Nový Mlýn - green tech south bohemia

After all the effort of setting up an Ebay shop - it informed me that I couldn’t put items in a shop inventory unless I had previously sold five items.  Therefore I took the shop back down and am auctioning anything I could think of from my business account on ebay. So feel free to bid on some nice perfume, a set of coasters, photo holder, bath bombs & massage kit to further the cause.

I have also listed the personalised hi vis back pack covers for cyclists as well as an eco shower head.  There are people watching the eco items, but no-one has bid yet.  I guess I’ll just wait and see what happens.  If the items don’t sell I’ll know I need to try a different tactic.

I’m still working full time in a temp position. At least the temping is meaning I’m able to begin to pay off some of the credit card bill which built up over the summer when I was working on 500 Year Vision.  However we’ve not been able to touch the Czech house, or start to repay our mortgage debts on it. At least when we’re over there it’ll give Mike & I some time to think about what we want to do next.

So, it’s early Saturday morning & I have the whole weekend ahead of me!

Yesterday I had further conversations with the supplier of a brillantly simple eco friendly product. He did not want his product to be listed on Ebay, essentially because his concern was that it would devalue the brand by making it look cheap. I totally understand his perspective, though there is no escaping the fact that Ebaying products puts them in front of massive audiences. He gave me the first evidence I’ve had that bogblog does anything more than give me space for business planning & developing ideas – he said that he was prepared to let me put his product in an Ebay shop because he knew that I am interested in changing people’s behaviour for the better – not just wanting to make money like other people who have contacted him about Ebaying his product – and this was because he has read some of bogblog & knew where I was coming from!

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So… progress on the following fronts:

1. Local manufacturer of high visibility gear contacted in regard to manufacturing bag covers with slogans. I’ve arranged a meeting 1st week December - & need to check that ‘on your bike’ will stock them.
2. Onya bags bulk order placed for Moseley Bazaar (and recycled wool scarves started!)
3. Ebay sellers account - low water shower auction set up with nice template
4. Quote requested for Biodiesel stickers

A general question, does anyone know if there is an existing car share system for people in Birmingham wanting to use Biodiesel? Please contact me if you would be interested in joining/setting up such a scheme.

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Steve has suggested putting together a launch event for the next Green Drinks - so watch this space until details are confirmed

The first Tuesday in December will be the 5th - and this is rapidly approaching.

As there has been a fall in numbers attending the event at The Anchor, a new venue is in order.

There is a pub called The Old Joint Stock in the city centre between New Street & Snow Hill stations. Within the pub is a balcony area at the back of the room where we can meet.

We will be there from 6.30 onwards. Look for the table on the balcony with the signs.

Address: 4 Temple Row West, Birmingham, West Midlands, B2 5NY - opposite St Phillips Cathedral, off Colemore Row.

Green Drinks is a self organising network for people involved with environmental businesses. Please let us know in advance if you have specific needs we can accommodate.

I was talking to Mike this weekend about a way of starting to sell bog.  I’ve done a lot of research about the component parts of the system.  And I suppose there would be nothing to stop people from putting together a ’self build’ of the product.  I could even set up an online shop to sell the component parts.

I had been thinking about putting together an online shop to sell some of the fantastic components I’ve come across while researching bog, but it would make sense if the site was set up at 500yearvision.com - which isn’t really doing much at the moment. What I would need to do to make this happen is to arrange with suppliers who can ‘drop ship’ the items ordered on the site.  Of course this means organising my web content for bog & 500 year vision in general… which can only be a good thing.

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It finally feels like bog is back on track.  It took a while to get over the debacle with my former employer.  At least now I have a regular income and a workplace with structure, as opposed to constant firefighting & having no idea if/when invoices for work would be paid. Though obviously it is tough trying to make bog fit round formal work.

So, this week I had a great meeting with Mark from Eco3.  I’m enrolled on training they are delivering to help me design bog in the most sustainable fashion possible & we spoke about possible funding for design work. It was also nice to spend time with someone who is knowledgeable & passionate about what they do.

I also attended the ‘women who’ event at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, and met many interesting women - including a private detective, a woman who project manages the building of stadium (plural?), a representative from National Trust and an old work colleague. Read the rest of this entry »

During the last week I’ve been concentrating on lowering my personal environmental impact.  I’ve been borrowing a bike & getting to work by muscle power. So far, so good. I’ve cycled 30 miles this week through areas of inner city Birmingham and not been mugged or run over (merely lost my mud guard dealt with the chain falling off).

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