Latest news with #B-Corp
Irish Independent
01-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wicklow salon Home of Hair expands in Greystones
Susan plans to rebrand both salons under the Home of Hair name 'uniting them through one powerful, purpose-led identity'. Established in 2017, Susan Collins Home of Hair has been a staple in the Greystones community. It offers a range of services, including haircuts, colouring, styling, and treatments, all using environmentally friendly products. In addition to prioritising sustainable practices within the salon, she actively participates in community initiatives and supports local charities. In 2022, she led a fundraising drive in Greystones, rallying other firms to bring in €12,200 for the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. 70 local businesses donated prizes to the monster raffle, which received an amazing response from the community. Susan's salon became the first in the EU to achieve B Corp certification, a recognition reserved for businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. B-Corp certification is a prestigious recognition awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. By obtaining this status, Susan joined a global community of businesses dedicated to using their platform to drive positive change. At Home of Hair, people and planet come first. That means flexible work, ethical choices, low-waste salons, and a team culture that prioritises joy, mental wellbeing, and mutual respect. Her team of colourists and stylists use Davines products — a sustainable, cruelty-free haircare brand — and the salon supports other local small businesses, including wellness brand LaLuna Goodness. The salon invests in recycling salon waste. Items such as hair, used foil and colour tubes, excess colour and bleach, plastics and cups, are sent to experts for recycling and reuse. The towels from Easy Dry are Irish-owned, sustainable, biodegradable, disposable, and vegan, while the salon partners with small-scale coffee farmers and prioritises buying coffee from importers that protect farming communities and soil health. 'We're not just growing in size — we're deepening our impact,' said Susan. 'This rebrand is about bringing everything we stand for into every corner of the business — more space, more support for our team, and more opportunities to model what a better salon culture can look like.'
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Earned Wage Access Could Redefine The Social Contract Of Work
Arbia Smiti, CEO & Founder of Rosaly, an EWA B-Corp in France that's improving financial well-being through on-demand pay. Since the 1960s, monthly pay has stood in France—and in much of the world—as a symbol of stability and social progress. Designed for an era of predictable employment and linear economic growth, the monthly salary once met the needs of both employers and workers. But in today's economic reality—marked by inflation, rising financial vulnerability and the gig economy—the rigidity of that model is being challenged. I think the next social innovation is not about more pay but about better access to it. In France, as in many countries, financial pressure is mounting. Nearly half of French workers experience bank overdrafts at least once a year. According to the latest Panorabanques data, the average overdraft is €223. The disconnect is clear: Expenses occur daily, but pay is received monthly. While the French Labor Code technically allows for salary advances (or acomptes), this right often remains underused. Why? Because the system can be administrative, opaque and socially stigmatized—used only in emergencies, rarely encouraged by employers and poorly understood by employees. Earned wage access (EWA) offers a new approach. By allowing employees to unlock a portion of their earned wages before payday, EWA aligns income access with real-life spending rhythms. Unlike loans or credit-based products, EWA involves no interest, no debt and no obligation—just early access to wages already worked for. In countries like the U.S., U.K., India and Spain, the model is rapidly gaining ground. Fintech providers and HR platforms now integrate EWA seamlessly into payroll systems, creating a flexible, low-friction financial buffer for workers. In the International Labour Organization's April 2025 global report on EWA, survey respondents indicated that: • 52% to 85% of users reported reduced financial stress. • 50% to 86% gained self-confidence from having flexible access to their income. • 87% to 99% rated the speed of access as 'good' or 'very good.' • 60% to 87% used EWA instead of more costly alternatives like payday loans or overdrafts. The report also underlined benefits for employers: improved retention, higher productivity and reduced administrative burden linked to manual salary advance requests. France already has the legal groundwork to support EWA: The right to a salary advance is embedded in national labor law. What's often missing is modernization—both in terms of digital infrastructure and cultural perception. While American and British employers often offer EWA as a strategic HR benefit, many French companies still treat it as a marginal, manual exception. And yet, workers increasingly live paycheck-to-paycheck, and financial emergencies are rarely aligned with the calendar month. Making EWA accessible through digital, automated and secure channels could unlock a transformation—one that