What? Only now?!
Yes – despite co-chairing the Scotland B Corp Community and working as a B Corp Coach and Consultant for three years – we're only now joining the Certified B Corp Community – demonstrating the business meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Surprisingly no potential client has ever asked why my company was not Certified – why I wasn’t practicing what I preached – presumably as they saw I was – I set my company up as a B Corp and have grown it in line with the Framework, adopting new best practice at every stage of my business.
So why did I wait until November 2022 to submit my B Corp application? (yes, it’s a rigorous certification process!)
1. I wanted to get my business model right, get clear on my businesses vision, values and purpose – how my business was going to be a force for good in the world - which includes:
Coaching leaders in purposeful organisations such as B Corps and Non-profits.
Donating 5% of revenues to The Hunger Project to alleviate poverty and empower women in the Global South.
Giving 5% of my time pro-bono to volunteer with B Lab UK and On Purpose.
Measuring, reducing and offsetting the business's carbon emissions.
Supporting businesses gain B Corp Certification and/or use its framework to guide sustainable profitable growth with my business coaching programs.
Advocating for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system through public speaking and as signatory to the Better Business Act.
2. I had to wait until the end of the financial year, extended another year as we adopted Ltd. status in 2021 (certification looks at your last fiscal year).
3. I wanted to demonstrate actual impact, not just intention to act. If you know me at all, you’ll know that I’m not all talk and no trousers – I’m all about action, and coach my clients to take bold, aligned, joyful action in their businesses too.
And it was worth the wait, in 2023 I have a thriving, profitable, and joyfully impactful business that I'm incredibly proud of, with 130 B Corp points.
I still have a long way to go, to reduce the negative and accelerate the positive impact of my business – but again if you know me at all – you’ll know I’m all about progress over perfection so I’m on a constant learning journey and when I know better, I’ll do better.
In blogs to come I’ll share the insider view on how my business performs against the B Corp framework re. Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customer – and what this might mean for your business and accelerating your social, economic and environmental impact.
For now I’m just going to savour the feeling of being in the best business club in the world – a c7000 strong global community of great leaders, good companies and excellent products and services that leave people and planet in a better place than they found them.
Want to find out more?
Get in touch, let’s talk about how you could use the B Corp Framework combined with my coaching skills to help your business, people and planet thrive well into the future.
Mehalah Beckett is a coach, consultant and trusted advisor passionate about people, the planet and empowering others to inspire positive change. She coaches purpose-driven leaders to impossible goals, hosts Masterminds for hungry entrepreneurs and guides businesses through B-Corp. What can I help you achieve over the next year?