Owner Kerri Agnew-Osborne contributed to our Share Your Story page, so we reached out to learn more about how her company Takes Care of Texas as a Proud Partner.
Q: Tell me a little about your company, its history, and what you do now.
A: I started SeaGreen in 2018 to help people learn how to live a more sustainable life. After my own attempts to find products that I knew how, from what, and where they were made became overwhelming. I knew that others were likely struggling with that as well. I took it upon myself to search out other small businesses in the U.S. that are also committed to a more eco-friendly lifestyle and offer those products to people like me.
Currently I work in my local community spreading the word about the importance of saving our resources and protecting our planet by attending local markets, teaching classes on zero waste living, and volunteering to plant trees and clean the beach.
Q: How did you find the Proud Partner program? What made you want to sign up?
A: I found the Proud Partner program when I was searching local programs for sustainable living. I am always watching for new ways to contribute to better the environment. My reason for signing up was to continue my growth and contacts in this hope for a better future.
Q: The goals of the Take Care of Texas program are to encourage Texans to conserve water, conserve energy, keep air clean, and keep water clean. How does your company support these goals?
A: I am always looking for new ways to create change in my business, personal life, and my community. In my home and business, I work to reduce plastic use by finding alternative products and making a lot of my own. I also have reduced the amount of waste produced in both home and business and have reached a goal of only taking garbage to the curb once a month. (Next goal: once every six weeks.)
I also compost all food scraps to keep them out of the landfills, recycle appropriately, and keep the thermostat set lower in the winter and higher in the summer. All shipments sent out from SeaGreen are packaged in recyclable paper packaging and use recyclable sticker labels.
I also reuse boxes when I can to reduce the amount of new material being used and donate from every sale made to help reforest our planet one tree at a time. In my community I continue to share the importance of living more sustainably and share tips with neighbors and other businesses.
Q: What benefits does your company receive from the measures above?
A: The benefits that I receive for myself and my company are first and foremost the knowledge that what I am doing contributes to the betterment of our planet. I hold hope that we can make a change for future generations. But I also save a lot of money. Reducing the amount of plastic I bring into my home has caused me to find alternative ways to clean and to prepare and store food. This change has made a huge difference in how much money I spend on food and other household items.
I have reduced electric and water bills by reducing the amount of energy and water used. I have also benefited by becoming more involved and invested in my local community. It's a wonderful feeling when people come back to you and share the changes they have made in their lives from past conversations.
Q: What words of encouragement do you have for other companies and organizations who want to Take Care of Texas, too?
A: The first step that any individual or business must take is to answer the question, "Why is this important?"
The answer will be slightly different for most. For some it's for future generations, for others it's for the wildlife. No matter what the answer is, it's important to take the first step. Remember that Rome wasn't built in a day, and our environmental crisis was not created overnight.
The change will take time, but I encourage everyone to not give up. Look for new and innovative ways to create change within our business practices, in our homes, and communities. Make one step today and another tomorrow.
If one person can make a difference, imagine what we can do together.
[Photos provided by Kerri Agnew-Osborne/ SeaGreen.]
If your organization, business, or institution is not already a Proud Partner too, fill out the Proud Partner Pledge form. You’ll receive a starter package, including some exclusive Proud Partner decals, and your organization will be added to the list of current Proud Partners. The program is 100% free!
If you’d like to be considered for next quarter’s Proud Partner highlight, leave a contribution on our Share Your Story page.
