Sustainable Venturing

Paul Jerde, Deming Center for Entrepreneurship

"Sustainable venturing is about harnessing the knowledge, power and passion of entrepreneurs to create a new generation of businessnes that strengthen rather than deplete the environmental, social and economic resourses of our plant"

Sustainable Business Practices

By Rebecca Kirchdorfer, Co-owner Downing Street Garage

"For the first time in history it is now possible to take care of everybody at a higher standard of living than any have ever known. Only ten years ago the 'more with less' technology reached the point where this could be done. All humanity now has the option of becoming enduringly successful."

– Buckminster Fuller, 1980

As you can see from Mr. Fuller’s quote in 1980, the concept of sustainable business practices is not a new one, but in today’s environment it’s even more important than ever. Let’s start with what Sustainable Business Practices means. The first word "Sustainable" is defined as “the ability to provide for, by furnishing means or funds.” The word "Business" is defined as “a person, partnership, or corporation engaged in commerce, manufacturing, or a service; profit-seeking enterprise or concern.” And, the word "Practices" is defined as “the ability to perform or do habitually or usually: to practice a strict regimen.” The real question is how these three simple concepts combine to make an impact on our community, country and world.

We at Downing Street Garage see Sustainable Business Practices as having three legs (much like the triangle that Buckminster Fuller believed in): Financial Stability, Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility. A business that integrates all three legs of sustainability reflects the same integrity as the self supporting triangle that Fuller determined to be the “perfect form”.

In short, this perfect form combines the passion and principals of sound financial decisions that create financial stability, a commitment to work in harmony with the environment and the responsibility of giving back to one’s community. This process is circular, where one initiative drives another, and another, and another. To us, these are the critical components of Sustainable Business Practices and we have been integrating them into our business and marketing plans for many years. Nancy Fell, founder of Triple Bottom Line Partners, once told me that "Downing Street Garage is a ‘perfect model for linking passion to purpose’ as a reflection of our business and who we are as individuals”.

This passion for sustainability is popular at many levels from top CEOs of large organizations to grass roots efforts in elementary schools driven by students. Who we are as individuals in our businesses and our lives drives this passion. Our need for economic, social and environmental responsibility crosses all boundaries: and, with incremental steps to achieving Sustainable Business Practices, we can realize the enduring success for all humanity that Fuller talked about nearly 30 years ago.

For advice on sustainability download our report on Tips for Incorporating Sustainability into Your Business.