This 4th project was quite an experience. To start it off the teams were switched up slightly with Ben Gillespie being traded to the 5280 Closers for Giedre Stasiunaite. It made things awkward and slightly upsetting to have this switch occur since the 5280 Closers had a pretty good mojo going, but it was a great experience to get to know Ben better and to interact with a different kind of mind set. I must say, I was concerned because I was unsure of Ben's work ethic, but I can state now that he was awesome and helped us through the project. Not all individuals on Team 5280 Eco Closers were able to help out as much, but they all tried their best and sometimes that is all you can do, is your best.
I can admit that when I heard the other team won I was both happy and upset. Happy that they won and upset that we didn't. I know the other team had done quite an excellent job on their project and you can definitely tell with their presentation. I think that is what it boiled down to, the presentation. The 5280 Eco Closers had an excellent presentation and Ben definitely pulled through with the enthusiasm in the end. Thanks for finishing strong for us in the end on that Ben. I know I was struggling with the lack of sleep we all got and my crazy "red" eye
ball probably freaked out the judges a little bit.
We conducted an Eco audit on Tamales by La Casita, a Mexican restaurant and tamale production facility located off 36th and Tejon. An Eco audit basically consists of analyzing a business to identify their water and energy usage and how much waste is being generated. It is a measurement of how big their carbon footprint is. After getting all that info figured out we had to do a lot of research and come up with solutions that provide a return on investment.
We tried to focus on the ROI a lot since our owner was focused on it. Our restaurant was definitely not involved with the whole process in any way near the other teams (Kate's at 35Th), which created two completely different dynamics to be judged. The reason for that is due to the current expansion Tamales by La Casita is in the process of with their building a new location at DIA.
I feel that the Eco Closers did a fantastic job in dealing with all the obstacles and road blocks that we encountered, both internally within the team and externally with the restaurant. We did after all open Mr. Paul Sandoval's eyes to how he can green up his business while gaining better profits.
This project truly tested us with the barriers it put up along with school coming to a close for the semester. Everyone had projects due, tests, jobs and their own personal lives to deal with on top of this huge task of conducting an audit, finding solutions for the results and putting together a huge report. I really have to thank David and Ben for their huge contributions and Heidi coming to the rescue in the end along with Erin's graphic design skills.
Now I am off to begin my last project...finishing out the semester!
I must also thank:
Ms. Diane Dandeneau from the Green Heart Institute 
(www.ghici.org) Find out what you can do to make the world a better place, get an eco audit!
Professor Darrin Duber-Smith and President of Green Marketing 
(www.greenmarketing.net) Got marketing strategy? Go green in order to make the green with your business!
(www.greenmarketing.net) Got marketing strategy? Go green in order to make the green with your business!Mr. David Steele of Enduring Energy 
GO SOLAR! It just makes sense to.
GO SOLAR! It just makes sense to.Mr. Vince Curran from Pedro's Planet
(www.pedrosplanet.com) Need office supplies? Get green ones from a local source, call Pedro!
Mr. Derek Anguilm of Denver Investment Advisors
(www.denveria.com) Not sure what to do with all that $$ you have? Invest it with Denver Investment Advisors and make your $$ work for you.
Mr. Paul Sandoval and Gabe Sandoval of Tamales by La Casita
Go try their delicious and great tasting tamales. I dare you to have just one. Triple dog dare you.
Ms. Kendra Sandoval of Alliance for Sustainable Colorado
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Without their help, our project would have not been anywhere near what it was. I must thank Stella's coffee house and my girlfriend, Kimberly, for our caffeinated energized project cram sessions as well.
**Losing market share or need to redefine your business? Get Green Marketing to standout amongst your competitors!
**Get all your office supplies from Pedro's Planet because they provide free recycling for
your office and they are a completely sustainable business. All $$ made from their recycling goes straight to Community Shares of Colorado, their vehicles are powered by bio-diesel and they try to source everything from local suppliers that are also sustainable. A true example in having as small of a carbon footprint as possible. www.pedrosplanet.com
***Don't go to Starbucks people, go to Stella's for your coffee and place to study, they are a local business with fair trade coffee and they have FREE wireless internet. Not only that, but the atmosphere is much more conducive to studying or meeting with your teammate/classmates.***
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