LOHAS...Living the sustainable dream

Ted Ning is Director of LOHAS, an online community that embraces (L)lifestyles (O)of (H)health (A)and (S)sustainability. Ning has traveled the world speaking on and stimulating sustainability wherever he can find it. LOHAS.com offers a virtual library of topics ranging from health and fitness to the environment, personal development, sustainable living, and social justice.

According to current research, one in four adult Americans is part of this growing market segment. That’s approximately 19% percent of the adults in the U.S., 41 million people. The typical LOHAS consumer sees connections between global economies, cultures, environments, and political systems. The connections between mind, body and spirit within individuals is the LOHAS Personal Development focus. Achieving one's full human potential is very important to the LOHAS consumer. According to the LOHAS website, “The current growth in this market group strongly supports the notion that spirituality is no longer relegated to the New Age periphery but is undeniably migrating to the center of mainstream cultural awareness.”

Among other topics of interest found at LOHAS.com are the LOHAS Forum, the LOHAS Business Directory, the LOHAS Journal and the LOHAS E-Weekly Newsletter.

The LOHAS Forum is LOHAS' premiere event focusing on how business, entertainment and media can be used to educate, shape and influence consumer behavior and purchasing decisions while promoting lifestyles of health and sustainability. The LOHAS Forum brings together business leaders from Fortune 500 and LOHAS companies, the entertainment industry, celebrities and non-profit organization executives. The LOHAS Forum will benefit anyone in health and wellness products, sustainable business or social consciousness. The next LOHAS  Forum takes place June 17 - 19, 2009 at the Hotel Julian in Boulder Colorado. Mark your sustainable calendars.

The LOHAS Business Directory lists LOHAS businesses and resources in several categories and is designed to stimulate information sharing between LOHAS companies. The LOHAS Journal showcases industry leaders, companies, authors, market research and ideas that appeal to LOHAS consumers. The LOHAS E-Weekly Newsletter tracks business and consumer trends in the fast-moving marketplace.

Ted Ning was a speaker at the Hollywood Goes Green conference where I met him. The following answers are from the questions I asked Mr. Ning.

VG: Why do you do what you do?

LOHAS/TN: “It is a way to give back while hopefully inspiring others to act. Plus someone has to…”

VG: What is your favorite thing about what you do?

LOHAS/TN: “I am amazed at the opportunities that come my way and the people I meet. I am a people person and it is great to hear their stories and help with their visions. I tend to introduce people to others and then step away. That is the beauty of LOHAS and the platform we provide.”

VG: What is your target market?

LOHAS/TN: “The conscious consumer or LOHAS audience is the one we know best. I think now its getting those that are not familiar with this market segment to understand who we are.”

VG: How do you think what you do benefits the greater good, i.e. the rest
of mankind?

LOHAS/TN: “We are in a time of change and companies are looking for not just ‘green’ ways but ‘better’ ways to do business. LOHAS provides this option.”

VG: How does LOHAS give back?

LOHAS/TN: “LOHAS provides a stage for introductions to like-minded people who are interested in conscious business practices and resources. Through awareness of the marketplace businesses can improve their overall well being.”

As the Examiner's Green Life / Home and Lifestyle advocate for sustainability, I highly recommend this website. It’s fully loaded, packed with information resources and includes articles on topics of interest to sustainably aware consumers. If you're into sustainability, you need to visit LOHAS.com.

For more information:  www.LOHAS.com