Walking the Green Walk: Charlotte's Green Consultant & DesignerCHARLOTTE, N.C. - Elena Michel really walks the enviro-friendly walk and that includes no lights when she's at work! Even her accessories are green; she wears a recycled soda can tab bracelet. Michel is a professional green consultant and designer for businesses and homeowners! She says, "Some people feel a bit guilty about not being green enough, or what they think is not green enough, but its' actually much easier than they think and once I help them get there, they certainly feel better about it." Originally from the Midwest, Michel chose Charlotte to launch her business, Second Eden Studio, because of it's green-friendly attitude. She says, "We're number 20 in the country for greenest cities." The Chamber of Commerce website lists some local businesses that have gone green, including the Great Wolf Lodge, accountants Boatsman Gillmore, event planners Tribble Creative Group and the Ballantyne Resort. "We want to achieve more, we want to be better,” says Michel. Michel lives the green life through and through, even in her choice of office space. She doesn't have her own location, instead, she shares an office with Mosaic Church in north Charlotte, which means she's conserving space and resources. "I'm very much guilty of wandering around the Mosaic office, shutting off lights,” she says. Mosaic Church's creative arts pastor Nate Davis says going green goes hand in hand with worship. "We would still be honoring God and the creation He gave us to use and treat it well,” he says. Michel's encouraged church staff to recycle and conserve energy. Davis says, "I would say either the AC or the lights,” and at a time when money is tight, going green can help save green. "Sustainability is for everybody, it shouldn't put anybody out of pocket, it should put money in your pocket,” says Michel. Michel was also recently named the "Queen of Green" by the Charlotte Chamber. She's hosting a series of web videos that highlight some of Charlotte's most notable green businesses. |
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