Written by Karen Parolek of Opticos Design. I feel like I’m tempting the fates, writing on this topic today. I just got my second biennial email reminding me that it’s time to re-certify as a B Corp. As we have done at least twice before, we must take the B Impact Assessment to evaluate our [...]

  Patagonia is an icon in values-led business and sustainability, and its certification in 2011 elevates the community of B Corps in terms of size and credibility. In his book Let My People Go Surfing, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard says he wants Patagonia to be a company that will last 100 years, and in doing [...]

Written by Marc Stoiber, Green Brand Innovation Creative Director Morten Schroder of Van Houtte Coffee knows something about being a sustainability leader. In fact, Van Houtte has a long, proud history of adopting sustainability measures, even before a clear ROI matrix has been established. (The latest example is Van Houtte’s implementation of Renewable Natural Gas, [...]

 BROOKLYN, New York (December 5, 2011) – Runatarpuna Exportadora S.A., the Ecuadorian Subsidiary of Runa LLC – a social enterprise that produces a unique, energizing Amazonian tea – recently received a $500,000 equity investment from the Build Ecuador Fund (CreEcuador”, a socially responsible investment fund created by Ecuador’s Ministry of Production.) Runa is an Amazonian [...]

by Rodney Willett, Impact Makers, Vice President of Business Strategy B Corp Champions Retreat, October 25-27, 2011 Impact Makers is a management and technology consulting company based in Richmond, Virginia.  We are a founding B Corp member with a unique business model: we are a for profit corporation with no shareholders and we give away [...]

By Jim Epstein and Alicia Epstein Korten As an investment advisor and member of the Gamble family that founded Procter & Gamble, I (Jim) am often asked to sit on nonprofit boards. I have grown uncomfortable with the term not-for-profit to describe these organizations, which often embrace business principles in their operations. For example, DC [...]

The Big Bad Woof, located in the Old Takoma neighborhood of Washington DC and the Arts District Hyattsville in Maryland, sets a new standard for pet care and products. The retail store specializes in organic, holistic, premium and raw diets for companion animals with a strong commitment to the community. Their selection of products are chosen to ensure [...]

Capitalism with Purpose, not Profit at its Center By Andrew Kassoy The Occupy Wall Street movement has captured a great deal of attention as it spreads beyond New York City to major cities across the globe.  While some critique the protests as diffuse in message or lacking in substance, it is clear that the movement [...]

By Jay Coen Gilbert, Co-Founder, B Lab The New York Times recently published an article by Joe Nocera entitled “What is Business Waiting For?” Nocera argues for businesses’ responsibility to address unemployment and hire more workers. He also references financial risk expert Marc Groz’s proposal of a “contingent commitment facility.” Using this facility, a company [...]