Why the Pandemic Changed How I See the Environment — And Inspired My Sustainable Small Business in 2025
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, it forced many of us to pause and reflect on what really matters. For me, it was a turning point in how I understood our relationship with the environment. I had always cared about sustainability in theory, but during the pandemic I began to notice just how fragile and interconnected our world truly is. That realization changed the way I live—and ultimately inspired me to start my own sustainable small business in 2025.
How the Pandemic Opened My Eyes
In 2020, when lockdowns reduced traffic and air travel, cities around the world reported cleaner skies and clearer water. Wildlife returned to spaces that had long been overtaken by humans. For a moment, it felt like the planet was healing. But alongside that, I also saw an alarming rise in single-use plastics, packaging waste, and disposable masks. It was clear: small changes could heal the planet, but large-scale behaviors were still harming it.
This contrast made me realize that environmental impact isn’t just about individual choices—it’s also about how industries operate.
The Profit-First Mentality of Large Companies
As I looked deeper, I became frustrated with how large corporations often prioritize profit over sustainability. Despite their glossy marketing campaigns filled with words like eco-friendly and green, many companies continue to rely on unsustainable packaging, exploit cheap fossil fuel resources, and delay meaningful changes. Their so-called “sustainability initiatives” often felt like greenwashing—more about public image than actual impact.
Meanwhile, consumers like me were left with few choices. If the biggest companies weren’t going to lead with true responsibility, then smaller, value-driven businesses would have to step up.
From Awareness to Action: Starting My Eco-Friendly Business in 2025
This realization planted a seed that grew over the next few years. I knew I wanted to do more than just complain—I wanted to create solutions. That’s why, in 2025, I started my own eco-friendly small business. My goal wasn’t only to provide great products, but also to ensure that sustainability was built into every decision from the start.
Why the Pandemic Changed How I See the Environment — And Inspired My Sustainable Small Business in 2025
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, it forced many of us to pause and reflect on what really matters. For me, it was a turning point in how I understood our relationship with the environment. I had always cared about sustainability in theory, but during the pandemic I began to notice just how fragile and interconnected our world truly is. That realization changed the way I live—and ultimately inspired me to start my own sustainable small business in 2025.
How the Pandemic Opened My Eyes
In 2020, when lockdowns reduced traffic and air travel, cities around the world reported cleaner skies and clearer water. Wildlife returned to spaces that had long been overtaken by humans. For a moment, it felt like the planet was healing. But alongside that, I also saw an alarming rise in single-use plastics, packaging waste, and disposable masks. It was clear: small changes could heal the planet, but large-scale behaviors were still harming it.
This contrast made me realize that environmental impact isn’t just about individual choices—it’s also about how industries operate.
The Profit-First Mentality of Large Companies
As I looked deeper, I became frustrated with how large corporations often prioritize profit over sustainability. Despite their glossy marketing campaigns filled with words like eco-friendly and green, many companies continue to rely on unsustainable packaging, exploit cheap fossil fuel resources, and delay meaningful changes. Their so-called “sustainability initiatives” often felt like greenwashing—more about public image than actual impact.
Meanwhile, consumers like me were left with few choices. If the biggest companies weren’t going to lead with true responsibility, then smaller, value-driven businesses would have to step up.
From Awareness to Action: Starting My Eco-Friendly Business in 2025
This realization planted a seed that grew over the next few years. I knew I wanted to do more than just complain—I wanted to create solutions. That’s why, in 2025, I started my own eco-friendly small business. My goal wasn’t only to provide great products, but also to ensure that sustainability was built into every decision from the start and most importantly:
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People and Planet Over Profit – Prioritizing long-term environmental health over short-term financial gain.
I wanted my business to prove that it’s possible to thrive while doing the right thing—and to give customers an alternative to the profit-driven giants.
A Movement, Not Just a Business
For me, this journey is about more than selling products. It’s about shifting culture. If enough small businesses and individual consumers choose sustainability, we can send a powerful message: the health of our planet matters more than profit margins.
The pandemic was a wake-up call. It showed me that change is possible, but it also made me realize that change won’t come from corporations unless we demand it—and build it ourselves.
🌱 My sustainable small business is my contribution to that movement. It’s a way to take responsibility, create meaningful change, and help others make eco-friendly choices that truly matter.