What if success in business wasn’t just about profit? What if the way a company treats its people, its community, and the planet mattered just as much as its financial results? That’s the vision behind B Corp™, and it’s why we chose to be part of this movement. We’ve always believed that business should serve people, not the other way around. That’s what drives us at Mezzanine. To help brands uncover their purpose and build something meaningful. But we knew that if we were going to champion this for others, we had to hold ourselves to the same high standard. So in 2022, we became a Certified B Corporation™. We didn’t do it because it looked good on paper. We did it because we wanted to lead by doing. Because even though we’re a small business, we believe that how we work and the values we uphold can inspire others to rethink what business should be. We wanted to be part of a movement that is reshaping business for the better. Making it more human, more conscious, and more impactful.
The Rise of the B Corp™ Movement
The B Corp™ movement was born out of a belief that business can and should be a force for good. It started with a simple but radical idea. That companies could exist not just to make money, but to create meaningful, positive impact. Today, the movement has grown into a global network of over 7,000 Certified B Corporations across 90+ countries, all united by a common goal. To redefine success in business.
At the heart of B Corp™ is B Lab™, the nonprofit organisation that sets the standards and certifies businesses that meet rigorous social and environmental performance criteria. To become a Certified B Corporation™, companies must meet high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. The certification assesses a company’s entire operations. Its governance, employee treatment, supply chain ethics, environmental footprint, and contribution to the communities it serves.
What Does It Mean to Be a B Corp™?
Being a B Corp™ means more than having a certification badge. It’s a commitment to continuous improvement. To making decisions that benefit not just shareholders but all stakeholders. Employees, customers, suppliers, the environment, and the wider community.
The certification process is rigorous. To qualify, businesses must:
- Achieve a minimum score of 80 points on the B Impact Assessment, which measures impact across five key areas. Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers.
- Change their legal structure to ensure they are legally accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
- Undergo recertification every three years, proving their ongoing commitment to progress and accountability.
This process ensures that B Corps don’t just meet a high standard once but continue evolving to create lasting impact.
The Impact of B Corps in Australia
When we first became a B Corp™, the movement in Australia was still growing. Today, there are over 574 Certified B Corporations in Australia and Aotearoa. Businesses of all shapes and sizes proving that purpose and profit can go hand in hand.
Companies like Outland Denim, which provides employment opportunities for women who have experienced exploitation, and Bank Australia, a customer-owned bank that prioritises ethical investment, are leading the charge. Then there’s Kathmandu, pushing sustainability in fashion, and Boody, creating everyday essentials with minimal environmental impact. These brands, and many others, are setting a new benchmark for responsible business.
Looking Ahead. The Evolution of B Corp™ Standards
The B Corp™ movement isn’t static. It’s evolving. In December 2020, B Lab announced that it was beginning the development of new, more rigorous certification standards to ensure that every B Corp™ meets higher, clearer, and more accountable requirements. These updated standards will focus on key areas such as climate action, human rights, fair work, and collective advocacy. While these changes are still in development, they mark an important shift in what it means to be a responsible business.
For us at Mezzanine, this evolution is exciting. It challenges us to continually raise the bar, refine our impact, and hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard. It’s about pushing forward. Not just for certification, but for a future where business truly serves people and the planet.
Why This Matters for You
If you’ve ever wondered whether your business could do more. Whether it could be more intentional, more people-focused, more values-driven. Then maybe this is the nudge you need.
B Corp™ certification isn’t about perfection. It’s about commitment. It’s about being part of a global community that is rethinking what business should be and proving that you can do good and do well at the same time.
We’re proud to be a B Corp™. Not because of the certification itself, but because of what it represents. Accountability, impact, and a belief that business can be better. And as the movement grows, we hope to see more businesses take the leap. To step up, to lead, and to use business as a genuine force for good.
Are you ready to be part of the change?
If you want to dive deeper into the B Corp™ movement and how it’s evolving, read our latest article on the new B Corp™ standards and what they mean for businesses: The Bar is Rising. And So Are We
