Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Maria Onesto Moran

Maria Onesto Moran is the Owner and President of Green Home Experts, an eco-friendly building and home supply store at 823 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL.

RM: Maria, what inspired you to open Green Home Experts?

MM: I’ve always had a tough time finding green products for my own home, so I wanted to open a store that was a one-stop shop for all things green.

RM: Tell me about the kind of products you carry.

MM: We specialize in eco-friendly building and home supplies, offering green alternatives for everything in the home. Our products vary, but we concentrate on the following:
Made of recycled and/or recyclable materials
Made of renewable resources
Water or energy efficient
Non-toxic
Made with biodegradable ingredients
Not tested on animals

RM: When did you open?

MM: Green Home Experts opened in February, 2008.

RM: How have things changed, if at all, since you started?

MM: Oh gosh, I could write a book about this. I’ve never been so exhausted—or happy—in my life. The store has experienced tremendous growth since we opened, offering a larger variety of product. The community looks to us as the go-to source of information and product. We really enjoy answering people’s questions, helping solve their problems, and offering green alternatives for every day living.

RM: What's next?

MM: We’re looking to expand to personal care products and possibly add a shopping cart to our website.

RM: What's the one message you would like to give to people?

MM: Always trust your gut.

RM: Will you have any special products available for the holidays?

MM: Yes! We are rolling out the holiday products which include
Recycled glass ornaments; A variety of holiday gift soaps; Cutting boards made from locally reclaimed lumber; Messenger and grocer bags made from recycled plastic; Bamboo business card holders

Thank you Maria!

Maria Onesto Moran lives in Forest Park with her husband and two pitbulls, Butkus and Mia. She loves spending time with her dogs and working on her 95 year old house when she isn't at Green Home Experts helping other people with their houses. Green Home Experts is open Tuesday through Sunday at 10am, closing at 7pm T - F, 4pm Sat, and 2pm Sun.

Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Jen Khatchatrian the Eco Chic Organizer

Jen Khatchatrian is the Author of www.EcoChicOrganizer.com and founder of www.ChicagoGreenFamilies.com, which she started in 2007. You can find environmentally friendly social events in Chicago for the holidays or any time of the year on her blog www.EcoChicOrganizer.com.

RM: What is your green business, in this case, businesses?

JK: I am the author of www.EcoChicOrganizer.com, a blog about stylishly going green with urban kids. I also created www.ChicagoGreenFamilies.com, a social organization dedicated to connecting families to conservation. We adopted 2 Chicago beaches this year with the help of the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Chicago Conservation Corps.

RM: What inspired you to start these businesses?

JK: I created the blog because I didn't find a place for eco friendly luxury for families that had balanced humor with education. I created Chicago Green Families because I could not find an eco friendly summer camp for my kids. The first year we connected with families with three different summer camp classes, and this year we focused on water conservation.

RM: What are your goals?

JK: My goal for the organization is expanding to different neighborhoods within Chicago to showcase the benefits of stewardship in our own communities. We are planning on expanding the number of beaches in our water conservation program next year and would love to assign Board positions to finalize the 501c3 status. I also love to share EcoChic tips with families.

RM: Have you received any awards?

JK: In addition to getting my Chicago Conservation Corps Leader designation, I have been featured on WLIT-FM, A Fresh Squeeze, NBC Live Green Series and have been chosen a Green Hero of Chicago by Greenwerks.

RM: What's next?

JK: Increasing participation and making a bigger impact.

Thanks Jen! Before starting her Green Organizations, Jennifer Khatchatrian was a freelance writer. She resides in the South Loop with her husband and two kids. To get involved or contact her you can email Jen at chicagogreenfamilies.com.