The Green Ledger - Tips for a Sustainable Small Business

Anca Enache
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What if your business could not only survive the ups and downs of the market but actually thrive during uncertain times? What if, instead of constantly putting out fires, you had systems in place that let you step away—maybe even take a real vacation—knowing that everything was running smoothly in your absence? The Green Ledger - Tips for a Sustainable Small Business is the show where making money meets making a difference. This podcast is your guide to building a profitable, planet-friendly, and people-friendly business. In each episode we explore strategies and insights used by big companies and adapt them for the small business landscape. Whether you're serving up meals, brewing drinks, crafting goods, or making an impact in your own unique way, The Green Ledger equips you with practical tips, proven tools, and forward-thinking methods to build resilience, create long-term value, and give you a competitive edge. Join our community of forward-thinking small business owners, and let’s turn sustainability into your secret weapon for success—one entry in The Green Ledger at a time.

Episodes

  1. Episode 11 - Wrapping Up the Season - Plus Your Resilience Roadmap

    6D AGO

    Episode 11 - Wrapping Up the Season - Plus Your Resilience Roadmap

    You’ve made it to the end of the season, and if you’re like most small business owners, that’s no small thing. In this final episode, I share what really went into creating this podcast season, and how each episode builds toward a bigger goal: helping you create a business that’s not just reactive, but resilient by design. Whether you’ve taken action already or just been tuning in while doing dishes or driving to work, this episode guides you in turning what you’ve learned into a clear, simple Resilience Roadmap for the next 6–12 months. 🗺️ The 4-Part Resilience Roadmap Framework 1. Phase one is about protecting what you already have 2. Phase two is about strengthening your foundation 3. Phase three is about optimization. 4. Phase four is about growth and direction 💌 Questions? Feedback? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    13 min
  2. Episode 10 - Track Your Business Impact - What Matters Most for Small Business Resilience

    NOV 15

    Episode 10 - Track Your Business Impact - What Matters Most for Small Business Resilience

    You’ve worked hard this year - cut waste, trained your team, switched suppliers, maybe even implemented a backup plan. But here’s the question: can you actually prove any of it made a difference? If a customer, lender, or even your own family asked,  “What difference did it make?” or “How is your business really making an impact?”, would you have a clear answer, or just a vague feeling?  In this episode, we talk about how to stop guessing and start knowing. You’ll learn how to measure what matters most for business resilience, even if you’re not a “numbers person,” and how to turn your progress into a one-page snapshot that builds confidence, attracts customers, and helps you sleep better at night. 📊 What You’ll Learn Why tracking your impact = tracking your resilienceA bite-sized GRI approach you can actually useHow to track both what affects your business and how your business affects othersNarrative + number = your secret weapon for grants, customers, and team moraleA simple 30-60-90 day plan to build your own Impact Snapshot✍️ Quick Action List for This Week Pick ONE metric you wish you knew right now (e.g., energy savings, team retention)Ask yourself: “If I improved this, what could I do with that result?”Find your current baseline and write it downImagine the story behind the number: what would change for your team or business?📄 Your 3-Part Impact Snapshot Includes: What’s hitting you from the outside (costs, supply chain issues, climate, labor)What ripple effects your business is creating (employee morale, reduced waste, community impact)What’s next (specific, realistic, meaningful goals for the next quarter or year)This isn't a corporate report. It's a one-pager that helps you see, and show, what matters most. 🛠️ Free Resource 📥 The Bite-Size GRI Template 💌 Questions? Feedback? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    31 min
  3. Episode 9 - Money Down the Drain - How Resource Waste is Killing Your Profits

