an activist after retirement in 2012 and joined Sustainable Stillwater MN as a board member in 2019. I have been fortunate to have many creative and smart business partners who taught me a lot about being successful in business. Now I am employing those skills in my community. With the help of many other talented team members, we now help businesses that are sustainable reach a larger audience.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Rather than make this about me, let me also add something about my team members. Kelsey Depew is a young woman with all the skills needed to help the Green Business project: she has a background in environmental education. She is a web designer and a graphic designer who put together GreenStillwater.org and the infrastructure that we use for our internal management. She has done all the branding, social media promotion, and advertising for the project. She also has started to do public presentations on climate change and has also created a handbook that provides people with a way to green up their lives. Nancy Lyner is a nonprofit veteran who has lent her communications and financial background to our project. Without Nancy’s skills, we may not have gotten funding for the project in the first place. We also have Leslie Frick, a tremendously successful outreach ambassador who has brought in dozens of businesses to apply for membership. Also, we have the energy expertise of Don Schuld, and now Sofie Cohen, a second outreach ambassador who is just getting started. Surrounded by all these talented and passionate environmental advocates, my job is a lot easier!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@sustainablestillwatermn.org
- Website: GreenStillwater.org and SustainableStillwaterMN.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainablestillwatermn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableStillwaterMn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MnSustainable
- Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/GBD-Stillwater-Video
