I’ve applied for B Corp Certification
I’ve applied for B Corp Certification for my business, Soleil Marketing.
My earlier blog post explains how the process works, so if you haven’t already read it, I’d start there.
It's a big deal that I’ve applied for B Corp Certification, as not many sole traders or micro businesses do so. There are lots of reasons why not; the main ones being that it costs money and it's a lot of work.
Also, there are lots of challenges and criticisms faced by B Lab (the company behind B Corp Certification) at the moment. Most recently, they received a lot of flak for welcoming Nespresso into the community. Here's one blog post which dissects the issue.
After that decision, I wasn't sure recently whether to continue with the process. I don’t agree with the decision to make Nespresso a B Corp. Yet with every nuanced, complex issue , there is rarely a clear cut, correct answer.
Here’s another example: Ben & Jerry’s is a certified B Corp. Their main business is selling ice cream produced from cow’s milk. However, their product portfolio is now almost 40% dairy-free, and they’re continually working to reduce their carbon emissions. The ethics of being a true purpose-driven business are not simple, as it just reflects the capitalist society and structures we live in.
After thinking it through, I decided to press submit on the B Impact Assessment (BIA), which is the first step on the journey.
Here’s why I decided to go ahead:
The certification requirements are being tightened by April 2023. This should avoid another Nespresso issue. I’m eager to see what this will look like in practice.
I’d already invested a fair amount of time completing the BIA and compiling evidence together, and didn’t want to waste the time already invested (sunk cost fallacy? Maybe.)
Ultimately, I decided pursuing it was in the best interests of my business and will help me create more impact by:
1) Ensuring I follow the framework already set in the BIA as I continue building my business
2) Having access to a purpose-driven community of business leaders that I can learn from
3) Elevating my voice and using influence within the community to push for positive change, to help shape B Corp from within
If you want to talk to me about the B Impact Assessment, or applying for certification, please feel free to book a call, I'd be happy to chat.
Follow my journey
To follow my journey to B Corp certification, follow me on LinkedIn and sign up to my newsletter, Marketing by Purpose: http://eepurl.com/hfInFf
