There are a lot of claims for green products, but we are learning that even calling something green or all natural does not give a product a clean bill of health.  Recycled products use energy and quite often the process for recycling can cause more problems and pollution than the non recycled.  What is a person to do?

For the longest time, I have worked on the premise of making small differences.  These will accumulate overtime to hopefully make a measurable change.  I still remember not being able to swim in the lake down the road from my house – today you can swim in it.  So…maybe there is some progress made by everyone making these small steps!?

One thing Rock Wood is doing to try and make a difference is manufacturing a good portion of our cushions using soy foam.  This foam is actually made from soy beans!  We cover the cushion with a waterproof cover – and in all our testing this foam is as good as foam made from hydro carbon (oil).  So, try it out if you want.  We make cushions for our furniture, but also for other manufacturers as well. 

Maybe this can be your small difference today.

Image of soy cushions at a Ritz Carlton

Well I for one am sick and tired of the economic talk as well and just want to get back to the old normal!

However, I want to remember and be thankful for those who stuck by us in 2009.  We have a great story going forward and our furniture, service and designs are only going to get better.

I personally want to wish everyone a fabulous 2010 – and look for some really great news and views from my travels throughout the year.  It’s going to be fun, adventureous and never dull!!

So in honor of the troops fighting for freedom, let’s take a moment to say thank you very much.  We are better for your sacrifices.

One of my favorite stores in my hometown knows this and cultivates their customers by adding great new products on a regular basis.  So, as a retailer – keep it fresh.  Add color.  Add the different – and shake your customer up a bit.  Those of us who like to shop will drop in to see the new – and maybe even purchase something!

And just a small antecdote about this:

When we first started Rock Wood, I went around to some stores in New England with a small van with some of our furniture.  I off loaded our Nantucket Bench at the front of a store – which was along a major highway.  Within 2 minutes, I had two women drive up and ask about the bench.  Both said that they had seen nothing like it – and that is why they stopped.  I do not know if they would have bought it from the retailer – but they would have come into the store to check it out!