A new (green) lease on LYFE

Image: LYFE (& Banksy)

 

Green jobs, lifestyle and climate change are issues that are becoming a priority to young people around the world. Whether it's college kids, recent grads or young adults on their first or second real world job — exploring the possibility of working for environmentally or socially conscious companies is more popular than ever before. Plus with entrepreneurial role models who are under 30, such as Blake Mycoskie of Tom’s Shoes and Tom Szaky of TerraCycle, we see that success in these fields isn’t necessarily dependent upon your age or experience.

 

Last week over 100 young people gathered at Vie Eco Boutique in Los Angeles, Calif., to learn more about a thing called LYFE.  LYFE (Leading Young Future Entrepreneurs) was founded by 20-something eco-prenuers Hillary Newman, Rachel Hurn-Maloney and myself with the purpose of creating a space where young adults who are passionate about the environment and social change could come and gather, build community, find jobs and make friends.

 

The evening consisted of locally made food, beer brewed less than 15 miles away, sustainable wines, DJs and a donation to local nonprofit Heal the Bay. What really made LYFE a success was not just the number of people who attended, but the spectrum of individuals and leaders from all over the eco-spectrum. Green business owners like Sarah Shewey of Pink Cloud Events, Ethan Lipsitz of Apliiq repurposed fashions, Mike Flynn and Crew of Opportunity Green and even some famed green bloggers like Karl Burkart were all in attendance. Many more showed up to network and get their own ideas off of the ground. By the end of the night there was a full-on dance party.

 

LYFE will be sending out a monthly newsletter with updates about volunteer work, job opportunities and information about regular events that include film screenings, networking, mixers and other fun ways to keep the momentum and community going in Los Angeles. 

 

If you are interested in starting your own chapter of LYFE email CometoLYFE@gmail.com.  You can also follow us on twitter at @cometoLYFE and visit our website.

 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tracy Hepler is the co-founder of YourDailyThread.com, L.A.'s source for green, sustainable and local living. She is also an active blogger on Huffington Post Green and writes for a variety of green oriented publications.