We started our B Corp journey in 2021 as a start-up business and were certified as a B Corp Pending for what seemed like forever. We took a break, then went back to certifying as a grown-up B Corp in 2024. It took a while, but it was worth the wait. Here’s a bit more insight into why and how we stuck with it!
Why did we become a B Corp?
Having worked for established B Corp Resource Futures, I knew the value that the process brought to the business. It was always my intention to follow suit, and it was really important to me to set a high bar for my business. Being a B Corp challenged me, even at the earliest stage of the business, to act intentionally, but I was determined to make it happen. I changed the Articles of Association at Companies House FIRST. So, legally, we’ve been operating with a new set of rules for 4 years already. This intention matters; it guides and sets expectations. There’s no fluff, it’s legally bound, and it is happening.
What changes have we made?
I seek out local suppliers first, our IT support and Accountant are on our doorstep. We produce next to no waste, and Lighthouse HQ is run without the burning of fossils. (The car, which I seldom use, is a work in progress.) We all work from home, but when I travel for work, 90% of it is by train. Lighthouse has never flown for work (that’s not to say we won’t, but the Eurostar has served us well so far). B Corp has made me more conscious of charitable giving and has encouraged me to measure the impact of the work we do actively. For us, these weren’t so much changes, but intentions we would have done anyway; being a B Corp rubber-stamps this for us, and now with the new changes, will bring fresh ideas and challenges.
What was the hardest part?
We didn’t find making intentional decisions hard or scoring enough points hard at all. On the flip side, managing the BIA (B Impact Assessment) list of questions and actions, and navigating the portal itself, was definitely the hardest part. As a busy business owner, we didn’t have a huge amount written down, and I didn’t want to create evidence for the sake of it. It was a shock that we scored lowest on Environment. This was mainly because we are too small to measure anything, we don’t use printers, and I’ve only emptied the bin twice in 4 years! We were able to measure the carbon footprint of Lighthouse HQ and business travel, which is a good discipline to adopt.
What do the B Corp revisions mean for us?
The new standards are no longer a ‘point scoring’ exercise, so I’m glad we won’t be searching for actions that apply anymore. I’m happy to see that expectations in the newly revised B Corp standards are tiered, so micro businesses like ours are not overwhelmed. I’m also confident that there are many people to help now. Even in four years, the B Corp movement has grown significantly, so you don’t have to look far for advice. On that note, I’d like to thank Andy Hawkins for his initial support getting us moving with B Corp. I’ve also learned a lot by helping others, including OPRL and Revolution ZERO, to gain their B Corp certification, too. To hear how the new B Corp standards might suit your business better, listen in to Ep33 of Straight Talking Sustainability – The Big B Corp Reset with Jessica and Ellie of Twelve.
Pointers for the B Corp Curious
- Start now – you can register and access the B Impact Assessment (BIA) for free.
- Keep an open mind – don’t worry about budgets or resources right now.
- Once you’re in, work out where the biggest challenges are going to be.
- Be realistic… is changing your Articles of Association feasible or welcomed?
- Talk to other B Corps! There are regular events, LinkedIn groups or just search the Directory for others in your locality or sector.
- Once you know what you are up against, consider the resources you will need to make it happen.
Getting help
If you need help, choose a B Leader to assist you, in particular someone who will be familiar with the new changes. Here are my recommendations:
- Business on Purpose – Andy Hawkins for small companies & cohort approach
- BCorp Expert – Laura Slack for a 4-Step process for SMEs
- Twelve – Ellie & Jessica for mid to large-sized brands
- Junxion – Alice Elliott for large companies
– Emma Burlow