Latest news with #Bcorp
Entrepreneur
20 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Sustainable from the Start-(up)
Entrepreneur UK talks with Rebecca Oatley, co-founder of London based communiacations company, The Wilful Group, about all things sustainability. How are you incorporating sustainability into your business model? The great thing about being a startup is that you can build your business to incorporate sustainability from the start. We did with Wilful by building the business to the core pillars of B Corp. So instead of just financial growth and the resources to fuel that growth, we also set other success targets, with goals and metrics against environmental, community, people/team, customers and then ensuring that we had good governance in place against all of the above. We now set targets and strategies against all of these goals in our business plans. How do you balance environmental goals with the financial pressures of running a start-up? If you're building a business with positive or neutral environmental benefits in from the start, your fundamental business choices are based on environmental value as much as financial value. The great thing about the movement towards Net Zero over the last few years is that so many great companies have been established sustainably and so you can start to evolve your supply chain knowing that these companies are making zero or very low negative impact on the planet. For example, we knew that digital emissions could be a big environmental impact from our marketing and communications agency, so we chose Ecosend as our email marketing partner. Ecosend minimises its environmental impact at every stage of the email process and then reports on what it has done. This means that we can keep track of our impact by working with them. We have also implemented emissions tracking for all of our digital activity using the Microsoft Emissions tracking system. These do cost more but being able to measure, report and manage the carbon impact of our business improves its value to partners, customers and the market significantly, and by building this in from the start means that you can plan your investment accordingly rather than having to find the budget from somewhere else. Are investors expecting more from startups in terms of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices? Absolutely. We work with many VC and PE firms who are using ESG principles to understand the long term opportunity and impact of their startup portfolio. For example, one of our clients, Future Business Partnership has built its whole investment model around ethically-aligned capital. When it launched a few years ago, it achieved the highest score of any UK business in its first impact assessment because it build its business and its investment model around the principles of B Corp.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Clear Blue Commercial Celebrates 11 Years of Value-Driven Commercial Real Estate and Sustainability Impact
05/23/2025, Petaluma, California // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Carolyn Pistone (source: Carolyn Pistone) In 2014, Clear Blue Commercial, Inc. set out with a bold vision: to save the planet through real estate. Eleven years later, the California-based commercial real estate firm is not only still standing; it's thriving, proving that sustainable practices and strong business results can go hand in hand. A certified B Corp, green business, woman-owned business, and small business, Clear Blue Commercial specializes in large-scale property and facility management, brokerage, sustainability consulting, and project management. But at the heart of everything it does lies a deeper purpose: to operate with integrity, transparency, and a relentless commitment to environmental and social impact. 'From the beginning, our values were clear: we can and must use business as a force for good,' said Carolyn Pistone, President and Managing Director of Clear Blue Commercial. 'The greatest challenges we face, climate change, social inequity, and instability, require bold, integrated solutions. Commercial real estate offers an enormous opportunity to make a difference.' And make a difference Clear Blue Commercial has. Through turf conversion alone, it saves millions of gallons of water per year, a metric the company has tracked for a decade and continues to watch grow. Its energy-saving initiatives, including solar installations and full-site LED conversions, have saved clients millions of dollars while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions and adding value to properties. But for Pistone, the data only tells part of the story. 'In a field where much of the work is behind the scenes, fixing HVAC systems, handling tenant complaints, it can be hard to see the meaning,' she said. 'That's why we track our carbon diversion, water savings, and financial impact. It allows us to show our team and our clients the powerful results of their day-to-day work.' Clear Blue Commercial's ethos, centered on CLEAR air and water, transparency, and a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit, has guided every decision from day one. The firm has been widely recognized for its efforts, including awards for Best For The World and North Bay Biz 's Best Green Business in 2016. Now, with a decade of impact behind her, Pistone is extending Clear Blue's mission into a new chapter. A sought-after speaker and consultant, she is using the firm's data-driven success story to show other entrepreneurs and leaders what's possible when values drive business. 'The biggest myth I fight is the idea that capitalism is a zero-sum game,' Pistone said. 'That, for me to win, you have to lose. That's simply not true. We've built a seven-figure business that proves sustainability can be profitable and transformative.' As the sole author of Open for Joy: A Journey of Healing and Business Success, Pistone is now working on her next book while continuing to lead workshops and keynote events across the country. Reflecting on Clear Blue Commercial's first 11 years, Pistone sees only more opportunity ahead. 'There's still so much work to be done. But the last decade has taught us that when you lead with purpose and act with intention, you can change everything: from your local community to the climate itself.' Media Contact Name: Carolyn Pistone Email: [email protected]
