When Mindful Proteins decided to become an Oregon Benefit Company, they knew that a Triple Bottom Line approach to their wellness business was non-negotiable. You see, the company’s co-founders believe their brand should not only encourage their customers to pursue a more mindful life centered on wellness and balance. But those same principles must be applied to their community and planet as well.

Recently they felt the time was right to certify their beliefs and practices of serving People, Planet and Profit through Benefit Corporations for Good.

We interviewed Mindful Proteins co-founder Jacoba Gundle about becoming a certified Oregon Benefit Company. Here’s what she had to say about it, the motivation for doing it and why it was right for her business.

1.  What motivated you to become a Benefit Company?

When Sean (co-founder and CEO) and I decided to start Mindful Proteins, we did it with the full intention to be as sustainability-focused as possible. At the time, we had no fixed ideas on what resources would help us accomplish this goal. It did not take us very long to discover Benefit Corporations for Good and realize the positive impact its standard would offer our company.

The certification was a way that we could easily demonstrate our commitment to clients, stakeholders, peers, and the public that we were squarely focused on people, planet, and responsible profit. 

2.  Was it difficult getting internal support for moving toward this model?

It was not difficult to get internal support to become a Benefit Company. With our background in climate finance and policy, being responsible denizens of the world was ingrained in us. We set out on a mission to find an organization that could help us document and certify our business practices and we found BDFG.

3. How long did it take you to officially become a Benefit Company?

The questionnaire took only a few hours to complete and we had our certificate in-hand less than a week later.

4. Have you seen any change in culture since you became a Benefit Company?

Taking the care and the time to complete the Benefit Corporations for Good questionnaire and commit our values and approaches to writing our responses has been very beneficial. The BCFG engagement brought much of values into acute and concise focus such that we are well equipped now to educate future new hires on the elements we take as important in our company culture.

5. Have you experienced any positive outcomes since becoming a Benefit Company?

We have connected with a few other Benefit Companies and commended them on their certification approval. As a start-up business, we are carefully choosing our new vendors based on both their ability to provide appropriate service and their alignment with our values. Noting the Benefit Corporation sticker vendors post is an easy way to signal that these are companies we want to consider doing business with. For example, while we know good people there, we sought out Pacific West Bank specifically as our corporate banking partner due to their BCFG certification.

6. Would you recommend this business model to others? Why or why not?

Absolutely. Even if you are not ready to take the leap to become a certified Benefit Company, going through the questionnaire as a team exercise helps align the collective vision for the organization. One can use the questionnaire as a guide to help change and grow the organization en route to achieving certification. We recommend this business model because it publicly demonstrates company values relating to the triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit, and consumers increasingly care about that.

7. What is the most important trait to have as a conscientious leader of a Benefit Company?

To implement the changes that are required for a Benefit Company certification, leadership needs to be open to creating new policies that prove to be beneficial for all. Obtaining the certification shows that there are more important factors than simply profit. Leadership needs to place a high value on commitment for good and real transparency. If leadership places high emphasis on the values needed to become a Benefit Company, so will the rest of the organization. This leads to a better company, better products, and a better value to consumers and the environment.

8. What lessons have you learned in the process?

The biggest thing we have learned through this process is identifying where the areas for improvement exist. We are very strong on certain aspects of the certification, but now see the path forward on where we need to strengthen our efforts.

9. Is being a Benefit Company part of your current brand message?

Yes, we are proud to be a Certified Benefit Company. We have the Benefit Corporations for Good logo on our website, our email signatures, and on our office door. We want as many people as possible to know that we align with the values of a Benefit Company. It is part of our company ethos!

10. What is the single best reason you'd give for another company or peer to become a Benefit Company?

Why would you not become a Benefit Company? Other than a small initial financial commitment, I can’t think of a substantial reason not to become, or work to become a Benefit Company. By getting certified, you let everyone know that protecting the planet, diversifying your team, and treating people well is a priority for your business.

It helps signal and provide common language for companies committed to decisions and actions intended to achieve a much more expansive notion of positive impact and sustainability – for the good of employees, clients/stakeholders, community, and the environment.

You can learn more about Mindful Proteins here.

If you want to know more about why your business should become a benefit corporation, watch this.

—>Learn more about the 6 simple steps to becoming a certified Oregon Benefit Company or benefit corporation.

~benefitcorporationsforgood.com~