What happens when a company focused on values, sustainability, kindness, and community adopts B Corp Standards?
Today on Beyond the B, we welcome Equator Coffees Co-Founder Helen Russell and specialist coffee professional Devorah Freudiger to examine how the B Corp movement has helped solidify and protect the values of their company. They explore the evolution of Equator Coffees, why they became involved in B Corp, how the standards elevate the company, and more! We delve into Helen’s personal identity as a member of the LGBTQ community and how that comes into play within the company before discussing how they create great quality coffee while remaining sustainable and maintaining their good intentions and equity.
Our guests go on to tell us about how their financing has evolved and how they have grown as a business while staying financially hygienic. We even touch on how they find the right people for the right roles in the company and ensure that they stay kind while communicating with employees honestly. Finally, we talk about how the new B Corp standards might affect Equator Coffees and what we can expect from the company in the near future.
Listeners will be inspired to prioritize kindness and values and learn about the benefits of the B Corp movement within a business that is already focused on equity.
What You’ll Learn:
Learn about how our guests got into the coffee industry and the evolution of Equator Coffees.
Explore what B Corp offered Equator Coffees, why they pursued it, and the value it brings.
Consider how they balance sustainability and equity with making good-tasting coffee.
Discover Equator Coffees’ growth plan, financial hygiene, and employment strategy.
Understand how they balance kindness with honest, constructive communication.
Recognize how the new B Corp standards will apply to Equator and the company’s future.
Quotations:
“From the very beginning, we wanted to connect the dots between quality coffee, fair relationships with farmers, and taking care of people. We never saw coffee as just a product; it is always about the people and communities behind it.” — Helen Russell
“B Corp did not create Equator’s values; it helped us codify and protect them.” — Helen Russell
“Tying consistency to sustainability has always been really important to us.” — Devorah Freudiger
“I love that B Corp does keep getting harder in some ways.” — Devorah Freudiger
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equatorcoffees
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B Corp Consultant
Interested in certifying, recertifying, or maximizing the value of your B Corp certification? Learn more about our B Corp consulting services at LIFT Economy: https://www.lifteconomy.com/secrets-of-b-corp-consulting
Unlock Your Free B Corp Values Assessment
Our 200 point B Corp assessment tool helps you measure how well your organization embodies B Corp values. Get it for free today! https://go.lifteconomy.com/b-corp-newsletter
Gratitude
Thank you to Corey Lien, Nozomii Torii, and Kirsten G. Bryant for being our monthly contributors at Beyond the B!