The Natural Lifestyle Network (NLN) website was created to connect service providers in the growing LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health & Sustainability) marketplace with the conscious consumers who are increasingly seeking these types of services. How does one go about finding a great acupuncturist or an alternative doctor? Or a store that offers organic sheets, or a place to learn firsthand about solar power or socially responsible investing? And how about finding a holistic lawyer (yes, they do exist!) or a personal trainer who fits your busy schedule?
The Natural Lifestyle Network was created to answer these questions—and lots more--all in one place. Its mission is to connect, promote and support local communities of individuals, businesses and organizations who are interested in this type of lifestyle. Launching in March 2008, the Network covers most of the Mid-Atlantic region, including Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern/Middle New Jersey. These profiles offer the in-depth information that readers want to know before booking an appointment, visiting a business, or attending a class--and there's so much more here.
The entire website is free for consumers to use. For the service providers who become professional members, an extensive profile with up to 3 locations (yes, with Google maps), 5 graphics and over 3000 words is offered at a price that will fit even the marketing budget of a just-out-of-school massage therapist—under $25/month. There shouldn't be any service providers who can't afford to have a presence in the NLN Directory. And anyone can list an event for a one time charge of $19-29 for a listing of up to 3 months in the Calendar.
Some background: The LOHAS marketplace is vast and expanding quickly. The $208 billion U.S. LOHAS market currently encompasses the following five sectors and the information below has been compiled from the LOHAS website.
- Sustainable Economy - $6.5 billion: It’s possible to be both ecologically sustainable and economically profitable. The Social Investment Forum reported the assets in socially screened portfolios growing to $2.14 trillion in the U.S. in 2003, a 7 percent increase over 2001. This is especially impressive when taken in context: Over the same period, the assets in all professionally managed portfolios dropped 4 percent.
- Green building
- Renewable energy
- Resource-efficient products
- Socially responsible investing
- Alternative transportation
- Alternative Healthcare - $40 billion: This sector has enjoyed stellar growth in recent years, but it hasn’t quite been able to crack the mainstream medical establishment—yet. As conventional medical treatment costs soar however, watch for a corresponding growth in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) choices.
- Health and wellness solutions
- Complementary/integrative medicine
- Acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathic medicine etc.
- Holistic disease prevention
- Healthy Lifestyles - $50 billion: Historically, this sector has been one of the total market’s hottest growth categories, racking up double-digit annual sales increases for more than 20 years.
- Natural, organics; nutritional products
- Food and beverage
- Dietary supplements
- Personal care
- Personal Development - $27.3 billion: One out of four Americans is now practicing some form of mind-body fitness. The top-selling videos on Amazon.com are regularly yoga and pilates videos, and the number of health clubs offering yoga classes has doubled in the last 10 years.
- Mind, body spirit products such as CD’s, books, seminars
- Yoga, exercise & fitness, weight loss
- Spiritual products & services
- Ecological Lifestyles - $83.8 billion: Eco products, from organic cotton T-shirts to environmentally-friendly cleaning products and “energy star” appliances are racking up hefty increases in sales.
- Ecological home and office products
- Organic/recycled fiber products
- Environmentally friendly appliances
- Eco-tourism and travel