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BUGABOO DEBUTS BUTTERFLY 2: SMARTER FOLD, BIGGER WHEELS, AND ELEVATED SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR FAMILIES ON THE GO
The Brand's Next-Gen Travel Stroller Reinvents Portability, Comfort, and Eco-Conscious Engineering, Just In Time for Summer Travel NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bugaboo, the global leader in parenting solutions and the brand behind the world's most design-forward strollers, unveils the next generation of its best-selling travel stroller: Butterfly 2, available for pre-order starting today. Bugaboo's award-winning travel stroller is updated to feature a more purpose-driven, comfort-first, and sustainable design—engineered especially for modern parents in motion. As a Certified B Corp™, Bugaboo is committed to creating products that are not only beautifully designed and built to last, but also responsibly made for people and the planet. Built for everyday adventures and big getaways alike, Butterfly 2 offers smarter features, smoother rides, and one of the lowest environmental footprints of any stroller on the market today. A Complete Reimagination of the Travel Stroller Thoughtfully designed and rigorously tested, Butterfly 2 introduces a host of enhancements that make it Bugaboo's most intuitive and adventure-ready travel stroller yet: 'Butterfly 2 was designed to meet the realities of modern parents on the move —where quality , function, and design matter more than ever,' says Jeanelle Teves, Chief Commercial Officer at Bugaboo. 'We've reengineered our bestselling travel stroller to make every journey easier, smoother, and more sustainable—without compromising on the design-forward experience Bugaboo is known for.' Butterfly 2 has already been recognized by the industry, receiving the Red Dot: Best of the Best Award 2025 for outstanding product design and innovation. 'With babies, every day is an adventure—whether you're navigating city streets or boarding a plane,' says Alessandra Elia, Bugaboo CMO. 'Butterfly 2 was designed to help families focus less on logistics and more on connection and discovery. It's our ultimate expression of comfort, function, and design.' Bugaboo's Butterfly 2 is available for pre-order starting today and will be shipping on June 3 at $599 USD. It is air travel–ready, self-standing when folded, and launching in four timeless colors: Forest Green, Desert Taupe, Deep Indigo, and Midnight Black. Shop now at About Bugaboo Bugaboo believes that parenthood has the power to shape the future. The Dutch brand kickstarted a stroller revolution 25 years ago, and they haven't stopped innovating since. Embraced by families around the world, their extraordinary designs remain some of the most recognizable on the market. Their award-winning strollers and parenting solutions — including car seats, a play yard, a high chair, and accessories — are engineered to be comfortable, long-lasting, and easy to use. Designed with the next generations in mind, Bugaboo launched a Push to Zero commitment to be net zero by 2035 and to reduce its impact on the planet. In 2023, the brand also became a B Corp™ — a certification that will keep Bugaboo pushing for a better future. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Bugaboo
Entrepreneur
21-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
A Greener Code
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. For Duel founder Paul Archer, sustainability isn't a line in a pitch deck – it's the foundation of everything his company stands for. Based in London, Duel is a B Corp-certified SaaS platform specialising in brand advocacy. In a world where corporate greenwashing is often just another tab on the website, Paul Archer is adamant that sustainability should be more than surface-level spin. "Sustainability at Duel isn't just something we talk about – it's embedded in how we do business," says Archer, whose company helps brands build and scale advocacy marketing through loyal customers and brand communities. "We're a B Corp, which means we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of social and environmental performance." Founded with the belief that companies can - and should - do more than simply scale quickly and sell out, Duel has taken a stance that feels increasingly radical in the startup world: choosing partners based not just on potential revenue, but shared values. "It's not just about being a successful SaaS company, but being one that adds value to the world in a meaningful, responsible way," says Archer. "We are also very selective about the brands we work with and will happily turn down business if they don't follow the same mantra of people and planet over profit." That mantra isn't always the easiest to maintain in the turbulent world of startups, where cash flow can be tight and expectations high. But for Archer, balancing sustainability with commercial viability is a long game - and a smart one. "Running a startup is tough – there's no sugar-coating it. You're balancing growth, cash flow, and trying to make every penny count. But here's the thing: sustainability doesn't just make us feel good, it actually helps us grow." In fact, being purpose-driven has become one of Duel's most valuable differentiators. "Our customers are looking for companies that do good and do well," he says. "They want long-term growth with a positive impact, and that's exactly what we're creating." As scrutiny of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance grows, especially among younger consumers and employees, it's natural to ask whether the investor world is catching up. Archer's take is candid: "We made the decision early on to build Duel with a purpose – not just to make money, but to show that companies built to drive advocacy can change the world." That stance has helped filter out the wrong investors - and attract the right ones. "We're committed to growing the business responsibly and sustainably and that kind of mindset is exactly what our investors are looking for and are drawn to as well," he explains. "But my impression is that the majority of investors, when they talk about ESG, are just paying lip service, and really, the only thing they care about is money. But this made it much easier for us to find the kind of investors that we truly want to work with because sustainability is as important to them as it is to us." With growing pressure on the tech world to demonstrate substance over spin, Duel's mission is a timely reminder that sustainability doesn't have to come at the cost of success - and might just be its future-proofing factor.