Why a PDX Property Mgmt Firm Made Its Bottom Line a Triple Bottom Line

Here are Peace By Lease co-founders Cari Sweet and Michael Jonas celebrating their recent certification as a Benefit Corporation for Good.

As a property management firm, Peace By Lease is a purpose-driven business. It’s not something you see often in the real estate world but the firm’s mission is to do good for people and planet just as much as it is to do good for tenants and property owners.  

By electing to become an Oregon Benefit Company and certified Benefit Corporation for Good (BCFG), Peace By Lease has trumpeted to all its stakeholders the firm’s intent and practice to social and environmental impact. It joins a growing group of businesses whose values are aligned in creating a better business, a better community and a better planet. You’ll find these “forces for good” in Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Connecticut and soon in Virginia. That’s not to mention British Columbia.

We recently interviewed the co-founders of Peace By Lease, Cari Sweet and Michael Jonas, about their business becoming a certified Benefit Corporation for Good. Here’s what they had to say about it, their firm’s motivation for doing it and why they’re committed to more than just their bank account.

1.  What motivated you to become a Benefit Company?

We opened Peace By Lease with the intention to do property management differently. Traditionally property management companies are focused on one bottom line: profit, and they don't often weigh the alternative costs of doing business in this manner. While profit is part of the equation for Peace By Lease, people are a bigger part of the equation; so it just made sense to become a Benefit Company and have certification of this commitment.

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

Not at all; we both own other businesses and Michael's law firm is a certified Benefit Corporation for Good. Cari has had intentions of getting her other company certified as well (and after completing the process with Peace By Lease with such ease, that has been moved higher on the priority list/agenda). We are both focused on social justice and challenging institutions that have traditionally held people back, so our business model was a great fit for becoming a benefit company.

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

It was a fast process. We filed our business formation with the Oregon Secretary of State in early April and indicated that we wanted to pursue becoming a Benefit Company. Michael reached out to Benefit Corporations For Good at that time and we were given instruction on how to proceed. We officially opened our doors in October, filed our questionnaire in early November, and were certified a week later!

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

No, but we have a 2-person team and were both committed to this business model from the beginning. We plan to continue fostering this culture as our company grows, making sure our future team members and associated vendors are joining us in our mission.

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

Being part of the BCFG community is fantastic! Connecting with other businesses that have similar commitments to the triple bottom line makes it easier to find aligned partners and support to grow our business while better serving the community at large. Plus, being a property management company that is certified as a benefit company is a great conversation starter, it's not something you see every day!

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

Absolutely! It takes a little more effort to focus on more than just profit. But I think many of us would agree that focusing solely on profit has left both our people and our planet behind, at a great expense to society.

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

Compassion - being able to see people, projects, and business as more than a dollar sign.

8. What lessons have you learned in the process?

We are pretty early on in the process, so we haven't had a lot of opportunities for learning. But I can definitely say that completing the certification process helped to place both work/life balance, and budgeting time/money for community service into the forefront of our future business planning.

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

Yes, and it has been part of our brand identity from day one. Our core values of humanity, efficiency, equity, and community are a nice corollary to the triple bottom line: planet, people, and profit. Our goal is to not only have a strong, intentional brand with a consistent brand message, but to not just talk the talk. We want to walk the walk.

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

It shows your commitment to more than just your bank account. I think an increasing number of people are looking for businesses that see them as more than just a dollar sign and have a commitment to environmental practices.

You can learn more about Peace By Lease here.

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

Learn more about the 6 simple steps to becoming a benefit corporation here.

~benefitcorporationsforgood.com~