I jumped into blogging for business a wee bit early.

My most creative energy and writing are needed with my primary business and my clients, so this blog has suffered neglect. I will maintain a web presence, in 140 characters or less, via Twitter.

The name is still EconGrrl, and the topic still good common sense economics & business sense for everyone. Follow me, or just check in from time to time, I’d love to hear from you.

Yours,
EconGrrl

My partner is rereading the classic Desert Solitaire. I was surprised to find among Abbey’s commentaries insights that speak to our current economy. I suppose that is what makes it a classic, but still:

“An economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human.”

The economic situation of the US is such a huge mess; it cries out for commentary, but there are so many issues, I don’t know where to start. This line from Abbey speaks to one of the fundamental flaws of our current operating system.

The Project for Public Spaces is an amazing organization in the field helping local communities rebuild, or initiate the creation of commons spaces.  Often this includes crafts and farmers markets.   I have excerpted their article on buying local.  If you like what you read, or you want more information on how we got into our current situation, follow the link below to the full article.

–> How Public Markets can Rebuild Local Economies
Reviving local food traditions and economies does not mean junking the existing food system, but embracing new goals beyond just cheap prices and a steady supply. This is plain common sense in a time when economic uncertainty and fluctuating energy costs could mean a sudden drop in food shipped from afar or a huge jump in prices.

Changes in food distribution are already underway and this is evident in the exponential increase of farmers markets, the rebirth of public markets in many places, and the rapid emergence of the local food movement. Consumers increasingly want to know where their food comes from for reasons of nutrition and taste. They also see the benefits of investing in the local economy, rather than distant suppliers. And there’s growing awareness that the lack of fresh, healthy food in low-income communities heightens many of the problems associated with poverty.

Local economic revival goes farther than food. Through the Project for Public Spaces…

An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.
- Henry Ford

Thanks Mr. Ford.  It’s official, I am an idealist.

That statement is probably not a revelation to anyone who has worked with me, or even visited with me long at a dinner party.  Idealism is not naivete; no matter what my uncle Ron says.  The difference is my idealism has legs.  I am succeeding and prospering by helping other community members prosper.

Houston is full of these social entrepreneurial idealists. We can all prosper together.  Some of us are getting together tonight, and each Wednesday night through October, at Beaver’s Ice House for Green Drinks.

See you there!

EconGrrl

I got to work with my client, New Living, at the Greater Houston Building Council Expo this weekend.

It was refreshing to talk to so many people who had a clean vision of what they wanted and what they were willing to pay for it. That is a lesson all empowered persons in the marketplace can carry forward.

Your time is valuable. If you know what you are looking for it don’t take long to realize when that is not what you are looking at. Wonderful, but not for me, moving on. Going through the Expo this way, lots of people were able to cruise the thousands of square feet quickly, and only get details that are useful.