As a coffee importer, we sit at a unique point in the supply chain with stakeholders ranging from small-holder farmers to roasters all around the world. The certification process touched everything we do as a company, from end to end! One change we’re proud of is the development of new stakeholder feedback mechanisms that loop in both customers and suppliers for a participatory approach to developing our supplier standards. This ensures that everyone is heard and shapes the way we do business. Check ‘em out here!
— Devon Barker, Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement, Cafe Imports
As part of our certification efforts, we implemented a Sustainable Purchasing policy for office supplies, with the goal of purchasing more products locally to support the businesses in our community. Along with this, we created a formal Code of Business Ethics that outlines our shared values and mission as a mental health organization, partly due to our certification efforts but also as a way to uphold a professionally enriching, compassionate and diverse workplace. We’re excited to pursue re-certification this upcoming year and continue growing, learning and supporting these values.
— Maddie De Grace, Human Resources Manager, Catalyst Mental Health
B Corp certification has encouraged us to place more rigor on our sustainability efforts. We have made a very conscious effort to integrate our sustainability plan and our business plan — so our top priorities moving forward as an organization are not only good for business but good for the people, planet, community, etc. And for employees to understand how they can impact that plan we developed a ‘Good Growth Playbook’ that breaks down each of our individual roles, the agency’s role in supporting us and how we are going to measure progress.
— Mike Schwab, Senior Vice President Group Account Director and Sustainability Lead, Colle McVoy
Since our certification in October 2023, we joined B Lab’s Climate Finance working group to learn and to drive environmental impact in an area I’ve never explored – the financial supply chain. My first step, and possibly most important, was to invite my accounting director to join the Climate Finance working group alongside me. Once we learned that our partners for banking, insurance and retirement planning were most likely investing a percentage of our dollars (e.g. premiums, deposits etc.) into projects that support oil and gas, our next step was to map our financial supply chain.
— Emily McGarvey, Director of Sustainability, Room & Board
Congratulations to all newly certified Minnesota B Corps!
AUSZI GBC in Inver Grove Heights (founded 2018)
A multidiverse portfolio company
Aveda Corporation in Blaine (founded 1978)
High-performance, botanically-based products for beauty professionals and consumers
Cafe Imports in Minneapolis (founded 1993)
Coffee importer and developer
Catalyst Mental Health in Minneapolis (founded 2012)
Outpatient mental health and therapy services
Colle McVoy in Minneapolis (founded 1935)
Full-service branding and advertising agency
Fielding International in Minneapolis (founded 2013)
Education design firm
Nova Group, GBC in St. Louis Park (founded 2016)
Advisory firm providing environmental, engineering and energy services
Ovation Wealth Advisors in Minneapolis (founded 2020)
Wealth management and financial planning
Return in Stewartville (founded 1980)
Responsibly sourced growing supplies
Room & Board in Minneapolis (founded 1980)
National retailer of modern home furnishings
So Good Brand, Inc. DBA So Good So You in Minneapolis (founded 2014)
Cold-pressed juice shots
Watershed Partners, GBC in Minneapolis (founded 1997)
Business consulting and services
