To B Corp or Not To B Corp?

To everyone reading this…I need your help…

It’s time to renew my B Corp membership and I’m a little unsure of what to do, so I’m asking all of my lovely followers your thoughts…

This will be the start of my 4th year as a B Corp, and I do feel incredibly proud to have managed to get through the rigorous certification process…but…its REALLY expensive (last year was over £700!) to be part of it, and I’m wondering if it’s proving beneficial/necessary for “my” business.

The ethos behind the movement is all good, but over the past three years, I’m finding that “most” businesses seem to see it more as something to be used to increase their profits and especially as a way of attracting and retaining staff. Neither of these things are why I decided to become a B Corp.

I did it because I wanted to show that caring for the planet and having as minimal an impact as possible is the MOST important element of my business. I wanted something that proved what I was saying was true and I wasn’t just greenwashing. But I’m wondering if my good intentions of wanting to have the B Corp badge to prove that I’m an environmentally friendly and ethical business, with all the big B Corp events that happen, and people travelling from across the globe to attend is actually making my carbon footprint higher!?!

Maybe I shouldn’t be or even need to be giving the B Corp machine my money?

There are still only a handful of jewellery B Corps, so is this also telling me that it’s not necessary?

Is there some other certification system out there?

Do I just dedicate the many hours I would spend filling in forms and collating evidence to recertify doing something that’s actually going to help the planet, like planting some veggies and bee friendly plants in my garden or sharing environmental advice? Theres even been a suggestion that I should write a book about my sustainability journey and setting up my off grid studio!

Will you all think less of me if I no longer have the B Corp badge?

I’m really on the fence about what to do, and I need to decide pretty much now as the renewal email has been sitting in my inbox for over a week. All advise and opinions will be gratefully accepted! X