Sarah Rose Donnelly
Sarah Rose Donnelly
Sustainable Design Leader
 

Sustainability Consulting

So Good So You

 
 

Case Study Overview

As part of my Master of Arts in Sustainable Design Practicum in 2021, I partnered with So Good So You to provide sustainability consulting and initiate their B Impact Assessment, the first step to becoming a Certified B Corp. So Good So You is a Minneapolis-based, women-owned company that produces organic, cold-pressed plant-based juice shots - “designed to support the health of people and planet”.

I collaborated with the executive team, navigated the assessment complexities, and found opportunities to enhance their profound commitment to positive social and environmental impact.

 
 
 

 What Is the B Impact Assessment?

The B Impact Assessment (BIA) from B Lab is the first step to becoming a B Corp Certified company. The BIA is “the most credible tool a company can use to measure its impact on its workers, community, environment, and customers”.

Details About the B Impact Assessment:

  • Approximately 200 questions are divided into 6 Impact Areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, Customers, and Disclosure Questionnaire

  • Over the years, each updated BIA variation gets more in-depth and difficult, so B Corp Certification is the gold standard for a holistic look at a company’s environmental and social impact

  • This tool provides the opportunity to benchmark and compare companies answers to thousands of others in the industry

  • If 80+ points are reached with the BIA tool, companies can apply and become a verified B Corp Certified business

 
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Practicum Contributions

 
 

Provided Credible Sustainability Consulting

Created education for the executive team including:

  • A state-of-the-state on our current climate change realities

  • A comprehensive climate vocabulary on terms like net zero, emission scopes, carbon neutral vs. zero carbon statements, etc.

  • Clarifying greenhouse emission scopes inclusive of Scopes 1, 2, and 3

  • An overview of The Paris Agreement and its implications on business

  • Sustainability frameworks and guidelines including UN Sustainable Development Goals, ISO 14001:2015, and other applicable third-party eco-certifications for products and packaging

 
 

Led Initial Project Management of their B Impact Assessment

  • Created a shared vision & storytelling of the company-wide goals

  • Tracked point-valued metrics & set goals for five Impact Areas within the business: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers

  • Provided weekly prioritization of short-term and long-term opportunities within the BIA for additional point values

  • Acted as a liaison between So Good So You and a sustainability consulting firm, Optera Climate, to build a data-driven, baseline inventory of greenhouse gas emissions

  • Provided a roadmap from the BIA to B Corp Certification

Image from Presentation to SGSY | ©Sarah Rose Hummel, 2021

Image from Presentation to SGSY Executive Team | ©Sarah Rose Donnelly (Hummel), 2021

Assisted in the development of a Virtual Office Stewardship Pledge for all So Good So You employees. | ©Sarah Rose Hummel, 2021

Assisted in the development of a Virtual Office Stewardship Pledge for all So Good So You employees, gaining additional points in the B Impact Assessment. | ©Sarah Rose Donnelly (Hummel), 2021

Outcome & Success

Initiating the B Impact Assessment and overseeing initial project management alongside the executive team marked a successful collaboration. However, as the semester concluded, the baton was passed to the So Good So You team, culminating in the finalization of my involvement with their B Impact Assessment.

🍊🍍🍋 UPDATE: In 2023, So Good So You became a certified B Corp - joining a worldwide community of companies using business as a force for good. Available at retailers nationwide!