First, welcome to 2010!  May it be more than we could hope for and may we give much more than we take from each other and the planet.

Okay, with a title like "Ask It Five Times" you might think I'm going to write about my kids and their persistence with asking something over and over until they get the answer that they want.  Well, that is no where near what I'm thinking about tonight.

I met with a wonderful business associate who is helping me to make a difference in how I approach business.  He asked me why I want to be in business.  I of course replied with the usual starry-eyed answer...."I want to save the planet".  He asked why I want to be in business....I answered "to encourage people to choose healthier products that aren't full of chemicals".  He asked again, why I want to be in business....I felt kind of on the spot, like I was expected to give the "right" answer....but again spoke from the heart, "I want to make a difference"  He asked again, why I want to be in business..."I want to help the children who don't get to decide what products are used on them....by educating their parents and caregivers and providing better products to choose."  Finally, with all of my passion pouring out and my pulse quickening, thinking I'd missed something somewhere he pointed out to me that in order to keep doing the things that I am doing I needed to want to be in business to make money.  Then he asked me why I needed to make money....I understood immediately:  "to keep doing it."

For so long I had been ignoring that factor.  Not wanting it to be the reason for being on my noble quest...but, in all honesty, it is the thing that will enable me to do much more.  Surprisingly, I started to think about what amazing other ventures I could take on once What's In Store dot ca really blossomed!  The ways I could make changes that were truly significant!  The opportunities to teach my children and all the people around me that we can make so many differences that improve things for many if we really let our passions be led with purpose.  When you take a moment to look at your passion, take a moment to dream about where it could lead you...  It's exhilarating!  It's exciting!  It's possible!  Then I realized that there was nothing wrong with my business becoming successful financially because that would lead to being a greater part of the solution.....which, of course, is my favourite reason for wanting to be in business.

So, thank you to those who choose to actively support companies, like www.whatsinstore.ca in the effort to do more about the problems our planet faces.  Cheers to you!

It is with great excitement that we are letting all our loyal customers and readers know that we have been nominated in the Savvymom.ca contest to crown the next Mom Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009.

If you have found our information helpful or would like to see us grow in our efforts to make more health conscious and environmentally friendly products available to all, then please take a moment to vote for us.

The link is provided below and will take you directly to the page where you would submit your vote.  You will actually also be included in a draw for prizes as a voter as well.

Thank you for helping us to continue our efforts to educate, and provide better choices for all areas of life in our one-stop-shop!

http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=105

Regards,

Christine McKague

What's In Store

www.whatsinstore.ca

This is a concept that I recently started to explore.  I don't know how many of you seasoned green people out there already are aware of this....great if you are!  I would LOVE your feedback and suggestions of things to look into.  I think this is a fantastic, and highly overdue way to look at things that we do, make, use, etc.

Basically, for those of you who are new to this like I am, I understand this to mean that companies (at least those certified Cradle to Cradle) are making the greatest effort in green.  It appears that these companies are looking beyond the idea that everything should be able to not affect the planet while we are here, but instead they are looking at making things, doing things, that are not going to harm the earth for generations to come.  We apparently used to aim for Cradle to Grave which didn't take the future that much into consideration.  These new ways of thinking are looking at ways that what we do today can make a better tomorrow for the next generation to come from a cradle.  Beautiful!

I love the trend the world is moving toward:  the greener companies, the green conscious consumer, the recycler, the packaging-concerned individuals, the government (when they jump in), everyone seems to be making small steps and some are taking leaps of faith into a better world.  We should be proud!  I am enjoying a new sunny day - full of hope, faith and a belief that we are really headed on the right road.  It may be a long road because of our blinders from before....but at least the direction seems clear.

Keep it up fellow green people.

Oh, one last thing....I'm going to try to find as many Cradle to Cradle items I can to add to my shop (I've already got the G-diaper on there).  I would highly recommend anyone with an infant to take a look and get acquainted with these!

In my early stages as a custom shopper I did the legwork for others who were seeking products that they wanted but didn't have time to find.  As time went on I started to seek out organic products and things that were good for our planet and our health....Now, the goal I have in mind for my online store is quite simply to do the legwork and weed through all the companies that make claims that they are effective, natural and organic and find the ones that really live up to their claims.  Basically I would like to host a "Harrods online for the health and earth conscious buyer", then it will be easy for everyone to make changes because they would be able to source everything in one place....that would be great!

I have taken the time to research makeup companies, skin care, cleaning products, even BPA free water bottles and have listed only those that I personally feel are quality and actually care about what they put out there for us to buy.  Because I am a firm believer in shopping locally (in your own Country) I try to find products within Canada first, however, I have gone outside of our Country to find the best if I can't find it at home.  So far, I have found all but 2 that are made right here in Canada!  For those that are not, I make sure that they are tested and ethical products before I choose to promote them!

I plan to continue to bring more companies onto my site as I find them - in all categories!  Please let me know if you are aware of any that meet the grade, I would love to check them out and see if they are everything they claim to be....if they do....expect to see them on my site at www.whatsinstore.ca