Behind the B - for Me
I was introduced to the B Corp™ movement at an event hosted by Patagonia in Dublin, where a group of inspiring Irish certified B Corps shared their commitment to placing sustainability at the core of their businesses. My interest was piqued as I had previously explored various sustainability certifications in Ireland, but none seemed to align perfectly with our business values. B Corp™ stood out for its global recognition and adherence to the highest social and environmental standards. Intrigued, I delved into the assessment, eager to understand our business intricately and set benchmarks for improvement.
In 2021, I joined fiid, a company committed to accountability and positive change. The B Corp™ certification became our goal, and as I undertook the assessment, I discovered that we were already excelling in areas crucial for our team, environment, and customers. This led to us achieving the distinction of being the highest-scoring B Corp™ in Ireland in 2021.
Beyond the assessment, integrating B Corp™ standards into our business strategy simplified our approach. Rather than reinventing pillars or chasing unrelated UN SDGs, we aligned our sustainability strategy with the B Corp™ framework. Securing buy-in from our team was pivotal. Our CEO championed B Corp™, and our team embraced the positive impact we were making. While B Corp™ became ingrained in our team and the wider community, we recognized the need for education, events, and networking to bridge the awareness gap among customers and partners.
To contribute to the movement in Ireland, I collaborated with James at Earth’s Edge to host events like Masterclasses and Intros to B Corp™. Witnessing the growing awareness among Irish companies has been encouraging, and I look forward to sustaining this momentum through future events.
In early 2023, I proudly joined the first cohort of Irish B Leaders, undergoing comprehensive training to support businesses of all sizes and industries in becoming B Corp™ certified. After a break to care for my daughter Ellie, I am now fully immersed in the B Corp™ world. Launching my consultancy practice, Impactful Insights, I am eager, excited, nervous, and confident all at once. With clients already on board, I am thrilled to support businesses firsthand and share my passion for the B Corp™ movement.
Through this blog, I aspire to provide a valuable resource to make B Corp™ certification an achievable reality for businesses, fostering collaboration as a force for good.
Wish me luck on this exciting journey! 🙌
