FEATURE
Going green with Therese Forton-Barnes The founder of Green Living Gurus shares her story BY MICHAEL J. BILLONI
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n the 1960s and ’70s, Buffalo native Therese “Tee” Forton-Barnes was raised on an all-organic food lifestyle. Back then, there was not much available; organic wasn’t the trend it is today. But Forton-Barnes’ mother, an original member of the Lexington Food Co-Op, taught her early on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and avoiding toxic chemicals as a way of life. Young Tee thought everyone ate the way her family did but soon realized this wasn’t the case. Forton-Barnes attended Ithaca College and earned a degree in Business with a Health minor. She dreamed of opening a health food supermarket but, when Whole Foods beat her to the punch, she opted for event planning instead. Her company, Events to a Tee! and Associates (events2atee.com), has planned and executed more than 700 events in the Buffalo area in the past thirty years. Green Living Gurus founder Therese Forton-Barnes Photos courtesy of Therese Forton-Barnes
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“I always try to plan an event by making certain all five senses are used by each attendee,” Forton-Barnes explains. “Each event I produce is a puzzle. There are many pieces and I must find ways for each one to fit. My sixth sense is organizing.” When the COVID-19 pandemic completely shut down the event planning business, Forton-Barnes recognized an opportunity to pursue her passion to help people eliminate toxic and harmful chemicals and live healthier lives. She launched a new business using fifty-plus years of hands-on, real-world experience living a holistic, non-toxic lifestyle. “The Green Living Gurus, LLC are promoters of healthy living and a non-toxic lifestyle,” Forton-Barnes says. “Our mission is to help people reduce their exposure to toxins, especially carcinogens, in their homes and daily lives. We assist people with compromised health conditions in creating a non-toxic home, reducing chemical exposure, lessening fear
of cancer, and other illnesses, and increasing odds for a healthy life. Reducing exposure to chemicals can also eliminate headaches, migraines, rashes, runny noses, itchy eyes, sore throats, wheezing, and hives.” Forton-Barnes continues to train and further her education; she recently completed a course that explores the history of the environmental health movement, public policy around toxins, industry front groups, epigenetics, toxicology, and detoxification protocols. She also has studied potential exposures in and around homes, such as home construction, furniture, carpeting, bedding, personal care products, indoor air quality, basement, garage, and lawn care. Green Living Gurus, LLC sells a line of cleaning products called Tee’s Organics. Unlike traditional cleaning products, these use safe, non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients. All bottles are refillable. The company also partners with Austin Air and is
