Interview with Kyle Jodice, LetGoGreen.biz

by: Dennis Salazar

25 Feb 2010

25% Off Green Household and Office Products - Details Below

There are now many green e-commerce sites available who sell green products ranging from soy candles to organic cotton diapers, but few are as successful in niche marketing as LetsGoGreen.biz. Their CEO and founder, Kyle Jodice. is a bit of a celebrity in Georgia where his products and company have been the subject of numerous TV interviews and articles. We appreciate Kyle taking the time to meet our readers.

DS: Kyle, please do us a favor and give us a little background on you personally. How did you end up involved and as most agree, leading the green movement?

KJ: I had a 25-year background in sales and distribution, working mostly for myself as a defense contrator, selling everything from toilet paper to tank parts to the US military. The industry was declining, though, especially for small businesses, and I was looking to get into something new. While watching a Diane Sawyer Earth Day special a few years ago I had what can only be described as a “lightbulb moment,” and the idea for LetsGoGreen.biz was born. I wasn’t “greener” than the next person at the time, but thought with my sales and distribution background that I could help the average person “make a difference” in their homes and businesses by making green products available to anyone living or working in the USA. “Leading the green movement” is very kind of you to suggest. Let’s just say there are lots of great companies promoting green products, and we’re happy to be one of them.

DS: When I talk about niche marketing I am referring to the household products you feature on your site. How did you determine that this is what people were looking for, and please give our readers an idea of the range of products they will find on your site.

KJ: As I mentioned, I wasn’t “greener” than the next person. I considered myself the average consumer. I think most people want to do their part to help the environment but don’t know where to start and certainly aren’t going to start by going solar or putting a windmill in their yard. So to me it was all about the little changes everyone could make at home or work, starting with myself. At LetsGoGreen.biz we carry the everyday products we all use that can add up to make a big difference. We all use trash bags, toilet paper and paper towels. We all use cleaners and laundry detergent. We all use light bulbs, paper plates, hot and cold cups, etc. At LetsGoGreen.biz you can get all of the everyday items we all use, except now you can get the “green” version. Plus, it doesn’t matter where you live in the country as we ship nationwide every day.

DS: Kyle, how do you decide if a product is “green enough” to be offered on your site?

KJ: It’s true that a lot of companies are stretching things by calling their products “green.” We get lots of offers to carry products these days and honestly we turn most of them down. It starts with the idea that if I wouldn’t use the product, we won’t sell it. Also, if you have to explain your product to me for me to understand why it’s “green,” it’s probably not an item for us. Again, we’re all about the everyday items we all use. Once a product line has caught our eye, then we check closer into the company to see if they are someone whose products we would want to represent, and if their products really do what they are intended to do and are made out of what they say they are. I personally sample every product before it is added to our site. My simple rule of thumb has served us well so far. If I wouldn’t use it, we don’t sell it. Simple as that.

ISP Readers: Kyle has generously offered us a discount. Use coupon code “FRIEND” at check out to receive a 25% discount on your LetsGoGreen order.

DS: I know water conservation is extremely important to you and most people in Georgia. Talk to us about that and some of the products you carry to help combat that growing problem.

KJ: We had a serious drought a couple of years ago in the southeast. At LetsGoGreen.biz we carry a full line of water conservation products from low-flow showerheads, toilet tank banks, kitchen and bath aerators and shower coaches. Over 75% of the water we all use in our homes is used in our bathrooms. It goes down our tubs, toilets and sinks. By changing to a low-flow showerhead and adding low-flow aerators and toilet tank banks, you can dramatically lower your water usage and your water bill at the same time. These really are products that pay for themsleves. I appeared on numerous TV shows in Georgia and around the Southeast showing folks the little changes they could make to save and conserve water. Again, if we all do a little it can really add up.

DS: One of the things I have noticed about your company is the way you advocate Green as a fundraiser for organizations like churches and schools. I think that is a marvelous idea, so please tell us how you started down that path.

KJ: When my kids were younger I did alot of travel coaching and helping out with school events. Both need to raise funds. It was a natural when starting LetsGoGreen.biz to incorporate a fundraising program into our company. We felt it was a good way to give back. Groups and organizations sign up with us and then ask their supporters to purchase from us and select their group at checkout. Each time they are selected they receive 25% of the sale, paid monthly, year round. It’s a great way to promote green products while earning monies for their groups. It works for schools, churches, clubs, environmental organizations, etc. Really, any group that does fundraising. I’m happy to say we have over 260 groups in 40+ states around the country participating in our fundraising program.

DS: One of the many I things I most appreciate is your “eco consistency” right through your secondary packaging process. I am proud to say our Globe Guard boxes are prominently displayed on your “About Us” page. Tell us about this commitment and what else does your company do to “walk the walk”?

KJ: Whether at home or the office I do believe in practicing what you preach. Our outgoing packages were a big concern to us and switching to using the GlobeGuard 100% recycled boxes from Salazar Packaging was a nice change. I would encourage any company who uses shipping boxes to consider switching to the Globe Guard boxes. We have a company recycling program and use all of the products we sell ourselves — eco-friendly trash bags, cleaners, bath tissue and breakroom supplies. The same little changes I would encourage any home or business to make.

DS: Kyle, are there any new products you’ve recently added that you would like to tell our readers about?

KJ: We’ve been adding lots of new products lately. We just added the Bambu line of plates amd utensils. We recently added LiquiFix, which is the worlds first green spray lubricant. We also just added Oil Gone Easy, and eco-friendly home & driveway cleaner. Then there are a line of Ditto eco-friendly clothes hangers. Finally we have added many new food service items including Ecotainer hot cups, GreenWare cold cups, SpudWare utensils, EatWare plates, JustFresh bowls, and others.

DS: Thank you Kyle, we appreciate the opportunity to share you and your story with our readers. I encourage everyone to check out your web site and buy products that can really help them improve the quality of life and save some money in the process.

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