The “Superpower” of Benefit Corporations (Yes, there is one.)

Incorporated and certified benefit corporations can be found in 37 states (and counting.) They all have a “superpower” in their connection to community.

Who would have thought?

Small businesses, social entrepreneurs, those scrappy and tenacious companies are emerging today as a powerful catalyst for community good.

These small enterprises under 500 employees represent 99% of all businesses in the US. Many have fewer than 25 employees.  And often these businesses started with the vision of a single entrepreneur and an idea often rooted in a local community.

Within this group of thousands of small businesses, you’ll find a large number who describe themselves as purpose-driven companies.  They believe in enhancing the local community where they live and work.  This is especially true with those small businesses that have committed to the triple bottom line of “people, planet profit” and have incorporated and certified as a Benefit Corporation.

From environmental efforts to keep their neighborhoods clean, to volunteering toward local community social justice issues, they bring their passion to create healthy communities for ALL.

These small business leaders, a part of the Benefit Corporation movement, strive to follow the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Through practicing these values, they are making a difference. And they have a secret power:

The ability to connect!

Thanks to being small and local, these leaders are accessible and close to the customer. They know the immediate issues and concerns of the community and the region. Their employees are familiar with the schools, nonprofits, faith community, and other businesses enabling them to collaborate and create synergy around common causes in the community.

Small local businesses work and shop among their neighbors. They understand the community’s cares and concerns. With this familiarity comes the ease in connecting with trust and to bring about change.

Employing local residents , owners  remain close to the pulse of the city , town and region.  Together they impact school board decisions, organize testimony and public commentary with local legislative bodies and serve as vocal voices against zoning that is not inclusive – to name just a few ways they use their influence and synergy to effectively make communities stronger.

As commonly defined:

A benefit corporation is a corporation created to generate social and public good, and to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner.

This is the promise and superpower of small, cause-driven businesses known as benefit corporations – a commitment to the community and a belief that the sum is greater than any one part. They are a catalyst to address the world’s biggest challenges. 

Together there is power.

Together there is community.

Together there is HOPE!

~benefitcorporationsforgood.com~