Judy Wicks’ love of place has made widening ripples on a global scale. She’s the founder of BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies), a national network of sustainable, small businesses. After moving onto a quaint street in Philadelphia, she learned it was slated to be torn down. Organizing her community, she saved the block as a walkable community. She opened White Dog Cafe coffee shop on the first floor of her home, which grew to a large restaurant proudly serving food from local farmers.
Reading John Robbins’ Diet for a New America about the cruel treatment of factory farm animals, she located small family farmers and created a cruelty-free menu. Rather than hoard this proprietary information, she founded a local sustainable business network based on cooperation between businesses, and later the national organization Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Episode 144. [livingeconomies.org, whitedog.com]
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Profound. Impacting. I think that Judy articulates all of these considerations – with eloquence and inclusiveness – as ably as she has implemented her conscious business practices. You are a one-woman whirlwind with respect to addressing issues involving sustainability and more humane choices! Thank you greatly for the inspiring us to honor what is within our hearts rather than the fears within our minds (i.e. ‘competition’). Forwarded this show to many – and will continue to do so.
Great interview. I was lucky to meet Judy Wicks at the Slow Money National Gathering. She is a wonderful person who has lived out her values; very inspiring and an excellent role model. Hopefully, we will all come to our senses in time.