BIOGRAPHY/COMPANY PROFILE

Anne Marie Daniolos

Thinks Green.  Lives Green.  IS Green.

After making the decision to leave a promising 10 year career with a financial institution, it was clear that Anne Marie Daniolos’ passion for sustainable eco-living had finally taken over.  With hard work and extreme dedication, in 2004, she founded the company Pholia.  Anne Marie’s dream of developing a green company became a reality when Pholia - meaning nest in Greek - was established.

Anne Marie’s love for the environment was fuelled by continued networking, volunteering with green organizations and taking various workshops within the green building industry.  During this process Anne Marie developed the idea of Shared Connections, an open forum, whereby Pholia affiliated with the best the industry can offer.  Such connections include continued relations with large scale companies and grassroots non-profit organizations such as Annex Green Neighbour’s 21, Women’s Environmental Alliance and many other.  Shared connections and tips on eco-living for life can be viewed on Anne Marie’s blog at http://pholia.wordpress.com/.   

Pholia’s philosophy: Thinks Green.  Lives Green.  Paints Green; was spawned several years back.  When asked about the companies mentality towards eco-living Anne Marie claims “I spent many years with my family in the suburbs experiencing headaches, stomach upsets and a general feeling of ill health, not know what was going on.  Later I learned about the effects of ‘off-gassing’ where the toxins of new materials continue to float through the air and into our breathing space.  It was important to me that a home promotes health, breathable spaces.”  Pholia has now expanded from the home into work, retail/commercial and eating spaces.

As Pholia’s nest began to grow so did the scope of the companies clients.  Pholia’s work began in Hamilton, ON while working on researching affordable green building materials in the restoration of two old warehouses which have been converted into artist’s studios. Since the companies pilot project, some of Pholia's list of clients includes:  Yoka Clothing Company, Sugar Moon Salon, Designer Lisa Canning, Urban Space (401 Richmond and 215 Spadina), Paper Box Studio’s, Permanent Ink, and Dalton Developments Construction.  

Currently Anne Marie is working on taking Pholia to heightened levels of operation.  She is engaged in extensive research in green roofing systems, practical ways to go green and researching ways to lower the overall toxicity in the home as well as  identifying scales of green so as to expose who is merely green washing as opposed to who is green authentic.  One of Anne Marie’s goals is to bring Pholia’s Green Building Vision to fruition and believes that when we lean on institutions and develop community participation all cities one day will Go Green!