supports employees without disrupting company cash flow or payroll operations. Let's be clear: EWA is not a call to abandon monthly pay. It is an evolution—one that adds fluidity, not instability. When offered responsibly, with clear caps, employer oversight and zero cost for employees, EWA can become a tool for dignity and autonomy. It also responds to broader labor market shifts like freelance work, platform economy jobs and growing demands for real-time compensation. In this context, salary flexibility is not a gimmick; it's a structural adjustment to an outdated system. Beyond its financial function, EWA can reshape the employee experience. It signals trust, transparency and care. It lowers the psychological burden of asking for help. And it fits naturally into a broader movement toward financial wellness, inclusion and responsible compensation. As companies compete for talent in sectors under pressure—retail, logistics, healthcare—EWA can be a differentiator. But more than a perk, it is a response to systemic friction in the way we pay for work. For business leaders exploring EWA, the first step is to assess workforce needs: • What percentage of your employees are hourly or shift-based? • Are financial stress or overdraft-related absences a recurring issue? • How many salary advance requests do your HR teams manage manually? Next, consult your payroll provider. Many digital EWA solutions integrate with other business systems. You may want to look for platforms that provide customizable caps (e.g., 30% to 50% of salary), employer control (eligibility criteria, pause functions) and compliance with GDPR and labor laws. Equally important: Communicate clearly. Employees need to understand this is not a loan or a credit service. Offer onboarding support and Q&A sessions, and explain how usage is tracked and protected. While EWA offers clear benefits, implementation must be thoughtful: • Risk Of Overuse: Without education and caps, employees might rely on advances habitually. • Cost Transparency: Solutions must be fee-free for workers or capped at a symbolic level. Otherwise, it risks creating new financial stress. • Regulatory Oversight: In some countries, the legal framework around EWA is still evolving. France benefits from existing provisions, but global companies must evaluate jurisdictional nuances. • Cultural Shift: HR teams may need time to adapt their perception of EWA—not as a vulnerability signal, but as a wellness benefit. To mitigate these risks, start with pilot programs, monitor usage behavior and gather employee feedback before full rollout. Regular reporting and HR dashboards can help track impact without micromanaging. We no longer live in a world where the end of the month matches the end of financial need. EWA brings payroll into the 21st century. More employers and HR leaders are starting to see EWA not as a workaround but as a lever for social progress. Because when workers gain financial breathing room, businesses often gain engagement, loyalty and resilience in return. I don't think the future of work will be built on rigid pay cycles—it will be built on fairness, flexibility and the courage to rethink even our most established norms. The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Man of Many
26-05-2025
- Business
- Man of Many
Maker's Mark Isn't Just Crafting Whisky, It's Building an Ecosystem
By Jacob Osborn - Sponsored Published: 26 May 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 7 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Hit the bourbon trail through Kentucky and you'll eventually find yourself flanked by vast stretches of rolling hills and thick forest, punctuated by famous distilleries. Here in this picturesque rural landscape, the Maker's Mark Distillery occupies its own little corner of the universe. Journeying past the large gates feels like you're entering some sort of highbrow amusement park, and the experience that awaits on the other side doesn't exactly dissuade you of that impression. What it does do, however, is see this ubiquitous brand entirely defy expectations. Indeed, it's easy to see a bottle of Maker's Mark sitting on the shelf at the nearest bar, coated in its signature red wax, and imagine a faceless corporation that automates every spare detail while imparting a false sense of craftsmanship. That makes it all the more surprising when you enter the distillery's domain, a 1,100-acre property known as Star Hill Farm, to discover an operation in progress that, to use the distillery's latest campaign tagline, is 'perfectly unreasonable'. Similarly surprising is the clear dedication to sustainability and regenerative agriculture. Star Hill Farm | Image: Maker's Mark Distillery The examples of this are numerous. Repurposing used glass to create pathways and artwork. Supplying free stillage, i.e. the waste that results from production, to nearby farmers as a food source for livestock. Establishing the largest white oak research forest in all of America, where scientists genetically map white oak trees in the hopes of improving resilience. Using sheep to graze the grass and solar panels to generate power, and local bee colonies to promote biodiversity. Striving for zero waste while duly earning B-Corp certification. Controlling virtually every aspect of the water supply. All of it on location. When sourcing grain for its whisky (spelled 'whisky' as a nod to Maker's Mark's Scottish roots), the distillery