This morning, I began the second day of Design & Manufacturing Midwest by attending an early keynote session, which was free. I expected to get what I paid for. Instead, I heard an inspiring entrepreneur who is passionate about how businesses, both large and small, can save the planet and be profitable at the same time.

Will Marre is CEO of REALeadership Alliance, and his mission is to help companies improve the lives of people and the health of the planet, while generating a related sustainable profit. And, said Will, today’s challenging economic situation provides the biggest opportunity in history to combine technology, globalism, a generational shift, and entrepreneurism to radically reinvent business.

He calls this change “sustainable abundance” and it comes from businesses creating products responsibly and sustainably. Will believes that companies who embrace sustainability will have greater success and customer loyalty than those that don’t. And he is challenging everyone to make a difference. If you e-mail Will at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and tell him one thing you can do to save the world, he’ll send you a copy of his new book, “Save the World and Still be Home for Dinner!”

After being inspired, I took new enthusiasm to the show floor to find companies that are practicing what Will Marre is preaching. And I happened upon Rubberlite, a company that is focused on green products and a dedication to manufacturing and sourcing all of their products in the U.S. Rubberlite makes converted cellular rubber and plastic products, including HyPUR-cel GT, a breathable, thermoformable foam product that combines a soy-based polyol with recycled rubber tires.

There is a great video segment from “The Economic Report” that focuses on how Rubberlite has been able to keep all of their manufacturing in the U.S. and why they feel it’s a no-brainer. Click here to watch the segment, or if you’re at the show, you can watch it in their booth, #2619.

Back to the show floor for more inspiration and innovation!


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