Entrepreneurs and small business owners are driving innovation today, literally!  Small business owners and self-employed professionals are taking part in a two year test of hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles.  Click here to hear from one of the test-drivers and see what the hydrogen fuel test cars look like.

Small business owners are also starting from the ground up in going green in business. Government incentives and energy savings are two reasons small business owners are choosing to build green. Click here to learn more about green building initiatives and incentives on the small business level.

Small business owners don’t have to remodel or redesign their facility to go green.  Small changes can add up to big savings and impact in daily business procedures.  Reduce, recycle and reuse can make a big difference for the environment and a small business budget.  An added benefit of going green in business is your customers and community may note your efforts.  One way to increase community awareness is featuring neat and well placed recycling bins to promote environmental awareness in your enterprise.

You may also consider teaming up with neighboring firms to reduce collection service costs and space needed for recycling and dumpsters.  In many cases it can reduce the costs of your trash pick-up.

These are a few of the energy saving efforts around my office:

· Minimize use of phantom-power devices with timers, unplug them when not in use, or plug such appliances and chargers into power strips and turn them off  when not in use.

· Switch to energy-saving compact fluorescent or LED lighting products.

·  Locate leaks around windows, doors and install weatherization products.

·  Explore LED and other innovative energy-saving lighting options

·  Maximize daylight in your business

·   Install a water-filtration device on your drinking faucets instead of using bottled water

·  Purchase used or reconditioned office furniture or store fixtures

Cash in with Pet Business Contest Underway for Small Business Owners & Pet Lovers

Yeepet.com is hosting a “Popular Pet Business Contest” now through Oct. 31, 2009.  Yeepet.com is a fast growing online information platform dedicated to pet lovers and pet businesses, and this contest is its way of bringing these two groups of pet lovers together.

The top reviewed pet businesses/services include dog bakeries, veterinary offices, animal hospitals and pet patrol. However, the contestants change daily as more Yeepet members add, vote, rate and review more local pet businesses/services. This is an excellent opportunity for pet owners to support their local pet businesses, and it’s also free promotion for the pet businesses too.

At the end of the contest, prizes worth $300 will be given away to three lucky Yeepet members. The Business Winner will be featured on Yeepet.com and will receive a two month premium advertising package worth $1200 for free.

To learn more about this pet business contest, visit Yeepet.com to view the contest details at www.Yeepet.com