Farnoosh Torabi's Blog, page 28
September 3, 2013
A New Spin on Responsible Drinking
Today, Melkon Khosrovian and Litty Mathew understand that the bottle — what it’s made of and the information on it — is just as important as the spirit that comes inside.
It’s quite a change for the the husband-and-wife owners of Greenbar Distillery based in Los Angeles, California, who were almost single-focused on taste when they began bottling back in 2004. “Our thing was to have great flavor in the bottles,” explains Mathew. “Our journey into organic, sustainable and eco-friendly [practices] really started with our farmers. They were figuring out [new ways] to make sure there would be farmland left for the future, for their kids. We wanted to support them.”
The decision to go green was an easy one for the couple, and the changes they made as a result extend beyond all-organic ingredients. “We now use a lighter-weight glass, 100% recycled labels, non-synthetic inks, PET tops,” says Mathew. “Bars love to reuse our bottles for things like sours and simple syrup because they’re light on the wrist. We’re all about that.”
Green packaging is not just good for the environment. According to this article from PackagingDigest.com, less materials and lower shipping costs can have a substantial impact on a product’s bottom line. There are also built-in marketing opportunities that come with a company’s upping its “environmental profile.”
In addition to more environmentally-friendly standards and practices, Greenbar has partnered with the Maine-based non-profit Sustainable Harvest International to plant one tree for every bottle sold, helping to make its TRU line of organic vodkas and gins the most carbon negative consumer product on the market. Reportedly, a single TRU cocktail more-than-negates the average American’s carbon footprint for the day
Mathew insists Greenbar’s commitment to the environment has nothing to do with test markets or consumer preferences. “For us, going organic is not a trend, it’s a way of making better products,” she says. “Take citrus, for example. Without the pesticides and fertilizers found in conventional farming, these plants have to fend for themselves to survive against pests. In the case of citrus that means having more aroma in the skins. And that’s what we’re using: citrus whose skin is very, very aromatic. That’s our difference.”
Evidence of the company’s rapid growth, which Mathew puts at 30-50% per year, is everywhere. Their new headquarters in downtown Los Angeles has a production capacity of 300,000 cases per year, which is ten times what they could produce at their old Monrovia-based spaces. The acquisition of a hybrid pot still with side-mounted column (from Vendome) and a continuous fractionating column still (from Headframe) have transformed Greenbar into LA’s only distillery and its first since Prohibition.
So far, Mathew hasn’t let all the recent success go to her head. “Our job is still to be very transparent in what we do,” she says. “TRU customers want to know where their product comes from and what’s in it. Our bottles list all the ingredients which is almost never the case in the liquor business.”
August 30, 2013
3 Tips To Strengthen Your Network
When it comes to getting what you want out of your connections, how effective is your network?
The importance of a strong professional network can’t be overstated. It’s been said that your network is your net worth and, in fact, research shows that who you know can have a big impact on even something as big as landing a job. A recent survey of HR executives found that traditional networking was ranked as the most effective job search method – more effective than social media, online job boards and recruiting firms.
Now, we all have a network. It consists of the people around us, folks with whom we’ve worked in the past, former classmates, friends, etc. But with so much significance placed on a strong network, what are ways to build and harness your network? Not to mention, how to identify is yours is dead?
I spoke recently with Faith McKinney, an expert in connections and radical PR. Known in some circles as “The Great Connector,” she’s also the author of the upcoming book “Schmingling- The Art of Being Well Connected,” due out in the fall. From hosting years of “Successful Thinkers” networking events in Indianapolis, McKinney says she’s learned that the strongest relationships are built face to face and shared her tips to building a better network.
Traditional Networking is Still the Best
Networking over social media platforms is on the rise but McKinney says, as of now, it’s no substitute for face-to-face interaction. If you’re currently in a situation where you’re not meeting people in your industry or forging deep connections, it’s probably because you’re spending too much time online. That doesn’t mean give up on your online efforts but ramp up on events, mixers, seminar, conferences and other opportunities to meet and engage likeminded people. Remember, there are still tons of social and professional organizations that – because of their scale, history and name – will be able to connect you with in meaningful ways with the folks you want to meet.
