Greenville’s entrepreneurial landscape is buzzing with passionate leaders, and among them is Sheryl Guarniero, the inspiring founder of Make GVL Greener. With a background in government and environmental work in the Northeast—including her time with the EPA—Sheryl moved to Greenville and saw an opportunity to build a greener, more sustainable community. Her nonprofit, Make GVL Greener, is focused on uniting local businesses, volunteers, and corporations to drive environmental initiatives in the Upstate.
Supporting Local & Going Green
From day one, Sheryl knew that Make GVL Greener could make a big impact by collaborating with local businesses. Through her efforts, the organization raised funds to support Greenville-based companies like Swamp Rabbit Suds and Swamp Rabbit Gear & Spin, purchasing products to aid relief efforts in Hendersonville and Asheville following Hurricane Helene. This not only supported local businesses but reinforced Sheryl’s mission of backing local companies with green practices.
Empowering Community and Corporate Involvement
Make GVL Greener creates opportunities for individuals and corporations alike to get hands-on with environmental action. The organization hosts private litter cleanups and monthly public cleanups, welcoming volunteers to join the cause. For companies interested in sustainability, Make GVL Greener provides valuable support to help them initiate green practices, reinforcing the importance of supplier diversity and promoting a future where businesses prioritize eco-friendly efforts.
Creating a Network of Green Businesses
Through their Green Business directory and impact network, Make GVL Greener has created a resource for businesses and customers to connect and shop or source with their Green values in mind. Local companies can apply to join the directory which includes in-person events, training, and workshops on implementing sustainable practices in an affordable way.
“Volun-tourism” and Educational Initiatives
Sheryl’s vision also extends to integrating environmental awareness into Greenville’s tourism scene. Partnering with Visit Greenville, Make GVL Greener is championing “volun-tourism,” encouraging
visitors to participate in local cleanups or environmental projects. Sheryl also collaborates with local schools to offer volunteer hours, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among students.
Sheryl Guarniero’s work is reshaping Greenville, creating pathways for businesses, locals, and tourists to engage with green initiatives. Through Make GVL Greener, she’s ensuring that our community can thrive in a way that respects and protects our environment.
For more on Sheryl and her work, visit [Make GVL Greener](https://www.makegvlgreener.com/).
Last week, founders, manufacturers, investors, corporate leaders, and ecosystem partners gathered in Greenville for Innovation Exchange, a new event hosted by NextGEN focused on strengthening connections between startups and enterprise companies.
There’s something special about walking into GROK and immediately spotting familiar faces.
Not just one or two, but dozens. Founders, operators, creatives, technologists. People from the StartupGVL community who are all building, questioning, experimenting, and showing up.
Every startup has a pitch. But not every pitch is actually working.
Too often, founders are walking around with a deck or a one liner that explains what they do, but does not land, connect, or clearly communicate the value of what they are building. That is the gap NextGEN’s brand new Fix My Pitch program is designed to address.
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