works primarily with Regenerative Certified farms. It has also established the Maker's Mark Regenerative Alliance with the goal of working exclusively with farms that employ regenerative practices by the end of the year. At home, meanwhile, the Maker's Mark team is growing its own wheat crops and experimenting with various strains. There may even come a time when Maker's Mark is executing every aspect of production, from grain to bottle, right there at Star Hill Farm. Star Hill Farm | Image: Maker's Mark Distillery Not One Corner Cut None of the above may sound perfectly unreasonable until you consider the alternatives for an operation of this size. A company could easily save money by resorting to cheaper practices across the board. Then again, the commitment to sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and in-house farming can pay off over time. It can also keep Maker's Mark ahead of the curve from a marketing perspective, as more consumers pursue ethical standards from their brands of choice. But clever marketing is par for the course at Maker's Mark, a label that was at least partly built on branding ingenuity (and isn't afraid to own it). For that, we have Margie Samuels, wife of co-founder Bill Samuels Sr., to thank. It was Margie who devised the original logo and the iconic red wax seal, dipping the very first bottles in her own kitchen. Her presence looms large over the industry with her image even gracing the annals at the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Combine her marketing savvy with the Maker's Mark evergreen mashbill, and you essentially get the invention of premium bourbon as a category. Star Hill Farm | Image: Maker's Mark Distillery Back at the distillery, one passes through the Margie Samuels vestibule to arrive at the bottling facility, where a small team dips each bottle in red wax by hand. In a nearby building, two employees print the bottle labels on 1930s printing presses. As an observer, the sense of perfect unreasonableness grows palpable, and while you could argue there's a performative aspect at play here, giving people what they want has always been a strong business model. When it comes to its whisky portfolio, Maker's Mark has been impressively reserved since its founding in 1953. Until recently, the majority of the brand's flagship bourbons were higher-proof versions of that iconic mainstay. Then there's the delicious Maker's Mark 46, finished with French Oak staves, along with a handful of limited edition releases like Wood Finishing, Cellar Aged, and Private Selection. And that's pretty much it. Change is afoot, however, in the form of an exciting brand-new release. Star Hill Farm | Image: Maker's Mark Distillery Introducing Star Hill Farm Whisky We could go on (and on) about the recent trip to Kentucky, which included an all-access pass to horse-racing venue Keeneland for a day at the races. Before that was a cocktail party at the home of Bill Samuels Jr., son of Bill Sr. and Margie, who regaled us with legendary stories and mind-blowing artefacts. For example, did he just point to the oldest-known sealed bottle of American whiskey? Quite possibly, although there's a common saying in these parts: 'Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.' But we digress. After all, the purpose of our trip was to explore the distillery and sample the team's latest milestone. It goes by the name of Star Hill Farm Whisky and veers off label to stand firmly on its own two feet. Marrying two mashbills, one consisting of 70 per cent soft red winter wheat and 30 per cent malted barley, and the other being 100 per cent malted soft red winter wheat, it pays homage to the power of regenerative agriculture, and also just so happens to be an outstanding whisky. Not only is it off-label, Star Hill Farm is the distillery's first-ever wheat whisky. Unlike 'wheated' whisky (which pertains to pretty much any whisky containing wheat), 'wheat' whisky must come from a mashbill of at least 51 per cent wheat. This one clears the qualifying hurdle with room to spare and an exceptional taste to match. Bottled at cask strength, it delivers an undiluted and flavour-packed profile, opening on a rich nose of caramel, raisin, gingerbread, and grain. Next comes a silky palate of toffee, cherry, raisin, malted wheat, and apple pie, followed by a warm and spicy finish of oak, cinnamon, and toasted pecan. It's a certified winner. Star Hill Farm | Image: Maker's Mark Distillery Maker's Mark refers to its output as 'nature distilled' and runs with this theme through every aspect of production. The vast and thriving property on which the distillery is built is becoming an ecosystem unto itself, while the newest release highlights the importance of quality grain and regenerative farming. And again, it's also just a superlative sipper from one of the world's most iconic distilleries. If you're a lover of American whisky, you should put a trip to Maker's Mark on your bucket list. You won't be disappointed. Even beyond everything we've discussed, there's so much more to discover; we didn't mention the Chihuly glass exhibitions, the innovative cocktails, the cave-like cellar, the watershed, the truffle-sniffing dog, or Star Hill Provisions Restaurant, where we enjoyed the best meal of our entire trip. Perfectly unreasonable perhaps, but the Maker's Mark Distillery and its Star Hill Farm Whisky offer a promising vision of whisky's sustainable future.
