Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “Confidence thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection, and on unselfish performance. Without them, it cannot live.”

As 2012 comes to a close, we think it’s a good time to reflect on such noble traits, with a special highlight on the importance of being honest. With the goal of developing a thriving business in 2013 and beyond, we couldn’t think of a better Entrepreneur of the Month to turn to for advice than Seth Goldman, president and TeaEO of Honest Tea.

The $90 million company he co-founded in 1998 with Professor Barry Nalebuff of the Yale School of Management has become an innovator within the beverage industry. It was the first tea company to introduce a USDA-certified organic and Fair Trade Certified bottled tea. But those are just some of the reasons that Coca-Cola bought a 40 percent interest in the company in 2008, and acquired it outright in 2011.

Bethesda Green is another one of Goldman’s honestly fabulous ideas. This incubator for green, sustainable businesses is run by Dave Feldman, who explains in this month’s column why it’s good to Go Green.

Speaking of tea and honesty:

• “The Republic of Tea” is our Book of the Month. This great business story features letters from entrepreneur Bill Rosenzweig, to Mel and Patricia Ziegler, as they were brewing up The Republic of Tea. It’s a must-read for entrepreneurs. Don’t miss a drop.

• The House of Steep is a case in point. This new tea house and reflexology spa in Arlington, VA, was created by former HR exec Lyndsey DePalma—a woman with a dream and a mission. Coming this month, you’ll find her tips for entrepreneurs on The Inkandescent Radio Show.

• In this issue we also look ahead to 2013. To help us, we asked two futurists for their insights: University of Houston Futures Studies professor Andy Hines sheds light on the future of work, and The Futures Lab president Derek Woodgate give us insight into how futurists forecast what’s coming.

• Honesty at work is a passionate topic for Hiring expert Barbara Mitchell, who shines a spotlight on the dumbest lies job applicants tell—and what to do instead to land the job of your dreams. Don’t believe her? Then read this column by veteran entrepreneur Andrea Keating, who shares tips on how she’s been using honesty to hire, and manage, employees for the last 25 years at her international video-staffing firm, Crews Control.

As we enter the holiday season, we wish you, your employees, and especially your family, good health and true happiness.

Our gift to you is this parting thought from Ralph Waldo Emerson, that happens to be living under the cap of one of Seth Goldman’s Honest Tea bottles of iced tea. Find it, and send me an email to win our December 2012 Gift of the Month.

“What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Emerson

Here’s to your indelible success. — Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Be Inkandescent magazine • founder, The Inkandescent Group