B the Change Weekly: September 20, 2019
Each Certified B Corporation brings unique gifts and vantage points to the B Corp community, creating a rich group of changemakers who share a concern about the future of our planet and its people and are stepping up to global challenges.
This week, about 700 people from the U.S. and Canadian B Corp communities and other partners gathered in Los Angeles for Champions Retreat — a few activity-packed days of inspiration, discussion, and collaboration focused on creating a more inclusive and regenerative economy. As these members of the B Economy return home with new friends and new ideas, they know the challenges of creating that change won’t be easy. But they also know they aren’t alone in their work — and that together we are stronger.
Read on for highlights from Champions Retreat and other ways B Corps are building stronger, more resilient communities around the world.
Harnessing the Power of a Community of Champions
At the 2019 Champions Retreat in Los Angeles, the B Corp community and its partners gathered to explore how to better create opportunities for all people and take sustainability to the next level. As business culture shifts toward positive impact on all stakeholders, these B Economy leaders must use innovation and collaboration to forge a new path and build a more inclusive and regenerative economy.
A Better World Through Community Health
While many people equate health with traditional (and typically costly) medical care, the factors that most influence an individual’s well-being are where they live, work and play. Known as the social determinants of health, these issues overlap with what B Corps promise to consider when they sign the Declaration of Interdependence and shape how the companies Vote Every Day through their business practices to build a better world.
Taking Up the Fight Against Plastic Waste
The founders of B Corp Simply Straws didn’t set out to be sustainability leaders — they set out to build a better world by taking on a piece of “the problem” where they could make an impact. When Cyndi and Chanelle Sladies launched the Earth-friendly products’ business out of a garage seven years ago, single-use plastic straws were a relatively new concept. Now, the Costa Mesa, California-based company is Best For The World for Community, has products in more than 1,200 stores, and has 14 full-time employees.
Stay in the Know
Here’s your chance to catch up on all the good stuff we shared this week:
- Going Beyond Earth-Friendly Products to Build a Better World: Best For The World Simply Straws’ Cyndi and Chanelle Sladics Take Up the Fight Against Plastic Waste — And Other Businesses Can Too
- How to Transform Your Business into a Place of Healing: Authors Share How Businesses Can Alleviate Suffering and Elevate Joy — Starting with Their Workers
- Developing Leadership and Self-Awareness to Run an Effective Impact-Driven Organization: Chris Hutchinson and the Trebuchet Group Teach the Importance of Leadership and Growth for Better Business
- Harnessing the Power of Community to Create a More Inclusive and Regenerative B Economy: Let’s Get to Work: Takeaways from 2019 Champions Retreat
B the Change gathers and shares the voices from within the movement of people using business as a force for good and the community of Certified B Corporations. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the nonprofit B Lab.
Calls to Action for a Community of Champions was originally published in B the Change on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