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Earth Day 2025: Scottish businesses offering sustainable spirits and drinks
This year sees the 55th Earth Day, which was established in1970, and there are different ways to mark it, including buying sustainable spirits and from B-Cop businesses. What is Earth Day? Earth Day was founded to raise awareness and bring people together for environmental awareness. Since then, the Earth Day organisation has led various fundraising campaigns, awareness events, and more. Many Scottish food and drink businesses are striving to be more environmentally-friendly, from reducing plastic packaging, cutting down on emissions, changing and adapting growing practises to applying to become B-Corp certified. What is B-Corp? B Corporation is a private certification of for-profit companies that takes into account their"social and environmental performance". The official description reads: "B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials." Here we take a look at some of the best businesses in Scotland who are striving to be greener, and what products you can buy to support this. Dear Green Picture: Dear Green Glasgow-based Dear Green coffee roasters gained B Corp status in 2021, with founder Lisa Lawson saying: "Gaining B Corp certification is one of our proudest moments at Dear Green. "To have the ethical standards which are intrinsically in the culture of the company audited and verified to be of the highest standard is incredible." The coffee roasters joined internationally renowned brands including Innocent, Patagonia and The Body Shop in earning the B Corp accolade. The company was founded by Lisa when she became frustrated by how staff, producers, customers and the environment were treated by the industry. Dear Green has been dedicated to putting social and environmental responsibility, sustainability and purpose ahead of profit ever since. Arbikie Disitllery This family-run farm-to-bottle distillery in Lunan Bay has been working tirelessly to reduce its carbon emissions and offer customers a truly field to bottle range of spirits. In 2020 they launched their first climate positive gin, Nadar, which was followed by a vodka. Nàdar, which means nature in Gaelic, is thought to be the world's first climate positive gin made from peas. A revolutionary spirit for the drinks industry, with a carbon footprint of -1.54 kg CO 2 e per 700ml bottle, it is at the forefront of the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss - the biggest challenges humankind has ever faced. Nadar is the result of five years of research, through Master Distiller, Kirsty Black's, PhD studentship between Abertay University and The James Hutton Institute. Arbikie also gained planning permission to build a 1 MW Wind Turbine on its farm at Lunan Bay in 2022, which will allow the production of green hydrogen. Arbikie believes it will be the first distillery in the world to be powered with green hydrogen, another major milestone on their journey to becoming one of the world's most sustainable distilleries. Bruichladdich Bruichladdich became B-Corp certified in 2020. Of this, the team at Bruichladdich said: "Highlights that helped us to achieve our original certification included our benefits package to staff. "These include Living Wage employment, a 5-10% bonus scheme shared for 100% of our staff, annual cost of living adjustments as well we private healthcare, life assurance provisions and 34 days paid annual leave as standard. We're also a diverse employer with a sound training and development program. Our team in 2020 had 50%+ female senior management and an age range of staff spanning from 19 to 75 years of age. "Our progressive attitude towards our community and sustainability also helped us qualify. We circulate the wastewater from our stills to heat our offices, bottling hall and visitor centre. We switched to 100% green electricity, sourced within the UK. We have ambitious plans for the future, and we can confidently say we are on our way." Nc'Nean Nc'Nean was named a 2022 Best for the World B Corp in recognition of exceptional positive impact for its environmental stewardship, ranking in the top 5% of all B Corps for that category in their corresponding size group. Best for the World is a distinction granted by B Lab to Certified B Corporations (B Corps) whose verified B Impact Scores in the five impact areas evaluated in the B Impact Assessment — community, customers, environment, governance, and workers — hit that top percentage category. Nc'nean earned this accolade based on initiatives such as powering the distillery