Figure Out What You Want
“One of the main reasons our networks don’t work is because we’re not clear on what we want and haven’t shared that with our network,” McKinney says. Whether it’s a cocktail mixer, a conference or meeting of your professional organization, her advice before entering any networking opportunity is to first write down the goals you want to achieve out of the opportunity. That goal will become your mission and it’ll help direct your conversation and interaction.
Find The Right Organization
Another important reason to define a networking goal is so you can identify the appropriate networking event and organizations. “Certain types of groups service certain needs, McKinney says. “There are social groups without much structure that serve to just bring people together. Those are often best for young professional who just want to meet people. Then there’s larger, more regimented groups that provide business-to-business support. These are typically industry-specific groups. Lastly, there’s referral-based where there’s only one professional from each industry in each organization. These types of groups are smaller, selective and typically for more seasoned professionals.” McKinney suggest once you’ve identified the group that’s best for you, talk to organization leadership to share a bit about yourself. “A good leader will help you find your place in an organization and help you get what you need out if it,” she says.
Photo Courtesy, SAPStartups.
August 29, 2013
How One Woman Turns Trash Into Treasure
Messina W. from Altoona, Iowa has always been thrifty. She’s helped friends and family make the most of old, funky, mis-matched furniture for as long as she can remember, and loves to collect oddball trinkets like vintage artwork, figurines and textiles for recovering old chairs and ottomans. She’s even gone as far as updating, or ‘up-cycling’ items she’s yanked directly out of the street trash.
“I get things from the curb during neighborhood curb days or once in a while I find something random that’s been tossed out. I also get a lot of things from flea markets, garage sales and thrift stores. And I’ll get old barn-board wood scraps from a friend’s farmhouse,” she says.
Messina takes these finds and, with the help of a carpenter friend, turns them into viable pieces of furniture like headboards, coffee tables, carts, lamps, and book shelves.
“I do it because it’s almost like a habit. I just like to be creative and [turn] something discarded into something awesome.”
What started as an eye for style and an affinity for vintage, soon became Messina’s full-time business. Spaces to Love is an interior design firm that specializes re-used, recycled, and up-cycled materials. Messina says that while she does think about the environment, it’s not her primary motivation. Instead, it’s about saving her business and her customers money.
“My last project, I saved [my client] around $700. Overall my business saved thousands last year.” Messina says that while this aesthetic doesn’t work for every project, it does allow her to be more creative and competitive with budgets. She tries to work at least one up-cycled or recreated piece into each room. “Something you can’t just go out and buy,” she says.
If you’re not afraid to think outside the trash box, here are a few of Messina’s tips for working treasure into any room:
Baubles That Don’t Cost Bank
Mixing old with new is big right now, so look for inexpensive pieces that add charm:
– Vintage trays, painted baskets and glass vases can add instant color
– Mason jars or discarded containers like a honey bear can be gilded in gold (find kits at your local craft store) for a unique look
– Old tins, barrels, bathtubs and ceramics make great planters
Natural Costs Nothing
Salvaged responsibly, drift wood, rocks, and shells become rustic decor:
– Tree stumps make gorgeous seating indoors and out
– Use paint to perk up pinecones or other natural elements
– Dry your own florals and mosses (spray paint adds brightness that lasts forever!)
New Uses for Old Things
No need to run out and buy something new. You might just have creative furniture solutions in your own basement or attic:
– An old sewing machine table turns into a classy bar cart with just silver paint
– Two step ladders with a few pieces of plywood become a shelf
– Desk drawers, hung flush against a wall become a shallow shelf for bathrooms and pantries
– Dresser drawers, placed on the ground top-side up, can be used as a bed side or end table
Photo Courtesy of: SpacesToLove
Pack the Perfect Carry-On
When flying, the average checked baggage fee is about $25 per bag. For a family of four flying roundtrip, that’s easily $200. Skip the sky-high fees by bringing everything you’ll need in a carry-on. Read more here.
