Credentials and info
Rick Terrien

Hi. I'm Rick Terrien. My last start up is now over 10 years old. That enterprise is recycling more than 10 million gallons of oil every year that used to be lost as wastewater. We won some of the most prestigious new product awards and distinguished global business accolades available.

We started and grew that enterprise with very limited resources. We soon had wildly enthusiastic customers in all 50 states and on 6 continents. We did it all this with just 4 committed friends, great ideas, and smart, guerilla-style execution.

I funded my first start up with money from the loose change jar. It grew and prospered for 25 years, also with customers in all 50 states and 6 continents. Our customers included over 75% of the Fortune 500, most major Universities and many of the world’s best known non profit and development organizations. That enterprise was a family affair, with only 2 employees - my wife and I. We successfully mixed family and enterprise for two and a half decades and enjoyed every minute of it. It’s not hard if you plan it well.

I’ve been able to do all this with low cost, smart sales, marketing and organizational tools. You can too. Check out our new digital incubator. It's set up to train new Micro Entrepreneurs and provide services and tools to help them launch their own enterprises.
Let’s talk. Send me an eMail.

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I am the co-inventor of the Vertical Fluid Recycler, shown above. This invention has been awarded two of my eight US and foreign patents and is now recycling industrial fluids on six continents.

In my previous start ups, I was able to apply inexpensive sales, marketing and organizational tools that gave our small firms immediate global visibility and sales.

My goal for SustainableWork™ is to make the tools and techniques that have helped launch many of my new products, services and new enterprises, available to new entrepreneurs and emerging organizations. The world is waiting for your better solutions. SustainableWork™ can help.

• United States Small Business New Product Of The Year Award for 2005. Presented to Rick by The National Society Of Professional Engineers. “This prestigious award honors American companies and their contributions to society. Winning products were chosen for their exceptional engineering research, design, and overall impact on our national economy.”
  Thank you NSPE!

• Fast 50 Award. Rick awarded the 2004 Fast 50 Award by Fast Company Magazine. “The Fast 50 are the idea elite of business, individuals with the vision and personal commitment to propel their companies and industries into the future.”

• Wisconsin New Product Of The Year Award. 2 time winner from the Professional Engineers of Wisconsin.

• Eight US and foreign patents in industrial fluid recycling. Co-inventor of devices now recycling over 10 million gallons of oil every year that used to be lost as wastewater.

• Small Business Center Advisory Council, Waukesha County Technical College, the Micro Entrepreneurship Center for Wisconsin.

• Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network (WEN) certified resource provider. Opens in a new window.

• Chrysler Corporation’s global award, Significant Contributor to Environmental Excellence

• Speaker and writer. Focus on starting and maintaining profitable, sustainable enterprises, innovation, new product development, and recycling technologies.

• SustainableWork added to Tom Peter’s web site. Thanks Tom and friends!

• My most recent start up.
  Co-founder of Universal Separators. 8 patents for our fluid recycling inventions, with more pending. Cool stuff on this site... Don’t forget to come back!

• Recent Chicago Tribune article about my work.

• Making money from muck. A good article about my work and creating enterprises from work no one else wants. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

• Growing valuable enterprises. A nice article about my approach to start ups, virtual enterprises, and what attracts new businesses. Madison Capital Times.

• The wonderful 25 year history of Banner Graphics. A sustainable enterprise long before it was cool.

• Education. Graduated with honors from St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN 1975. Majors in Business Organizational Policy and Philosophy.