So, you want to know what a B Corporation is? Well, grab a drink, put your feet up, and get ready to have your mind blown harder than a virgin on prom night.
A B Corporation (also known as a benefit corporation) is a new kind of business that uses the power of capitalism to solve social and environmental problems. Unlike regular C Corporations, which exist solely to maximize profits, B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
B Corps are like a hot nerdy girl – they’ve got brains and a heart.
These companies want to make banks while making the world less sh*tty. They aim to turn a profit while being socially and environmentally responsible. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous social and environmental performance standards, accountability, and transparency.
So, if you’re an entrepreneur who wants to do good while doing well, a B Corp may be for you.
The concept of a B Corp was developed in 2006 by B Lab, a nonprofit organization founded by three businessmen who wanted to use business as a force for good.
They were tired of seeing businesses act like douchebags just to make an extra buck. So, they created a legal framework and certification process for companies that want to consider society and the environment in addition to profit.
B Lab sounds like a bunch of hippies, but they knew how to get sh*t done. They lobbied state legislatures across the US to pass benefit corporation legislation.
The legislation created the legal designation and protection for companies to pursue social and environmental good. By 2015, over 30 states had passed benefit corporation legislation.
Once the legal framework was in place, B Lab launched the B Corp certification in 2007. It gave companies an independent standard to verify their commitment to stakeholders beyond just shareholders.
To get B Corp certified, companies must assess their impact on workers, community, environment and customers. They also amend their legal governing documents to require consideration of those stakeholders.
Over 4,000 certified B Corps are now across 150 industries in 80 countries. Well-known brands like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Seventh Generation and Etsy are B Corps.
So why would a company choose to become a B Corp and get certified? Here are some of the main benefits:
Once certified, B Corps gain access to an exclusive club of over 4,000 companies worldwide committed to business as a force for good.
B Lab runs regular regional events to facilitate collaboration, networking and knowledge sharing between B Corps. There is also an online community platform.
Some examples of how B Corps support each other:
The B Corp community amplifies the collective impact of individual companies. B Corps leverages its networks and expertise to accelerate positive change.
Becoming a certified B Corp isn’t right for every company – it requires a real commitment to social and environmental performance beyond just profits.
Before pursuing B Corp certification, make sure to consider:
Interested in exploring if B Corp certification is a good fit for your company? Take the free B Impact Assessment to benchmark your current impact and performance.
Ben & Jerry’s is perhaps the most famous B Corp in the food and beverage industry. The quirky ice cream company has always had a strong social mission and became a certified B Corp in 2012.
Patagonia is a pioneer B Corp within the apparel industry. Their mission is to “build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.”
Dr. Bronner’s, known for its iconic castile soaps, has been a leader in ethical business practices since its founding in 1948. The company became an official B Corp in 2015.
Kickstarter, the crowdfunding platform, became a certified B Corp in 2021. They meet rigorous standards for ethical business practices and have a charitable arm called Kickstarter.org.The B Corp movement encompasses companies of all sizes and industries committed to using business as a force for good. There are many inspiring examples to discover.
No, B Corps are regular for-profit companies, just with additional social/environmental obligations. Many successful for-profit companies have become B Corps.
No, to be certified B Corps have to consider the impact on all their workers, customers, community, environment and suppliers. No cherry picking allowed.
The B Corp movement represents an inspiring shift in the purpose of business. These certified B Corporations embrace the opportunity to lead with their values and leverage the power of capitalism to solve social and environmental problems.
Becoming a B Corp is not easy. It requires meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
But the companies that commit to the journey discover it brings many benefits – from attracting purpose-driven talent to building consumer trust to protecting their mission. They also join a community of leaders who empower each other to have a greater impact.
The rise of B Corps reflects the evolving expectations of stakeholders for businesses to consider their full impact on workers, customers, community and the environment – not just shareholders.
More consumers, investors and employees want to associate with companies that share their values. More entrepreneurs want to build businesses that reflect their purpose.
The B Corp movement offers a framework for companies ready to step up as leaders of this economic shift towards stakeholder capitalism.
By harnessing the power of business to solve social problems, B Corps represent the future of responsible business. They set an example for all companies to consider their full impact on society.
Ready to explore if the B Corp path is right for your company’s journey? Take the first step by checking out the B Impact Assessment at bimpactassessment.net. The B Corp community is cheering you on.
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