B for Benefit

We have proudly been certified for more than 2 years. It has been an honour to be part of a community of like-minded businesses. However, it can be a bit hard to grasp what the B is really about. That’s what we would like to talk about! 

Certifications normally apply to a product; is the cheese organic? Is the body lotion allergy certified? 

The B Corp certification is not just about a product. It is about a company as a whole. Companies that leave a positive imprint on the planet, companies that Benefit. 

You need to see B Corps as a movement of like-minded businesses who all have a desire to change how we create a successful story. We live in a world where we have a responsibility to each other and to the planet. To do so in a sustainable manner, you also need to be profitable. B Corps are just that; profitable businesses that use their force for good. 

Becoming certified

Through the B Impact Assessment, you will get a score on what matters most. If your score is high enough, between 80-200 points, you become certified. We must admit, this is not easy, and it does make you reevaluate certain things in your company that if changed could make a difference for the better. 

Not only is the B Corp a movement, but it is also a legal requirement. When certified you are also required to update the company’s legal standards to consider all stakeholders regardless of ownership in decision making. Each time we make a decision now, we are obligated to consider our community; how does this affect the farmers? The baristas? Heck, even our neighbours.  

Not only do we see this seal of approval as an honour, we see it as a necessity. Why not do something good while you’re at it? You might as well make a change, that benefits society and the planet. 

Choose where you as a consumer invest your money, and keep an eye out for the B Corp logo next time you go shopping. 

Who came first?

The beginning of the B Corp movement rose from a broken system. 

In 2006 B Lab was founded by three entrepreneurs who noticed how companies worked to serve shareholders - rather than stakeholders - which resulted in unintended negative consequences for society and the environment. 

Businesses had - and still have, a negative impact on society and the planet by placing the shareholders’ profit above all.

By turning the tables, and considering all the stakeholders regardless of ownership in decision making, instead of a few shareholders, the three entrepreneurs found a way for a more thriving planet and better future for all. Their goal was to create a movement that would redefine success by using business as a force for good. 

This definitely rings a bell and reminds us of how Coffee Collective came to be; When first starting the company we quickly found out that the coffee trading system was broken. There was a huge interest from consumers to pay for a good cup of coffee. But why did coffee farmers then have to leave their land in favour of more profitable crops? 

This was when we decided to work from a transparent business model, cutting out all middlemen and paying farmers directly based on the quality of their coffee. 

On all coffee bags you can see how many percentages above the market C price, the farmers we work with are paid. 

This is just one of the ways we try to beat the broken system and use our business as a force for good. By supporting B Corps you are also part of a growing movement.