    NOV 3

    Episode 9 - Money Down the Drain - How Resource Waste is Killing Your Profits

    You’re probably wasting 20–30% of your resources without even realizing it. That’s money down the drain, literally. In this episode, I share Rachel’s story, who discovered that her rising utility bills weren’t just bad luck… they were bleeding her profits dry. The good news? Simple changes helped her cut costs, reduce waste, and start saving money she could finally put to better use, like giving a raise, paying her daughter’s college tuition, or taking that much-deserved vacation. If you’ve ever thought sustainability is too expensive, this episode will flip that idea on its head. Waste reduction is profit protection. 👥 Who This Is For Food and CPG manufacturers looking to lower operating costsSmall business owners who’ve noticed rising utility bills or material costsTeams dealing with production inefficiencies or ingredient wasteAnyone who wants to improve environmental performance and profitabilityOwners who think they “don’t have time” for sustainability, but hate wasting money💸 What You’ll Learn The 4 biggest categories of business resource wasteHow to calculate what waste is really costing youA 4R framework: Review, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle/RecoverQuick wins that require $0 investmentA 30-60-90 day plan to cut costs and improve efficiency📉 This Week’s Quick Action List Do a “lights out” audit after hours to spot energy wasteTrack one resource (like electricity or ingredients) for one weekInterview your team: “What waste drives you nuts?”Walk the facility and check for leaks or unnecessary equipment useDeep dive into one utility or supply invoice and ask, “Why is this so high?”🧠 Resource Efficiency = Business Resilience Reducing resource waste helps you: Protect your marginsReduce vulnerability to utility price hikes and supply issuesImprove employee morale (yes, waste affects culture too)Impress eco-conscious customersFree up funds for raises, growth, or even a well-earned vacation🛠️ Free Resource 📥 Want the Resource Efficiency Quick Wins Checklist? Email me for 25+ no/low-cost ideas sorted by energy, water, material, and time waste. 📆 Your 30-60-90 Day Waste Reduction Plan 30 Days: Track key resources, establish a baseline, calculate waste costs Next 30 Days: Implement quick wins, train your team, track improvements Last 30 Days: Invest in high-ROI upgrades, systematize tracking, scale what works 💌 Questions? Feedback? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    28 min
  4. Episode 8 - Stronger Together - Serving Your Community and Your Customers

    SEP 29

    Episode 8 - Stronger Together - Serving Your Community and Your Customers

    What do you do when your sales vanish overnight? The answer may not be in your warehouse - it may be in your neighborhood. In this episode, I share a powerful real-world story of how collaboration saved multiple small businesses during a crisis. From there, we dig into why community relationships aren’t just feel-good extras, they’re a core part of your business resilience strategy. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time for community-building,” this episode will change your mind (and give you a roadmap that won’t overwhelm your calendar). 🧠 What You’ll Learn Why community ties are actually a risk mitigation strategyThe 3-layer Community-Customer Connection frameworkThe 3 Ps of authentic engagement: Purpose, Partnership, PersistenceHow to map your ecosystem and find the relationships you already haveSimple ways to build reputation resilience (even in a big city)🔍 This Week’s Quick Action List Map your  community connectionsReach out to one community organization just to listenAsk three regular customers what they care about locallyAttend one local business or community eventOffer help - no strings attached - to one group in your area 📆 Your 30-60-90 Day Plan  30 Days: → Map your ecosystem → Have three meaningful community conversations → Identify one aligned need 60 Days: → Start one small initiative or partnership → Create one customer community touchpoint → Join one local business group 90 Days: → Evaluate impact → Gather feedback → Integrate into your business strategy 💌 Questions? Feedback? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    20 min
  5. Episode 7 - People First - Attracting and Keeping the Right Talent

    AUG 30

    Episode 7 - People First - Attracting and Keeping the Right Talent

    What happens when your best people walk out the door? For many small businesses, it’s not just a staffing issue, it’s an operational crisis. Are you one of them? In this episode, I share Maria’s story, a bakery owner whose staffing changes triggered far more than a few job postings. Recipe failures, broken supplier relationships, and overwhelmed teams quickly followed. If you’ve ever felt like your business is only as strong as the people behind it - you’re right. Tune in for a practical guide to building a people-first culture that strengthens your business resilience, improves customer loyalty, and helps you sleep better at night. 🧠 What You’ll Learn Why small businesses may actually have the edge in attracting great talentThe real cost of turnover (hint: it’s more than money)The 5 R’s Framework: Right-size, Reach, Retain, Relate, ResultsEarly warning signs of talent troubleA 30-60-90 day plan to attract, engage, and retain the right people👀 Red Flags to Watch For Sudden disengagement or attitude shiftsIncreased sick days or tardinessA spike in quality issues🛠️ Your 30-60-90 Day Talent Strategy 30 Days: Check-ins + job description audit 60 Days: Create growth plans + referral systems + process documentation 90 Days: Evaluate hiring strategy and team culture 💌 Questions? Feedback? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    20 min
  6. Episode 6 - Are Your Suppliers Helping or Hurting you?

    AUG 18

    Episode 6 - Are Your Suppliers Helping or Hurting you?

