All of us have something to say about environmental responsibility. However, very few of us can speak with first hand experience about what “Thinking Green” really means. Kathleen O’Brien, Owner/President of O’Brien & Company, Inc. has spent 10 years educating home owners, builders, contractors and commercial developers on how to improve quality of life by creating sound home and work spaces that are cost effective to own and operate, protect health and well being, and preserve our environment.

It would be difficult to introduce O’Brien without mentioning her work for she literally resides in it. Her home is a showcase for sustainable development and, as “the most shown house” on Bainbridge Island, has been toured by over a 1,000 people.

“Only half a dozen other companies in the country offer the full spectrum of services that we do,” says O’Brien. Her company provides technical and educational support to the construction industry, to policy makers and to the public. Whether developing an education program, conducting a workshop, providing training in waste reduction, or performing product research, she helps develop cost-effective win-win strategies that benefit businesses, the environment, and our communities.

O’Brien is a nationally recognized expert in the field of sustainable construction and development, however, locally she is best known for creating and implementing the national award-winning Build a Better Kitsap program, for the Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County. The first green building program in Washington State, it has been used as a model for similar programs all across the country.

Once a paralegal, a 7th grade teacher, and a magazine managing editor, O’Brien parlays her past, her intense intellect, her sharp writing skills and her commitment to resource efficiency into an astutely focused eye on the present and how our choices affect the future.

Managing Director of Bainbridge Performing Arts, Joanne Ellis, spends her life in that amorphous zone between Administration and Art. Her story is a series of stories, layer upon layer of relationships, histories, characters, and connections that snap to life in the telling. An island resident for nine years, Ellis credits her success to her father. Sitting amongst playbills, scripts, capital funds development strategies, construction budgets, sheet music, a thick contact list and architectural drawings for a new playhouse, I can hear her Dad’s voice in the background proudly teasing, “When are you going to get a real job?”

“Art is not a business. But a nonprofit organization that supports the Arts must be run like a business,” says Ellis, “Work in the nonprofit realm is filled with both responsibility and privilege. A sound business practice is required.” To Ellis that means not just planning for today. “If we think five years ahead, we can solve the problems before they happen.”

A behind the scenes person and a collaborator by nature, Ellis surrounds herself with creative, intelligent people. She admits that she is not the one with the brilliant ideas. Her strength is in conducting, facilitating and channeling those ideas to fruition. This takes time and a “Yes, and……” attitude.

Ellis challenges herself to creative a safe environment that honors the commitment, discipline, focus and professionalism of not only artists and students but also art enthusiasts and the audience. “Our stories are rich, deep and connected and since its debut in 1956, BPA has become an arts and education organization that is central to the life of Bainbridge Island.” With a staff of 5 and a $350,000 budget, Ellis stresses that BPA is “more than just a community theatre. It is the heart of the community!” And as hearts are prone to do, regularly asks the question, “What more can BPA do for you?”

Carolyn Frame, Owner of CFA Northwest Mortgage Professionals is no stranger to Kitsap County. She began her career in banking learning all she could about financing, human resources and business. Thirty years later, in 1995, Frame founded her own mortgage company. Headquartered on Bainbridge Island and recently partnering with Walt Hannawacker in Poulsbo, CFA employs 27 county residents.

An entrepreneur in the purest sense, Frame embodied the 24/7 work ethic before the phrase was coined. Rarely taking a full day off, she sees herself as more than just a mortgage lender. Like the most resilient link in a strong chain, her penchant is to foster, counsel, and develop others. Practically exploding with ideas, Frame strives to create customers for life.

“Originating a loan is more than just a transaction. It is a partnership. Life is full of unknowns and a strong business owner must help her clients manage the unexpected,” she says.

Frame sees the wisdom in managing change and endeavors to be proactive. Much of this is accomplished with continued education and with keeping in tune with the community.

Frame’s community involvement extends to her husband Charlie whose infamous gourmet spreads can be enjoyed at various Realtors’ brokers opens almost weekly.

In over 10,000 square feet brimming with Bad Blanche’s collections, antiques and treasures the real jewel is the establishment’s owner, Connie Swanlund.

One early morning, just back from a long buying trip, I found Swanlund in her Winslow Way store cleaning around her latest innovative window display. A handful of island residents may not know the name Bad Blanche Furniture, but those of us familiar with downtown Winslow know the shop’s windows: cozy vignettes featuring robust dining tables, chairs adorned in rich fabric, candelabras, hammered-steel framed mirrors, ancient screens, vases, and books, all in an assortment of colors ranging from honey to wine. Visions of the lush life. And then there is the amicable music wafting from her doors.

Swanlund created Bad Blanche in 1985 with her first 450 square foot store in Poulsbo. She fondly remembers gracious days when business included tea time with her customers. Shortly thereafter she took the plunge and committed to a second, much larger space on Bainbridge Island. Since then a warehouse location — originally intended for storage and now a fully functioning outlet — has opened for retail business in Poulsbo. And, you heard it here first; a fourth location is in the works.

“I wake up every morning wondering what treasure I am going to discover for my customers next,” says Swanlund, gesturing towards two fabulously ornate ceiling-high columns collected from a recent expedition. “My life’s mission is definitely that of a Hunter-Gatherer.”

Swanlund admits that, although she is blessed with undying energy, she owes her good fortune to her staff. How does a retail business owner operate three locations successfully and travel the world in search of unique inventory? Swanlund leans forward, shyly smiles and whispers, “With the support of a fabulous crew.”

These were but brief glimpses of four unwavering woman. I encourage you to look closer, keeping in mind the sure-footed words of Kathleen O’Brien, “In our desire as business women to nurture and develop others, we have not only become role models for our peers but mentors for ourselves.”.