For the Greater Good - Volume 5, Issue 5
“A small business is an amazing way to serve and leave an impact on the world you live in.”
– Nicole Snow
It’s a month that is near and dear to me. You see, May is “Small Business Month” where we honor the backbone of our economy. Which applies to the 100 small purpose-driven businesses (and counting) behind our triple bottom line community.
Their work, their passion and their leadership inspire me to get out of bed every morning. I’m fueled and awed by the impact they’re creating in building a better business, a better community, a better world.
So hats off to all you purpose-driven leaders this month (and every month for that matter). There is nothing small about what you’re doing.
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Since our April newsletter, the following has happened:
1 new BCFG has joined our family (our first business in California!)
3 current BCFGs have recertified, and
1 new state on the BCFG map will be added next month, bringing us to 12 states and 1 Canadian province
BCFG Manifesto
We dare to believe that every business can positively impact the world.
We believe that by joining the benefit corporation movement you reinvigorate the planet with sustainability, transparency and empathy.
We believe in the 3 P’s practice of putting People and Planet first because it means more Profit for those who see the wisdom in serving the “greater good.”
We believe in helping empower companies to become benefit corporations because we know that a rising tide lifts all boats. Call us crazy, call us dreamers but we have the audacity to believe we will answer JFK’s words, “If not us, who? If not now, when?”
Are you ready to become a benefit corporation and a triple bottom line business? Here are 12 simple and quick questions to help you answer that: https://bit.ly/3H5ArYn
Upcoming Events:
May 15: Happy Hour for Good – How To Grow a Sustainable Organization
Email Tom to RSVP: tom@benefitcorporationsforgood.com.
May 24: Maintaining Your IP Protections
Info here
June 3: Mighty Impacts “Challenge”
Info here
June 7: B Corp Leadership Development
Info here
Want to learn more? Check these out!
6 Advantages to Partnering with a Certified Benefit Corporation
What are the business advantages to working with a certified triple bottom line company? Marzano Research, a long-time certified BCFG, lays out 6 compelling reasons.
Certified since 2019, they’ve made a bold commitment to expanding their purpose beyond the financial bottom line.The work they do is rooted in their belief that education can transform lives. They’re dedicated to doing good and helping our education system continue to do more good, every day. Learn about those 6 powerful advantages. Read now: https://marzanoresearch.com/partnering-with-certified-benefit-corporation/
How To Write an Effective Sustainability Statement
During our certification process, we ask a business leader if they have a sustainability statement for their business. In more than 50% of the cases, that business does not. And yet it’s a critical piece of communication that Millennial and Gen Z people are looking for. But writing a sustainability statement isn’t always straightforward. Even the shortest statements need to take many factors into consideration in order to be done well. Luckily, we have an article that guides you to writing your sustainability statement. Read now: https://ecocart.io/sustainability-statement/?utm_content=283914259
Why a Cycling Precision Components Manufacturer Choose to Become a certified BCFG
Say hello to another member of the BCFG community, Kirby Bedsaul of Chris King Precision Components! Chris King Precision Components is a bicycle manufacturing company based in Portland, OR. The company became a certified benefit corporation to show that it does business in a meaningful way. Watch this video to learn about Chris King Precision Components journey to certifying with BCFG! Watch now: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C51HkLLS13s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
HIGHLIGHTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RECENT RE-CERTIFIED BCFGS and the all the good they're doing for people and planet:
Mindful Proteins
Larkspur Portland
OI Develop
LEARN MORE about our 8 standards for becoming a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.
INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE SMALL BIZ COMMUNITY THROUGH ADVOCACY?
The Small Business Utility Advocates is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that represents, protects, and promotes the interests of small business utility customers. Energy, water, and other utilities have a direct impact upon the success of small businesses.
As strong supporters of the work of SBUA, Benefit Corporations for Good has seen the organization in action before the Oregon Public Utility Commission and in B2B meetings using expertise and experience to push for equitable treatment for small businesses.
If you're a business leader in the Portland, OR area and want to support SBUA through work advocating for small business, you might be eligible for some compensation for your time and efforts. For details contact diane@utilityadvocates.org.
For more information about what SBUA has been doing generally and in Oregon see www.utilityadvocates.org/news-and-resources.
KNOW OTHERS WHO BELIEVE IN A BETTER BUSINESS MODEL?
Do you know other people who are interested in the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit? Conscientious leaders and businesses who believe in doing business for the greater good? Then send them this link so they can receive our eletter free every other week devoted, of course, to the greater good!
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If you're interested in seeing the companies we've certified to date, go here.
If you're interested in learning more about our certification process, go here.
If you're interested in becoming an Oregon Benefit Company, go here.