    Are Your Suppliers Helping or Hurting You? Your business depends on other businesses, but do you really know if your suppliers are supporting your goals… or quietly undermining them? In this episode, I share the story of a bakery owner blindsided by a last-minute supplier collapse, just as her busiest season was kicking off. And then I zoom out to look at the bigger picture: how to evaluate, strengthen, and even rethink your supplier and vendor relationships as part of your business resilience strategy. Whether you buy ingredients, packaging, or use services like janitorial support or software providers, this episode gives you the tools to spot risks, assess values alignment, and build stronger partnerships that help your business thrive. 📦 What You’ll Learn Why suppliers and vendors are often your biggest hidden risksHow to tell the difference between a reliable partner and a vulnerabilityA 5-category Supplier Scorecard you can start using this weekEarly warning signs that a supplier relationship may be failingA 90-day action plan to evaluate and strengthen your supplier ecosystem🧾 Quick Tool Highlight: The Supplier Scorecard Evaluate your top suppliers in five categories: Delivery & ReliabilityQuality & ConsistencyValues & Standards AlignmentCommunication & ResponsivenessFinancial Health & Backup Readiness📉 Any partner scoring below 7? Add them to your resilience radar. 💌 Questions? Feedback? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    20 min
  7. Episode 5 - Digital Door Locks - Keeping Your Business Safe Online

    JUL 10

    Episode 5 - Digital Door Locks - Keeping Your Business Safe Online

    You lock your front door at night, but is your business data just as protected? In this episode, I share why cybersecurity is a sustainability and business resilience issue every small business owner needs to take seriously. Through real-life stories I walk you through the six most common cyber threats and five essential “digital door locks” you can install, even if you don’t have an IT department. 🔐 What You’ll Learn Why 43% of cyberattacks target small businessesSix common digital threats, from phishing emails to insider risksFive cybersecurity basics you can implement without an IT teamHow to start building a cyber incident response planThe connection between cybersecurity and your business continuity plan✅ This Week’s Quick Action Checklist Identify your 3 most sensitive digital toolsTest a file backup (don’t just assume it’s working!)Enable multi-factor authentication on one key accountHave a 10-minute team huddle about phishing emailsPick a Cybersecurity Champion on your team🎧 Don’t Miss This If… ... you’ve ever thought, “We’re too small to be targeted.” Or if your customer data, orders, or supplier portals live online, which they probably do. 💌 Questions? Feedback? Ready to build your plan with a guide by your side? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    26 min
  8. Episode 4 - What Matters Most - Choosing the Right Priorities for Your Business

    JUN 26

    Episode 4 - What Matters Most - Choosing the Right Priorities for Your Business

    How to focus your time, energy, and resources where it counts most - for your business and for the world around you. 💡 In This Episode: ... I introduce a powerful concept called double materiality - a simple, strategic way to set your business priorities by looking at what affects your business, and what your business affects. We’ll explore: The difference between business continuity, risk management, and materiality—and how they work togetherWhat “financial materiality” and “impact materiality” actually mean (in plain language)How to use both views to find your true focus areasHow to bring stakeholder voices into the process with stakeholder engagementHow to map out the business-specific topics in a basic materiality matrixWhat to do with your priorities once you find them 🛠️ Quick Start This Week: Try the 3x3 Priorities Grid Take 20 minutes to write down: What’s stressing your business right nowWhat your team or customers care aboutWhere they overlap→ That’s your materiality starting point. No spreadsheets needed. 🎯 Perfect For: Small business owners feeling overwhelmed by too many “shoulds”Purpose-driven entrepreneurs who want to focus energy where it countsAnyone wondering how to connect impact with business value 💌 Questions? Feedback? Ready to build your plan with a guide by your side? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    18 min
  9. Episode 3 - What Could Go Wrong? A Simple Guide to Risk Management

    JUN 17

    Episode 3 - What Could Go Wrong? A Simple Guide to Risk Management

    This won't come as a surprise to you - something always goes a little sideways when you run a business. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay in reaction mode. In this episode of The Green Ledger, we take a big step toward building true business resilience by breaking down risk management into a simple, 3-step framework made for small businesses (no corporate-speak here). Whether you run a café, a food manufacturer, or a growing CPG brand, this episode will help you spot what could go wrong before it becomes a crisis. We’ll cover: How to identify and categorize risks specific to your business (with real-world examples)How to use a simple heat risk map to prioritize what matters mostFour ways to respond to risk (avoid, reduce, transfer, accept) and when to use eachWhy some risks that look “low priority” today could become urgent later - and how to keep your map dynamicHow benchmarking can reveal hidden risks from consumer trends, climate impacts, and industry shiftsAnd why managing risk isn’t about being paranoid - it’s about staying competitiveWe also talk about how this risk work ties directly into your Business Continuity Plan - making both stronger. 💌 Questions? Feedback? Ready to build your plan with a guide by your side? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    14 min
  10. Episode 2 - Be Ready, Stay Open - The Power of Business Continuity Planning

