8th August, 2007: Governor Rell Signs Energy Efficiency Bill at Bigelow Tea Headquarters
Governor Rell signs new Energy Efficiency Bill
“DO ONE THING,” that is the new program Governor Rell announced today as she came to Bigelow Tea to sign the most comprehensive energy efficiency bill in the history of Connecticut. If we all do “one thing” every day to conserve energy, we will make a huge difference long term for our state and our planet: turn off the lights earlier, unplug your cell phone charger, run your dishwasher as late at night as possible…all simple options we can do to make a difference.
The Governor came to Bigelow Tea for the bill signing as we had just installed almost 900 solar panels on our roof-enough to generate up to 20% of our energy requirements in a much more environmentally friendly manner. Part of the bill that Governor Rell signed into law encouraged a 10% reduction in electricity requirements from Connecticut businesses…and I am so excited to say we did our part! But it doesn’t stop there, yes we installed solar panels, but we are committed to doing even more.
We need to all do our part and “do one thing” every day to help make our planet a better place. Yes, it was a super day here at Bigelow Tea!
Bigelow Tea headquarters rooftop ribbon cutting with Bigelow family and staff. Our new solar panels are in the background.
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7th August, 2007: The Greening of Connecticut
Very exciting, our Governor, Jodi Rell, is coming here this week to sign an environmental bill on our rooftop, standing by our newly installed solar panels. We worked very closely with the state of Connecticut to pull this project together, and Governor Rell, who has been really trying to drive for a more environmentally friendly state, is coming here to show her support for our work as well as to help promote this new bill.
The bill is extremely extensive. It includes things like expanding the “green building” requirements for state facilities and new school projects, it authorizes $30 million in bonding for energy efficiency in state buildings, it extends and expands the sales tax exemptions for energy efficiency and the bill even provides grants to people who replace their furnaces with more efficient models.
Governor Rell clearly sees the need to push for a “greening” of our state and Bigelow is proud to be a part in helping achieve that goal. The solar panels we installed on our roof will eliminate approximately 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide every year. That equates to reducing cars on the road by 5 1/2 million miles of driving a year or is like planting 33 acres of trees….I like to think of it as Bigelow Tea just got a little greener.
We are proud of our part in helping to protect our planet earth. We will keep you posted as we continue along in our quest.
Time to go, but it is too warm for a hot cup of Bigelow Tea, I think I am going to make green tea with mango and then put it over ICE!
Cindi Bigelow
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20th July, 2007: Thank You Joe Torre and Phil Simms!
What a great day I had on Tuesday-got to spend hours with two great, great giants, Joe Torre and Phil Simms. We are doing our marketing campaign for this upcoming season and I had an opportunity to interview both guys about tea, sports, life philosophies-it was truly a special experience for me. The conversation was on video so I will have an opportunity to share it on our blog. I am like a little kid, I cannot wait to see it. These guys were so gracious, engaging, and warm and we did it while sharing a cup of Bigelow Green Tea. It was a day to remember!
Cindi Bigelow
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11th July, 2007: A Week in Appalachia
Wow what a week. I just got back from Appalachia where a team of us helped repair homes. What beautiful people in West Virginia. They were so welcoming, so accepting, so kind! This was my second year of going to Appalachia with a team of young adults and adult advisors. The projects varied from roof repair to plumbing to rebuilding floors, ceilings, walls, you name it. During the week you get very close to the family in which you are serving. Their appreciation was so heart felt that it continues to bring tears to my eyes thinking about it. While I was in a local hardware store, I watched as one resident wasn’t sure he could afford a 45 cent part-my heart was breaking just thinking about all these people have to do to make things work. But even though their situations are challenging, their capacity for love and kindness is immeasurable. To me the most touching part was when the woman of the family of our home said to our team when we were leaving, “it doesn’t make a difference what you did to our home, it means so much more that you came into our lives and became our friends”. Yes, it was a week I won’t ever forget, people I will stay friends with forever, and memories to last a lifetime.
