10 Ways How Business Owners Can Create A Happier Work Environment By Using Natural Elements

Julie Starr • November 14, 2022



There are plenty of ways to make a business more enjoyable for employees – and one of them is by incorporating natural elements into the work environment.

Here Are Some Tips On How To Do Just That:

1. Bring in some plants

Adding some greenery to the office can help boost employee morale and create a more pleasant atmosphere. Not only do plants look nice, but they also help purify the air and improve indoor air quality .

2. Let in some natural light

Working in a dark, cramped office can be pretty miserable. If possible, try to let in as much natural light as possible – it will make the space feel more open and cheerful, and it can also help improve productivity levels.

3. Use natural materials

Using natural materials like wood and stone can give the office a more calming, earthy feel. And employees will appreciate not having to work surrounded by harsh, artificial materials all day long.

4. Add some water features

Another way to bring in some calming nature-inspired elements is to add a water feature like a small fountain or an aquarium . The sound of trickling water can be very soothing, and it can help drown out any stressful noise from the rest of the office.

5. Get some fresh air

If your office is starting to feel stuffy, take a break and step outside for some fresh air. Even just a few minutes spent outdoors can help clear your head and give you a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of work.

6. Bring in some nature-inspired art

Hanging up some calming, nature-themed artwork can help create a more pleasant environment for employees. And it can be a nice way to add some personal touches to the office space.

7. Encourage employees to take breaks

It’s important to encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day – especially if they’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. Stepping away from work for even just a few minutes can help clear their head and improve their overall mood .

8. Offer flexible working hours

Allowing employees to set their own working hours can be a great way to improve work-life balance and create a happier work environment. And it can also help boost productivity levels since employees will be able to work when they’re feeling most productive.

9. Allow pets in the office

If your office allows it, encourage employees to bring their pets to work with them. Having animals around can help reduce stress levels and make the workplace feel more pleasant and comfortable .

10. Create an outdoor working space

If your office has an outdoor area, make sure to take advantage of it! Setting up some chairs and tables in the fresh air can be a great way for employees to take a break from work – and it can also help improve their focus and concentration levels.

In Closing

Providing health and safety support and making small changes to create a happier work environment can have a big impact on employee morale – and it can also help improve productivity levels and business bottom lines. So don’t hesitate to start incorporating some natural elements into your office space today!

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.