    JUN 1

    Episode 2 - Be Ready, Stay Open - The Power of Business Continuity Planning

    When disaster strikes, will your business be ready - or scrambling? Wildfires, tariffs, equipment failures, a sick employee, even a lost shipment - small businesses face disruptions all the time. But here’s the thing: most don’t have a real plan to deal with them. In this episode of The Green Ledger: Tips for a Sustainable Small Business, we’re digging into one of the most underrated but essential tools for small business resilience: the Business Continuity Plan (BCP). A BCP isn’t just for big corporations. In fact, small businesses benefit the most—because every hour of downtime hurts more, and every disruption feels more personal. Whether you're a food manufacturer, coffee roaster, or apparel producer, this episode will help you get clear on how to protect your operations, team, and customer relationships when the unexpected happens. 💡 Here’s what we cover: What a Business Continuity Plan really is (and what it’s not)The 8 steps to create your own BCP - simple, clear, and totally doableHow to identify critical functions, assess risks, assign roles, and keep stakeholders in the loopCommon pitfalls A real-world example of how a small chocolate manufacturer tailors their BCPRecommendations to strengthen your plan📌 Why this matters: This episode is about more than disruption prep - it’s about protecting your progress and building a business that can bounce back stronger. A good continuity plan doesn’t just help you survive a crisis. It helps you lead through one - with confidence. 🎯 Whether you’ve never created a BCP or have one gathering dust in a drawer, this episode will give you practical tools to take action today. 🔧 Tools and frameworks mentioned in this episode (contact me for a free copy): Business Impact Analysis (BIA)Risk Heat MappingStakeholder Communication PlanningPost-Incident Reviews for continuous improvement 💌 Questions? Feedback? Ready to build your plan with a guide by your side? Reach out at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com - I’d love to hear from you. 🎧 Listen now - and take the first step toward a more resilient business. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog Send us a text

    23 min
  11. Episode 1 - How it started

    JUN 1

    Episode 1 - How it started

    Welcome to The Green Ledger - Tips for a Sustainable Small Business What if your business could do more than just survive uncertainty - what if it could thrive because of it? In this opening episode, I share the real story behind why I started this podcast and how I came to believe that sustainability is not just a feel-good add-on; it’s a smart business strategy. You’ll hear about my personal journey (speech bumps, language barriers), why small businesses deserve the same tools as big corporations, and how frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) can be simplified and made practical - just for you. Whether you’re juggling supplier calls or dreaming of a stress-free vacation, this show is here to help you build resilience through small, sustainable steps that create long-term impact. 🎧 Tune in and let’s get started on creating a business that’s resilient, responsible, and ready for anything. I am the founder of 3P Impact Consulting and I help small businesses build long-term resilience through sustainable practices. I adapt tools used by big corporations to fit the reality of purpose-driven small business owners - so they can grow with confidence, even in uncertain times.  💻 Learn more about my work at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/services-overview 📬 Subscribe to my blog and newsletter at www.3pimpactconsulting.com/blog 📩 Want to get in touch? Email me at anca@3pimpactconsulting.com Send us a text

    7 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

What if your business could not only survive the ups and downs of the market but actually thrive during uncertain times? What if, instead of constantly putting out fires, you had systems in place that let you step away—maybe even take a real vacation—knowing that everything was running smoothly in your absence? The Green Ledger - Tips for a Sustainable Small Business is the show where making money meets making a difference. This podcast is your guide to building a profitable, planet-friendly, and people-friendly business. In each episode we explore strategies and insights used by big companies and adapt them for the small business landscape. Whether you're serving up meals, brewing drinks, crafting goods, or making an impact in your own unique way, The Green Ledger equips you with practical tips, proven tools, and forward-thinking methods to build resilience, create long-term value, and give you a competitive edge. Join our community of forward-thinking small business owners, and let’s turn sustainability into your secret weapon for success—one entry in The Green Ledger at a time.

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