Our September speaker, Ahmed Rahim, the CEO of Numi Tea, was fantastic. He discussed his thoughts on how companies can work closely with everyone on their supply chain to ensure that all aspects are chosen consciously. He shared stories about his trips to China to learn about tea and to truly get to know the farmers that grow the Numi tea leaves.

For many of us, our business is not only our "business" but becomes a part of everything we do, everything we breathe, and everything we think and feel. It can truly become a part of who we are - almost an extension of ourselves. Rahim supported this by saying, "business just becomes a vehicle. Every decision you make that relates to running your business evolves so that you are not running your business, but business just becomes a platform for what you do."

He also motivated everyone in the room to stay true to their goals. "When you have clear visions with intentions, you really get inspired every day. You're not just going to work. When you put good intentions out there, good things come in some way. You have to have some business acumen to make it and be successful and have a lot of angels flying around you, but if your intentions are there to drive change, then change will happen." All of the EcoTuesday participants in the room are motivated to make change for the better, and Rahim's words seemed to land perfectly.

In a few months Numi is launching program where a percentage of profits will go to inner city schools in West Oakland. The project is called NUMI (Nature Underlies My Inspiration) and the funds will go to students at K-6 schools to empower them to learn about art, nature, and how to learn about themselves and their surroundings.

Rahim fielded some tough questions from the participants about packaging and "ethical warfare." One participant asked how Rahim decided to work with tea. Rahim said, "I didn't choose tea. Tea chose me."

Overall, Rahim left the audience with this important message: "what's important is the spiritual path you take in running a business."