Tell us your carry-on packing tips. Connect with me on Twitter @Farnoosh and use the hashtag #FinFit.
5 Fraudulent Foods
There are many advantages to a global marketplace, but one of the pitfalls is that not all countries have the same food supply regulations. Experts say that makes the following five products vulnerable to contamination. Read more here.
Know of any other potentially fraudulent foods? Connect with me on Twitter @Farnoosh and use the hashtag #finfit.
August 28, 2013
Dry Cleaning Tips
Are Super Foods Worth the Price?
Best Things to Buy in September
The last days of summer can feel a little weird. Fun in the sun is ratcheting down. It’s a time marked mostly by back-to-school sales, but there are deals out there that aren’t just for the students.
Experts over at DealNews.com have combed through their archives of sales and coupons to put together a list of best buys for the month of September. Check it out.
Labor Day Sales
Along with being a day to celebrate the American worker, Labor Day is also great opportunity to put your hard-earned money to work. Sales typically run on summer apparel and that’s where you’ll see the biggest discounts. According to DealNews’ analysis of previous years, high-end brands including Brooks Brothers, Williams-Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, and Anne Klein are expected to have hefty sales that generally end near the holiday.
Outdoor Items
With summer winding down, retailers are also ready to clear out their inventory of grills, outdoor furniture, etc. That means a bargain, so now’s the time to load up on things you’ll need next summer. Outdoor items make up the majority of Labor Day sales and prices will begin to drop at the beginning of September. For the best deals, check with big retailers like Target and Sears. They took up to 60% off their stock last year, According to DealNews – not to be outdone by Kmart. last year, the company took up to 90% off its outdoor items.
New Mattress
Is your mattress lumpy? Do you sometimes wake up feeling tried and cranky. Odds are you’ve probably worn your mattress out past its 30,000-hour life span. Good news: mattresses also see steep discounts during Labor Day sales. Expect up to 50% off from major retailers including US-Mattress and Sears. Another perk is that many will also offer free shipping, saving you even more.
Bonus: Maybe A New iPhone?
Finally, have you heard the rumors about Apple’s new iPhone 6? Well, according to most sources, the tech giant is planing to unveil its latest smartphone in September. No one is exactly sure how much the new phone will be. Apple is toying around with the idea of implementing a new trade-in program for customers who want to upgrade models, something that could help offset the price and help in environment. Whatever happens, one thing that’s for certain is that a new iPhone on the market will drive down the price of previous models, perhaps making a new phone more accessible for some. If you’re looking to finally replace that phone with the cracked screen or go from a iPhone 4s to iPhone 5, September could be your month.
Photo Courtesy, Alan Cleaver.
August 26, 2013
Financial Skinny: Obama’s Higher Ed Proposal
President Obama unveiled a new plan Thursday that he says will make higher education more affordable. It includes a rating system that will link federal funding to the cost and performance of institutions.
Before a crowd of more than 7,000 at the University of Buffalo in Upstate New York, the President said, “A higher education is the single best investment you can make in your future.”
For many Americans, however, the rising cost of college and almost-inevitable debt has made that investment pretty questionable. The cost of tuition at four-year public universities, for example, has risen 250% over the last 30 years as the average family income has risen just 16%. Today, the average student loan borrower graduates with more than $26,000 in debt.
“It is time to stop subsidizing schools that are not producing good results and reward schools that deliver for American students and our future,” Obama said.
President Obama has asked officials at the Department of Education to put together a rating system based on factors including: a college’s percentage of students eligible for Pell grants, affordability of schools and how well schools prepare students for post-graduate study and careers. Ratings are set to be released before the beginning of the 2015 school year and Obama is asking Congress to dispense federal student aid based on those ratings starting in 2018. By awarding larger Pell grants and more affordable loans to students at the arguably high-performing schools, the President hopes to encourage competition among institutions.
For Americans that still struggle with federal student debt, he’s also asking Congress to cap payments on loans at 10% of monthly income – an expansion of the administration’s existing income-based repayment program.
