Early last month BOB released a request for letters of interest for companies, social enterprises or other groups who were in need of consulting. In order to qualify the proposals were required to have a social benefit to residents or businesses in the inner-city, with particular emphasis on proposals that were green. After a few weeks of collecting these letters of interest BOB’s Consulting Program Committee chose several recipients who will receive a portion of the $36,000 allocated to this program by Western Economic Diversification. According to Brian Smith, Business and Social Enterprise Developer at BOB, the committee thought all submissions were very good in principle, with some fantastic ideas being presented, but in the end the ones that were chosen were at a stage where returns or benefits would be most immediate. They are as follows:
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden $5000
Concept: Green Audit for traditional Chinese garden including office, visitors service area giftshop and business operations. Improving sustainability best practices.
EMBERS Staffing Solutions $5000
Concept: A business plan to analyze the viability and employment potential of of starting and operating a weatherization business focused in the Greater Vancouver Area. Full service green retrofits, air sealing and blower door testing, insulation, water conservation etc.
Saul Good Gift Co.$7500
Concept: Brand development (including brand discovery workshop, development of brand pyramid and 3 COR brand drivers) website development, redesign of logo and packaging and marketing collateral, to aid in the growth of company and increased procurement from inner-city suppliers and social enterprises (such as Tradeworks Training Society)
Recycling Alternative. $4200
Concept: Assess the success to date with the organics waste pickup service; evaluate the opportunity to target and partner with local community organizations providing food services in the DTES; Develop an initial business plan for pursuing these target clients.
Strathcona Business Improvement Association. $5,500
Concept: Materials exchange network, development of online infrastructure to run the exchange via a web platform.
Potluck Cafe and Catering. $8000
Concept: Creation of a business plan for reusable dishware/container service social enterprise in the DTES, reducing waste from to go food containers and creating healthier storage options for housing challenged residents.
Megaphone $1300
Concept: Fundraising consultant to help raise the profile of the publication and assist in a fundraising campaign over the summer, ending Sept 5th.
Vancouver Aquaponics Initiative (Limited funding for consultation with David Lee)
Concept: Creation of a feasibility study and business plan for a sustainable urban aquaponics project in Vancouver’s inner-city (Tilapia, Salmon and organic vegetables/fruits)
If you own or operate a business in downtown Vancouver or EastVan (Strathcona, Gastown, Hastings-Sunrise, Chinatown) or know anyone who does, please pass word on about the upcoming business sustainability expo being held by the Strathcona Business Improvement Association. AND if you know of any green companies interested in sponsoring this great event let them know too!
