A year ago this week, my business partner and I introduced our book Putting Soul Into Business: How the Benefit Corporation is Transforming American Business for Good.  It tells the story of the benefit corporation movement and all the reasons why it’s not only right for business but it’s right for the times we live in.

Think climate change. Think hate crimes. Think corporate greed.

In our writing, we uncover the impassioned plea of a new generation demanding their dollars and their careers are matched with organizations believing purpose is just as important as profit. That putting the interests of people and planet as equals with profit is not the bottom line. It is the Triple Bottom Line.

Which brings us to the number 17 in the title of this post.

You see, while researching and writing the book, the Secretary of State’s office asked us to create a third-party standard and certification for the Oregon Benefit Company (benefit corporation). And we did as we are now just 1 of 4 certifiers on the Secretary of State’s site and the only one based in the state.

And just last Friday, we certified our 17th business.

Each of these purpose-driven companies passed our certification standard by answering a 48-question online questionnaire and  providing an explanation of their company's efforts meeting the best practices of the 3 P’s: People, Planet, Profit. 

These 17 businesses come in all sizes and industries. Retail, consulting, web development, personal development, natural foods, wine, legal and creative services to name but a few.  

This week we celebrate them as they will all meet each other for the first time at our inaugural Founder’s Club event. We will discover how each is putting soul into business. What diversity efforts are working. Which green practices are most effective. How they might collaborate with each other to not only build better businesses but better communities.

Selfishly, we get to reap the rewards of their inspiration. Their passion and commitment. And their belief that a rising tide lifts all boats. 

Here’s to putting soul into business.

~benefitcorporationsforgood.com~