Cindi Bigelow
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22nd June, 2007: Nine Brave Firefighters from Charleston
From all of us at Bigelow Tea, our hearts go out to the nine firefighters who have lost their lives through the terrible tragedy in Charleston, S.C. where a blaze consumed a furniture store. This is, we know, a difficult time for the friends and family of such heroic men who have died in the line of duty while trying to help others and while trying to make the world a safe place. Their bravery makes this tragedy that much harder to accept!
As many of you know, our Charleston Tea Plantation is right outside of Charleston. The Bigelow family has had the opportunity to spend time in that wonderful part of the country in the last couple of years. The community is warm, caring, and giving, and we know that in this difficult time, the town will pull together and help each other.
You never know what life has in store for you but for sure every day is a gift! When we lose those we love and/or those who are doing good work, it makes you stop and take pause.
Create a little extra time today to reach out to those you love. It will honor the lives of nine brave men from Charleston and all Firemen who have lost their lives to save others!
Cindi Bigelow
Co-President, Bigelow Tea
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19th June, 2007: Bigelow Tea Builds a Home!
Just came off a great weekend with about 20 of our employees. We had a Bigelow Tea day in Bridgeport, Connecticut to help build a home for Habitat for Humanity. It is such a great feeling-a team (most of us completely unskilled but with big smiles and tons of “willingness”) working on hanging doors, putting up trim, painting, caulking, you name it. And when we were done, the family came to see our work and received a Bigelow tea chest with a name plate that monogrammed the tea chest with their family’s name. It was a great day!
One of the best things about this company is its desire to give back-not because it is good PR but because it is the right thing to do. Now I actually know how to hang a door-not bad for tea lady with zero skill sets in the building arena.
I could not be more proud of the team of people I work with every day-I am fortunate to work with them and I am fortunate we are able to do such rewarding and invigorating things like we did this past Saturday…yes, it was a great day.
Cindi
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13th June, 2007: A Tea Day
Out making sales calls this week. Yesterday was a great day, I have to remember that if you believe (and I know I do have the best tasting tea around) and you are persistent, you will make people see the light.
I have had some pretty hard core “nos” turn out to be some of my best supporters over time. Just got super news on an account that I have been working on for a year and a half!!! It is great when they become believers in your line as well… Yeap it was a great day.
Cindi
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4th June, 2007: National Iced Tea Month
June is National Iced Tea month….bet you didn’t know that! I just found out about it last year…anyway to honor that special occasion, we have put together an Iced Tea recipe contest on our website. So far we have received the most interesting recipes from consumers. You have to join in, that way we all get to try your tea ideas and you get a chance to win some fun prizes.
Everyone that knows me, knows that creating recipes is not my thing, but I am super at trying them! So I hope you will join in and submit your favorite Iced Tea recipe idea….looking forward to it!!!!
Cindi Bigelow
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25th May, 2007: Summer’s Breeze
Well this May has had a chill in the air and that is GOOD….keeps those tea pots still whistling. Our team is diligently working on our newest teas for next year, and they are going to be fabulous.
I will be honest, I am looking forward to things slowing down a tad over the next few summer months. It was an extremely active winter and I feel like a few “low key” days would be just what I could use right about now, so although I like those lower temperatures (for many reasons), I am ready for a few 80 degree plus days…..come on summer, I’m waiting!
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18th May, 2007: Life in the Tea Lane
Never ceases to amaze me how many hats I have to wear in this company-it is very fun, very exciting but it sometimes makes me laugh how many directions I go in one day!
It is very easy to get caught up in “brush fires” all day and I concentrate very hard on ensuring that I make time for longer term thinking and longer term projects. If you were to ask me, I would say I use a 40-60 rule. Not sure that is the right split for my position, but I would say I spend about 40% of my time on strategic moves and 60% on the immediate situations at hand.
It is not uncommon to hear me laughing through the halls as I scurry by on my way to the next meeting-I cannot help but be amused at the pace I often have to keep.
My parents were absolutely fantastic at turning the company over to me and my sister to run it, and when I am in my full out sprint through the building, I can see the wisdom in their decision for more than one reason. In today’s environment, you really have to be on the go all of the time….well time to head off to my next meeting…got to go!
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