SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 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
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 Executive Team | ©Sarah Rose Donnelly (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!