Green lifestyle: A missing catalyst for personal and business success of new entrepreneurs

New entrepreneurs are always important for a country because they create jobs, introduce new products and services, foster innovation, and eventually contribute to economic growth and prosperity. However, new entrepreneurs in Bangladesh get little support from the government to start and survive in the local market, which is highly competitive due to local and international businesses. Hence, they have to take risks, introduce innovation, and stay resilient.

In this regard, most new entrepreneurs overlook a very crucial factor in their entrepreneurial journey: a green lifestyle. In the current climate-change era, when sustainability is not a choice but a necessity, an entrepreneur who embraces a green-oriented lifestyle can concentrate on both sustainable profit and environmental conservation, securing a healthy personal life and well-being.

Most entrepreneurs face huge pressure during the market changes. However, a green-oriented lifestyle can help them stay healthy and innovative because their health would not deteriorate during the time of business challenges or downfall. Research suggests that adopting a green-oriented lifestyle can foster a healthy body, which in turn leads to the development of sound business plans. Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are mainly located in the town areas, which are mostly crowded with noise, air, and water pollution. Furthermore, most of these areas are plagued by heavy traffic congestion. Moreover, the lack of green spaces in these cities can be attributed to the larger population.

However, these towns are also a source of huge business growth and innovation. Therefore, most of the entrepreneurs start their businesses in these towns where staying out of sickness is challenging. In this regard, a green lifestyle can help them stay healthy so they can work harder with creativity.

Some people have a misconception regarding the green lifestyle in Bangladeshi cities, as they think this lifestyle is nothing but a dream due to higher costs and so many formalities to follow and implement. However, a green lifestyle is much easier than we think. Hence, new entrepreneurs should embrace a green lifestyle for their personal, professional, and business success.

Firstly, they should concentrate on eating clean and plant-based diets that would help them to work for long hours, especially in high-stress periods for decision-making. These foods would enhance their mental and physical health, which would eventually support them to function optimally. 

Secondly, new entrepreneurs should create an eco-friendly workspace where they can get natural lighting! Moreover, they should consider planning air-purifying plants and non-plastic or non-toxic materials. Such a work eco-friendly environment can reduce their stress level and help give full concentration and support them to gain higher productivity and creativity by up to 15 percent. Moreover, they can adopt solar energy and buy energy-efficient appliances that would help to cut operational expenses, especially to reduce up to 30 percent of electricity bills every year. 

Thirdly, they should create a habit of using sustainable transportation and increasing physical activity. In this regard, they can walk, use a bicycle, or use public transport, which would have threefold benefits. Such a lifestyle would reduce their carbon footprint, improve cardiovascular health, and revamp mental clarity.

Based on the above, we can argue that a green lifestyle is not expensive at all. Furthermore, adopting such a lifestyle can assist entrepreneurs in strengthening their business position in a market where the number of socially and environmentally conscious individuals is on the rise. In this regard, a green lifestyle-oriented entrepreneur can attract buyers and investors to buy and invest, respectively, in his or her business venture. Moreover, an entrepreneur who embraces a green lifestyle is recognised as a more responsible, ethical, and credible business leader who can not only attract buyers and investors but also create a motivated, loyal workforce. As a result, the retention rate of employees in their organisations is higher than that of competitors, which can help businesses' success in the market.

Moreover, a new entrepreneur can highlight the importance of the green lifestyle that would help them bolster his or her brand trust and create a loyal consumer base. It can also help a new entrepreneur create a strong and thriving network with sustainability-driven consumers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Overall, starting a business is always challenging; however, adopting a green lifestyle can help a new entrepreneur launch their business and secure long-term business success. In this regard, media, business associations, government officials, and higher education institutions, especially universities, can play a vital role in making people aware and motivating potential entrepreneurs to adopt a green lifestyle. As a result, Bangladesh would be able to achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs) that would bring social and economic prosperity and security. 

Dr Md Asadul Islam is a senior lecturer at Sunway Business School, Sunway University, Malaysia. Md Saif Safayat is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at BRAC Business School, BRAC University.