By Mark Laska, an EO San Diego member and CEO of Great Ecology.

When I created Great Ecology & Environment, a company that specializes in ecological consulting, green design and habitat restoration, I wanted to do more than just build a business. I wanted to create a company that reflected my commitment to the social and environmental ideals I hold dear.

In the beginning, I chose to establish a decision-making process that was beholden to the company’s principles. One of the biggest hurdles I faced was during the startup period in 2001. Because “going green” was not in vogue back then, I struggled to create a business that reflected my commitments. We managed to overcome this obstacle by continuously highlighting the benefits of our methods and remaining patient. Luckily for us, more and more people became aware that environmental responsibility has many benefits, and soon enough, we were up and running.