Name of Business: Micro Enterprise Solar Harvest

Name of Entrepreneur: Meredith Gossland

Location: Lakewood, CA

What does your business do?

We help the working poor and at risk youth start home based green businesses. We also educate residents of low income commuities in Long Beach California about ways to green their lifesyles.

When and why did you start the biz?

I Started my business in 01/2007.  I started the business because 1.) Solar was not being marketed to the poor who are most in need of its cost saving benefits and 2.) because entrepreneurial at risk youth often find themselves in jail because of their entrepreneurial efforts. I wanted to help redirect those efforts towards legal businesses. 3.) I hated the fact that people work as many as 60 hours a week and yet are unable to make ends meet. I wanted to give the working poor an opportunity to take control of their income and be at home with their families.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?

Finding money

What's the most fun part? 

Watching people succeed especially the kids, they often have so much untapped talent.

What's next on the horizon for your biz?

My goal is to provide 2000 low income families in Long Beach with Solar and I want to find a permanent location for the classes.
 

What advice do you have for others?

1.) A dream is only a dream without action.

2.) Never never never give up, take set backs in stride as being just that ....set backs...not failure.

3.) As you succeed be sure and take someone with you.

Prior jobs or business or education?

ESL teacher and a million other jobs

Is there any one person or event in your life that led you to go into business for yourself?

Anger and frustration about how poverty and pollution are approached in this country.

Contact Info:

562-804-0394

mg@meshinc.org