I am an anti-capitalist business owner

I have a confession to make. We just finalized our mission statement. As a values-driven, B Corp certified impact organization, it’s pretty embarrassing to admit that. It’s been on our “important things to do” list for over a year now (maybe longer? I’m too embarrassed to look that up). In our line of work, it’s one of those things we would NEVER advise a client (or friend!) to do, but inevitably, we don’t listen to our own advice.

I have a confession to make. We just finalized our mission statement. As a values-driven, B Corp certified impact organization, it’s pretty embarrassing to admit that. It’s been on our “important things to do” list for over a year now (maybe longer? I’m too embarrassed to look that up). In our line of work, it’s one of those things we would NEVER advise a client (or friend!) to do, but inevitably, we don’t listen to our own advice.

Trailhead Coffee Roasters came to us with a simple problem. They needed help with their B Corp recertification - and fast (the due date was in less than a month!) This is a pretty common reason organizations come to us - for either first time B Corp certification or recertification. And yes, we help with that! We quickly got Trailhead Coffee Roasters ready for their recertification with the help of a strategic roadmap based on their priorities as an organization and access to our extensive template library.

Too often, we’ve seen consultants put a lot of effort and research into creating a plan or strategy for a client, then deliver the recommendations, walk away, and hope for the best (we are guilty of this too!). All too often, the client’s priorities or circumstances shift soon after, and the well-thought out plan remains just that - a plan on paper that never sees the light of day. The Impact Collective takes a different approach - because we care most about impact.

Here is a list of questions we often hear from our purpose-driven clients: How do we align our mission with our business goals We care so much and we want to use business as a force for good, but where do we start? How do we avoid greenwashing? We want to be authentic in how we talk about our impact - is a certification like B Corp right for us? How do we empower our clients/customers to do good by purchasing from us? How do we make sure we are making the greatest impact possible with our limited resources?

When we created roadmaps for our clients that are pursuing B Corp certification, one of the suggestions is usually “Start an Advisory Board”. Most of the time their response is the same “huh - interesting. I’d love to but I wouldn’t even know where to start.” We felt much the same way when the idea first came up. Images of big corporate rooms with a giant conference table are evoked when you say “board”. We’re just a small business, what do we need a board for??

This year’s theme for the annual BLD PNW was BLD Y(OUR) IMPACT: Beyond Good Vibes. A fitting theme for a time in which we are simultaneously adjusting to post-pandemic life, craving community, relearning our limits, and itching for those outdoor summer hangs.

Your WHY - the dreaded “what’s your purpose?” question. It feels so…BIG. What if I get it wrong? What if I can’t figure it out - is there something wrong with me? What if it changes? Then is it not really my why? Why does it seem so easy for some people?

A phrase we’ve seen floating around lately is “impact washing” or “social washing” - this is similar to green washing and means essentially the same thing. Brands are leaning in to making claims about the social benefit of their businesses, whether that’s community impact, worker initiatives, or general “good will”. Oftentimes, however, savvy consumers start digging for some evidence and there is none to be found.

Here’s something that may surprise you - The Impact Collective isn’t passionate about B Corp certification.

I know - why the focus on B Corps then? If not B Corp, then what are we passionate about? We are passionate about solving problems for purpose-driven organizations. And there is one problem we have seen over and over again throughout our careers and with the clients we work with (both certified B Corps and organizations who are B Corp curious).

Happy New Year to our favorite Changemakers! We have a FREE event coming up TOMORROW to make 2023 your most impactful year yet. Sign up here! We’ll help you align your strategic priorities with your values and then hold each other accountable to make it happen.

Attending and speaking at my first BLD conference this year was so incredible - immaculate vibes, tons of connections, and so many actions/ideas floating around. After the experience of connecting with all of our PNW B’s, I knew I had to attend Champion’s Retreat. Champion’s Retreat is a conference hosted by B Lab to “provide a space to build community, regenerate, and catalyze movement building.” The theme of this year’s conference, held in Philadelphia, is “Humanity at Work” and each session so far has contributed to that theme in a unique way.

We just finished up a great project with a certified B Corp who was working on recertification, and have been reflecting on some of the unexpected outcomes our client experienced. We always tell our clients how powerful the B Corp assessment is, and here are some tangible examples of that.

Aspiring B Corp Leaders - Are you confident that B Corp certification is right for your business, but questioning whether or not NOW is the right time? This is the most common question we get from folks in your position. Here are 3 signs that NOW is the time to get it done AND the time to reach out for help:

Most companies in the process of B Corp certification are surprised to find that their score often decreases by 5-15 points when they get to the audit phase of certification. They then enter an “Improvement phase” in which they have a limited amount of time (sometimes just 2-4 weeks) to get their score to the required minimum of 80 points. That’s where The Impact Collective comes in. We rely on our expertise and project management skills to get you to 80 quickly and with confidence.

Amid all the turmoil in our world right now, there’s a lot of talk about greenwashing, performative impact goals, and "check the box" certifications. Companies are feeling pressure to do good because consumers and employees are demanding it. And consumers and employees are demanding transparency and have little tolerance for companies that don’t walk the talk.

“I loved how TIC pushed me to think beyond the box that I had subconsciously put myself in.” Lily Marella

“It’s like being given the proper prescription for glasses. I can see now where as before it was all blurry .” Heidi Waltermire