with 100% renewable energy, using organic barley sourced exclusively from Scotland and bottling its whisky in a 100% recycled clear glass bottle – a UK first for a premium spirit. Rigorous in its approach to sustainable production, in 2021 it became the first whisky distillery in the UK to be verified as net zero for its own operations. Nc'nean founder Annabel Thomas said of this: 'As a small, passionate team we are incredibly proud to have achieved this accolade, which reflects our deep-rooted commitment to championing the most sustainable production processes. "We are extremely pleased with our very high score of 73.3 under the environmental stewardship section and being championed as one of the top 5% of B Corps in our size group for that category worldwide is a fantastic achievement. "We are not afraid to challenge perceptions of the way things should be done in the whisky industry and will continue to pioneer best practice with our ongoing environmental initiatives.' Brewgooder Picture: Brewgooder Twitter Another Scottish drinks brand that has been named Best for the World B Corp in recognition is Brewgooder. The firm achieved this in 2021. The team said of the accolade: "The 'Best for the World' are B Corps whose scores in one or more of the five impact areas assessed towards the certification, reach the top 5% of all B Corps worldwide. At Brewgooder, we have been recognised for our clean water efforts in the Community area. "As all B Corps are already businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose — this is a recognition that makes us incredibly proud. "And we're just getting started… We will continue collaborating with the global B Corp community to improve and positively impact through the power of great craft beer."
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New partnership makes investment opportunities simpler and more accessible: 'Growing complexities ... require both technology and human expertise'
Financial company JTC has announced its partnership with Novata, a sustainability technology company. A new collaboration between JTC and Novata is a positive step toward more sustainable investment, with the partnership aiming to "support asset managers and investors with their sustainability goals," according to International Adviser. With the aim of helping companies achieve their sustainability goals, Novata can "automate data collection and reporting, streamline carbon accounting, and simplify regulations," the press release explained. Novata is a B-Corp certified public benefit corporation, so it is hopeful to see a multimillion-dollar fund administration service like JTC partner with them in this way. JTC previously appointed David Vieira as the Group Head of Sustainability in 2023, offering a Sustainability Services business to investors who want to have a positive impact on the environment. Many corporations have been called out for claiming to be more eco-friendly than they are. When it comes to sustainability, more transparency within the financial sector can only be a good thing to prevent greenwashing. Luckily, organizations and individuals are taking a stand against greenwashing to tell corporations that their misleading tactics are deeply problematic. The collaboration between a major financial company and a leading sustainability technology company will hopefully set a precedent for other financial organizations to genuinely make eco-friendly investments more accessible for their clients. The world is moving toward a cleaner economy, and it has never been a better time for corporations to shift their investments away from planet-harming projects to opportunities like clean energy and sustainability-focused businesses. It is vital that high-income individuals take accountability for their carbon footprint and work to be more sustainable. After all, a billionaire produces a million times more carbon pollution than the average person. Beyond this, the wealthiest 10% of Americans are responsible for 40% of the country's pollution. Novata's head of partnerships, Conor O'Laoire, said: "The growing complexities of sustainability regulation and reporting require both technology and human expertise, which is why I'm happy to be announcing our partnership with JTC." Do you think billionaires spend their money wisely? Definitely No way Some do Most do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. He added that Novata will "offer market-leading solutions that encompass both sustainability technology and advisory services to JTC's clients around the world." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
