Southern California B Corps You Need to Know About
Let’s start with the BIG question…
what is a B-Corp?
A certified B-Corporation, or B-Corp, is a for-profit enterprise that meets “the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. In simpler terms, B-Corps are businesses that have shifted to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. This is a certification that is demonstrated with actions, not dollars, as companies that are registered as a B corp must achieve a minimum score on the B Impact Assessment, an evaluation of the company’s impact on its workers, customers, community, and environment. Becoming a B Corp allows companies to hold on to their social mission while allowing them to scale the business responsibly.
There are a few well-known names in the B-Corp space like Patagonia, Toms, and Athleta, but there are thousands of companies around the world committing to shift the way they operate their business. We’re here to introduce you to three up-and-coming Southern California brands committed to doing business better. Without further adu…
Meet Dogeared – an OG B-Corp
When you “dog ear” the corner of a book page, it is a reminder of a place you want to return to. The name Dogeared was born from the idea, that you come back to a piece again and again because it reminds you of the people, places, milestones, and moments. Dogeared pieces are made to be timeless, special, and mindful. As a certified B corporation, they ensure their jewelry adheres to the highest standards of social and environmental performance. As responsible creators, this is the foundation of their mission and this pursuit takes shape in many forms. They’re dedicated to the concept of slow fashion: the design and creation of year-round products made to last. So, your Dogeared will be beautiful now and for decades to come. Dogeared is committed to supporting team members, their community, and the local economy by making most of their products in the USA. They source from the global creative community with some of their collections, and note where that is the case. Using recycled sterling silver, they keep their products 100% nickel-free and use recycled packaging and mailers. Keeping it clean minimizes their environmental impact while maximizing their jewel’s impact.
Dogeared became a B corporation in 2011, making them one of the first companies to do so. Through purpose-driven practices, they take action to create beauty responsibly.
Introducing Kindhumans
Kindhumans was created to celebrate the good in humanity by elevating community, commerce, and world-changing causes. They call these their “Three Cs.” Together they form the heart and soul of the Kindhumans brand.
From bringing together an inclusive community of creators to developing a marketplace to make supporting cause-driven and planet-friendly brands easy to find, the root of what makes Kindhumans one-of-a-kind is their commitment to give back.
With every purchase, 3% of sales goes to create a kinder world, with the shopper at the helm of how that money is activated. From kids to humanitarian aid, the only constant is kindness.
Co-founders Suzi and Justin Wilkenfeld dreamed up Kindhumans based on their journey as parents and philanthropists. Their goal? Set a good example for their children by fostering a community of kindness, making it easy for everyone to consume responsibly, and always giving back Kindhumans is creating a global brand and ethical online marketplace — connecting the growing community of conscious consumers with sustainable products and nonprofit causes to better our world.
Welcome to the Party, Boochcraft!
Boochcraft was founded by three friends from Ocean Beach, San Diego. They sought out to create a hard kombucha that tasted great, inspired connection, and was based on quality & whole food. Seeing the need for an alcoholic beverage with integrity, they created a craft brew you could not only enjoy but also feel good about drinking. Millions of SCOBY’s later, Boochcraft was born with a mission to inspire vitality, support our earth, build community, and have fun along the way.
What sets Boochcraft apart? Their commitment to the community and their decision to operate differently. Boochcraft sources the majority of the fresh fruit used in their beverages directly from organic small and family farms. This decision to juice whole fruit in-house and say no purees, concentrates, and natural flavors, not only creates a better-tasting beverage but supports the community and people most connected to their business. Farmers.
It doesn’t stop there. Boochcraft composts over 1 million pounds of fruit scraps annually, diverts organic fruit from landfills to San Diego food banks, and operates at a net zero emissions facility. They choose to be certified organic and partner with fair trade sugar and tea suppliers.
With this unwavering commitment to developing a great-tasting drink and supporting the planet, Boochcraft decided in 2019 to start the transition to a B-Corp, achieving the status in 2021. Boochcraft is the first Hard Kombucha beverage to make the transition to a B-Corp, ad as the OG brand in the category, they felt it was their duty to lead the charge.
We’ll leave you with wise words from Boochcraft’s Co-Founder, Adam Hiner:
So why should you support B-Corp businesses?
When you support a B-Corp business you join a global community that is using business as a force for good. You are choosing a brand that is balancing their profits with doing what is good for the planet and their community. You’re prioritizing doing business better. B Corps work to reduce inequality, lower poverty levels, create more sustainability for our environment, and build stronger communities. Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impacts of their company on those around them.
B Corporations operate with this “ Declaration of Interdependence ” in mind:
“As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:
- That we must be the change we seek in the world.
- That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
- That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
- To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.”
