The B Corp movement: helping businesses to do good
By Daniel Teitelbaum, Our Community House manager, and Matthew Schulz, journalist, Our Community
Our Community House, the new headquarters for the social sector in Melbourne, is helping to spread the word about B Corps - businesses that balance purpose with profit.
Our Community is among the growing numbers of businesses in Australia and 34 other countries that qualify for the B Corp label, having passed a tough assessment of their social, environmental, transparency and governance credentials by the certifying body B Lab.
To celebrate B Corp Month in July, Our Community hosted weekly events to boost the B Corps concept, showcasing 16 organisations over four nights.
Our Community group managing director Denis Moriarty said it was inspiring to meet some of the businesses aiming to do good while turning a profit.
"We had accountants, beer brewers, vets, barbecue restaurants, a recycling plant, an organisation involved in artificial intelligence, a fashion house, a florist, and a variety of consultants and workers helping not-for-profits attend and hear what others are up to," Mr Moriarty said.
"These days it's not enough to say you're doing good. You've got to be able to prove it.
Presenters included Alicia Kennedy of Cherished Pets Vet Care, the first veterinary practice in the world to win B Corp certification. Ms Kenney said the series was a great chance to meet people from other Melbourne B Corps.
"I made some really cool connections that I'll definitely be following up. Great people. Cool event. Awesome venue, but of course having a dog in the room was the icing on the cake." (The dog was in training to become an assistant animal.)
Alicia Kennedy of Cherished Pets Vet Care during her presentation.
The head of B Lab in Australia and New Zealand, Andrew Davies, welcomed Our Community's involvement in B Corp Month.
"The stories of B Corps and their personal experiences are the best way to understand our movement, and they so clearly show why doing business better is not just essential for us to chart a sustainable future, but also offers more meaningful and engaging work.
"Our Community House was the perfect environment for these events, as they have created an inspiring space for purpose-led businesses and not-for-profits to connect and learn from each other."
B Corps in Australia | Our Community's B-Corp community award | Our Community recognised in its mission to be a force for good