When I first heard about the B Corp™ certification I started researching what it was. The more I read, the more I wanted to learn. The more I learned the more I wanted our company to become part of the B Corp community. There were so many consistent themes between B Corps and the journey we are on. This certification simply validates and legitimizes what we stand for and will help us grow beyond where I thought would be possible.
B Corp certification is awarded to businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. It is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance, extending well beyond standard product or service-level certification. Together, these companies form a global community of 3,000 businesses using profits and growth as a means to a greater end, building a more inclusive and sustainable economy for all. B Corp certification is distributed and governed by B Lab®, a non-profit body serving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.
My father weaved into our foundation that we wanted to provide an unparalleled experience for those who utilized promotional products. We strive every day to execute to the same level that my father ran the company. Today, my business partner, Colin, and I always aim to create an environment that is more than a place where somebody comes to collect a paycheck. We want it to be a place where team members not only have the opportunity to expand their skill set and navigate their own career paths, but they are also excited to be a part of.
We have worked diligently over the past 12 months to complete the rigorous assessment process, which analyzes our commitment to team engagement, good governance, community involvement, customer stewardship and environmental sustainability. The first step was to amend our articles of incorporation, legalizing our commitment to act in the best interest for both shareholders and stakeholders. Stakeholders are any individual or group directly impacted by our organization and include our employees, clients, suppliers, communities and the environment. This is a significant and important step in the certification process and a long standing practice that we were happy to formalize. Taking this step ensures McCabe’s commitment to working in the best interest of all of our stakeholders will never waiver, even if the ownership of the company were to ever change.
We’re proud of the factors that contributed to our certification. We've developed our own internal personal development program, called McCabe University, where volunteering is as important as continued education. Our focus in our community service efforts is not only to give back to the communities who support us, but to inspire others to do the same. We launched the Marigold Collection, where 3% of proceeds are donated to national charities that improve our communities.
Consumers today are not only seeking out environmentally sustainable options, but they are also demanding companies conduct business in a more socially conscious and ethical manner. We strive to be at the forefront of the changing market and have even sourced a collection of sustainable products called the Impact Collection. Our team has also developed a 34-point verification questionnaire that measures the sustainable attributes of a product over the course of its entire lifecycle. With the collection, we hope to demonstrate that thoughtful marketing strategies are not only sustainable, but also a more impactful and engaging option for brands to tell their story.
The certification is proof of the progress we’ve made as a company, but there is still work to be done. We aim to be leaders and an ally for others interested in joining this movement to use business as a force for good. Regardless of whether a company prioritizes being more socially responsible or reducing their carbon footprint or not, our hope is that they can at least feel comfortable knowing they are partnering with a company that follows the highest ethics that come with the B Corp certification.
~ Jamie McCabe, President