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Rethinking Internships: 3 Keys To Building A Best-In-Class Program
Anne St. Peter, Founder of Global Prairie, an employee-owned B Corp, crafting purposeful marketing solutions to cultivate a healthier world. Internships, apprenticeships and practicums have existed for centuries. While they've changed in duration, structure and compensation, the core objective of these training programs remains unchanged: to provide individuals with hands-on job experience and professional skill development. Instead of viewing interns as just the bottom of the hierarchy, I think more business owners should create internship programs that fully integrate and involve these junior employees. This not only improves the interns' experience but also helps full-time employees gain vital delegation and mentoring skills. Companies that embrace the value of investing in junior talent benefit from fresh perspectives while bolstering business performance. Here are three ways to build a best-in-class internship program. Internship programs should be an extension of a company's brand, values and mission. This can be as simple as renaming the internship program to align with the titles used for full-time employees. At our 100% employee-owned marketing firm made up of associates, managers and directors, we call our interns 'junior associates,' which emphasizes our horizontal organizational structure. Moreover, referring to interns as 'junior associates' showcases the growth trajectory they could have if hired on full time, and it acknowledges their role in the broader company structure and strategy. This intentional language promotes feelings of ownership and belonging in junior talent. Similarly, JPMorgan Chase refers to its interns as 'analysts,' a purposeful designation that mirrors the firm's professional rigor and long-standing investment in developing future leaders in the finance industry. Getting junior talent involved in the company culture is essential. Include your junior employees in culture initiatives, including volunteer events, guest speaker sessions, wellness challenges, affinity groups and engagement surveys. Additionally, consider offering coaching on LinkedIn profile building and advice on requesting letters of recommendation. These are ways to value the contributions of junior talent while building their confidence in the workplace and beyond. Internships are not just a learning opportunity for young talent; they're also an avenue to instill your company's purpose, values and culture. Whether or not an intern continues with the company post-program, the lessons and values they absorb can significantly influence their career trajectory. At organizations with strong purpose-driven goals, such as B Corporations or employee-owned companies, this exposure to impact-driven business is critical. Interns gain firsthand insight into how businesses can be profitable while also contributing positively to the world. They also get to see that the more profitable a company is, the greater impact it can have on its employees, its community and the planet. A Deloitte study found that 89% of millennials and 86% of Gen Zers believe that having a sense of purpose is very or somewhat important to their overall job satisfaction and well-being. By integrating junior talent into your organization's culture, you not only cultivate a new generation of purpose-driven professionals but also increase the likelihood that these interns will pursue long-term careers with environmentally and socially responsible organizations. Through a well-crafted internship program, junior employees can also learn what questions to ask during job interviews, what benefits they should look for and how they should be treated in the workplace. Taking that one step further, they can also gain a deeper understanding of responsible business practices and witness corporate social responsibility in action. Junior associates bring fresh perspectives, new ideas and a familiarity with the latest technologies that can help organizations stay ahead of the curve. By allowing junior associates to contribute to meaningful projects, listening to their ideas and valuing their candor, you can tap into unconventional solutions and modern insights that you may otherwise overlook. Integrating junior associates into the broader work environment also offers a significant opportunity for full-time employees to develop delegation and leadership skills. This not only boosts collaboration but also develops a culture of shared responsibility, which is critical for businesses looking to foster innovation and long-term prosperity. Internships are more than a talent pipeline—they deliver immense value. Investing in junior talent positively impacts business outcomes. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, interns who become full-time employees are retained at higher rates: 75.5% of them stay with the organization after their first year of employment, compared to 51.5% of non-intern employees. By integrating interns into the company culture early on, businesses can foster loyalty, drive innovation and ultimately create a more engaged workforce. Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
