The GreenSmartGifts Story

I spent over 20 years in the banking field, starting as a Customer Service Representive and working my way up to a Senior Vice President position. During those years, I learned so much and met so many wonderful people. Early in 2007, however, I had an overwhelming feeling that it was time for me to make a change. I felt that I needed to find work that would allow me to give something more back to this world that had been so kind to me. So, in April 2007, I dropped out cold turkey. I had no idea what I would be doing, but I trusted that if I leapt, the net would appear.

I spent the month of July 2007 on a volunteer effort in Guatemala teaching indigenous children. This was a life changing experience. One of my observations was how very happy these beautiful people were even though they were very poor. This observation reinforced my own belief that it is not what we have that makes us happy, but rather who we have in our lives and our own attitudes toward life itself.

Upon my return, I continued on my own journey to simplify and enjoy my life. I continued to volunteer teach in my own Lakewood community. Unfortunately, I was running out of money! I was waiting for a “sign”—still trying to figure out what it was that I was meant to be doing.

I applied for jobs in the nonprofit sector with no luck. I became a little desperate and impatient, and even started applying for jobs back in the corporate world. I knew in my heart this wasn’t the right thing to do, so I decided to take a job teaching English in Costa Rica. Not long before I needed to respond to the offer, a very dear friend challenged me to instead put together a dream I’ve had for awhile of owning my own gift shop with my concern for the planet.

GreenSmartGifts was born. I was so excited about this idea that I had the shop up and running in seven weeks!

So, what is GreenSmartGifts all about? GreenSmartGifts exists to promote alternate gift giving and more conscious personal consumption.

GreenSmartGifts is first and foremost, a gift shop offering only earth-friendly products. All products must fall into one or more of the following categories:

Recycled—made of recycled materials , reused parts, or scraps
Organic Greeting Cards—made of sustainable and/or natural materials, and/or grown in a pesticide-free environment
Non-Toxic—not harmful to humans or animals during production, use or disposal
Locally-Made—products made by local artists. Emissions from shipping are greatly reduced by using local suppliers/artisans.
Fairly Traded—made by workers who received fair pay and were treated with dignity during the production and sale process
Tools of Change—products that help us to adopt more sustainable behaviors in our everyday lives, e.g. reusable totes and water bottles

The cool thing is that the gifts are interesting and unique while meeting the above standards!

GreenSmartGifts also exists to increase awareness around sustainability concepts. There are “GreenTips” posted around the store. There is a children’s area with books and coloring pages that help teach the concepts of sustainability. Various products are purchased because they also teach a sustainability lesson. I’ve learned so much on my journey so far that I also offer free event and wedding consulting. I’ve still much to learn, but I want to share what I know.

I am not an expert, I just care. A lot.

Live green. Give green.